We command you to attach WilliamWilliam (a slave of William GardnerWilliam Gardner )
by his body, and him safely keep, so that you have his
[ bod ] before the Judge of our Circuit CourtCircuit Court , now in session at the City of St. LouisCity of St Louis, within and for
the county of St. LouisSt Louis, on theforthwithday of 18,
then and there to testify and the truth to say in a certain matter of controversy, now pending in our
said Circuit CourtCircuit Court , between The state of MissouriMissouri plaintiff, and Ben
defendant, wherein the said WilliamWilliam
has heretofore been summoned, on the part of of the said Defendant