We, reposing special trust and confidence in your integrity and circumspection, do require and command you, that you cause
to come before you such person or persons, as shall be named to you by Coleman DuncanColeman Duncan or RalphRalph
a man of color their attorney or agent, and him or them examine upon
his, her or their corporal oath (to be by you administred) touching their knowledge of any thing that may relate to a certain matter
of controversy, now pending in our circuit Court, for the county of St. LouisSt Louis, wherein RalphRalph a man
of color is plaintiff and Coleman DuncanColeman Duncan is
defendant, on the part of the said defendant, and having reduced the said depositions so taken by
you as aforesaid, into writing, you are required to send the same, together with this commission, enclosed under your seal, to our
said circuit court, with all convenient speed.