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 RalphRalph a man of color or by ColemanColeman Duncan
DuncanColeman Duncan their attorney or agent, and him or them examine upon
his, her or their corporal oath (to be by you administered) touching their knowledge of any thing that may relate to a certain matter
of controversy, now pending in our Circuit CourtCircuit 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 plaintiff, 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 CourtCircuit Court , with all convenient speed.