Extract from a letter written by David Ayres, to Elder T.F. 
    Norris, dated New Orleans, April 12, 1833.

“I have arrived here this day, and expected to have found letters here from you, and some of my other brethren respecting Apes’ suit.  I never volunteered in this business, but was led into it by others, and it is truly a hard case that I must have all this trouble on their account.”

    Extract of a letter written by David Ayers to William Apes,
    dated July 1, 1833.

“I am, and always have been your friend, and I never expected that any things I wrote about you, would find their way into the public papers.  I am for peace, and surely I have had trouble enough.  I never designed to injure you, and when all were your enemies, I was your warm friend.”

    Extract from a letter written by G. Thomas to Rev. Thomas F.
    Norris, dated New York, July 12, 1833.

“William Apes might by some be said to be an excepted case; but when this is fairly explained and understood, this would not be the fact.  My good friends of Boston, and my active little brother Ayres, are to blame for this, and not me.  I had no malice against him, I never had done other than wish him well, and done what I hoped would turn out for the best; but knowing he was liable to error (as) others, and the case being placed in such colors to me, I awoke up; and being pressed to give what I did in detail as I thought, all for the good of the cause and suffering innocence; but I am sorry I ever was troubled at all on the subject; I thought that brother Reynolds was a fine catch; but time I acknowledge is a sure tell-tale.  And by the by, they have caught me, and eventually, unless Apes will stop proceedings, I must bear all the burthen.  Reynolds has got his neck out of the halter, and Ayres is away South, and may never return; and poor me must be at all the trouble and cost, if even the suit should go in my favor.  Can I think that Apes will press it?  No.  I think he has not lost all human milk out of his breast, and will dismiss the suit; and, as to my share of the cost, if I was able, that should be no obstacle.  If he will stop it all, if my friends do not settle it, I will agree to, as soon as I am able.”

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I hereby certify, that I have copied the foregoing passages from the letters purporting to be from David Ayres and G. Thomas, respectively, as above mentioned, and that said passages are correct extracts from said letters.  I further certify, that, as the Attorney of said William Apes, I acted for him in the suits brought by him against said Thomas and Ayres for libel, that while said suits were pending, said Apes manifested a forgiving and forbearing disposition, and wished the suits not to be pressed any further than was necessary to show the falsehood of the statements