The deposition of James M. Nelson taken at the Tavern of [blank] [Coshunter?] at Madison Ct. Ho. on Sunday the 17th Octo 1843 in the presence of the Counsel for Pl'ff & Deft in the suit of H. Hill vs H. Taylor which is depending in the Circuit Sup: Ct of Law & Chancery in Madison County, & which deposition is to be read as evidence in said Suit.. The defendant states as follows he being duly sworn. Question by Defts Counsel. Have you any knowledge of a partnership in the business of negro trading between J. M. Sanders of Warrenton & Humphrey Tayler of Madison County if yes when ^did^ that partnership begin & when did it end? Answer. I have been under the impression that there was a copartnership between JM Saunders & H Taylor as I have told so by both of the parties and I have seen an article of agreement of that effect which partnership commenced sometime in the summer of 1836 and ended in spring 1841 I have done a good deal of business for said parties and were present & saw them make settlement of their partnership concerns. Question by same. Are you acquainted with the handwriting of Mr Sanders & Mr Taylor and if so [look?] on the papers marked A & B & say in whose [writing?] they are? Ans. I am acquainted with the hand writing of Mr. Sanders and Mr. Taylor; the article of agreement marked A is writen by J. M. Saunders and one of the Signatures is his and the other is Humphrey Taylors the paper marked B is the hand writing of J M Saunders and the Signature is Mr. H Taylors