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it with safety had it not been very hard frozen, that they immediately told him they would not go upon the land. That they have been employed ever since in cutting cord wood and other labour for Mr. Fairbanks and have never received one penny therefor in money that they have never been employed one day upon this our lands and will never willingly go upon the land which Mr. Fairbanks (illegible) them. That Mr. Fairbanks now refuses to allow them any provisions which occasions much distress to their families. That they think Mr. Fairbanks upon a fair settlement is in their debt.