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A SEVEN-PAGE HANDWRITTEN DOCUMENT [1856 COPY]OF THE US ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OPINION REGARDINGFEES CHARGED BY US MARSHAL WATSON FREEMAN*[SEE BELOW*] OF BOSTON AND SANDWICH, MASSACHUSETTS, FOR THE “GUARDING AND RETURNING OF PRISONERSCHARGED WITH CRIME AND WITNESSES TWO DOLLARS A DAY….”EACH PAGE MEASURES 8″ X 13″ AND IS BOUNDIN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER WITH A RIBBON. ALSO IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER IS THE EMBOSSING OF MCSPEDON & BAKER @ CONGRESS [SEE BELOWFOR MORE INFORMATION ON MR. MCSPEDON**] THE COPY BEARS THE SIGNATURES, PROBABLY BY THE COPIER,OF HON. E. MCCELLAND, SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR,AND C. CUSHING. DOCUMENT IS CREASED WHERE FOLDED.=====WHAT IS ESPECIALLY INTERESTING IS THE US MARSHALL INVOLVED. WATSON FREEMAN WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S ENFORCER OF THE FUGITIVE SLAVE ACT IN BOSTON AND WAS INVOLVED IN THE INFAMOUS CASE IN BOSTON, INVOLVING THE FUGITIVE SLAVE, ANTHONY BURNS IN 1854. FREEMAN “COMMANDEERED” A JAMES BATCHELDER TO GUARD BURNS. AS A RESULT, BATCHELDER WAS KILLED WHEN A MOB CHARGED THE COURTHOUSE WHERE BURNS WAS BEING HELD.” In short, the dispute over the rendition of Anthony Burns was an important signpost on the road to the American Civil War (1861–1865).” [ENCYCLOPEDIA VIRGINIA]=======**”Thomas McSpedon resided in New York City, and worked as a bookbinder, stationer, and printer. His firm name, McSpedon & Baker held shops in both New York City and Washington, D.C. where they completed some printing work for the federal government……McSpedon’s wife, Hester, appears to have been emotionally and physically abused by him. In fact, she filed for divorce TWICE over the span of their marriage (1839-1889). At McSpedon’s death, he is still listed as married, so it’s possible that the pair never did legally separate. Though, they do seem to live in separate households around 1880……His questionable professional character comes most in to play in referenceto his position on the Board of Aldermen from 1856 to 1860. On numerous occasions he is condemned in newspaper articles. One of my favorites (yes, there are quite a few to choose from), because of its snarky, sarcastic tone, is shown below. This article seems to be in reference to McSpedon’s attempts to procure a contract for printing work with the city, which was obviously seen as a conflict of interest.” [SEE https://www.hagley.org/librarynews/museum-collection-patent-model-behavior]