I had possession of Block 224  amp;  Sold wood from it made improvements upon it burning up logs and Stumps from time to time and have paid taxes upon it so far as I know since the first time taxes were mad out against it.  At the time the deed Col. Chapman  amp; wife made out   dated Sept 10th 1853 which Deed he Says he read to me and I assented to the Conditions in it I was living in Umpqua Valley about one hundred and seventy five miles from Portland going there on the  first of June 1853 and did not  return to Portland until the fall or latter part of Summer of 1854 I think in the month Col. Chapman never read the Deed to Me, never delivered the Deed to me neither did I Ever have any Conversation with  him directly or indirectly in relation to Such Deed   The first time I  
        Ever saw Said Deed to know what Was in it was after this Suit was Commenced   I never authorized any Person to obtain Such Deed Neither have I acknowledged to him or any other person That Said Deed was Confirmatery of the Deed of Dedication I received in Sept 1850 and upon which I acted in the Erection of the Academy