Whereas on the seventh day of March insance[?] a certain deed or instrument in writing purporting[?] to be a deed from Arthur Bronson, Goold Hoyt and James B. Murray of the City of New York and Peter Augustus Jay [,] Peter [W.?] Radcliff and Eliza Thompson Executors and Executrix of James Thompson late of said City  ^ ^deceased of the first part to James Stevens of the City of Newport State of Rhode Island of the second part of certain lands lying in the Counties of Buncombe Rutherford and Mecklenburg in the State of North Carolina as by reference to said deed or instrument in writing will more fully appear-and whereas in consequence of the absence of the said James B. Murray from the said City of New York the said deed or instrument in writing was executed in his behalf by his attorney and agent Hamilton Murray.
      Now therefore know all men by these j..nts[?] that said James B. Murray of the City of New York aforesaid at j..nts[?] in the village of Clintonville County of Clinton State of New York do hereby declare the said signature of my said attorney the said Hamilton Murray to have been affixed to the said deed or instrument in writing  with my approbation and consent and I do hereby certify and confirm the said deed or instrument in writing in all its parts as fully and effectually as if the same had been by the duly executed sealed and acknowledged in my own proper person