Philis Butler v. Augustin Saira
United States. Circuit Court (District of Columbia) - Washington (D.C.)Claim for Freedom Made
Property DisputeCase Documents
- Philis Butler v. Augustine Saira. Petition for Freedom (July 25, 1808)
- Philis Butler v. Augustine Saira. Summons of Augustine Saira (July 25, 1808)
People
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Defendant(s):
Attorney for Plaintiff(s):
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Summary
Philis Butler claimed she was "manumitted & set free" by Philip Selby. The terms of her manumission, however, were complicated because Augustin Saira paid Selby for Butler's freedom. As a result, Butler owed Saira. Under the terms of their arrangement, Butler argued, she could either pay Saira the equivalent money or work for him for a "certain length of time." Saira, however, used the opportunity to claim Butler as a slave, in effect taking the position that he purchased Butler rather than lent her funds in order to secure her freedom.