Ben v. Sabret Scott. Petition for Freedom
To the Honble the Judges of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
The Petition of Ben (a man of colour) humbly sheweth that he is unjustly held in bondage by a certain Sabritt Scott of the District of Columbia who claims your Petitioner as a slave. Your Petitioner states that he was carried into the State of Virginia contrary to the laws of that state & there sold to the said Scott & therefore your Petitioner considers himself entitled to his freedom. He also states that he was brought from Virginia by said Scott into the State of Maryland contrary to the laws of the State of Maryland & therefore your Petitioner also considers himself entitled to his freedom.
He therefore prays your Honors that he may be permitted to prove the truth of the above allegations, & releived in the premises as to your Honors may be seem meet.
F S Key for the Petr.
121
Ben
vs.
Sabritt Scott
Petn.
Mr Brent
File this & issue sbpa
Yrs
FS Key
Filed 17th September 1806
Petr says he is free
Def says not free
jurrors released
and the said Sabrett Scott by Jas S Morsell and Walter Jones Jr his attorneies comes and says that the petitioner that is not free in manner and form as he complains and of this he puts himself upon the country.
