Joe v. George Chapman. Petition for Freedom

 

To the Honble the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia for Washington County.

The Petition of Negroe Joe humbly sheweth that your Petitioner is a free man agreeably to the laws & is unjustly held in bondage by a certain George Chapman who claims your Petitioner as a slave. Your Petitioner therefore prays to be discharged from his said servitude, & that a subpoena may issue to the said George Chapman commanding him to appear before your Honours & answer to the premisses; & your Petitioner being prepared to prove his said claim to freedom prays your Honors that the same may be duly enquired into & that he may be granted such relief in the premisses as to your Honors may seem just &c

F S Key for Petr.

 

197. 249.

Negroe Joe
vs
George Chapman

Pet:

Mr Brent
Please to issue subpa on the within & file it.
Yrs
F S Key.

Filed 10. Oct. 1810

give the petr. the usual protection.