James Butler v. Electius Spalding. Petition for Freedom
To the Honourable the Judges of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia the petition of James Butler Humbly Sheweth.
That your Petitioner a person of Colour is of right entitled to his freedom and yet nevertheless is held and unjustly detained in slavery by a certain Electius Spalding of Washington County aforesaid. Wherefore your Petitioner humbly prays your Honours to Grant that the United States Writ of Subpoena may issue to the said Electius Spalding directed, commanding him to be and appear before your Honours, to answer your petitioner in the premises and that your Honours would grant him such other and further relief as the nature of his case may seem to require & your Petitioner will ever pray &c
FS Key for Petitioner
311.
James Butler
vs
Electius Spalding
Petn for Freedom
Filed 31. May 1815.
