O Say Can You See

To the Honorable the Judges of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia for the County of Washington

The Petition of Ralph Taylor and Catherine his wife in their own right, and in behalf of their infant children Henry Taylor, Sarah Elizabeth Taylor, John Taylor, and Ellen Taylor, humbly sheweth

That your Petitioners are free, and are held in bondage and claimed as slaves by James C. McGuire administrator with the will annexed of John Payne Todd late of the county aforesaid deceased, and they pray that their right to freedom may be enquired of by your Honors according to law.

Jos. H. Bradley
atty for Petitioners