Henry Compton v. William Dorsey. Petition for Freedom
To the Judges of the Circuit Court in the District of Columbia for the County of Washington
The petition of Henry Compton respectfully represents to your Honors that he is a free man and is unlawfully and unjustly held in custody of William Dorsey, who claims your petitioner as his slave
Wherefore he the said petitioner, prays your Honors, to issue or cause to be issued the Unites States writ of subpoena, directed to the said Dorsey commanding him to appear & show cause why he detains your petitioner as his slave as aforesaid and that such other & further relief may be granted as to your Honors may seem proper &c
Danl Ratcliffe
atty for Petitioner
121. 79. 107. 133. 116. 99. 132. 92. 232 174 31. 124. 107. 100. 57 62 160. 99 98 33 39 49
Henry Compton
vs.
Wm Dorsey
The clerk will file this & issue
D Ratcliffe
atty for Petr.
Filed 3d Dec. 1851
