O Say Can You See

In this case it is admitted that the Petr. was born in the state of Maryland and became by marriage the property of one Henry O. Middleton who resided in Washington County in this District until May 1820 there keeping the said Petitioner in his possession as his slave, That the said Middleton then removed into the State of Virginia to reside, & left the said slave in Maryland with her former Master. That on 7th Decr. 1820 the said Petr. was carried by the said Henry O. Middleton to Fredksburg in Virga; where he then resided, & where said Middleton hath resided ever since, with an agreement & understanding between said Middleton and said Petitioner that if she did not like to continue in Fred'sburg, she should return and get a Master either in Maryland or the District as she might choose. That after staying some time in Fredksburg the said Petitioner became dissatisfied, & expressed her desire to return, in consequence of which the said Middleton on the 7th December 1821 gave her a pass authorizing her to proceed from Fredksburg to Washington. That in some few weeks afterwards the said Deft Middleton came to Washington where the Petitioner then was & sold her to the Deft.

It is submitted to this Court to determine upon this Statement whether by the law of Maryland AD 1796 ch: 67 the Petr. is or is not entitled to her freedom. with the privilege to either party to except to the judgement of the Court.

FS Key for Petr.
W Jones for deft.

and the Court were of opinion that upon the facts, as admitted as above, the Petr is not entitled by law to her freedom, & therefore give judgt for the Defendant. From which the said Petr. prays an appeal to the Supreme   Court of the United States.

W. Cranch (seal)
James S. Morsell (seal)