O Say Can You See

Know all men by these presents that we John Hodgskins and Richard Weightman are held and firmly bound unto the United States of America in the full and just Sum of Three Hundred & fifty dollars Money of the United States. To the Payment whereof well and truly to be made we bind ourselves and each of us our and each of our Heirs Executors and Administrators jointly and severally firmly by these presents sealed with our Seals and dated this 20th July Day of July 1808.

Whereas Negroe William hath presented a Petition to the Honble. the United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia for the County of Alexandria alledging that he is illegally detained in Bondage by the said Stephen Cantrill and the Court having ordered that the said Negroe William should remain in the Custody of the Marshal until the said John Hodgkins should give Bond and Security to have the said Negroe William forthcoming to answer the Judgment of the Court. Now if the said John Hodgkins shall have the said Negroe William forthcoming to answer the Judgment of the Court in the premises then the above   Obligation to be void else to remain in full force Power and Virtue in Law.

John Hodgkin (seal)
Richard Weightman (seal)

Sealed & delivered in presence of G. Deneale