O Say Can You See

Know all men by these presents that we Frances Swann and Edw. Swann are held and firmly bound unto the United States in the sum of one thousand Dollars the true payment of which to the United States we jointly and severally and firmly by these presents bind ourselves our heirs Executors and Administrators sealed with our seals and dated this fourth day of February 1841

The Condition of the above obligation is such that if the above bound Frances Swann shall have negro Rachel Graham who obtained permission from the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia for the County of Alexandria to bring suit for the recovery of her freedom against the said Frances Swann in the said Court, forthcoming at the trial of said suit and shall permit her to take steps to prepare for said trial and to attend the Court for the trial of said suit and shall also have her forthcoming to answer the judgement of the Court in said suit then said obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full force.

Given under our hands and seals this fourth day of February 1841

Frances Swann (Seal)
Edw Swann (Seal)

Signed Sealed and delivered in the presence of
E. J. Middleton as to E. S.
Ch McNamee as to E. S.