O Say Can You See

To the honourable the Judges of the General Court.

The petition of Henrietta Butler humbly sheweth that she is held as a Slave by Edward Smith of Charles County, altho' she is entitled to her freedom, being descended from a free white woman whose name was Eleanor Butler. Your petitioner is the daughter of Eleanor Butler, who was the daughter of Eleanor Butler aforesaid a free white woman. She therefore prays your honours to take her case into Consideration, and discharge her from the Custody of the said Edward Smith, and that Summonses may Issue for her witnesses and so forth.

G. Duvall for Petnr