O Say Can You See

To the honourable the Judges of the General Court.

The Petition of Henny Butler humbly sheweth that she is held as a slave by Charles Carroll of Washington County, altho' she is entitled unto her freedom, being descended from a free woman whose name was Eleanor Butler. Your petitioner is the daughter of Sarah Butler who was the daughter of Sally 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 Charles Carroll, and that summonses may Issue for her witnesses and so forth.

G Duvall for Petr