O Say Can You See

To the honourable The Judges of the General Court.

The petition of Eleanor Butler humbly sheweth, that she is held as a Slave by Robert Lawson 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 Rebecca Butler who was the daughter of Jane 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 Robert Lawson and that summonses may Issue for the witness & soforth

G. Duvall for Petr