O Say Can You See

To the honourable the judges of the General Court

The petition of Rebecca Butler humbly sheweth that she is held as a slave by Robert Lawson of Charles County. Although she is intitled to her freedom. being defended from a free woman. your petitioner is the daughter of Agnes Butler. who was the daughter of Rebecca Butler who was the daughter of Jane Butler. who was the daughter of Eleanor Butler a free woman she therefore prays that your honours would take her case into consideration and discharge her from the custody of the aforesaid Robert Lawson and that summonses may Issue for witnesses and so forth

G Duvall for petitioner