O Say Can You See

To the honourable The Judges of the General Court

The Petition of Clement Butler humbly sheweth that he is held in slavery by Henry Pyke of Saint Mary's County, when he is entitled to his freedom being the descendant of Elinor Butler, who was a free white person in the female line. He therefore prays your honours to grant a summons against the said Henry Pyke returnable immediately that he may be and appear in this honourable Court and answer the premisses. And he as in duty bound will pray & so forth.

G. Duvall for Petr