O Say Can You See

To the honourable the Judges of the General Court

The Petition of Giles Butler humbly sheweth That he is unjustly detained and held in Slavery by a certain George Somervell of Saint Marys County, when he is entitled to his freedom, being the son of Bett Butler who was the daughter of Eleaner Butler, who was the daughter of Eleanor Butler, a free white woman. He therefore prays your honours to grant a Summons against the said George Somervell to appear before your Honours and answer the premises, and that he enter into the usual recognizance not to ill treat your petitioner, and that he be permitted to attend his Council when necessary and so forth

G. Duvall for petr

17th may 1790.