PETITION.
To the Commissioners under the act of Congress approved the 16th of April, 1862, entitled "An act for the
release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District
of Columbia."
Your Petitioner,
Wm. H. Dougal
of
Washington Co. D.C.
by
this his petition in writing, represents and
states, that he is a person loyal to the
United States, who, at the time of the passage of the
said act of Congress, held a claim to service or labor against Two persons of
African descent of the name of
Catherine
Mudd and Clara Bowie, for and
during the life of said named persons and that by
said act of Congress said named persons were
discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or
labor; that at the time of said discharge said named
persons were of the age of
as
follows and of the personal description following:Here describe the person, so as
to identify him or her; and if there be more than one slave, describe each
one separately.
-
Catherine Mudd aged 31 years, Dark color, medium
height stout build
-
Clara Bowie aged 20 years, Dark mulatto, Tall,
Good looking
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the
aforesaid service or labor of said named persons
in manner following:Here state
how the claim was acquired, when, from whom, and for what price or
consideration; and, if held under any written evidence of title, make
exhibit thereof, or refer to the public record where the same may be
found.
that is to say
-
Catherine Mudd, by bill of sale from
Joseph Brain for the sum of One Thousand
dollars ($1000) on the tenth day of October
1857.
-
Clarissa Bowie by bill of sale from
Charles R. Belt for the sum of Eight Hundred
& Fifty dollars ($850) on the 23rd day of
February 1860. which said bills of sale are herewith
filed
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said named persons was, at the time of said discharge
therefrom, of the value of as follows
dollars in money.Here state such facts, if any there be, touching the value of the
petitioner's claim to the service or labor of the person, as may enhance the
same, and also such facts, if any, touching the moral, mental, and bodily
infirmities or defects of said person, as impair the value of the
petitioner's claim to such service or labor, and conclude such statement
with an averment that the petitioner knows of no other infirmities or
defects of said person which impair the value of petitioner's claim to such
service or labor, and that he believes none other to exist. If the
petitioner specify no such infirmity or defect, then his statement touching
the value of his claim should conclude with an averment that he has no
knowledge of any such infirmity or defect.
-
Catherine Mudd $900.
-
Clarissa Bowie $1000.
The two women are sound in mind and body to the best of my
knowledge and belief, and are capable and accomplished servants in every
respect
Your petitioner hereby declares that he bears true
and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United
States, and that he has not borne
arms against the United States in the present rebellion,
nor in any way given aid or comfort thereto.
And your petitioner further states and alleges, that he has not brought said named persons
into the District of Columbia since the passage of said
act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said named persons was held to service or labor therein
under and by virtue of your petitioner's claim to such service or labor.
Your petitioner further states and alleges, that his said claim to the service or labor of said named persons does not originate in or by virtue of
any transfer heretofore made by any person who has in any manner aided or
sustained the present rebellion against the Government of the United
States.
And your petitioner prays the said Commissioners to investigate and determine the
validity of his said claim to the service or labor
of said named persons herein above set forth; and
if the same be found to be valid, that they appraise and apportion the value of
said claim in money, and report the same to the Secretary of the Treasury of the
United States, in conformity to the provisions of
said act of Congress.
(Signed by)
Wm. H.
Dougal
Know all men by these presents, that I, Chs. R. Belt of
the County of Washington in the District
of Columbia, for and in consideration of the sum of Eight
hundred and fifty dollars, to me in hand paid by Wm. H.
Dougal of the County of Washington and
District aforesaid, at and before the sealing and
delivering of these presents, the receipt whereof I the said Chs.
R. Belt do hereby acknowledge, have granted bargained and
sold, and by these presents, do grant, bargain, and sell, unto the said
Wm. H. Dougal, his heirs, executors and
administrators, by servant Girl, called, and named Clarissa
Bowie, a slave for life, now living in the family of the said
Wm. H. Dougal. To have and to hold the said servant
girl Clarissa Bowie above bargained and sold to the
said Wm. H. Dougal, his heirs, executors and
administrators, forever. And I the said Chs. R. Belt
for myself my heirs, executors or administrators, all my right, title, and
interest in the said servant girl Clarissa Bowie, unto
the said Wm. H Dougal, his heirs, executors and
administrators—and against me the said Chs. R.
Belt my heirs, executors, and administrators, and against all
and every other person or persons, whatsoever, shall and will warrant and
defend by these presents, and I the said Chs. R. Belt
have put the said Wm. H. Dougal in full possession, by
delivering to the said Wm. H. Dougal my servant girl
Clarissa Bowie at the sealing and delivering of
these presents
In Witness whereof, I have
hereunto set my hand and seal this 23d day of
February in the year 1860
Chs. R. Belt seal
Witness
L. S.
Myer
District of Columbia
Washington County
On this 23d day of Feby. 1860. personally
appeared before me L. S. Myer a Justice of the Peace in
for the County & District
aforesaid Chs. R. Belt and acknowledged the foregoing
instrument of writing to be his act & deed for the purposes therein set
forth
L. S. Myer J. P. seal
Chas R Belt.