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, James M.
Torbert of Washington
City 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 Five persons of African descent of the names of Louisa
Commodore, Louisiana Commodore,
Harriet Commodore
Holdsworth and Virginia, for
and during the life of said Persons and that by
said act of Congress said 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 Persons were of the ages of 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.
Louisa is about sixty two years of
age, Black Color and about medium Height Sound & Healthy in body and
mind, She is a first rate Cook, Washer and Ironer and bears a high Character
for Honesty and Integrity,
Louisiana is daughter of the
above; was born Oct 14 1834, being in the 28
year of her age, dark color, about medium height, sound & Healthy in
body and mind, She is an excellent Cook, Washer, Ironer and Seamstress is
Honest & truthful.
Harriet also daughter of above named
Louisa was born Novr 1—1841 & is in her Twenty first year Black Color,
medium height, sound & Healthy both in Body and mind, and is an
excellent House Servant and Nurse for Young Children, is Honest truthful and
obedient.
Holdsworth, son of Louisiana was born
June 22d 1857 is in his Fifth year, Mulatto,
and is a Stout Boy, sound & Healthy in body and mind
Virginia, daughter of Louisiana was
born May 8 1860 is now in her 3d year, Mulatto is
sound & Healthy in body and mind,
That your petitioner acquired His claim to the
aforesaid service or labor of said 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.
by Marriage on the 2nd of August 1836, with Mary
Elizabeth Peyton, daughter of Mrs. Eliza
Peyton of this City
I aver that I know of no Infirmity or defect that
impairs the value of my claim to the service or labor of said Persons, and I
believe none exists
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Persons, was, at the time of said discharge
therefrom, of the value of 2,750 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.
viz,
- Louisa, Three Hundred Dollars
- Louisiana, One thousand Dollars
- Harriet, One thousand Dollars,
- Holdsworth, Three Hundred Dollars
- and Virginia, One Hundred & fifty Dollars,
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 Persons
into the District of Columbia since the passage of said
act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said Persons were 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 the said claim to the service or labor of said 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 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) James M. Torbert