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, Caroline
McAlister of Washington
City by this her
petition in writing, represents and states, that she 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
one person of African descent of the name of
Rachael Edmonston for and
during the life of said Rachael and that by said act of Congress said
Rachael is discharged and
freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor; that at
the time of said discharge said
Rachael was of the age of thirty eight years 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.
about 5 ft in height—dark complexion and stout
built.
That your petitioner acquired her claim to the
aforesaid service or labor of said Rachael 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 inheritance from her father, by whom
Rachael was raised from childhood—he having
purchased her of the estate of Mrs
Nancy Middleton of Montgomery Co
Md; Of which facts she can obtain good and sufficient oral
testimony but knows of no other evidences within her reach.
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Rachael was, at the time of
said discharge therefrom, of the value of Six
hundred 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.
With the exception of the effects of a burn on her left
hand causing the stiffness of one finger I know of no physical defects that
detract from Rachael's value as an able bodied
servant—Nor do I know of any qualities of mind or body which render
her in any way peculiarly valuable, or otherwise.
Your petitioner hereby declares that she bears true
and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States, and that she 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 she has not brought said Rachael into the District of Columbia since
the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage
thereof, said Rachael 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 her said claim to the service or labor of said Rachael 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 her said claim to the service or labor
of said Rachael 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)
Caroline McAlister