Civil War Washington

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, Harry W. Hall, a minor Sixteen years of age by his father and guardian Baruch Hall of the City of Washington District of Col. by this his petition in writing, represents and states, that he and his guardian are is a persons 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 a certain colored person of African descent of the name of Thomas Sprigg for and during the life of said Thomas Sprigg and that by said act of Congress said Thomas Sprigg was discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor; that at the time of said discharge said Thomas Sprigg was of the age of about Thirteen years and of the personal description following:(1) Boy—Dark brown complexion, black curly hair, black eyes, medium size for his age, hearty, healthy, and well developed

 

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Thomas Sprigg in manner following:(2) by a bequest to your Petitioner contained in the last will and testament of Jacob Hall of Prince George's Co. in the State of Maryland—his uncle, who departed this life in the Fall of the year 1858—and that the said will is admitted to record in the said last mentioned County—And that no one claims any right, title, or intent in or to the said Thomas Sprigg but your Petitioner.

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Thomas Sprigg was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of One thousand dollars in money.(3) That the said Thomas Sprigg is a tall, hearty, and healthy boy—Of a very quick and sprightly mind, and capable of doing anything any one of his age can perform—That he has no mental or bodily infirmity known to your Petitioner—and he believes none such exist. That the brother of the said Thomas Sprigg who is an inferior boy in every respect to the said Thomas, was sold when at the age of 12 years for Nine Hundred Dollars in cash.

Your petitioner and his guardian hereby declares that they bears true and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States, and that they have not borne arms against the United States in the present rebellion, nor in any way given aid or comfort thereto.

And your petitioner and his guardian further states and alleges, that they have not brought said Thomas Sprigg into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said Thomas Sprigg was held to service or labor therein under and by virtue of your petitioner's claim to such service or labor.

Your petitioner by his guardian further states and alleges, that his said claim to the service or labor of said Thomas Sprigg 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 by his guardian prays the said Commissioners to investigate and determine the validity of his said claim to the service or labor of said Thomas Sprigg 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.