Civil War Washington

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, Eglantine Randolph of the city of Washington, and District of Columbia respectfully showeth that at the time of the passage of the said act of Congress, she held a claim to service or labor against Louisa a person of African descent for and during the life of said Louisa and that by said act of Congress said Louisa was discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor; that at the time of said discharge the said Louisa was of the following discription​ and age to wit: she is a bright mulatto girl, a very smart & useful domestic and about 13 years of age.

That your petitioner acquired her claim to the service or labor of the aforesaid Louisa by settlement upon her on death of her sister, Euphraim Beverly in 1858, at Richmond, soon after Louisa was brought to this city & duly registered in clerks office of current court

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of the said Louisa   was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of one thousand dollars.

Your petitioner hereby declares that she is loyal to the government of the United States, and that she has not borne arms against the United States in the present rebellion, nor given aid or comfort to the enemy.

You petitioner further showeth that she has not brought the said Louisa into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, the said Louisa was held to service or labor therein under and by virtue of your petitioner's claim to such service or labor.

Your petitioner further showeth that her said claim to the service or labor of the said Louisa 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 United States.

 

Your petitioner therefore prays the said Commissioners to investigate and determine the validity of said claim to the service or labor of the said Louisa; 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.