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, A. H. Mechlin of the City of Washington 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 Margaret Ann Maddox, a person of African descent of the name of above stated. for and during the life of said Margaret Ann, until she becomes thirty years of age, which will occur on the 1st of January 1868 and that by said act of Congress said Margaret Ann has been discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor; that at the time of said discharge said Margaret Ann was about of the age of twenty five years & was about twelve years of age when purchased by your petitioner and of the personal description following:(1) She is a negress of pure African blood. below the medium height of females of her age—strong healthy and active. African features, a remarkably good tempered, industrious and well disciplined house servant.

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Margaret Ann Maddox in manner following:(2) viz: By purchase, for a term of 18 years when she was twelve years of age, as will appear by the accompanying bill of sale, recorded, as shown by its endorsement—thought such record was not necessary by law

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Margaret Ann Maddox was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of four hundred & fifty dollars in money.(3)On the grounds, that she is a very capable, reliable and honest house servant, brought up carefully in the family of your petitioner—free from any physical or other defects which would injuriously affect her value, that she could be readily hired out as a house servant for seven dollars per month, and has been for eight dollars per month Having upwards of five years and seven months (from the date of the Act) to serve, which at $7 per mo​ is $476

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 Margaret Ann into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said Margaret Ann 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 Margaret Ann 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 Margaret Ann 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.