Civil War Washington

PETITION.

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, William B. Todd of the City of Washington in the District of Columbia 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 the following persons of african descent of the name of Jim Dashiel for and during the life of said Jim Dashiel and that by said act of Congress said Jim Dashiel was discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor; and that, at the time of said discharge, the age of said Jim Dashiel was not known to your petitioner, but about seven years ago, at the time the said Jim was purchased by your petitioner he was said to be about forty eight years old. His personal description is as follows: Color Black—Hair slightly gray—about 5 ft 6 inches high—Stooped shoulders—No marks recollected—He was "ruptured" when purchased by your petitioner. the effects from which do not incapacitate him from his usual labor.

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Jim Dashiel in manner following. by purchase about seven years ago from a Miss Dashiel at that time residing in the county of Somerset, State of Maryland.

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Jim Dashiel was, at the time of said discharge therefrom of the value of   Four hundred dollars in money.

The said Jim Dashiel , although advanced in years, was very valuable and useful to your petitioner. He is a most excellent gardener, understands the care of horses, an efficient servant, and a consciencious​ faithful man. He is in good health, and has no moral, mental or physical infirmities known to your petitioner, except such as herein stated.

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 against the Government of the U.S. nor in any way given aid or comfort thereto.

And your petitioner further states and alleges that his said claim to the service or labor of said Jim Dashiel 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.

Your petitioner further states and alleges that he has not brought said Jim Dashiel into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that at the time of the passage thereof, said Jim Dashiel was held to service or labor therein under and by virtue of your petitioner's claim to such service or labor.

And your petitioner prays the said Commisioners to the investigate and determine the validity of his said claim to the service or labor of said Jim Dashiel 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