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, James C. McGuire 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 Five persons of African descent of the names of Henson MacKall, Louis Lee Jennie Powers, Jennet Powers, and Jack Powers for and during the life of said persons and that by said act of Congress said persons are discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor; that at the time of said discharge said Henson MacKall, Louis Lee Jennie, Jennet and Jack Powers of the ages of Thirty six, twenty five, twenty two, Four and two years respectively and of the personal description following:(1)

• Henson MacKall a stout healthy man formerly Employed as a Bricklayer and Hod Carrier.
• Louis Lee a small man, very dark and Employed in my House as a Waiter or House Servant
• Jenny Powers a likely smart girl an Excellent cook and Employed in my House as such
• Jennet Powers and Jack Powers Children of Jenny Powers—

 

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons in manner following:(2)

• Henson MacKall by purchase from Geo W Cochran of this City Octr 17, 54 for the Sum of Eight Hundred Dollars, as per bill of sale herewith,
• Louis Lee by purchase from J. B. H. Smith Esq​. Trustee of Col​ Bamford about thirteen years ago for about four hundred dollars. he being then only twelve years of age.
• Jenny Powers by purchase from Edward C. Dyer Esq​, about the year 1849 for the sum of four hundred Dollars
• Jennet and Jack Powers by descent from Jenny Powers (born in the family)

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said persons was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of thirty five hundred dollars in money.(3)I base my claim of value for the service or labor of these persons upon the fact that they are all healthy active and useful persons in my family I know of no infirmities or defects in any of them

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 persons into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said persons ware​ 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 persons 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 persons 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.