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 Ann Blake of the City of Washington, by this her petition in writing, represents and states that she 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 Hannah Horden, a person of African descent, of the name of Hannah Horden as aforesaid, for and during the life of said Hannah and that by act of Congress said Hannah is discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor; that at the time of said discharge said Hannah was of the age of forty years, and of the personal description following; black in color, five feet six inches in height, with no peculiar marks or traits of appearance different from other negroes.

That your petitioner acquired her claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Hannah in manner following; to wit by purchase from one Elizabeth Horden, in the year 1846 for the sum of seven hundred dollars, in the state of South Carolina, by receipt and delivery, which receipt has long since been lost, but that she has had possession of said Hannah since that time. That your petitioners claim to service of said Hannah was at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value  of Five hundred Dollars in money, & that she has no knowledge of any infirmity or defect to impair said value.

Your Petitioner hereby declares, that one bears true and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States, and that she has not borne arms against the United States in the present rebellion, nor in any way given and or comfort thereto.

And Your Petitioner further states & alleges, that she has not brought said Hannah into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said Hannah 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 & alleges, that her said claim to the service or labor of said Hannah 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 her said claim to the service of said Hannah herein above set forth; and of the same be found to be valid, that they appraise and apportion the value of said claim in money, & report the same to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, in conformity to the provisions of said Act of Congress.