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, Caroline E. Sanders of the District of Columbia by this my 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 seventeen male and Female slaves as per the accompanying lists No. 1 & 2 fully described & valued persons of African descent of the name of John Dodson, Wm. Snoden, Sylvester Brooks, Edward Howard, Henry, Marie, Sallie, Henry Howard, Nelly Arnold, Jim Dodson, George, Frank Hepburn, Louis Adams, Tom, Jenny Hepburn, Fanny Wallace & Kate. for and during the life of said Slaves as described in the lists 1 & 2 herewith filed, and that by said act of Congress said seventeen slaves were discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor; that at the time of said discharge said slaves, seventeen in number were of the ages of mentioned in list numberd​ one (1) and of the personal description following:(1) in list numberd​ two (2) and were Mulattoes and Blacks in Color

That your petitioner acquired her claim to the aforesaid services or labor of said seventeen slaves in manner following:(2) some by inheritance some by purchase and the balance reared from infancy, by herself. Such Bills of sale as are now in her possession are filed herewith. Bills are not required in Maryland or District of Columbia, as the mere delivery on payment is sufficient.

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said seventeen Slaves was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of $ 13.600— dollars in money.(3)as will be seen by list No. 2, as valued by my neighbors, both Gentlemen of the highest respectability and practiced Experts, being experienced Planters themselves. These Servants were such, as House Servants, cloachmen​, Teamsters, Florists & Gardeners and Farm Hands trained for years to their respective duties, and that she cannot now replace, and leaves her destitute of income.

Your petitioner hereby declares that she 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 aid or comfort thereto.

And your petitioner further states and alleges, that she has not brought said seventeen slaves into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said seventeen slaves 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 her said claim to the service or labor of said seventeen slaves 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 or labor of said seventeen slaves 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.