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 E Morgan of 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 three persons of African descent of the name of Columbus Warren, John Warren, Louisa Warren, for and during the life of said three persons and that by said act of Congress said three persons 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 three persons were of the age of and of the personal description following:(1) Columbus Warren Mulatto aged 13 or 14 years He is likely, sprightly, and intelligent. Louisa Warren, Mulatto, aged 42 or 43 years She is tall and rather athletic John Warren Mulatto aged 6 or 7 years He is thick Set and rather dark.

 

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said three persons in manner following:(2) I bought all three of them from N. Callan and Lieut​ Somerville Nicholson U. S. N. Administrators on the property of A A Nicholson deceased.

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said three persons was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of nineteen hundred dollars in money.(3)as follows—

• Louisa Warren is an excellent Cook Washer and ironer she is perfectly sound in body but is subject at time to depression of spirits, this as a Physician I considered as not of the least importance and [inherent?] to nearly all females. Her honest value was $600.
• Columbus Warren is perfectly healthy and robust He drove my carriage, was my house Waiter and at times attended to my carraiges​ and horses. I brought him up to my liking and he therefore to me was invaluable. He was worth to any one eight hundred dollars to me much more—
• John Warren is a likely intelligent boy would in a year or two been very useful. Had he been for sale five hundred dollars would not have bought him—

 

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