Title: Petition of Andrew Mercer, 18 June 1862
Date: June 18, 1862
Source Text: A microfilm reproduction of the original document held at the National Archives and Records Administration, Microcopy 520, Reel 5. The original document is held in the Records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury, 1775–1978, National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 217.6.5. Within the National Archives' Archival Description Catalog, see ARC Identifier 4644616 / MLR Number A1 347 (http://arcweb.archives.gov).
Civil War Washington ID: cww.00716
TEI/XML: cww.00716.xml
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,
Andrew Mercer of R. of
Lisbon, Howard Co. Md.
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 one male
person of African descent of the name of
Thomas Orem, for a term of years ending in November 1869, in addition to the time he has
been a fugitive from service since March
1861, which time the laws of Maryland
would add to the above term.
for and during the life of said and that by said act of Congress said
Thomas Orem was discharged and freed of and from
all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor; that at the time of said
discharge said
Thomas Orem was of the age of about twenty three years, and of the personal
description following:(1)
Mullatto color, about five feet eight inches high, thick hair, well
proportioned;—healthy and strong.
That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Thomas Orem in manner following:(2) By purchase about nine years ago, from William Norris, Administrator of John McElfresh of Frederick County, Maryland, for three hundred and fifty dollars, to serve as stated on preceding page. He believes that the Record of his Title may be found in the Frederick County Court, Maryland.
That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Thomas Orem was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of four hundred dollars in money.(3) For the reasons stated on the preceding page.—He knows of no moral, mental, or bodily infirmities to impair his value, and does not believe that any such exist.
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 Thomas Orem into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said Thomas Orem 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 Thomas Orem 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 Thomas Orem 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.
Andrew Mercer of R. of Lisbon Village, Howard Co. Md.—
[Form of the Oath for the Verification of the Petition.]
Washington County, ss.
I, Andrew Mercer of R. being duly sworn, do depose and say, that all the several matters and things which are set forth and stated in the foregoing petition, as of my own knowledge, are true in substance and in fact; and that all the several other matters and things therein set forth and stated, as from the information of others, I believe to be true in substance and in fact.
Andrew Mercer of R.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 18th day of June A. D. 1862.
Edw. F. Brown Notary Public
Andrew Mercer of R.
claims 1 slave,
for term of years.—
Lisbon, Howard Co. Md.
Presley W. Dorsey,
Corner J. & 7th Sts.—
Robert Stephens,
Pa. Ave. near 9th—
J. Hamner Dorsey,
At P. W. Dorsey's Hotel
Note (1.)-- Here describe the person, so as to identify him or her; and if there be more than one slave, describe each one separately.
Note (2.)-- Here state how the claim was acquired, when, from whom, and for what price or consideration; and, if held under any written evidence of title, make exhibit thereof, or refer to the public record where the same may be found.
Note (3.)-- Here state such facts, if any there be, touching the value of the petitioner's claim to the service or labor of the person, as may enhance the same, and also such facts, if any, touching the moral, mental, and bodily infirmities or defects of said person, as impair the value of the petitioner's claim to such service or labor, and conclude such statement with an averment that the petitioner knows of no other infirmities or defects of said person which impair the value of petitioner's claim to such service or labor, and that he believes none other to exist. If the petitioner specify no such infirmity or defect, then his statement touching the value of his claim should conclude with an averment that he has no knowledge of any such infirmity or defect.
