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, Joseph S. Wilson of Washington City 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 a female person of African descent of the name of Mary Harrison for, and during the life of said Mary Harrison, and that by said act of Congress, said Mary Harrison 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 Mary Harrison was of the age of about Eighteen, and of the personal description following:—of dark color and ordinary height, healthy and robust.

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said Mary Harrison in manner following:—by purchase from Wm. H. Hager of Maryland in 1855, for the consideration of $350, (three hundred and fifty dollars) as shown by the copy Bill of sale hereto annexed.

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said Mary Harrison, was to him at the time of said discharge therefrom, of at least of the value   of $750. (seven hundred and fifty dollars) in money, which he regards a low valuation estimating her worth according to the value of her services, or the cost of hired labor of the same character—that said Mary was to the best of his knowledge and belief sound and vigorous at the date of her emancipation, although petitioner had heard it mentioned by a member of his family, that there was a supposed cast or defect in one of her eyes; yet the said petitioner never heard the said Mary complain of it, nor does it according to his belief injure the value of her services, for had the petitioner at any time within the last eighteen months preceding the said act been desirous of disposing of his claim to the services of the said Mary he would not have done so at as low a valuation as now presented

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 Mary Harrison into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said Mary Harrison 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 Mary Harrison   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, the purchase by him having been made years before the commencement of the said rebellion

And your petitioner prays the said commissioners to investigate and determine the validity of his said claim to the service or labor of said Mary Harrison 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.