Petition of a Slave to the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, May 3, 1776

Document

Transcription

To the Honble Committee of Safety

Sheweth that your poor Petitioner was Bought By Capt John Barry and taken to Sea in the Brig Lexington belonging to the Honerable the Congress and has since Sold him for the Same Money that he Paid for Him Besides Having Received Your poor Petitioners wages and Prize Moneyー

Therefore your Humble Poor Petitoner Requests that you Would take his case unto Your Serious Consideration and order Him Such Part of the Prize money as you shall Deem fit and In so doing Your Humble Petitioner will be for ever bound To pray &cー

[Philadelphia, May 3, 1776]²

[Endorsed] Servant to Capt Barry

1. Pa. Arch.

2. The date is approximated. During the life of the Committee of Safety, Barry had sent in only one prize, the sloop tender Edward. Her condemnation in Admiralty Court was completed April 30, 1776, and distribution of prize money ordered that day. Admiralty Court Docket, Case No. 1, U.S. Custom Office, Philadelphia. Presumably the unnamed slave heard of it reasonably soon thereafter, and petitioned accordingly.

Document Information

Date

1776 May 3

Volume

Volume 4

Series

American Theatre from April 18, 1776, to May 8, 1776