CATEGORIES
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Letter to a Court in D.C. relating to Slave ownership in Maryland
Autograph letter to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for District of Columbia (Washington, DC) May 5th 1862, measures 7.5”x9.5”. Nice slave content, this letter was with others written by George DuVall, an attorney in Prince George’s County Maryland. He wrote several letters to Judge Tuck in Washington, DC about slave ownership in Maryland, and complying with an April 16, 1862 Act of Congress that dealt with slave labor in the District of Columbia, In this lengthy letter he writes about a colored man (slave) named Isaac Hamilton of complexion brown or dark mulatto of African descent and then provides his physical features and age. The writer seems to be asking if its possible to seek compensation for the slave or work that he has performed in the District.
He continues to write: “I do not mean to waive my constitutional rights but if he is discharged and freed from such service or labour, claim just compensation to the full ... to which I may be entitled under the constitution of the United States and such laws as have been or may be in pursuance thereof...”.........$425.00
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