Letter, Free Black Man Trial

 
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letter about free black man requesting speedy trial
Letter, Free Black Man Trial
letter about free black man requesting speedy trial
letter about free black man requesting speedy trial

Letter, Free Black Man Trial

Object number1998.055.29
DateMarch 16, 1842
Mediumpaper and ink
DimensionsOverall: 7 5/8 x 12 in. (19.4 x 30.5 cm)
Credit LineOld State House Museum collection
Terms
  • Letter
  • Letter
DescriptionA free man of color wishes a speedy trial and writes the judge Richard Brown of the 7th judge circuit to request "habius corpus." The man is originally from Florida and is being held in jail in Franklin County, Arkansas. The reverse holds an order by a clerk to bring the Negro man and the papers before the court. Written in blue ink on unlined paper. There is tape in the right side of the document. The reverse of the document has a portion written in black ink by the clerk.

Transcription:

Front page

"Is the (?) Richard (?) Brown
judge of the 7th judicial circuit, state of Arkansas
your (?) William Richards would
not (?) (?) unto your
(?), that he is a free man of color
and was born in Ft Dennings and serves
the insurrection on said island, he
emigrated to this country, and located
in the territory of Florida & was variously
engaged in the (?) Indian War of (?)
territory & that his son assisted in the
capture of Wild Cat an Indian chief of the
Florida Indians and that he with his
son among (?) Indians emigrated
to the Indian nation of the United
States & that the (?) of the Wild
Cat (?) on board of the (?)
Rock Steamer was (?) to (?)
Boat (words crossed through) which
temporarily left me in the county of
Franklin in the state of Arkansas and
your (?) (?) not (?)
(?) Franklin County his residence
from which he escaped to (?)
himself when he safely (?)
to the nation. Your petitioner
would (?) (?) that he is now
(?) in (?) by the sheriff of the
county of Franklin and that he was
(?) to prison by one W Scott
an acting Justice of the Peace for
said county & still continues (?)
(?) of (?) sheriff your petitioner would
humbly (?) to (?) (?) that he
is a (?) of a (?) at Peace with"

Back Page

"the United States & that he is
informed & verily believes that (?) (?)
when (?) (?) is (?) is contrary to
the laws of the state of Arkansas &
of the United States. In therefore
may (?) (?) that you grant
(?) the unit of habius corpus &
not you forthwith have you (?)
(?) brought before your honor so that
justice may be (?) in (?) (?)
& for such (?) & (?) (?) on
your (?) may think (?) & in
(?) hand will (?) pray"
Status
Not on view
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