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
    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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