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To the worshipful Court of Hustings for the City of Richmond The subscribers being well acquanted with the Conduct & character of William Caswell late the slave of the Rev'd John Buchanan Dec'd have voluntarily [presented?] their petition to the Court for the purpose of soliciting in his behalf the priviledge of his remaining within the Commonwealth of Virg'a. The Claims which William has on the clemency & indulgence of the Court are to be found in that steady fidelity of conduct to my master during his life, to that humble & respectful conduct to others under all circumstances, which has prompted his master to emancipate him, as a suitable reward therefor. His deportment since his masters death has been equally exemplary humble & respectful thereby showing in the most conclusive manner that the reward bestowed upon him has been justly appreciated & properly merited[.] It is for the reasons above specified that the subscribers Respectfully petition that the said William be allowed to remain in thie Commonwealth by the Court of Hustings, a [illegible] which it is in their
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Power & discretion to extend to him - and that they will not by a Contrary course cause to be torn assunder the conjugal, parental & friendly ties by which he has been so long held in this his place of Nativity, moreover his example among the Free People of Colour must in the opinion of the subscribers tend very much to influence others of this description remaining among us in their general conduct & behaviour. There cannot in the opinions of the undersigned [illegible] a case in which the discretion of the Court could be more safely exercised in granting the prayer of the Petitioner. J Brown George Pollard Robert Pollard Geo E Tiffin Thomas Rutherford Walter D. Blair John W Brockenbrough J. A. Chevallie acquainted for great many years with the admirable conduct of the worthy man
Danl Norborne Norton Geo Fisher Dan Calbone one of the executors of the Reverend John Buchanan deceased
Eliza F Carrington earnestly recommends the said William having hired him since he obtained his freedom and means to continue him in her service
Archibald Blair Beverley Blair Anna [illegible] James Blair C L Hanson [illegible] [Longmart?] cheerfully, knowing [illegible] the character of the said Wm Casell for 30 years
John G. Blair Geo P. Crump Ro. Greenhow hopes, that the prayers of the petitioner, will be granted.
Alice G Williams Richard Channing Moore Jas E. Heath Tho. R. Blair Wm Brockenbrough [illegible initial] Richardson Geo. Greenhow Samuel J Blair John Brockenbrough Wm. Williams
