{In the Matter of the Petition of William M. Edelin}

The United States of America District of Maryland Court:

Be it remembered that on this fourteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven, the said William M. Edelin filed in the District Court here his Petition in writing in the words and of the [tenor?] following to wit

To the Honorable

William F. Giles Judge of the District Court of the United States for the District of Maryland.

The Petition of William M. Edelin of Baltimore County in the said District of Maryland respectfully shown.

That he is the owner of the Slave named Jacob Dupen being a Slave for life who is now about thirty years of age, five feet six or seven inches high rather delicately made: the thumb of his left hand has been sprained, which gives it a clumsy appearance, and has a large scar on the back of his right hand caused by a cut.

Your Petitioner further shows that his said Slave Jacob Dupen escaped from his service on the First day of August Eighteen hundred and fifty six at which time he was in the said County and State and held to service and labor by him, as a Slave for life, which service and labor is still owed to him by the said Slave.

Therefore and in order that your Petitioner my reclaim his said Slave and regain his service he prays your Honor to enquire into the matter and facts alleged in his Petition, and to, take proof of the escape aforesaid and that the said Slave so escaping owed service and labor to your Petitioner, and to cause a record to be made of the matters so proved with a general description of the said slave so escaping as aforesaid so as to enable your Petitioner to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress approved September 18, 1850 and entitled an Act to amend and supplementary to the Act entitled "An Act respecting fugitive from Justice and persons escaping from the service of their Master" approved February twelfth one thousand seven hundred and ninety three.

And as in duty found he will ever pray to

B. M. Heighe Atty

for Petitioner

William M. Edelin

Petitioner