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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Jamieson, Robert (fl. 1842) to William H. Tuck

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06207 Author/Creator: Jamieson, Robert (fl. 1842) Place Written: Alexandria, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 November 1842 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 25.7 x 20.3 cm. Order a Copy

A letter transmitting an excerpt of Virginia law on emancipation. Page one is an excerpt of the law "Old revised code of Virginia of 1800, cap. 103, section 36 - page 191 (which is the law of Alexa. County, D.C.)," lower half of page one is removed. Third page is letter of transmittal, referring to the case of "Debby" a slave who had apparently been liberated in the will of her owner. Notes that if Debbie has to return to servitude with her children, her case will be "one of extreme hardship and injustice." With numerous mathematical calculations on address leaf.

[draft]

Old revised code of Virginia of 1800- cap. 103-section 36- page 191. - (Which is the law of Alexa County &. c)
"It shall be lawful for any person by his or her last will and testament, or by any other instrument in writing, under his or her hand and seal, attested and [proved] in the County or Corporation Court by two witnesses, or acknowledged by the party in the Court of the County where he or she resides, to emancipate and set free his or her slaves, or any of them, who shall therefore be entirely and fully discharged from the performance of any contract entered into during servitude, and enjoy as full freedom as if they had been particularly named and freed by this act."

[2]
Alexa Nov 17 1842
Wm H. Tuck Esqr
Dear Sir
Your fav of the 14th is before me. Prefiz it you will find an extract from our laws in relation to the manumission of slaves which was furnish'd by the clerk of our court here; also the order for the Deed. There is not a shadow of doubt but I could bring slaves here- and could free them at any time- Debby's case will be one of [struck: one] extreme hardship and injustice if she has to go with her children into servitude in the face of her Master's will so clearly liberating them all; of course she must remain where she is untill the case is decided, which decision I hope, thro' your efforts will be in her favour.
Very Respectfully
Yr Mo Obt Servt
Robt Jamieson

[docket]
Law
R Jamieson

[address leaf]
Paid 6 c
No 37
Wm H. Tuck Esq
Upp Marlbro'
Prince Geo Cy
Maryland

Jamieson, Robert, fl. 1842
Tuck, William H., fl. 1842

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