Nathan, a free man of color, represents that he was born in 1808 into the family of Edward Brown, "his humane master." He further recounts that the said Brown’s will “emancipated the mother of Your petitioner in consideration of faithful services"; the will also directed that "your petitioner then just born would be free when he attained the age of 21 years." Nathan contends, however, that he is free "from involuntary slavery only" as "he shall within a specified time go into voluntary exile -- leave the scenes of childhood the people of his acquaintance -- those whom he delighted to call master and mistress Leave the only relatives which he has on earth." He therefore prays that he be allowed to remain in Virginia until 1840 in order help his brother and sister "procure their liberation and the means of removal to Liberia, where by meritorious exertions, they may possibly promote the interests of their outcast species."
Result: Bill drawn.
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Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
