[Manuscript Indenture Between Two Citizens of the "City of Washington," Discussing the Transmission of Various Property, Including Two Slaves]

Washington, D.C., 1839. Fair.. [3]pp. Large folio. Separated into six pieces, with a very small section of the final attestation lacking altogether. Still highly readable. A wounded, but important document. A rare and historically-important document relating to slavery in the District of Columbia, which was outlawed on April 16, 1862, nearly nine months before the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. The present document is an indenture made between William G. Howison and Alexander Hunter, Esquire, both citizens of Washington, D.C., associated with property conveyed to Hunter by the deceased Joseph Birch. In 1824, Birch conveyed to Hunter land "and also a negro man slave for life named Lewis - another named George - two horses - 4 cows - 3 calves...." The document indicates that Lewis was subsequently sold for four hundred dollars, and George was sold to Birch in his lifetime. Documents recording the movement of slaves within the District, especially among two citizens of the city, are rare in the market.