William Dunn asks to emancipate a twelve-year-old slave, William, whose mother is "light yellow" and whose father is white. Dunn declares that said child is "so very white and of so good a complexion, as not to create even a suspicion on the mind of the most critical observer" that he is a person of color. He further avers that the said William "has in his raising been kept, thus far, separate and apart, from the Society of coloured people, and has, consequently not imbibed any of the principles or habits peculiar to them." The petitioner insists that "it is inconsistent, with [his] feelings ... to retain in slavery, a person, who approximates, so closely in identity of colour, habits and appearance to that of the white man." He therefore prays that an act be passed "granting your petitioner leave and authorizing him to emancipate the said little Boy William with permission for him to remain in the State."
Result: Referred to judiciary committee.
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Repository: South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina
