Helen, a nineteen-year-old woman of color, was sold to Ann Mallion by James Pye on the condition that she would be freed after twelve years of service. Helen was then sold to Henry Drain for $140. She claims that Drain, who is Irish by birth, is impoverished and irresponsible. However, Helen says that she was "induced not obstinately to resist his purchase of her, by his fair promises of good treatment, & his solemn declaration in the presence of a number of witnesses, that he did not buy her for the purpose of selling her again." Helen asserts that Drain tricked her into boarding the steamboat, Mount Vernon, heading for Fredericksburg, where she discovered that she had been sold to a Mr. Hutchinson as a slave for life for the price of $300. Helen violently protested the sale and "was dragged out of the water by the anxiety of this Deft:, not to prevent the distruction of her life, but of his property." Hutchinson, "touched either with fear or compassion, refused to complete his purchase of your oratrix, and advised her restoration to this City." Helen seeks an injunction against Drain to prevent him from selling her or removing her from the District of Columbia while her suit is pending. She prays that Drain will be prohibited from selling her for a longer term of years than she is required to serve.
Result: Granted.
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Repository: National Archives, Washington, D. C.
