In an earlier case, "colored apprentice" Benjamin Hinson and his next friend, Dr. Arthur Rich, petitioned the court to cancel Hinson's indenture to James Peters. The court ordered Peters to find another master for Hinson in ten days, or it would cancel the indenture. A week later, the court approved the sale of the indenture to Peters's brother, George. On 10 September 1859, Rich and Hinson petition again, alleging that the transfer is "a change of name but in reality not a change of Master" and that James Peters "does trade in colored apprentices as good and chattels." Because of his ill treatment, Hinson is unwilling to serve any of the Peters family. Rich explains that he has an interest in Hinson, because "the said boy was raised in His family and at a very early age was placed in the custody of your petitioner." "[N]ot knowing the character of Jas. Peters," Rich sold the indenture to Peters, "which he deeply regrets." Rich offers to give "the requisite Bond & Security that the said apprentice should not be a tax to this community," and he offers to pay the court costs of the case.
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Repository: Maryland State Archives, Annapolis, Maryland
