Richard, or Dick, Coleman, seeks a writ of habeas corpus to secure release from jail on pending charges of being a runaway slave. Coleman avers that he is free, that his parents were free persons of color, residing at the time of his birth in "Westmoreland County & State Virginia." After their death, Coleman was bound to William Morgan "by Indenture." When his term of service expired, Coleman went to Vicksburg and "Commenced Working on the rail road"; a few months later, "he was apprehended ... & Committed to the Jail of Warren County as a runaway slave." Coleman prays a habeas corpus issue and that "he may be discharged by your Honor from His confinement."
Result: Granted.
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Repository: Center for American History, the University of Texas, Austin, Texas
