Matilda, a woman of color, declares that "about thirteen years since she obtained her right to freedom by a judgement of the court in the Missouri territory" and that "from that time to this she has resided in the state of Illinois and admited to be and considered a free woman." She informs the court that on 22 May 1832 Elijah Mitchel and others took her "by force" from Illinois and brought her to St. Louis, where they are "detaining her on the bank of the Missisippi for the purpose of conveying her out of the jurisdiction of this court by force." She therefore "prays that she may be permitted to sue in forma pauperis to establish her right to freedom."
Result: Petition granted; plea of trespass filed.
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Repository: Civil Courts Building, St. Louis, Missouri
