Lawson and Harriet Howlett Burfoot desire to sell two slaves named Dick and Eliza, who were bequeathed by the late Thomas Howlett "to William Howlett his executor in trust for the use and benefit of your orators." The petitioners "represent that the said slaves have become ... exceedingly difficult to manage." They further reveal that "the said slave Dick has heretofore escaped to the public enemy, & was afterwards recaptured by our own forces, that it is greatly feared that upon the happening of any firm opportunity the said Dick would again attempt to escape to the enemy." The Burfoots lament "that by reason of the disobidience and the difficulty of controlling and managing of said slaves, their continued possession has become uncertain and insecure and their value greatly diminished to your orators, who have the sole interest in them." They therefore pray that an appointed commissioner "expose the said slaves to sale to the highest bidder at public auction for ready money and that the proceeds of such sale be invested in the purchase of other slaves to be held in like manner or like conditions."
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Repository: Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
