Slavery
Washington, DC, February 27, 1810
Treasury Department Official Seeks Runaway Slave in Philadelphia
ALS

[SLAVERY.] Edward Jones, Autograph Letter Signed, to William Taylor, February 27, 1810, Washington, D.C. 2 pp., 8" x 10". Expected folds, toning; a few small holes with no effect on text.
In this letter, Edward Jones, a principal clerk in the Treasury Department, seeks assistance from a friend in Philadelphia, where he believes his slave Lotty may have sought refuge. Jones offers $25 plus expenses to anyone who will bring her to the jail in Washington, DC.

On March 3, Jones advertised in a Washington newspaper, offering a reward of $10 if Lotty were taken within the District of Columbia, $25 if taken in Maryland or Virginia, or $50 if taken beyond those states and "all reasonable expenses" to place her in jail in Washington. It explained that she "absconded" on February 2 and that she had been living "for some time past" with Mrs. H. Hayward and was "well known in Georgetown."

On July 30, nearly six months after Lotty left, an advertisement appeared in a Washington newspaper offering a reward of $50 for delivering Lotty, "but who has probably changed her name, and passes herself for a free woman" to "John Travers, Auctioneer, in George-Town, District of Columbia." The advertisement offered additional details about her escape and possible destination: "It has been ascertained, that her clothes were taken away several weeks after she absconded, by a man servant, belonging to Dr. Edward Gantt, of Loudon County, in Virginia, and from whom she was last purchased; and if not harbored by his slaves, the probability is, that she is either lurking about Alexandria, or gone to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, from whence she originally came."

Complete Transcript
Washington February 27th 1810.
Dear Sir,
On the 2d of this month, a mulatto wench belonging to me, absconded from this place, and as she has not been seen any where in the neighbourhood, I am inclined to think she has endeavoured to find her way to Philadelphia. Under this impression I have ventured to request the favor of you to cause enquiry to be made whether she has been seen in your city and whether she is not now actually there? I take it for granted, that with you as with us, there are intelligent constables who possess the means of ascertaining the arrival of strangers in their Districts. If she should be found in your city, I will give Twenty five dollars for apprehending & delivering her to the Keeper of the Goal in the City of Washington, with all necessary expences. I make no doubt, but that some Miscreant here has furnished her with a pass & perhaps with a Certificate of her freedom.
I can offer you no other apology for giving you this trouble, than that I have been encouraged so to do by your uniform disposition to render me all the services in your power; and I hope & trust, you will always find me ready & willing to make you a proper return whenever opportunities shall occur.
I duly received your esteemed favor of the 10th instant by Mr Meredith, and should have most cheerfully complied with your request, had it not been for some informality in the papers, of which I presume he informed you on his return.
Be pleased to make my best respects to Mrs Taylor and believe me to be
With great truth / Dear Sir, / Your assured Friend
Edward Jones\
Description of the Runaway Mulatto Wench. She is about 32 years of age, middle size, robust make, flat breast & down cast look. Her name is Lotty, and was formerly the property of Dr Edward Gantt of George-Town from whom I purchased her in May 1806. It is useless to describe her Cloaths as she has a great variety of them.
Mr. William Taylor

Edward Jones (1755-1829). Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton appointed Jones as one of his two principal clerks in the Treasury Department in 1790, and he eventually rose to the position of Chief Clerk. In 1810, he served as secretary to the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund. In 1820, he owned one slave.

William Taylor Sr. (1735-1822) was born in Cambridgeshire, England, and died in Philadelphia.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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