Certificate of leave, 1771 October 29

Pass for two enslaved men, "Negro Bobb, coachman & Negro George, postillion", to travel from Fredericksburg, Virginia, to Williamsburg "with a coach and six horses" to meet James Mercer there. The pass was authorized by Thomas Oliver, an overseer in the employ of Mercer. The pass authorizes innkeepers to provide what might be needfull to the men and the horses during their journey with the promise that they will be reimbursed for their services.

The verso contains an account of the food and fodder provided the men and horses by John Martin.

A Virginia law of 1748 required that "no Slave shall go from the Plantation or Seat of Land whereon he or she is appointed to live, without a Certificate of Leave, in Writing, from his or her Owner or Overseer, or by their express Order ..."

Recto

Permit

Negro Bobb. Coachman & Negro George. Postillion.
Without molestation.

To Pass. from Fredericksburg in Spots^la to James
Mercer Esq^r. at Williamsburg. with a Coach and Six Horses.
Commited to there care.
The several inn Keepers whare they may have occation to
Bate. are requested to furnish them with what may be
Needfull. for the Horses & themselves, agreeable to the usual.
Custom of vitualling of Negros on such like Emargencies
Taking care to sett down the Expence on the back of this
Passport. with the Inn Keepers Name. That M^r. Mercer may
Discharge the same on his return.

Ths. Oliver
Stewart to Ja^s Mercer Esq^r.

To
All Concearnd

N. B. they begin there Jurney on the 29^th Oct^r
1771

Verso

D^r. Mercer Esq^r. to Jn^o. Martin

James Mercer Esq^r. Dr

Doncastle