Affidavit of a man claiming not to be enslaved, Cape Town, 28 February and 10 March 1825. The letter is written to J. Renyvelt Esq., Deputy Fiscal, Cape Town, from Thomas, with pencil notes relating to slave registration of Thomas.
‘I came out with Mr Newton from Montevideo about 17 years back. I was a free Man in that Country and Engaged for to come to the Cape with him as a Servant for my Victuals & Clothing the same my comrade Domingo at Mr S. Twycross. We both come in the same ship. He has been free 2 years & 4 months & I am sold as a Slave by my mistress 2 years back to Mr Elson [of] Long Street. I applied to Mr Bird to know if I was on his Book as a Prize Slave he says no I am not & advised me to apply to you. What I should wish is if you be so good as to make my old Mistress show what Documents she has from Montevideo to Authorize her to sell me as a Slave as I never was Salve to no Man in the Country. If I can make my case more Plane [sic] to you I should be Glad if you would allow me an audience. I am Sir Your most obedient Humble Servant Thomas.’ With an office note in the top left corner: ‘relating to a Slave named Thomas who claims his freedom’.