The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-04-20
FUGITIVE SLAVES IN CANADA.

The endeavors Of the Federal Government to
secure the restoEaton Of fugitive slaves to their
masters, is not confined either to the District of
Columbia, or to the States Of this confederacy.-
Even American diplomacy must be made subser-
Went TO the interests OF the Shareholders and re-
publican ambassadors must bear to foreign courts
the wailngs of our government for the escape Of
human property.
On the 10th of May, 1923, the House of Rep
resentatives requested the President to open a
negotiation to the British government in the view
to obtain an arrangement whereby fugitive slaves
who have taken refuge in the Canadian provinces
of that government, may be surrendered by the
tunctionaries thereof to their masters, upon max
ing satisfactory proof Of their ownership OF SAID
slaves!
Here was plain, papable interference In be-
half of slavery by government which we are Of
ten assured by the Shareholders has nothing to-
do with slaverv;' and so tame and subservient
were the northern members, that this disgraceful
resolution was adopted without even division of
the House At the next session, the impatience
of the shareholders to know if Great Britain
would restore their slaves who had taken refuge
in Canada, could brook no longer delay, and the
House called on the President to inform them of
the result of the negotiation. The President i'm
medately submitted mass of documents TO the
House, from which it appeared that the zeal of the
Executive, in behalf of the peculiar institution
had anticipated the wishes of the Legislature
Two years before the interference of the House,
viz on the 18th of June, 1926. Mr. Clay, Secre-
tary Of State, had instructed Mr. Gallatin, Amer
lean Minister in London, to propose a stipulation
for mutual surrender of all persons held to
vice or labor under the laws of either party who
escape into the territories of the other Mr.. Clay
dwe on the number Of fugitives in Canada, and
desired Mr.. Gallatin to press on the British Gov
eminent the consideration that such stipulation
would secure to the West India planters the recor-
cry Of such Of their slares as might take refuge
IN the american RepubHc'
Surely the Federal Government was never in
tended by its founders to act the part of kidnap-
per for West India shareholders.
On the 24th of February, 1927, Mr.. Clay again
urged Mr.. Gaatn to procure this stipulation,
and informed him that treaty had just been con-
cluded with Mexico, by chich that poVer had en-
gagged to restore our runaacay SlareS.*
On the 9th July, 1927, Mr.. Gallatin commune
Gated 10 his government the answer of the British
Minister, that it was utterly impossible for them
to agree to stipulation for the surrender of fugi
tive slaves
Determined not to take NO for an answer, Mr..
Clay desired MFR. Barbour. our then Minister in
England, to renew the negotiation, inasmuch as
the escape of slaves into Canada is a growing
evil ) but alas Mr.. Barbour replied that on broa-
ching the subject 10 the British Minister, he had
informed him tie laao Of Parliament gave free
dom to every Stare qcho effected his landing Brit
iM gro~'adf To have attempted to march an ar
my into Canada, for the purpose of Selling these
fug'tives, would have cost rather more than they
were worth. There was, however, territory on our
southern frontier, belonging to power less able
than Great Britain to punish aggressons on her
sovereignty and hence it is that we are called to
consider
The inuasion Of Florida and destruction Of fugi
tire Slaves by the forces of the Federal Gorern-
ment.
On the 18th March, 1916, Mr. Crawford, Sec
rotary of War, addressed letter to General Jack
son, informing him that there Was fort in Flori-
da, occupied by between $50 and 300 blacks, and
that they and the hostile Creek Indians were gull
" of secret practices to nveigle negroes from the
frontiers of Georgia, and directing him to call the
attention Of the Commandant at Pensacola to the
subject. The Secretary added that should the
Commandant decline interfering, and should it be
determined that the destruction of the negro fort
does not require the sanction of Congress, means
will be promptly taken for its reduction.
Gen. Jackson, however, had, before the receipt
OF this despatch, & assumed the responsibility OF
sending his orders respecting this very fort to
Gen. Gaines. If this fort harbors the negroes of
our citizens, or of friendly Indians living within
our territory, or holds out inducements to the
slaves of our citizens to desert from their owners
service, 1t must be destroyed. Notify the govern
or of Pensacola of youradvance into his territory
and for the express purpose Of destroying these
lawlcss bandtti.' The letter concludes with d.
rections to restore the stolen negroes to their
rghtful owners Uetter of 9Th of April, 1916
Owing to some cause not explained, Gen. Gaines
did not fulfil his instructions and gun boat was
sent up the Alphabetical river by order of Com
modore Patterson, and on the 9th July attacked
the fort by firing redhot shot at it, A shot enter
ed the magazine, which exploded. The result is
thus stated in the official report: Three hundred
negroes, men, women, and children, and about 90
Indians were in the fort Of these, 270 were Kill
led d the greater part ofthe rest MORALLY wounded
Commodore Patterson, in his letter to the Sec
retary of the Navy, observes The service rem
dered by the destruction Of this fort, and the band
OF negroes who held it and the country in its vi
cnity, is of great and manifest Importance to the
United States, and particularly those States Dor
dering on the Creek nation, as it had become
general rendezvous for runaway slaves and disaf
ected lndians-an asylum where they found arms
Al /