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

opportunity to many OF the slaves to escape from
bondage. In 1914, and while the war was raging
in all its fury, commissioners We're appointed to
treat of peace, and instructions were given 10
them as to the stipulations to be inserted In the
treaty. These instructions contain the following
remarkable MASSAGE, The negroes taken from
the Southern States should be returned to their
owners, or maid for at their full value. If these
slaves were considered as non-combatants, they
ought to be restored if as property, they ought
TO be paid for Moreover, this stipulation is eX-
presslv included in the conditions on which you
are to insist in the proposed negotiations Let
ter of Instructions from Mr. Monroe, Secretary of
State, 2Sth January, l8l4.3
Thus we see that not even the calamities of
war could divert the attention of the Federal Gov
eminent from the peculiar interest of the slave
holders. The commissioners were faithful to the
charge thus given to them and in the treaty con-
cuded at Client, adroi,y provided for the restora-
ton Of slaves and i'll such obscure terms as ul-
timately secured far more extensive concession
than the British negotlators had any intention of
making
The first article is as follows AN territory,
places and possessions whatever, taken from Ell
Their party by the other, during the war; or which
may be taken after the signing of this treaty,
shall be restored without delay and without caus-
ny any oeSI uCllo!i Vi carrying away vi Tic al
tlery or other public property originally captured
in said forts or places and which shall remain up
on the exchange of the notifications Of this treaty.
or any slaves or other private property
The treaty was ratified at Washington on the
18th February and six days after, three commits
sioners appointed by the government appeared in
the Chesapeake, authorized to demand and receive
the slaves on board the British squadron still in
our waters.
Captain John Clarelle happened to be at the
moment in command of the British forces and he
positively refused to give up single fugitive;
contending that the stipulation in the treaty reat
ed only to slaves originally captured in forts or
places, and remaining in forts or places, and re-
naming in such forts or places at the exchange Of
the Publications, and had no reference to slaves
who had voluntarily sought protection on board
British vessels.
A few days after, Admiral Cockbum arrived,
and similar demand was made upon him. He
also refused to surrender any fugtives, as such
were not intended in the treaty, but gave up so
slaves which were found on Cumberland Island
at the time that place was captured, and who had
not been removed previous to the exchange of rat
ifcations; this being case directly within the
true meaning and intention of the treaty. The
Secretary of State then applied to the British
to direct the Naval commanders in the Chesa-
peake to give up the fugitives on board their YES
sells but Mr.. Baker declined interfering, taking
the same view of the article as the Admiral had
done. In the mean time the squadron mad sailed
for Bermuda. The Government, tracking the
scent of fugitive, with bloodhound keenness
forthwith despatched an agent to Bermuda in pur-
suit, to demand the negroes of the Governor
The worthy Englishman, nettled at requistion
derogatory to the honor of his country, replied
he had rather Bermuda, with every man, woman,
and child in it, were sunk under the sea, than
surrender one slave that had sought protection
under the flag of England.
! The Agent, Thomas Spaulding) nothing daunt-
ed, now assumed the dipomatist, and addressed
long argumentative despatch to Admiral Griffith,
commanding on the Bermuda Station, demanding
the fugitives, and promising to furnish him with
u particular list of the slaves claimed which he
expected to receive in few days from the Uni
ted States. The Admiral very cavalierly assured
Mr.. Spauding that it was quite unnecessary for
him to wait at Bermuda for the expected docu-
ment, since there was, neither at Bermuda nor any
other British Island or settlement, any authority
competent to deliver up persons who during the
late wars, had placed themselves under the pro-
lection of the British fag.T
From British Governors and Admrals, our
Government now turned to the British Cabinet,
and found that there also it was held point of
honor to keep faith, even with runaway slaves
Lord Castereagh declared that the Government
never would have assented to a treaty requiring
the surrender of persons,who had taken refuge
under the British Standard. Again was the de-
mand made, and again was it unequvocay re-
ected. But the administration refused to yield,
and insisted on a reference of the question to the
decision of friendly power, and named the EN-
peror of Russia as umpire. After tedious nego-
tiation, this point was carried and in 1918,
convention was concluded at London, submitting
the true construction of the treaty to the Emper-
or, who decided in favor Of the shareholders. 1t
now became necessary to determine how the num-
Der of the Slaves and their value should be ascer-
tanned. Another negotiation ensued, which result
ed in a second convention, by which it was agreed
that each party should appoint certain number
of Commissioners, who should form Board to
sit at Washington, to receive and lquidate the
claims of the masters. But difficulties soon arose.
The American Commissioners insisted on inter-
est, which the others refused to allow. Negotia-
tions again commenced, till at last the British
Cabinet, wearied with the pertinaciy of the Amer
lean Government, and sick Of the controversy, en-
tered into third convention, 18th Nov. 1885,
by which the enormous sum Of one million tVo