Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-10-01

LET THE SOUTH READ.
Lord Ashburton had an interview, onlhe
Sd Sept, with committee Of the Ainerl'
can and Foreign Ann-Slavery Society, in
which he made certain explanations Of the
10Th article of the late treaty, which pro-
vides for the mutual surrender by the two
Governments of Great Britain and United
States. of all persons charged with certain
.,.c;6cd crimes. The committee express
ed to Lord A. fears that "no fugitive slave
would be safe in Canada, especially when
IL was notorious that the shareholders al
Iege crimes against fugitive slaves, as one
expedient for their reclamation" They
cited the case of Hackett, slave who was
surrendered by Sir Charles Bagos. the Gov.
General of Canada, to the Governor of Ar
kansas, on the charge of stealing coat,
gold watch and horse from his master.
Lord AsHBURroN, (says the letter of
Lewis Tappan, one Of the committee) went
into an explanation Of the 10th article, and
mentioned several particulars Of the discus.
sion that took place, both on that topic and
others relating to slaves. He said that it
was very desirable to have an article in the
treaty TO meet cases similar to that Of
Holmes, who fled from Canada into Yer
mont; and the cases that would frequently
arise, considering the extent of the border.
ing lines, and the temptation for criminals
to flee across the lines, in hope of securing
themselves from arrest and punishment.
The Governor of Canada was anxious that
deserters should be included; but as Lord
A. learned that claim would be put in for
the delivering up of fugitive slaves, he a.
bandoned the question ofdeserters from her
Britannia Majesty's possessions. He was
also very DESTROYS to secure the delivery
of mutineers; but did not press it, lest il
should involve, on the part Of his Govern
ment, the delivery of slaves situated as
were those on board the Creole. With
regard to The case of slave Hackett, he did
not know all the facts. Sir Charles Bagot
was known to him, and he did not believe
he would do anything intentionally wrong.
But he had just entered upon his duties, and
was probably DESTROYS, at that juncture, Of
promoting good feeling with his great
neighbor. The fact that the slave had ia
ken his masters watch, was a circum.
stance that probably went against him.
"Had he only taken the horse" said Lord
A., Cooking at Gerrt Smith significantly,
though he could not be supposed ever to
have read the advice of that gentleman to
fugitive slaves,) "he would not, probably,
have been surrendered: for you know the
horse was necessary for his escape" Lord
Ashburton said that, in framing the 10th
article, great care had been taken to pro-
vide tina, inferior magistrates in Canada
should have no authority to surrender flu
gitives, as had been urged by the other
party; and that only the Governor himself
could perform an act of so great impor.
lance. Great care would be taken, he had
no doubt, to protect the innocent; and that
the taking of any article necessary to eff.
feet an escape would not be considered
felonious. IT, said he, The operation of
the 10th article proves injurious, he had no
doubt the British Government would put an
end to it, agreeably TO another provision of
the treaty, viz; "The 10Th article shall con.
tnue in force until one or the other party
shall signify its wish to terminate ii, and no
longer" Lord A. said that when the del.
egation came to read his correspondence
with Mr.. Webster, they would see that he
had taken all possible care to prevent any
injury being done to the people of color;
that, if he had even been willing 10 intro
duce an article including cases similar to
that of the Creole, his Government would
never have ratified it, as they will adhere to
the great principles they have so long a.
vowed and maintained; and that the friends
Of the slave in England would be very
watchful to see that no wrong practice took
place under the 10Th article.
While this teaches the South to be on their
guard for the protection oftheir rights il may
serve to explain the enthusiastic greetings
with which his lordship has been received
At the north.
DECISION IN BANKRUPTCY.
I.,Ixx. Cto.,, To- ~. tho poston poctl Late |