Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-02-26
CASE OF THE BRIG CREOLE.

On Monday last message was received from Tue
President of the IT, S. transmitting report from the
Secretary Of State reply 10 the resolution Of the Sc
nate adopted the 18th instant AT the instance OF Mr.
Walker calling for information in relation 10 the action
taken by this Government in the Creole case; which re-
port comprised copy of The following letter from the
Secretary Of State TO our Minister at London- Globe
Mr.. UebSter to Mr.. Erersn.
DEPARTMENT or STATE, Jan. -, lcl2.
EDWARD EVERETT, Esq, &c &c.
Sir: | regret 10 be obliged to acquaint you with
very serious occurrence which recently took place in
port Of one of the Bahama Islands
II appears that the brig Creoe, of Richmond, Nir-
GINA Ensor MASTER bound to ~ Orleans sailed from
Hampton Roads OH The 9th of October last with
cargo Of merchandise principally tobacco and slaves
(abou l mulberry that the evening OF the 9TH Of
November, Of the slaves rose upon the crew OF
the vessel, murdered passenger name 1ewell, who
owned some Of the negroes wounded the Captain dan
gerously, and the first mate and two Of the crew
Yerelv that the slaves obtained complete posses
sion of the brig, which under their direction taken
into the port OF Nassau, in the island OF New Pro-
ydence where she arrived the morning Of the
9th Of the same month; that at the request of the
American Consul in that place the Governor order
ed guard on board, to prevent the escape OF the
mutneers, and with view to an investigation OF
the circumstances of the case that such investigation
was accordingly made by two British magistrates aud
that an examination also took place BY the Consul that
the report of the Magistrates nineteen OF the slaves
were imprisoned by the local authorities as having been
concerned in the mutny and MURDER and their surren
der the Consul, TO be sent 10 the United States for
trial for these crimes refused the ground that
the Government wished first to communicate with the
Government in England on the subject; that through
the interference OF the Colonial authorities, and
before the military guard removed, the greater
number of the remaining slaves were liberated and en-
couraged TO beyond the power OF the master OF the
vessel, the American Consul, by proceedings which
METER of them could control This is the substance of
the case stated in two protests made at Nassau,
and one made at New Orleans and the Consuls letters,
together with sundry dispositions taken by him. copies
of oil which papers are herewith transmitted.
The British Government cannot but that this case
presented IN these papers IS one calling loudly tor
redress. The "Creole" passing from port of
the u. S TO another in voyage perfectly lawful, with
merchandise board and also with slaves, persons
bound to service, natives Of America and belonging 10
American citizens and which recognised proper
perry by the Constitution Of the United States in those
States in which slavery exists In the course OF the
voyage some of the slaves rose upon the master and
crew, subdued them, murdered one man, and caused
the vessel to be carried into Nassau. The vessel was
thus taken to BritiEh port, not voluntarily by those
who had the lawful authority over her, but iorciby
and violently, against the masters will, and with the
consent of nobody but the mutneers and murder
ers for there is evidence that these outrages
committed with the concurrence OF any OF the slaves
except those actually engaged in them Under these
circumstances, it would seem to have been the plain
and obvious duty Of the authorities at Nassau, the port
of friendly power, to assist the American Consul in
putting an end to the captivity of the aud crew.
restoring TO them the control of the vessel and enabling
them TO resume their voyage, and to take the mutlneers
and murdcrers 10 their own country 10 answer for
their crimes before the proper tribunal One can
not conceive how any other course could be Justly
adopted or how the duties imposed by that part Of
the code regulating the intercourse of friendly States
which is generally called the comfy Of nations
could otherwise be fulfilled Here was violation
of British law attempted or intended on the part Of
the master OF the "Creole, any infringement
OF the principles of The law of nations. The vessel
was lawfully engaged in passing from port to port,
in the United States. By violence and crime she was
carried, against the masters will, out Of her course
into the port Of friendly power. All the result
of force. Certainly, ordinary comfy and hospitality
entitled him such assistance from the authorities Of
the place should enable HIM to resume and prose-
cute his voyage and bring the offenders 10 Justice
But instead Of this if the facts be represented in
these papers, not only did the authorities give no aid
for any such purpose, but they did actually interfere
free the slaves, and to enable them to dsperse
themselves beyond the reach OF the master of the
sci or their owners. proceeding like this cannot but
cause deep feeling in the U. S. II has been my purpose
to write you at length upon this subject, in order that
YOU might Law before the Government Of her Majesty
fully and without reserve the views entertained up
on It by that of the U. S, and the grounds which
those views are taken. But the early Of the
packet precludes the opportunity OF going thus into
the case in this despatch, and as Lord Ashbur.on
may shortly be expected here, it may be better 10
enter fully into it with him, if his powers shall be
broad enough to embrace il. Some knowledge of the
case will have reached England before his departure
and very probably his Government may have given
him instructions But | request, nevertheless, that
you lose no time in calling Lord Aberdeen's at,en-
ton to it in a general manner, and giving him a
narrative of the transaction such as may be framed
from the papers communicated, with distinct
declaration that if the fact turn out stated, this
Government thinks il clear case for indemnhca-
ton.
You will see that in his letter of the 9TH January,
1887 to Mr. Stevenson, respecting the claim for conf
pensaton in the case of the Comet, Encomium,
and Enterprise" Lord Palmerston says that "H. NJ S
Government is of opinion that the rule by which these
claims should be decided is, that those claimants must
be considered entitled 10 compensation who were law