The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-03-10
LETTER FROM MR.. WEBSTER TO MR.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Jan. 90 h, 1912.
SIR: regre, to be Obliged TO acquaint
you with very serious occurrence, which
recently took place in q port Of one OF the
Bahama islands.
1t appears that the brig "Creole," Of
Richmond, Virginia, lnsor, master, bound
to New Orleans, sailed from Hampton
Roads on the 9th of October last, with a
cargo Of merchandise, principally tobacco,
and slaves (about 1855 in number y that on
the evening Of the 9Th Of November some
Of the slaves rose upon the crew OF the yes.
sci, murdered passenger, named He@eh,
who owned some of the negroes, wounded
the Captain dangerously, and the first mate
and two OF the crew severely; that the
slaves soon obtained complete possession OF
the brig, which under their direction was
taken into the port OF Nassau, in the island
OF New Providence, where she arrived on
The morning OF the 9th Of the same month /;
that at the request Of the American Consul
in that place, the Governor ordered guard
on board, to prevent the escape Of the mu'
tineers, and with q view 10 az investigation
Of the circumstances Of the case that such
investigation was accordingly made by two
British magistrates, and that an examina.
ton also took place by the Consul that on
the report OF the magistrates, nineteen OF
the slaves were imprisoned by The local au.
Ihorities as having been concerned 10 the
muiiny aud murder, and their surrender TO
the Consul, to DO sent TO the United States
for trial for these crimes, was refused, on
the ground that the Governor wished first
TO communicate with the Government IN
England on the subject; tina! through the
interference Of the Colonial authorities, aud
even before tho military guard was remov.
ed, the greater number Of the remaining
slaves were liberated, and encouraged to 90
beyond the power Of the master Of the yes
sci, or the American Consul, by proceedings
which neither Of them could control. This
is the substance Of the case, as stated in
two protests, one made at Nassau and one
at New Orleans, and The Consul's letters,
together with sundry dispositions taken By
him, copies Of all which papers are here,
with transmitted.
The British Government cannot but see
that this case, as presented IN these papers,
is one calling loudly for redress. The
!" Creole" was passing from one port Of the
United States to another, in voyage per.
fectly lawful, with merchandise on board,
and also With slaves, or persons bound TO
service, natives of Amsrica. and helopsi ing
o American citizens, and which are recog.
,ized as property By The Constitution of the !
United States in those States in which sla. |
'ery exists. In the course Of the voyage
'omc Of the slaves rose upon the master aud
rev, subdued them, murdered one man,
and caused tho vessel to be carried into
Nassau. The vessel was thus taken to a
British port, not voluntarily, by those who
had the lawful authority over her, but for.
cibly and violently, agalns. the masters
will, and with the consent Of nobody bu, the
muilneers and murderers for there is no
evidence that these outrages wero commit.
ted with the concurrence Of aRy 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 al Nassau, the port
Of friendly Power, to assist the American
consul 10 putting an end to The captivity Of
the master and crow, restoring to them the
control Of The vessel, and enabling them to
resume their voyage, aud to take the mu.
'ineers and murderers TO their owu country
70 answer for their crimes before the pro.
per tribunal One cannot conceive how
any other course could justly be adopted,
or how the duties imposed by that par. Of
the code regulating The intercourse offrieud
j States, which IS generally called the
comfy of Nations, could otherwise DO fu.
filed. Here was no violation Of British law
attempted or intended on the part Of the
master Of the Creole" nor any Infringe
men, Of tho principles Of the law Of nations. .
The vessel was lawfully engaged 10 passing
rom port to port, in the United States.-
By violence and crime sue was carried,
against the masters will, on, Of her course,
n,o the port of friendly Power. All was
he result Of force. Certainly, ordinary
,oInly end hospitality entitled him TO such
assistance from the authorities Of the place
IS should enable him TO resume and prose.
;aie his voyage and bring the offenders TO
astce. But, instead Of this, If The facts be
Is represented 10 these papers, not only did
he authorities give no aid for any such
purpose, but they did actually interfere 10
ct free The slaves, and 10 enable them 10
Ilsperse themselves beyond tho reach of the
master Of the vessel or their owners. A
'roceedlng like this cannot but cause deep
ceiling in the United States. Il has been
ny purpose TO write sou at length upon this
ubJeci, in order that you might lay before
he Government Of Her Majesty fully, and
stthou, reserve, the views entertained up
IN II by that Of the United States, and the
grounds on which those views are TAKEN
But The early return of the packet precludes
he opportunity of going thus into the case
u this despatch; and as Lord Ashbur.on
nay shortly be expected here, il NAV be BET
er 10 enter fully into /, with him, il his pow.
'rs shall be broad enough TO embrace it,
Some knowledge Of the case will have