Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-03-21
gIiE CASE or THE CREOLE.
.Mr. Websier 10 Mr.. Erereti.

Mr.. Webster 10 Mr.. EpereH.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Jan. 20th, 1912.
EDWARD EVERETT, Esq. &c. &c.
SRI regret to be obliged to acquani you with
very serious occurrence, which recently took
place in the port of the Bahama Islands.
1t appears that the brig " Creole OF Richmond,
Virginia, Insor, master, bound TO New Orleans,
sailed from Hampton Roads on The 9Th of Oco-
Der last, with cargo of merchandise principally
tobacco, and slaves, (about 1876 in number,) that
on the evening of the 9TH OF November, some of
the slaves rose upon the crew of the vessel, muir
dered Il passenger, named Hewell, who owned
some of the negroes, wounded the captain danger
ously, and the first mate and two OF the crew Sc
verely that the slaves soon obtained complete
possession Of the brig, which, under their drec-
ton, was taken into the port of Nassau, in the
Island of New Providence, where she arrived OH
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 mutneers, and with a
view to an investigation of the circumstances OF
the case {; that such investigation was accordingly
made by TWO British magistrates, and that an ex-
animation also took place by the Consul that on
the report Of the magistrates. nineteen of the slaves
imprisoned by the local authorities, as hav-
ing been concerned in the mutny and murder, and
their surrender to the Consul, to be sent TO the
United States for trial for these crimes was refus
ed, on the ground that the Governor wished first
10 communicate with the government in England
on the subject; that through the interference of
the Colonial authorities, and even before the mill
tary guard was removed the greatest number Of
the remaining slaves were liberated, and encour-
aged to go beyond the power Of the master Of the
vessel, the American Consul, by proceedings
which neither OF them could CONTROL This is the
substance of the case stated in two protests, one
made at Nassau and one at New Orleans, and the
Consul's letters together with sundIy deposllions
,la h., of oil mr. he
by transmitted.
The British Government cannot but see that
this case as presented in these papers, is one call
ing loudly for redress The Creole" was passing
from one port of the United States to another, in
voyage perfectly lawful, with merchandise on
board, and also with slaves, on persons bound to
service, natives of America, and belonging 10 A
inercan citizens and which are recognized ms
property by the Constitution of the United States
in those States in which slavery exists. In the
course OF the voyage some OF the slayes 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 British
port, not voluntarily, by those who had the law
full authority over her, but forcbly and violently,
against the masters will and with the consent OF
nobody but the muiineers and murderers: for there
is no evidence that these outrages were committed
with The concurrence of any OF the slaves, except
those actually engaged in them. Under these cir
cunlstances it would seem 10 have been the plain
and Obvious duty of the authorities ut Nassau, the
port of friendly Power, to assist the American
Consul in putting an end 10 the captivity OF the
master and crew, restoring to them The control OF
the vessel, and enabling them to resume their voy-
age, and to take the mutineers and murderers 10
their own country to answer for their crimes be-
fore The proper tribunal. One cannot conceive how
any other course could Justly he adopted, or how
the duties imposed by that part Of the code regu-
lang the intercourse of friendly States which is
generally called the comfy of Nations, could 9th
Erwise be fulfilled. Here no violation Of
fiiish law attempted or intended on the part Of
The muster of the Creole nor any Infringement
OF line 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 was the result of force. Certainly
Ordinary comfy and hospitality entitled him Ii
such distance from the authorities OF tho place
us 81 uld enable him TO resume and prosecute hls
voyage and bring tho offenders 10 Justice. But
instead Of this, If The acts be as represented II
these papers, not only did the authorities give nc
aid for any such purpose, but they did actually in
ierlere to free the slaves and 10 enable them Il
disperse themselves beyond the reach OF the mas
Ear of the vessel or their owners. A proceeding
like This cannot but cause deep feeling III the I'M
ted States. 1t has been my purpose 10 write It
you at length upon this subject, in order that you
nlBut Ny OcIoie OoYeTilHCHt Vi ilCI HuJtsly
fully, and without reserve, The views entertained
upon it by that of the United Suites, and the
grounds OH which those views taken. But The
early return of the packet precludes the opporu
nifty OF going thus into the case in this despatch
and as Lord Asiburton may shortly he expected
here, it may be better to enter fully into 1t will
him if his powers shall he broad enough 10 EN-
brace it. Some knowledge Of the case will have
reached England before his departure, and yer!
probably his government may have given him ia
suuclons. But request, nevertheless, that yo'
lose no time in calling Lord Aberdeen's attention
to it in general manner, and giving him nara
tive OF the transaction, such as may be framed from
the papers now communicated, with disnc
declaration that if the facts turn out stated, Thu
Government thinks it clear case for indemniii
cation.
lou will see that ia his letter Of the 9Th Janu
cry, 1887, to Mr.. Stevenson, respecting the CLAIM
for compensation in the cases of the "Comet,
"Encomum," and Enterprise" Lord Palmersol
says that II. MS Government is OF opinion tina
the rule by which these claims should be decide
IS, that those claimants must be entitled 10 com
pensation who were lawfully in possession of thei
slaves within the British territory, md who wer
disturbed in their legal possession Of those slave
ny functlonsres Of the British Cover nment." Thi