Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-03-03

This DO The document which was communicated to
the U.iel States Senate OF Monday, IN eoniormi.
~ viii ihe call 81 that body on the Presid,n, for
Iuforma''on respecting the action taken 10y this Co.
Vsrn.nen' on this subject;
Mr.. WEBSTER TO MR.. EVERETT.
Department " Stc',, Ja'.. sY.h 1912.
ErssRD EyrRErT, Esq, Sc. SC.
Sir'-l regret to he obliged to sequaint you With
very serious occurrence which recently took place
N port OF one ofthe Bahama islands.
IL appears that tho Brig Creole" oi Richmond
Virginia, lnsnr, master, bound to New Orleans
sailed l,om Hampton Roads on the 9Th Of October
last, with cargo OF meTeha ndlse, principally to
Lcc;o aud slaves (ab1ui l35 in number y that
tae evening 81 The Tth OF November some Of the
'1scs rose upon the crew OF the vessel, murdered
passenger, named Hewell, who owned some of the
NJ gccs, wounded the Captain dangerously, and the
net maie and two OF the crew severely that the
saves soon obtained complete possession OF the brig
wti-h under their direction taken into the post
OF Nassau, IN the island OF New Providence, where
thc arrived on the morning of the 9th of the same
inon,h that at the request Of the American Consul
"a uat place the Governor ordered guard on
bond, 10 prevent the escape Of the mutineers, and
with view 10 an investigation Of Tho circumstances
q! the case that such inycsiigs tion according
" made by two British magistrates, aud that an
sNamnauOn also took place by the Consul that on
the report OF the magistrates nineteen Of the slaves
were imprisoned by the local authorities us having
bsea concerned in the mu,inv and murder, and their
i5t1re Tor trial for these crimes, refused the
ground that the Governor wished first TO communi-
cato " .th the Government in England on the sub
lcc; that through the interference of the Colonial
ul'ho.ires, and even before the military guard was
removed the greater number OF the remaining ayes
were liberated, and encouraged &c 60 beyond the
powtr OF the mas r OF the vessel, the American
Consul toy proceedings which neither OF them could
control TINS is the substance OF the case rs stated
an TWO protests, one made at Nassau and one al
New Oceans, and the Consui's letter together with
aundry ostions taken by him, copies OF all which
pap,ls sr, herewith Transmitted.
! he British Government cannot but that this
case, as presented IN these papers, is calling
loudly for redress. Ire "Crcole' was passing from
po;i OF the United States 10 another in a voy.
ase pcricc,ly lawful, with merchandise on board
and also with slaves, or persons bound to service
Isi'c' Of America, and belonging 10 American
c'ii@cns, and which are recognised property by
ihc Constitution OF the United States in those States
IN which slavery exists. In The course OF the voy.
"'c some Of Tho slaves rose upon the master ANA
crow, sUbducd them, murdered one man, and caus
- the vessel 10 be carried into Nassau. The vessel
vas thus taken TO 4 Blush port, no: voluntarily by
those whp had the lawful authority over her, but |
torciblY and violently against masters will and
w.in The consent OF nobody but the mutineers and |
ndrdcrct, int there is no evidence that these out
r7gcs were committed with the concurrence oil auy
of the sIyeg except those actually engaged in them
tnd these circumstances it would seem TO have
uscr tc plain end obvious duty OF the authorities |
1i nassau, the port oil friendly Power assist the
American consul IN putting an end to the captivity
81 the master md crew, restoring 10 them the con
to ol the vessel and enabling them TO resume their
roy'ee and 10 take the muiueers and murderers to
t'es own country 10 answer for their crimes before
Tie proper tribunal.
one e1nnOt conceive how any o.her course could
Justly he adopted, or how the duties imposed Nv !
uat part OF the code regulating the intercourse OF
friendly States, which is generally called the comfy
OF Nations, could otherwise be fulfilled. Here was
10 yIolati ~ ct British Law attempted or intended |
On ihs par, OF c moser OF the "Cleole," nor any
int ne -mcnt oi the principles of the law of nations
-hc vessel was lawfully engaged in passing from
port 10 port, IN the United States. By violence and
came she was carried, against the masters will on,
'' icr eoIise, INTO The port OF friendly Power. All
w17 the result OF force. Certainly, ordinary comfy
c.f tosp lily entitled him 10 such assistance from
t- authorizes o the place should enable him 10
o. 'mc and prosecute his voyage and bring the of.
ln'ers 10 justice. But, instead Of this It the fac,
D as represented ~ these papers not only did the
'H''.Iues give no aid for such purpose, but they
'' actually interfere 10 set free the slaves and to
'--"e them 10 dispense themselves beyond the
81 go u the master OF the vessel or their owners
a proceeding Ike this cannot but cause deem feeling
o. tls b.;ed states. Ii has been my purrose to
E.ie Yen al .tnsih upoH this subject, order that
f'u might lay before the Government Of Her Ma.
i1-iy in.'y, and without reserve, the views enter
H.Hei upon u 10y that Of the United States and the
grounds on which those views are taken. But the
''tY r.'n OF the packet prteludes the opportunity
e. song mus 'nto the case IN TINS dispatch; and as
Lord A-hourion may shortly be expected here, il,
A.
i1Stil shalt bc broad enough 10 embrace II.
some knowledge Of tile cate wall have reached
i.0st nd h-io.e his departure and very probably
30 & lyefnment may have gwen han instructions
B1t oqIe.i, nevertheless, that you lose no time in
o'.ng Lord Absfdeen's at enton to IL in q general
Inruncr, and give him narrative Of the Transaction
ZACH as may he framed tIom the papers now COM
msgc4ei, with n distinct declaration that If the
facts tl.a olt as stated, this Government thinks j,
clear cl-c tor determination.
You will sce that IN his letter OF the 9Th Of Janua.
~, 1882, TO Mr. Stevenson, respecting the claim for
compensation in the cases Of the Gomez" "Enco. ,
itHuw," md "EzterpFIse," Lord Palmerston saws ,
tAt II. Ms Government is Of opinion that the
ia's .Y which these claims should be decided is ,
Tat h3s- claimants mus, be considered entitled to
compensation who were lawfully in possession Of
iir.. slaves within the British territory, and who
were disturbed IN their egal possession Of those
t.t,cs ty tuuctlonares OF The British Government
Tai admission Is broad enough to cover the case OIL
tnc C.coo, % us circumstances arc correctly stated
GIj u does not extend to what We consider the tue
doctrine, according 10 the laws and usages Of ma.
i1n'; 0nti therefore, cannot be acquesed in as the
'ticy correct general rule. IL appears TO th Go
''.n3.ni that not only IS no unirendy interference
ty ae local ga hcrtIss TO be allowed but that aid
and succ.r should lie extended IN these rs IN other
's which my arise, affecting the Interests Of {
citizens OF friendly States.
Nc know NJ ground on which j. is lust 10 say ,
t.-t these cJoged people had come within, and
we've within, British territory, 10 such sense MS TIM,
Tie laws Of England affecting and regulating the
conditions Of persons could properly act upon them.
A. % been already said, they wee not there vol.
Da'1riy; no human being belonging TO tic vessel
'y1s vitnln British Territory OF his n accord cx-
iept t.e mutneers. There being no impor, a,ion
nor intent Of importation, what right had the Brush
nutLD Inquire into the cargo ol the vessel o.
rho condition Of persons on bolrd7 These persons
might be slaves Tor life; they might be slaves for a
term OF years, unc-r a system Of apprenticeship; |
tncy might be bound to service by their own volun.
try uc'; they might be IN confinement for crimes
caLiutedi they might be prisoners oil wa, or they
IGjsht iC irco. How could the British authorities
look into ard decide any Of these quesiions2 OR, /
indeed, what duty or power, according to the ptn-
.p.-s II national intercourse, had they 10 en0uire
90 OH u, indeed, without unlr.cnd'y interference
md notwithstanding the fIIfmcnt ofall their du es
al comfy nnd assistance, by these authorities, tie
sier Of the vessel could not retain the persons
nor prevent their escape then it would be diiT =
coz question altogether, whether resort could be had
to British tribunals, or the power Of the Govern
ucut 90 any Of us branches, u compel their upprc-
hCnsl0n and restoration.
No ono complain. that Engsh law shall decide |
the condition Of all persons actually incorporated
with British population, unless hero he treaty sti.
pu. ton making her provision tor special cases
But uc case OF the "Crooe' the cOlorcd persons
were s'l on board an American We ssel, that vessel
having been iorcbly put ont Of the course Of her
voy by mutuy; the master desiring sill 10 re.
sumo DO rrd calling upon the Consul Of his Go
N