Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-02-23
Another outrage upon American
Citizens.

land 10 help the patriots, and the talk that
followed of the necessity of this government
interfering for their deliverance. There was
also recently several citizens imprisoned in
Cuba for some offence that looked to the
subversion of the government there, and
there was also a talk of this nation demand
ing their release; for such is the custom a.
mong municipalities and powers. A case has,
however, been just brought TO light which is
far more a~trocious than either Of these; e.
quelled only by the enslavement of our cili-
zens years since in Algiers, and demanding
as prompt and energetic action as when we
bombarded the capitol of that country and
compelled from the Dey submission and re-
peration.
1t appears that a vessel which sailed from
one Of our southern ports on a trading voy-
age, entered the river Of a territory whose
sovereign was anything bu, favorably dispos-
ed toward the captain and the crew. Permis-
sion was, however, given them to remain
ten days, at the expiration of which time
they were assured they would be severely
punished if they had not departed. While
disposing Of their merchandise, the river I'M.
fortunately suddenly froze, and their vessel
became icebound. From this fact and their
subsequent treatment, it may be inferred they
were among some Of the inhospitable nations
Of the North, perhaps within the domains of
the Emperor of Russia, for no puny power
al H.. a., .r,at Aa,~;.n. a;,;uz-z -. IT.
captain and crew of this vessel were trea-
ted and then we know the A~utocrat yields
d~espotic power and has no regard for human
rights. Suffice it to say, that whatever may
be the name Of the people into whose hands
these American citizens fell, they were treated
most barberously and, incredible as it may
seem, we have it from good authority that
they were seized, heavily fined, and thrown
into prison with the assurance that if their
fines were not paid within a given time they
should be sold for slaves! Eye, sold for
ShveS! AMERICAN CITIZENS SOLD FOR
sLAvEs!! And has it come to this ? Is the
star-spangled banner no longer a protection to
those who walk the deck above which it
foatsl May free born American citizens be
seized with impunity, and sold, as the AL
gerine pirate once sold his captives taken on
the sea Patriotism foTbids the thought
The glorious memory of those whose names
are hallowed by the blood they shed at Bun
ker Hill and Concord, and other battle
grounds of freedom forbids the thought!
1t was once the boast Of Rome that the
simple declaration, 6 | am a Roman citizen
was sufficient 10 protect him who wore the
honored name against insult or wrong; and
it has been the no less proud boast of Ameri'
ca that the honor of her flag should never be
violated with impunity-that no nation
however great and powerful should be per
United to trample upon the least right of he
humblest citizen. These imprisoned sea
men may therefore hope for a speedy release
and the power that oppressed them dread
condign punishment. Yes, the American
government will doubtless take immediate
measures 10 restore them to freedom 4; and if
in order 10 effect this, it is necessary to re-
sort to war, tens of thousands will hasten Il
defend their country's flag, to vindicale thei
coun,ry's honor. Cheer up then, ye who arr
pining in the far-off prison of a foreign land
the dreadful doom of slavery shall not b.
yours. And We wives and children who ar
mourning the absence of the loved, and fear
ing that chains will soon be fastened upoI
their limbs, have no concern for their safety
no harm shall come to them, not a singl
hair of their heads shall be injured, for the
are American citizens, and their government
is able and willing to protect them.
p. S. Since writing the above, we hav
seen an article stating that the vessel refer
red 10 was from Wilmington, Del. and wa
manned and differed by free negroes, an
that it was frozen up in one Of the rivers G
MARYLAND, the citizens of which State, can
not, by any possibility endure the presenc
of a free colored man more than ten days.
At the expiration Of this time, these vlsiter
from another State were seized, imprisoned
and fined and in consequence of their inabI
lity to pay the fine will be sold into slave
Ty.
As this, however, is all done according t
law and our glorious Constitution, OF cours
there is no more need to interfere, than 'her
is power and disposition to do it. The vic
Tins are not citi=ens-they are nothing bt
FREE NEGROES for whom nobody cares.