Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-03-30


to read aud be Christians-if such people
came into the country he would treat them
as persons, sui generis. They were not res
ponslble as other persons were, and he never
would consent 10 their being sent back. In
1885 a case occurred which made his blood
boil. \ slave was attempted to be arrested
that led to a riot at Niagara, in which the
black population took part, and several white
persons joined them. He was happy for the
sake Of the Province that the unfortunate
man himself escaped but one man was shot.
lie put 1t 10 any one on the floor of the House
II he were carried a slave into a shantee,
whether he would think he were doing any
harm, II he took what was necessary for his
escape. The Imperial Parliament had pro-
baby overlooked this point; and it was the
duty of the House to remind them of it. He
would, therefore, move to add a proviso as
follows: Provided nothing herein contained
shall extend to the surrender Of any colored
person accused of the crimes herein mention
ed, who shall have been a slave, and who
shall be liable to be reclaimed by his mas
ter.
Mr.. Sherwood (Toronto) said if The clause
proposed by the last speaker would not 90 10
impair The measure, he would like TO see il
adopted. They had never had a similar bill
brought before them to the one at present pro.
posed. There had been instances Of persons
from the United States entering Canada TO
claim slaves who had run away from their
inhuman masters. and who were refused 10
be given up. He recollected one case. where
the slave who had made his escape was re-
claimed on a charge Of horse stealing. The
facts Of the case were these, that the first
horse the slave found he had mounted in or
der to facilitate his escape. This act, accor-
ding 10 law, could not be called to larceny 4;
and the Governor, if application was made to
him, would refuse The application if the facts
of such a case were known 10 him. But
there might be magistrates who did not tho
roughly know the law, and who might be
induced 10 sign a warrant for his apprehen-
sion. lie therefore hoped that such a ptovi-
SO would be added TO the bill. SO that where
it was known that the crime of arson or muir
der, was committed 10 assist in the escape
of a slave from his cruel bondage, or if he
appropriated money 10 pay his expenses on
his journey or fight-that where such was
found to be the case, he should not be allow
ed to be carried back TO the man who had
treated him. and would still treat him, worse
than a dumb brute. In speaking as he had
done, he hoped the Hon. gentleman who had
brought in the bill would not think that he
wished to throw any obstacle in its way, as
he deemed 1t a very important bill. He no.
ped that some clause would be inserted to
prevent the giving up of slaves TO their mas
ters. IT had been said that millions had been
expended in England for the purpose OF put
ting down Slavery; but he would assure the
House, that the feeling against Slavery was
as strong in Canada as it could be anywhere.
Mr.. Smith (of Durham) would confess
that his philanthropy did not lead him quite
nc IT, &c. tIAE- go - l..
just preceded him. 1t appeared to him that
the inevitable result of the amendment pro-
posed by The hon. member for Norfolk would
be a general belief n the States that the blacks
would be justified in rising upon and muir
dering their masters, provided they could get
to Canada. 1t would appear, indeed, that
the idea Of the hon. member was, that as the
blacks were treated in the United States
worse than brutes, they should be treated in
Canada better than white people. He would
prefer leaving to the discretion of the Gov
eminent in Council, the mode of action on
any application from the United States au.
tbori,ies for The delivery OF a slave.
Mr.. Sherwood (roronto) said in reply TO
Mr.. Smith that he could not agree with him
when he seemed 10 imply that the effect of
passing this amendment would be 10 promote
murder, and every sort Of crime in the Uni
ted States. lie did not support the amend
ment from any such motive. He and his
hon. friend saw only those principles of hu-
manity which ought TO be encouraged in all
civilized communities. What difference, he
would ask hon. gentlemen, should be made
in the case Of a white, accused of murder or
arson, in a time of political excitement, in
the attempt 10 free himself from political OPP
preston, and the unfortunate negro who ar
rived in British possession, accused of mur-
dering his constant and brutal oppressori In
the one case, the American Government or
any other Government in the world would at
once reply 10 any demand, for political often
ces, we cannot recognize the crime Of muir
der or arson /; in this case, II is merged in the
higher political offence, and will not give
him up. He would on the sam principle,
protect The slave who had committed some
crime in an attempt TO gain his liberty for
the assertion Of human liberty, and for the
protection Of the negTo-not against the laws,
but against his inhuman master who, in nine
cases out Of ten, got immediate possession OF
the slave on his being delivered up by the
Canadian authorities, without the laws ia.
King any recognizance OF the pretended
crime.
Mr.. Attorney General Baldwin said the
question involved in this discussion was; is
it or is it not desirable that a mutual under
standing should exist between our own Gov.
eminent and the Government of the Republic,
on whose borders we are, for the delivering
up of fugilives from justice. The lmPeria
Government. on our behalf, and the Govern.
meni OF the United States had mutually come
TO the determination that it was desirable VT
should mutually give up such f~ugitives with
out any exception being made in the treaty
such as was now proposed by the honorable
member for Norfolk; and any one knowing
the position of the Slavery question on the
other side of the lines must be aware that i
was utterly impossible that such a provision
could have been inserted in the treaty. The
treaty Of Washington then had been made
between the two GoveLnments for a good nnr