Henry Bibb
Henry Bibb, one of the leaders of Detroit’s Colored Vigilant Committee, helped mobilize support for Nelson Hackett.
The Colored Vigilant Committee considered Hackett’s extradition as threatening Canada’s status as a haven for fugitives and undermining the British Empire’s commitment to the abolitionist cause. The committee explained that “Hacket was not demanded by the Executive of Arkansas, for the purpose of punishing for larceny, but to punish and make an example of him for the unpardonable offense of absconding from slavery.” If slaveholders could use charges of theft as pretexts for securing the return of fugitives, Canada would become like the free states of the North and “no longer be a safe asylum for our unfortunate brethren who are fleeing from bondage.” The Colored Vigilant Committee ordered that copies of the resolution be sent to abolitionist papers in an effort to make Hackett’s case known to the world.
Image: Frontispiece of Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb, An American Slave, Written by Himself (1849).
The Players
Nelson Hackett
An escaped slave who fled to Canada only to be captured and brought back to Arkansas.
Alfred Wallace
The man who claimed to own Nelson Hackett and accused him of stealing a race horse, saddle, coat, 100 £ ($500) in silver and gold coin, and a watch.
Sir Charles Bagot
Soon after assuming office, Governor General Sir Charles Bagot made the decision to send Nelson Hackett back to Arkansas on charges of theft.
Charles Stewart
Abolitionist and attorney who had been one of the founding officers of the Detroit Anti-Slavery Society and who interviewed Nelson Hackett when he was held in Detroit.
Hiram Wilson
Hiram Wilson an abolitionist and an American Reverend ministering to Toronto’s fugitive population who visited Hackett at Sandwich.
Daniel Webster
As United States secretary of state, Daniel Webster negotiated the Webster-Ashburton Treaty in 1842.
Lewis Tappan
Lewis Tappan led the American abolitionist effort to amend the Webster-Ashburton Treaty.
Sir Allan Napier MacNab
Sir Allan Napier MacNab presented “Address of the Colored People of Hamilton,” which protested Nelson Hackett’s return to Arkansas, to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
Thomas Clarkson
Thomas Clarkson fought to abolish slavery in the British Empire and the international slave trade before turning his attention to Nelson Hackett and the Webster-Ashburton Treaty.
Viscount Palmerston
Viscount Palmerston led the effort in the House of Commons to amend the Webster-Ashburton Treaty to protect fugitives from slavery from extradition.