Daniel Webster

As United States secretary of state, Daniel Webster negotiated the Webster-Ashburton Treaty in 1842.

Image: Courtesy Library of Congress.

The Players

image placeholder
Alfred Wallace

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
Sir Charles Bagot

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
Charles Stewart

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.

Henry Bibb
Henry Bibb

Henry Bibb

Henry Bibb, one of the leaders of Detroit’s Colored Vigilant Committee, helped mobilize support for Nelson Hackett.

Hiram Wilson

Hiram Wilson

Hiram Wilson an abolitionist and an American Reverend ministering to Toronto’s fugitive population who visited Hackett at Sandwich.

Thomas Clarkson
Thomas Clarkson

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

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.