Ending The Atlantic African Slave Trade: American-British Relations (1830s-40s)


Figure 1.--.

The British when the United States drew its African Squadron began boarding American ships suspected of carrying slaves. Without a treary, the Royal Navy used the pretext of "right of visit", This was a a limited version of "right of search" that Lord Palmerston wanted, but it provide an tenuously legal excuse to board American ships. The incidents were heavily criticised in the American press. The internment issue that led to the War of 1812 had not been forgotten. And by a 1840 American-British relations were approaching a crisis. As the Ame The most celebrated incident was the action of the Royal Navy cruiser HMS Buzzard which intercepted two suspected American slavers off Africa--the brig Eagle and schooner Clara. As there were no American naval ships to turn the vesseks over to, the British escorted the suspected slavers to New York harbor. The arrival of the three ships created a furor in the American press which was indigniant that the British would seize American ships. The long voyage was for naught. The U.S. attorney general ordered the Eagle and Clara released, accepting spurious Spanish papers produced by the owners. [Howard, p. 25.] The United States ordeeed a suadron back into African waters (1840). Passions were defused somewhat by the Webster-Ashburton Treaty (1842). The Treaty is best known for finally settling tghe United States-Canadian boundary, but it did not resolve the Oregon Question. The Treaty also addressed the slave trade. The Election of 1844 set American on an expanionist direction. And the slogan "54º40' or fight" was widely supported. The possibility of a third war with Britain loomed.

British Actions Against American Slavers (1824-42)

The British when the United States drew its African Squadron began boarding American ships suspected of carrying slaves. Without a treary, the Royal Navy used the pretext of "right of visit", This was a a limited version of "right of search" that Lord Palmerston wanted, but it provide an tenuously legal excuse to board American ships. The incidents were heavily criticised in the American press. The internment issue that led to the War of 1812 had not been forgotten.

Canadian Boundary Issue

The American and Cananadian boundary in the 1830s was still not settled, both Maine and especially the Oregon Territory. This was a significant irritant in American-British relations. The major problem was the Oregon Territory. The Oregon Territory was what is now Southern Brirish Colunbia and the American Pacific Northwest. Much of the American-Canadian border had been settled after the War of 1812. The Anglo-American Convention of 1818 set most of the border as the 49th parallel. The problem came west of the Continental Divide in the Oregon Territory, primarily dur to the fur trade. The British wanted the border there to fiollow the Colombia River which ran well south of the 49th Parallel into rich fur trapping areas being exploited by the Hudson Bay Company. The negotiators could not reach agreemet so they compromised on joint occupation for 10 years. The negotiators met again (1825-27), but still coulf not reach agreement so joint occupation was extended another 10 years. A provision was added requiring a 1-year notice if either party decided to abrogate the agreement.

HMS Buzzard (1840)

The most celebrated incident involving the Royal Navy and American slavers was was the action of the Royal Navy cruiser HMS Buzzard The Royal Navy vessel intercepted two suspected American slavers off Africa--the brig Eagle and schooner Clara. As there were no American naval ships to turn the vesseks over to, the British escorted the suspected slavers to New York harbor. The arrival of the three ships created a furor in the American press which was indigniant that the British would seize American ships. The long voyage was for naught. The U.S. attorney general ordered the Eagle and Clara released, accepting spurious Spanish papers produced by the owners. [Howard, p. 25.] The United States ordered a suadron back into African waters (1840).

Webster-Ashburton Treaty (1842)

While relations between Britain and America were being tested, two old War Hawks from 1812 played a role in reducing war feaver. Senator DAniel Webster helped negotuate a treaty with the British. The United Sates and Britain negotiated the the Webster-Ashburton Treaty (1842). The Treaty is best known for finally settling the United States-Canadian boundary east of the Rickies. Megotiators attempted to resolve the Oregon Question, but the British still insisted on the Columbia River which the American still rejected. The Americans were not just concerned about the fur trade, but also because of concerns over a deepwater port and control of the major river system south of the 49th Parallel. While the negotiators had debated the issue for 30 years, the situation on the ground was changing decisively in the American's favor. And it was clear that this in the end would decide the issue. American settlers were flooding into the Territory over the Oregon Trail. U.S. Senator John C. Calhouun, another former War Hawk, wanted no part of War. The South was prospering by selling its cotton to the British. He saw that the issue would be decided by merican settlers. He advised pursuing a policy of "wise and masterly inactivity". The Treaty also addressed the slave trade.

American Squadron (1843-62)

The United States deployed a naval squadron off West Africa to cooperate with the Royal Navy in ening the slave trade. For a range of reasons including both lack of commitment at home and diplomatic problems, the American sqandon had little impact. The squadorn was withdrawn in 1824 and for nearly two decades the United States was absent from the West African station. American participation was brought up again in the negotiatins over the Webster-Ashburton Treaty (1842).

Presidential Election of 1844

The Democratic Party in the 1844 election championed expansion. The Party supported the annexation of Texas to appeal to the southern wing of the Party and asserted a claim to all of the Oregon Territory up to 49º40' which appealed to the northern wing of the Party. Nominee James K. Polk was adament about Texas which would mean war with Mexico. Southern Democrats were increasingly interested in expanding slavery even at the cost of undoing the Missouri Compromise. Gaining Texas a a new slave state was first step in this enterprise. Whig nominee Henry Clay opposed expansion. This probably cost him the election. The possibility of a third war with Britain loomed. And by a 1840 American-British relations were approaching a crisis. Polk was, however, willing to compromise over Oregin as the United States could no go to war with both Mexico and Britain. Polk's bold statements were designed to obtain an acceptable compromise with the British.

Sources

Howard, Warren S. American Slavers and the Federal Law, 1837-1862 (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1963).







CIH







Navigate the Children in History Website:
[Return to the Main ending the slave trade page]
[Return to the Main European African slave trade page]
[Return to the Main Royal Navy page]
[Return to the Main U.S. Navy page page]
[About Us]
[Introduction] [Biographies] [Chronology] [Climatology] [Clothing] [Disease and Health] [Economics] [Freedom] [Geography] [History] [Human Nature] [Ideology] [Law]
[Nationalism] [Presidents] [Religion] [Royalty] [Science] [Social Class]
[Bibliographies] [Contributions] [FAQs] [Glossaries] [Images] [Links] [Registration] [Tools]
[Children in History Home]





Created: 5:05 AM 4/29/2006
Last updated: 12:15 AM 3/5/2007