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Article Title: The Days Mail. St. Marys, May 24. Spanish East Florida has agreed to suspend its previous policy of giving sanctuary to fugitive slaves. Georgia and Florida will now return run-aways.
Author:
Published in: Minerva Mercantile Evening Advertiser
Place of Publication: New York, NY
Publication Date: 6/21/1797
THIS DAY'S MAIL.
SAVANNAH, June 2.
The following authentic information is received by Capt. Cooke, from a correspondent at St. Mary's.Town of St. Mary's, in Georgia,
24th May, 1797.
Yesterday returned to this place, James Seagrove, Esq, commissioner from the United States of America, to the government of Florida ; and Thomas King, Esq. Agent from the state of Georgia. These gentlemen have been at St. Augustine, for a month past, during which time an agreement took place for an exchange of all fugitive slaves from the United States, or his Catholic majesty's province of East Florida, from the 2d of September, 1790, until the 19th inst. All fugitives, prior to the 2d of September, 1790, remain to be settled by the king of Spain and the United States.
It is with pleasure we inform, from undoubted authority, that Mr. Seagrove has entered into a treaty with the Spanish government, whereby a total stop is put to all fugitive slaves, or servants, being people of color, from receiving countenance or protection in Florida. Should any such people go there, on being discovered, they will be thrown into prison, until demanded by their owners, when they will be delivered up.
This treaty, we are informed, extends to horses, cattle, and all other property, that my stray or be stolen, and be taken into Florida, are to be returned without delay or expense. The United States are reciprocally bound to the Spanish Government, so soon as the President and Senate of the same, shall approve and ratify this treaty.
Twenty seven of the American fugitive Slaves were brot to this place on the 22d inst. in the sloop Harriet, Captain Cooke from St. Augustine, well secured in irons. They are now safely lodged in the new prison in this town, until proof be made by their owners. Eleven run-aways are left in prison in St. Augustine, as hostages for the return of an equal number now detained in Georgia, belonging to Spanish subjects. A list of the Negroes delivered up will be forwarded to be published. The commissioners speak in high terms, of the polite treatment they experience from Governor White, as well as from gentlemen individuals. There appeared a great desire in the government and many of the subjects to have these runaways sent back, as they had become so great a nuisance to that country, that most of them were chained and at work among the convicts.
Yesterday arrived here, Emanuel Rengil, Esq. his Catholic Majesty's Vice Consul, for the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. This gentleman was late Secretary of the Province of East Florida, and we are informed, intends residing in this city.
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