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Thomas Walke’s Account of Capturing his Runaway Slaves in New York City
May 3, 1783
Background
During the Revolutionary War, both sides promised freedom to enslaved people who were willing and able to fight. These offers of freedom varied greatly and were often motivated more by strategic gain than true abolitionist feeling. Once freed, the documentation that proved manumission was often lost or destroyed in the conflict. Even those who could prove their freedom still had to endure prejudice and hatred throughout North America.
In this account, slave owner Thomas Walke complained to Congress that the British protection of enslaved Americans in New York was a “glaring piece of injustice and open violation of the…[preliminary] treaty.” British commander Sir Guy Carleton would later supervise the evacuation from New York of “Free Black” Loyalists and their families to Nova Scotia.
Philadelphia May 3rd 1783_
Gentlemen
In consequence of the 7.t.h article of the treaty between America, and England; I, with a number of others, have been to New-York, in order to reclaim our slaves that were wrested from us by the British enemy, supposing [struck through] there cou’d be no obstacle to our recovering, at least such of the slaves as we cou’d find and prove to be our property ,but contrary to our expectations, the event has proved the reverse, in as much as, that having discover’d the numberless difficulties attending this matter, we thought it most expedient to apply to Sir Guy Carlton, that through his means the business might be rendered more practicable, than we had before found it; upon which application, we received for answer, from his aid de camp, that no slaves were to be given up, [struck through] who claimed the benefit of their former proclamations for liberating such slaves as threw themselves under the protection of the British government, and that he thought it unnecessary for us to wait longer on business of that nature. This appears to me to be such a glareing piece of injustice, and open violation of the above mentioned article of the treaty, that I think it my duty as well as interest to acquaint you of this matter, that you may lay it before Congress, who will I flatter myself as speedily as possibly, take the necessary steps for preventing a further injury being done to the citizens of this country: if there is not an immediate check put to the proceeding of the British General in this matter, the injury will be inconceivable, as I am well assured [struck through] several hundreds of the above men-^tioned^ slaves sailed during the last week to Nova Scotia. I am with the utmost respect and regard
Your Most Ob’dt Ser v.t.
Thomas Walke
Letter from Tho. Walke to the Delegates of Virg.a May 8d 1783
Read May 6th, 1783 (Copy of the within sent to the Commander in Chief agreeably to an order of Congress of this day.)
[written vertically] To Honble The Virginia Delegates in Congress[1]