Historical Spotlight: Creole Mutiny of 1841

I’ve always heard that if you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything. It’s applicable in today’s society as well as historically, since oppressive regimes have been overcome by brave people standing up for themselves. Having the gall to put your livelihood, family, or even your life on the line is an intimidating, but vital part of fighting for change in society. Join me as we shine a Historical Spotlight on the Creole Mutiny of 1841. 

We all know that the United States of America was founded on the backs of Black people who were captured, forced to work strenuously, and abused. All that free labor to grow crops, build railroads, rear children, and serve was possible only because some humans were viewed as property just based on their skin tone. Acknowledging that atrocity has always been a sore spot for the nation and it honestly hasn’t been corrected in society yet. 

The Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves of 1807 abolished the transatlantic slave trade but domestic trading of slaves amongst the states was still allowed and protected. Known as the coastwise slave trade, hundreds of boats transported slaves along the east and south coast. While the federal law stopped any additional slaves from being captured in Africa, it did nothing to slow down slavery in America since plantations in the Deep South were booming and infrastructure was getting established. 

Much of the domestic trade was uninterrupted except for when boats strayed too close into British-owned territory like Bermuda and the British West Indies since the Slave Trade Act of 1807 banned slavery as part of trade on the high seas. The British also completely abolished slavery in its territories in 1833, making much of the Caribbean a delicate route to travel. 

Despite these global limitations, American ships continued the transports. On November 7, 1841, the Creolewas carrying 135 slaves for sale to New Orleans, Louisiana. Madison Washington, a Black man who had been born into slavery, escaped to Canada, and recaptured after returning to Virginia for his wife, led the revolt to overpower the crew along with 18 other men. Only one slave and one crew member were killed during the uprising.

Once they were in control of the ship, they initially tried to go to Liberia, but after realizing that the ship didn’t have enough supplies for the voyage, they settled on the British West Indies. They knew other enslaved people aboard the Hermosa had gained their freedom there just a year earlier. 

On November 9, 1841, the Creole landed in Nassau, Bahamas. Under Bahamian colonial law, all of the enslaved people on board were officially free, but since one of the ship’s crewmen was killed, 19 of them were imprisoned. There were no extradition laws at the time between Great Britain and America, so the prisoners stayed in the Bahamas and were eventually released since they didn’t break any British laws while escaping captivity. 

A total of 128 people got off the boat and walked into their freedom, making it the most successful slave revolt in American history. The authorities quickly arranged for them to be taken to Jamaica for free. 

Afterwards, the Creole sailed back to the States and made it to New Orleans on December 2, 1841. Five people were still hiding onboard and were immediately sold, but there was outrage because the other people were freed. It caused an international rift between America and Great Britain. Southern politicians fought that the human property of American slave owners should be protected in foreign ports and even returned if any mishaps occur. There was also a real fear of successful ship revolts becoming widespread. 

The ship itself was wrecked less than a year later, but the political ramifications continued to shape the nation. Americans who believed in the domestic institution of slavery didn’t agree with Britain’s oversight of granting freedom on ships in British territory since American ships were governed by American laws. Britain held firm that since the American ships were in their territory, British law had to be followed. 

The revolt was seen as encouragement for abolitionists to keep pushing and advocating against slavery and the trade of people. It also helped lead to a final end of the slave trade on the high seas with the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842. Insurance companies initially refused to compensate for the financial losses caused by the revolt, but after seven lawsuits were filed, the case was heard by the Louisiana State Supreme Court. 

The Creole wasn’t the first instance of the British granting freedom since it happened previously with the Enterprise ship in 1835 and the Hermosa ship in 1840. Almost 450 enslaved people were freed and each time, the British refused to compensate America since they were freed on British soil. However, after much protesting, Britain paid a settlement in 1855 to the United States for the financial loss. 

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Signed, 

Jessica Marie