Correspondence, Original - Secretary of State: Correspondence from Dr R R Madden,...

CO 318/146

1839

Correspondence, Original - Secretary of State: Correspondence from Dr R R Madden, Mr D R Clarke and the Foreign Office relating to the removal of 'liberated Africans' from Cuba. Richard Robert Madden was appointed superintendent of the liberated Africans and judge arbitrator in the mixed court of commission in Havana in 1836 under the provisions of a treaty between the UK and Spain concluded on 28 June 1835. He had previously been a special magistrate in Jamaica. Mr Clarke was acting superintendent during Madden's period of leave. Subjects covered are: Dr Madden:

• expenses of employing overseers and interpreters for the Romney;
• troops on board the Romney still not allowed to land by the Spanish authorities;
• further on refusal to allow troops to land with remarks on the conduct of the Spanish Government;
• reports that General Tacon's administration has been oppressive to the creoles, and particularly to the 'creole aristocracy', and that there is a growing desire for separation from Spain and a 'fixed determinate purpose to link the fortunes of this Island with those of the United States';
• landing of black troops still forbidden;
• further relating to interpreters on board the Romney and overseers to accompany liberated Africans to their destinations;
• refers to numbers of 'Bozal ['pure'] negroes' imported under the Spanish flag;
• requests leave of absence;
• capture of a Spanish slaver by HMS Pickle, and his intention to send some Africans to Grenada;
• states that Lieutenant Jenkins has taken command of the Romney;
• discusses the limited approval of landing of troops from the Romney by the Spanish authorities;
• disposal of Africans from the Sierra del Pilar;
• documents relating to the superintendence and removal of Africans from the Sierra del Pilar;
• attempt on the part of the Spanish authorities to meddle with the black troops on board the Romney;
• Sir Edward Cust's application for liberated Africans for his estates in Demerara;
• his thanks for grant of leave of absence;
• reports his late arrival in London on leave because of his involvement in the case of the Amistad. States that at the request of those acting for the enslaved Africans on board the Amistad he travelled to Washington and informed the US president that they were 'newly imported' Africans illegally introduced into Cuba. With various enclosures including printed copies of his deposition to the court trying the Africans, and of his evidence to the court, and a copy of the 'passport' granted to Don N Ruis for the removal of 49 Africans by the captain general of Cuba [with an English translation].

• his assumption of Dr Madden's office;
• acknowledges despatch relating to capture of a slaver by HMS Pickle;
• reasons for the Romney remaining where she is contrary to the opinion of Mr Kennedy;
• acknowledges despatches and states that slave traders sail under Spanish and US colours;
• removal of Africans to Bahamas and other British colonies;
• acknowledges receipt of despatch relating to Sir Edward Cust's application for liberated Africans;
• establishments in Cuba belonging to the United States.

• liaison with Spanish authorities relating to the landing of troops from the Romney [four letters];
• forwards recommendation of commissary judge at Havana that Mr James Norman should act during Dr Madden's absence;
• sends copies of letters to the Admiralty pressing for more effectual suppression of the Portuguese slave trade;
• forwards extract from a despatch from the British commissioners at Havana reporting the seizure by Africans on board her of the Spanish schooner Amistad.

• recommendation that officials be appointed in each colony to deal with the employment of liberated Africans;
• legal reasons for the success of claims for compensation by owners of two US slavers;
• restitution of fugitive slaves as criminals;
• measures for the suppression of the slave trade.

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