Files

Download

Download Full Text (1.9 MB)

Download Transcription (16 KB)

Contributing Institution

Maine State Archives

Document Type

Text

Identifier

29-184980-F056

Description

Letter from respected citizens of Islesboro to the Governor of Maine in support of Captain Philbrook.

Captain Philbrook transported lime from Maine to Georgia. During a stop in Savannah, a young slave named Atticus befriended Philbrook's crew. Once underway back to Maine, Atticus was discovered on board the vessel and the captain declined to turn around. Atticus was caught in Thomaston by his owner, and Georgia marshals were sent to arrest Philbrook and first mate Edward Kellerun for violation of the Fugitive Slave Act. They were unsuccessful, as the crew had conveniently gone fishing out on the Grand Banks.

Georgia demanded extradition and asked Congress and other states for help in forcing Maine to uphold the Constitution and laws regarding fugitives, thus beginning a period of legal wrangling and the development of the abolitionist movement in Maine.

Exact Creation Date

3-7-1838

Language

English

Location

Waldo County; Islesboro

Keywords

Atticus; Slavery; Fugitive Slave Laws

Disciplines

History | United States History

1838-03-07  Letter Supporting Captain Daniel Philbrook Against Charge of Slave Stealing by State of Georgia



Share

COinS
 

Rights Statement

Rights Statement

No Copyright - United States. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
The organization that has made the Item available believes that the Item is in the Public Domain under the laws of the United States, but a determination was not made as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. The Item may not be in the Public Domain under the laws of other countries. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information.