Samuel Chase to James Winchester regarding the compensation of soldiers who salvaged the French ship Blaireau - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC04765
From Archive Folder	Documents Relating to 1803
Title	Samuel Chase to James Winchester regarding the compensation of soldiers who salvaged the French ship Blaireau
Date	31 May 1803
Author	Chase, Samuel (1741-1811)
Recipient	Winchester, James
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Discussing appropriate division of compensation among sailors who salvaged the French ship "Blaireau." Chase discusses the situation and offers his advice. On subject of a black sailor who helped during the salvage, says if he is free he deserves a share, though less than white sailors, and if a slave, still deserves some small payment for taking risks to assist in the salvage. Chase acknowledges the case may be appealed to him in the Supreme Court, and one year later it was, in the case of "Mason v. Ship Blaireau." Among the rulings of the court was that the compensation for the black sailor, who was a slave, should be paid to his master.
Subjects	Maritime France African American History Freemen Law Slavery Finance
People	Chase, Samuel (1741-1811) Winchester, James (1772-1806)
Place written	Baltimore, Maryland
Theme	African Americans; Slavery & Abolition; Foreign Affairs; Naval & Maritime; Banking & Economics; Law
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information	Samuel Chase was a United States Supreme Court Justice. He also represented Maryland in the Continental Congress. In 1804 he was impeached but eventually acquitted. James Winchester was a judge in Maryland District Court.
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide [excerpts] [draft] [1] I set off, tomorrow, for New-Castle. I hear that you are, on this day [illegible] to decide the amount of the salvage to be obtained on the French ship, Blaireau and her cargo ;c that the counsil, for the french consul, Dorland, in court, that they coud appeal; if you allowed more than 1/3. I understand that the ship and cargo would certainly have been wholly lost, but for the [illegible] services of the Captain and crew of the ship Firm. [3] I hear that a Negroe, (who waited on Mr. Christio) was put on board the Blaireau, & that it is not known, whether he is a Slave, or free. If free he ought to [be given] [inserted: the same] Proportion of Salvage as any other on board; but I think, something less than a white seaman. If he is a slave, as his service to the owners of the Blaireau was personel, & at the Risque of his life, a sum of money ought to be given and paid to him; & the [Residue] to his owner. [postscript:] I believe War is certain. Flushing [tHolland] in a state of siege! Says Bona Parte ;c So wd. be [illegible] New York - if in his power!!!!

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