Motion of Alexander Hamilton Regarding the British Evacuation
5/26/1783
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Alexander Hamilton offered this motion in the Continental Congress to protest the practice of carrying off "American Negroes" during the British evacuation from New York City at the end of the Revolutionary War.
The Preliminary Articles of Peace signed in Paris on November 30, 1782, stipulated that the United Kingdom return all property that was seized during the War, including slaves. Sir Guy Carleton, commander of British forces, however, intended to keep the promise of freedom that was made to African Americans who joined and fought for the British. George Washington demanded the return of escaped slaves, but Carleton countered that, under the King’s orders, slaves reaching British lines were to be freed.
The two leaders deferred the issue to future negotiations and ordered that the names be recorded of persons boarding British ships. Britain evacuated about 3,000 enslaved African Americans, indentured servants, and freedmen to the British colony of Nova Scotia in Canada along with British soldiers.
The "Book of Negroes, or "Inspection Roll of Negroes" as the American version is called, listed those who were evacuated – to tally the loss of "property" for which the British government might compensate the United States at a later date. (No record of that payment has been found.) In 1792, over 1,000 of the new African Canadians continued on and settled back on the continent of Africa, establishing the city of Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The Preliminary Articles of Peace signed in Paris on November 30, 1782, stipulated that the United Kingdom return all property that was seized during the War, including slaves. Sir Guy Carleton, commander of British forces, however, intended to keep the promise of freedom that was made to African Americans who joined and fought for the British. George Washington demanded the return of escaped slaves, but Carleton countered that, under the King’s orders, slaves reaching British lines were to be freed.
The two leaders deferred the issue to future negotiations and ordered that the names be recorded of persons boarding British ships. Britain evacuated about 3,000 enslaved African Americans, indentured servants, and freedmen to the British colony of Nova Scotia in Canada along with British soldiers.
The "Book of Negroes, or "Inspection Roll of Negroes" as the American version is called, listed those who were evacuated – to tally the loss of "property" for which the British government might compensate the United States at a later date. (No record of that payment has been found.) In 1792, over 1,000 of the new African Canadians continued on and settled back on the continent of Africa, establishing the city of Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Transcript
[left margin] Hamilton heard. _Whereas by the articles agreed upon between _ on the 30 Nov. last it was stipulated that etc. And whereas a considerable Number of Negroes, belonging to the Citizens of these States, have been carried off therefrom, contrary to the true Intent & Meaning of the sd [said] Articles Resolved that Copies of the Letters between the Commander in Chief & Sir Guy Carleton, and other papers on this Subject, be transmitted to the Ministers plenipotentiary of these States, for negotiating of Peace in Europe, and that they be directed to remonstrate thereon to the Court of Great Britain, & take proper measures for obtaining such Reparations as the Nature of the case will admit. _
Ordered that a copy of the foregoing Resolve be transmitted to the Commander in Chief & that he be directed to continue his Remonstrances to Sir Guy Carleton, respecting the Permitting Negroes belonging to the Citizens of these States to leave New York, & to insist on the discontinuance of that Measure.
Motion of Mr Hamilton
Seconded by Mr Izard
_
Passed May 26th 1783
This primary source comes from the Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention.
National Archives Identifier: 44275655
Full Citation: Motion of Alexander Hamilton Regarding the British Evacuation; 5/26/1783; Miscellaneous Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774 - 1789; Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention, Record Group 360; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/hamilton-motion-british-evacuation, June 15, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
