because, as alleged, the British laws prohibited the introduction of slaves.
The brig "Encomium", from Charleston for New Orleans, with slaves, met the same fate in the same locality, with the same result to the slaves, early in 1834.
The "Enterprise", with a cargo of slaves from the District of Columbia Washington was noted for its slave barracoons in those days also carrying slaves for the New Orleans market, was compelled by stress of weather to put into Bermuda on February 20, 1835.
The "Friendly Society" of colored people of the town at once got out writs of habeas corpus, served them upon the people interested, and had all the negroes, seventy-eight in number, brought before the proper court, with their alleged owners and the master of the ship. It was nine o'clock at night when they appeared before the court. The master of the ship had striven to have the hearing put off until next day, hoping, no doubt, to go to sea, but the effort was vain. He had also promised to give the slaves considerable sums of money if they would tell the Court that they preferred to continue the voyage.
Having all the slaves in court, the Chief Justice took his seat, called up one of the negro men, and said:
"Your name is George Hammett; you came in the brig "Enterprise" as a slave, and it is my duty (understanding that you were kept on board that vessel against your will) to inform you that in this country you are free free as any white person; and should it be your wish to remain here, instead of proceeding to the port whither you was bound, to be sold or held to service as a slave, you will be protected by the authorities here; and if you do decide to remain, you
