International Extradition and Fugitive Slaves - The John Anderson Case

Abstract:     
The John Anderson extradition case of 1860-61 was the last attempt to remove a fugitive slave from Canada, and underscores the uncertain protection the Union Jack offered fugitive slaves and the extent to which Canadians were not immune to Negrophopia and racism.

This article uses the John Anderson case as an example of the tensions between law, justice and international politics in the antebellum era, and to illustrate the ambiguities of the 1842 Webster-Ashburton Treaty.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 46

Keywords: John Anderson, Webster-Ashburton Treaty, fugitive slaves

Accepted Paper Series