This historical account sheds light on the story of Nathaniel Platt, one of the founders of this area, and his slave named Diah during the late 18th century.
Nathaniel Platt, apparently a prominent figure in Plattsburgh, owned a slave named Diah. Diah made the decision to flee to Canada in September 1794 after Platt’s son took him to Canada to work on the farm there. His journey led him first to Montreal and then to Riviere du Chene (St-Eustache), where he found refuge.
To bring Diah back, Nathaniel Platt dispatched a farmer/slave catcher after him named Eden Johnston (or Johnson). Failing to bring Diah back after his first trip to Canada, Johnston bought Diah from Platt, paying 80 pounds in New York currency, which was roughly equivalent to around 50 pounds in Quebec currency at that time. This purchase was accompanied by a bill of sale to establish Johnston’s ownership of Diah.
With ownership papers in hand, Johnston obtained a warrant from magistrate McCord and succeeded in having Diah arrested. Diah was then taken to jail in Montreal. On October 14, Diah appeared before the Court of Quarter Sessions. This court, presided over by four magistrates including McCord, reached a surprising verdict. They declared that “slavery was not known by the Laws of England” and consequently discharged Diah.
This verdict, as reported in a Quebec newspaper, was a rather remarkable outcome, especially considering that three of the four magistrates, including McCord, were themselves slave owners or former slave owners. Despite its lack of binding legal precedent, this ruling was notable for its assertion that slavery was not recognized under English law, although France had civil rule over the country and did have slavery.
This account highlights a unique historical incident that occurred in the late 18th century, revealing complexities and contradictions surrounding the practice of slavery and its legal implications during that era.
Nathaniel Platt, apparently a prominent figure in Plattsburgh, owned a slave named Diah. Diah made the decision to flee to Canada in September 1794 after Platt’s son took him to Canada to work on the farm there. His journey led him first to Montreal and then to Riviere du Chene (St-Eustache), where he found refuge.
To bring Diah back, Nathaniel Platt dispatched a farmer/slave catcher after him named Eden Johnston (or Johnson). Failing to bring Diah back after his first trip to Canada, Johnston bought Diah from Platt, paying 80 pounds in New York currency, which was roughly equivalent to around 50 pounds in Quebec currency at that time. This purchase was accompanied by a bill of sale to establish Johnston’s ownership of Diah.
With ownership papers in hand, Johnston obtained a warrant from magistrate McCord and succeeded in having Diah arrested. Diah was then taken to jail in Montreal. On October 14, Diah appeared before the Court of Quarter Sessions. This court, presided over by four magistrates including McCord, reached a surprising verdict. They declared that “slavery was not known by the Laws of England” and consequently discharged Diah.
This verdict, as reported in a Quebec newspaper, was a rather remarkable outcome, especially considering that three of the four magistrates, including McCord, were themselves slave owners or former slave owners. Despite its lack of binding legal precedent, this ruling was notable for its assertion that slavery was not recognized under English law, although France had civil rule over the country and did have slavery.
This account highlights a unique historical incident that occurred in the late 18th century, revealing complexities and contradictions surrounding the practice of slavery and its legal implications during that era.