In 1841 Secretary of State Daniel Webster urged Congress to go to war with England because England refused to return to the United States certain slaves who rebelled and took over the ship on which they were being transported.
Quoting Zinn:
The Colored Peoples Press denounced Webster's "bullying position," and, recalling the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, wrote:
"If war be declared . . . Will we fight in defense of a government which denies us the most precious right of citizenship? . . . The States in which we dwell have twice availed themselves of our voluntary services, and have repaid us with chains and slavery. Shall we a third time kiss the foot that crushes us? If so, we deserve our chains."
Excerpt From
A People's History of the United States
Howard Zinn
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