Creole Revolt: Madison Washington Leads 135 to Freedom

On November 7, 1841, Madison Washington leads 19 enslaved men in seizing the brig Creole, which was transporting 135 enslaved people from Hampton Roads, VA to New Orleans. Washington steers the ship to Nassau, Bahamas, where British authorities free 128 people as legally free upon British soil. The US demands their return; Britain refuses, causing a serious diplomatic incident.