Slavery is a story that still happens today!
Let me tell you a true story about Peter Williamson the Scot who was sold into slavery nearly 280 years ago. We made a short film of this story about three years ago. It's called "Indian Pete"
Williamson was born in 1730 in Aboyne. He was the son of a crofter. It was while visiting his aunt in Aberdeen he was kidnapped at the age of 13. Being stolen he himself locked in a building owned by a well known Aberdeen merchant named Bonnie John Burnet. Then was transported off to the Americas in the hold of a ship called then "Planter" It took over 11 weeks, just as the ship was arriving at Cape May, it ran aground. The crew abandoned the vessel thinking it was about to sink. Leaving the cargo of 70 children to drown.
The next day the discovering that the ship was still afloat. They rescued the children and sold them as slaves to anyone who would buy them. Peter Williamson was sold to a farmer called High Wilson. himself was at one time a slave and in fact treated Peter very well. When Wilson died he left Peter some money along with a good horse and a saddle.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/IBe4eAfN-sI[/youtube]
At the age of 24 Peter fell in love and married the daughter of a wealthy planter. As part of his dowry he was given 200 acres of land in Pennsylvania. At this time there was a war going on between the French and their allies the indigenous Delaware Indians. Being on the frontier his farm or settlement was always in jeopardy or attack. The inevitable happened. He was captured and taken prisoner by the Indians. He underwent torture, experiencing severe burns to his hands and the soles of his feet. His bravery was outstanding as a result of this the Indian chief allowed him to live. Once again he became a slave acting as a human pack- horse to the tribe. After many months in captivity he managed to escape and return to his cabin only to find that his wife had died two months earlier. He decided to join the British forces fighting the French. Once again in 1756 he was captured by the French and later that year was part of a prisoner exchange after the `British had been defeated at Oswego, New York.
The story doesn't end there. He was shipped back to England with the rest of the released prisoners and was discharged from the army because of the wounds to his hands and his feet. He had six shillings in his pocket and the will to make something of his misfortune. He decided to walk back to Aberdeen and confront the people who had stolen him. He earned money by telling the stories of his adventures. When he arrived at York he had a book published. In this book he told his story and the story of children, sold into slavery. Sometimes he would dress as an Indian and recall gruesome stories of torture and war. Around June 1758 he appeared in Aberdeen. His tales of bravery and injustice attracted huge crowds and he sold many books. Most people were disturbed by what they heard and especially horrified when they heard about children being stolen away from the Port of Aberdeen.
Soon word reached the Council in Aberdeen. The merchants involved in this dark and unsavoury trade took a libel action against Williamson. He was found guilty fined 10 shillings committed to prison until he admitted his guilt and had all his books burned.
On release from prison he was treated like a vagrant banished from Aberdeen. He made his way south to Edinburgh. He opened a coffee shop which became very popular with lawyers. Before long his story was out. He was advised to sue the Merchant and indeed the magistrates who had sold him into slavery. His case was championed by his legal friends. His case was heard in the Court of session, and he won his case with damages in excess of 200 pounds.
Peter bought a famous tavern in Old Parliament Close. He also launched a weekly newspaper in 1776 as well as establishing a penny post.
If you took the time to search for his grave in Edinburgh it would be difficult. He is buried in the old Carlton Cemetery overlooking the city, but his grave remains unmarked. A sad tale of a man who sued for his slavery and won.
If Peter Williamson was alive today no doubt he'd be supporting the Bill that is seeking a second reading in the Commons tomorrow. This will not be easy, because the government whips frown on private members bills. They detract from the government's legislative programme.
It is my prayer that the PM finds a way to deliver laws that make it difficult for slave traders to benefit from the misery of stolen human beings. Who knows there may well be a modern Peter Williamson ready to do battle with those who once robbed them of their freedom.
Meanwhile its seems to me Jesus would be standing with the oppressed and the fearful ad the disappointed. I believe he will be with those who tomorrow try to do something difficult be not impossible, win a vote for those who are enslaved by man's inhumanity to man
Posted By: italker On: 2 Nov 2012 At: 12:57am
The Rt Hon David Cameron MP
Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AA
30 October 2012
Dear Mr Cameron
Transparency in UK Company Supply Chains (Eradication of Slavery) Bill
I write in support of the above Bill, and note your recent assurance to Michael Connarty MP during Prime Minister’s Questions on 24 October 2012 that you would “look very carefully at the Bill that the Hon. Gentleman mentions and perhaps write to him about the issue.” (HC Deb 24 October 2012, col 922)
The Church of Scotland, along with 18 other U.S. and U.K. based sustainability research firms, organisations, faith-based investors, and socially responsible investors with approximately £6.2 billion in assets under management, recently wrote to your Business Secretary, the Right Hon Vince Cable MP, to voice support for the this bill.
The Church knows that there are some excellent examples of companies working to address human trafficking, forced labour, and the worst forms of child labour. In addition to helping shareholders and consumers make investment and purchasing decisions, companies have found reporting on their efforts to eradicate these practices from their direct supply chains to be helpful not only in uncovering human rights issues that have the potential to impact their reputations, but also in revealing opportunities for improvement.
However, many companies are not making sufficient disclosures thereby preventing informed investor and consumer decision–making and potentially disadvantaging those companies which choose to make robust disclosure.
We believe that The Transparency in UK Company Supply Chains (Eradication of Slavery) Bill addresses these problems without being overly prescriptive or onerous on businesses. We encourage your government to support investors, companies, and workers by finding a way of supporting the proposed legislation and help end the tyranny of modern day slavery.
You mentioned on 24 October that the UK Government tackles modern day slavery through international aid; Mr Connarty’s proposals would therefore complement the Government’s existing activities. Surely tackling modern day slavery at the point of demand, by applying pressure on companies to desist from practices which involve the use of forced or child labour is imperative for ensuring the complete eradication of this abhorrent eradication of human rights?
We understand that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has recently published draft regulations updating the current requirements relating to annual company reports, which would require companies to report on human rights issues. Minister for Immigration, Mark Harper, proposed that “[p]erhaps we can achieve the necessary reporting standard through that avenue without the burden of the Bill.” (HC deb, 19 October 2012, col 670).
Could you confirm that the changes proposed in these draft regulations to report on “human rights issues” cover all of the reporting requirements which would be required under the terms of the proposed Transparency in UK Company Supply Chains (Eradication of Slavery) Bill?
We would welcome an assurance from you that you, or your Business Secretary, correspond with Mr Connarty to discuss his proposals at the earliest possible opportunity.
Please note that this is an open letter which we will be sharing. I look forward to your reply which we may put on our website.
Yours sincerely
Rt Rev Albert Bogle
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland