some time
after put into the hands of Mr. Powell a document of undeniable
credit, which, however, was unnecessary: for on Mr. Powell's
representation of the case to Sir F. Haldimand the most peremptory
orders to the Commandant at Detroit to find out the slaves of Mrs. La
Force in whose ever possession they might be and transmit them to
their mistress at Montreal. But Detroit was too far distant from
headquarters and interests prompting to disobedience of such an order
too prevalent for it to produce any effect; and the commandant
acknowledged in answer to a reiterated order that the slaves could not
be produced, although their names and those of their new masters were
correctly ascertained and the following list transmitted with the
order.

List of slaves formerly the property of Mrs. Agnes La Force and in
possession of others:

Negro Scipio in possession of Simon Girty[20]
do Tim " " " Mr. Le Duc.
do Ishener " " " do do
do Stephen " " " Captn. Graham.
do Joseph " " " Captn. Elliot.
do Peggy " " " do do
do Job " " " Mr. Baby
do Hannah " " " Mr. Fisher.
do Candis " " " Capt. McKee.
do Bess --Grace Rachel--and Patrick-Indians"
----
13

The case of Mrs. La Force and some similar cases led Haldimand to
require Sir John Johnson, the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, to
report. He wrote from Quebec, July 16, 1781, "Several complaints
having been made upon the subject of selling negroes brought into this
Province (Quebec) by scouting parties--who allege a Right to Freedom
and others belonging to Loyalists who are obliged to relinquish their
properties or reclaim them by paying the money for which they were
sold, I must desire that you upon the most minute enquiry give in to
Brigadier General Maclean a Return of all Negroes who have been
brought into the Province by Parties in any Respect under your
Directions whether Troops or Indians, specifying their names, their
former masters, whether Loyalists or Rebels, by whom brought in and to
whom sold, at what price and where they are at present. I shall direct
Cols. Campbell and Clans to do the same by which it will be in my
Power to reduce the Grievances now complained of and to make such
arrangements as will prevent them in future."

Johnson se