1-150-754 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'The Flag of Freedom', 1875. An escaped slave clings to Britain's flagpole as John Bull argues the toss with the First Lord of the Admiralty, G Ward Hunt. Authority states that the slave should be handed over. John Bull, that stalwart representative of the British people refuses. This relates to the 'Slave Circular' which had been occupying press and government. The Admiralty had issued blanket instructions that stated that escaped slaves should either be refused asylum, or, if picked up at sea, should be handed over at the nearest port. Public outrage was loudly expressed as it had always been a point of honour that escaped slaves should be able to claim the protection of the British Flag. The instruction was withdrawn. From Punch, or the London Charivari, October 2, 1875.