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HISTORY

Fort Albion

The British proclamation of April 1814 to free slaves actually caused a serious strain on British resources. This caused the British to seize Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay and construct a fortification there. British authorities were soon stretched thin to supply food to the increasing number of escaping slaves reaching the island and were forced to establish a rationing system.

Laborers got limited supplies, but men who joined the armed Colonial Marines received more rations.

By May, British authorities were still having problems and stated boldly that the influx of escaping slaves were was beginning to threaten operations in a way that far exceed any efforts the Americans were capable of mounting offensively.