In 1832, states were moving to make the emancipation of any kind illegal.
Nullification crisis of 1832
caused the voice of white southern abolitionism to be silenced.
the government ordered the southern postmasters to destroy abolitionist material due to anti-abolitionist mobbing and rioting at a postal office in Charleston, South Carolina.
In 1837, there was a small rebellion in Canada. It failed because it was supported by few Canadians and it could not enforce unpopular laws in the face of popular opposition.
In 1837, the American ship, the Caroline, was sunk by a British force. Washington officials made ineffective protests against the attack.
In 1841, British officials in the Bahamas offered asylum to 130 Virginia slaves who had rebelled and captured the American ship Creole.
In 1842, the British wanted to build a road westward from the seaport of Halifax to Quebec, running through disputed territory.