What came to be called the Creole incident began when the U.S. brig Creole sailed from Hampton Roads, Virginia. At sea its cargo of slaves mutinied and took over the vessel, then made for the Bahamas, where the mutineers were arrested and the crew allowed to go free. Secretary of State Daniel Webster, arguing that the slaves were on an American vessel and therefore subject to U.S. law, led the attempt to recover the slaves. Rep. Joshua Giddings, Whig of Ohio, introduced a series of resolutions (March 21-22, 1842) against federal sanction of slavery, and particularly against coastal slave trade, and was censured (March 23, 1842). He resigned from Congress but was returned the next month by his constituents in a special election.