SS: Slave Stealer or Slave Savior?

The Branded Hand of
Captain Jonathan Walkersixth-plate by Southworth and Hawes, 1845

"The inscription on the back of the case reads: "This Daguerreotype was taken by Southworth Aug. 1845 it is a copy of Captain Jonathan Walker's hand as branded by the U.S. Marshall of the Dist. of Florida for having helped 7 men to obtain 'Life Liberty, and Happiness.' SS Slave Saviour Northern Dist. / SS Slave Stealer   Southern Dist." This daguerreotype was also used as the basis for a wood engraving."

(Via: http://daguerre.org/gallery/mhs/6mhs.html)