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THE "AMISTAD" CASE

In the spring of 1839 a group of 42 African slaves, previously kidnaped by Spanish slave-traders, were placed on board a schooner, the "Amistad," to be taken down the coast of Cuba. One of the slaves asked the ship's cook where they were being taken, and was told they were to be killed and eaten. This cruel jest was taken for literal fact and they thought it no worse to die fighting for liberty. During the first night at sea they mutinied, led by their young chief, Cinque, killing the captain and cook and wounding the remaining members of the crew. The captive slaves then forced the helmsman to head for Africa. By crafty seamanship on his part they landed off the coast of Connecticut in August. Here they were taken into custody and placed in New Haven jail. 

On charges of their Spanish owners they were brought to trial in the fall of that year in the court of Judge Thompson, whose decision was that they should be turned over to the claimants. The appeal went to the District Court and a like decision was handed down. Roger Baldwin had been retained as defense counsel and John Quincy Adams was added to the counsel. The case went to the Supreme Court and in February, 1841, the slaves were declared "free, to be dismissed from the custody of the court and go without delay."

During all these months a group of citizens were acting in behalf of the Africans. Arthur Tappan had supplied most of the funds for their defense and Professor Josiah Gibbs of Yale, Reverends Simeon Joselyn, George E. Day, Lewis Tappen, George Whipple and Leonard Bacon had also worked untiringly. These men then organized a committee to repatriate the freed Amistad captives and this body later became known as the American Missionary Association. In January, 1842 the Africans set foot again on their native land.

Thus began the A.M.A. which was instrumental in founding many schools in the South for Negroes after Civil War. One hundred years later its work continues. The mural at Telladega College, a monument to the Association, celebrates its centenary.