The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-11-27
THE ARMISTAD NEGROES.
Correspondence OF the N. Y. Sun.

HARTFORD. Nov. 10, 80.
The District Court Of the United States for
the District Of Connecticu was opened at the
hour appointed, by the Hon. A. T. Judson.
Judge-and there being no other business on
the docket. the Anistsd case was Immediately
called on.
r. S. Baldwin. Esq. Counsel for the Afr-
cans gave notice, that he had filed plea to
the jurisdiction Of the court, to which he call
ed the attention of the Counsel on the other
side.
]. I.ham, ESQ.,, Counsel for Lieut. Geduey,
thought il strange that the gentleman should
appear. when the only parties were the libeII-
ants and the clalnia nts, who were perfectly
satisfied Of the jurisdiction Of the court, and
bad no difficulty in allowing the cause to 60
on to an amicabe termination.
The court finally allowed the plea TO be en-
tered, so far as it referred to the place where
the vessel and persons were taken. but not as to
the merits of the question, whic h he said could
not come in under this plea.
Evidence was then adduced as to the place
where the vessel was taken.
Henry Green, Of Long Island, related in full
the circumstances Of his interview with the
blacks. Of their bringing their trunks ashore.
and Of the capture by the boat from the brig
Washington. He said there were about two
duu t"cHlS VI TIC DldChS On SiOTc at lHe tlUle,
and the schooher was not more than 90 or 80
rods from shore or at least. was within hail.
Mr.. Baldwin was much disappointed at not
seeing Mr.. Staples. He however went on with
the case in good style and with manly conf
dence. Gov. Ellsworth is retained by Capt.
Green and others from Long Island, who claim
| salvage.
Hartford. Nov. Goth.
! This is the last letter shall have occasion to
| trouble you with. in relation TO the case of the
| Africans. until January next--the further pros
ecution Of the case being postponed till the 9TH
of that month.
| The afternoon session of Tuesday was occu-
| pied in hearing the testimony in respect TO the
I position Of the Armislad at the time of the
capture by the Washington. Messrs Green,
Fordham and Cocklin were examined on that
point and all agreed that the Armstad was not
more than thirty rods from shore when seized.
On the other hand, Lieut. Meade and Dr..
Sharpe tesifedthat the distance from shore
was at least half Of mile. Burnah, the
black who speaks little English. was intro
duced by the district attorney. and his manner
and replies to different questions went TO dis
credit the testimony Of Green and his associates.
On the opening Of The Court this morning.
Mr.. Halabird offered new libel in behalf Of
the Spanish consul, to enable him, or some-
body else, to return Antonio, the cabin boy, to
the widow of his deceased master at Havana
No objection was made to this, though it seem
ed to be unnecessary, as there was no process
Of any kind against the boy. Jingua and six
others Of the blacks we're brought into Court
to testify TO the position Of the schooner and
the number on shore at the time oil capture.
The district attorney filed another claim, Civ
ing the Court to understand that the Spanish
minister had officially presented claim TO the
government Of the United States, setting forth
that the Amistad cargo and slaves. the proper
" Of Spanish citizens, were taken possession Of
by a public armed brig and brought into the
ljurisdctionsl limits OF the Court. under such
circumstances as to make it the duty of the
government to cause the property to be restored
10 the true owners thereof without delay. as
required by our treaty stipuIations with Spain.
And the attorney further prayed, that il the
claim should be well founded. the Court would
make such order for the disposal Of the vessel,
cargo and slaves, as would comply with our
obligations to Spain, and preserve the faith of
the government.
d. Mr.. Baldwin movedfor short postponernent
Of the case. on account Of the sudden indispo.
sition Of Covey, the interpreter from the Buz,
: zard. After some conversation between the
bar and the Court, il was determined 10 adjourn.
10 meet AT New Haven on the H,st Tuesday Of
{ January next The Court then adjourned, 10
. meet at 2 O'Clock in the afternoon, to bear the
. testimony Of DIR. Madden, a member Of the
mixed commission at Havana. His evidence
is claimed 10 be Of great importance by the
counsel for the slaves, and as he is obliged 10
20 TO England 10 \ few days. it was agreed thai
, his deposition should be taken, subject to the
deposition Of the district attorney hereafter.
5 IThe Africans we're sent back to New Haven in
the afternoon.