, 1841-03-13
Mr. For TO mr. FORSYTH.
WAsAlNaroN, Jan. 20. 1871

Mr. F0z to mr. Forsyth.
W~AsarSaroS, Jan. 20. 1871
Sir:-i all: instructed TO represent 10 you
that the attention Of Her Maiesty's Govern
mcnt has been seriously directed 10 the cass
Of certain African negroes found on board
the Spanish siIiD"Amistad,' the same persons
whase cause has been brought before the
courts ni law OF the United States. for whom
powerful and humane interest appears 10 be
felt in this Country rs well as in England.
Ii is known to Her Majesty's Government
that these negroes we're imported into Cubs
direct from the coast Of Africa. in a Por-
ru.ues slave vessel called tine Tebnra, in the
summer of 1889. AMI that shortly after their
arrival. they were purchased as slaves az
Re l~lavaan, by two SpaniardS of the names
ri ln<r Rriz and P-dr, Aiontez. Ruiz aud
VI u'rz urn pl.crG me negroes on board
-a.. .i>' d. Intending 10 convey them
'h.f.= I"il Ia Cuba. Il appears that
H.. .n- tie we. the n".ToeS With a view
IF recover az ;heir Liberty, seized possession
t Rae ye$>e.. put The master 10 death, and
"rdc,ed the rcm.ining whites t. navigate
the vessel Ia the coast of Africa. The
AhiteS. however. directed their c"ursa tn-
waids North A.mpr:c until they were fallen
n Nitn hv the United States b'ig of wal
Washington. when tie .Ari>'ad was finally
r"p.hr lntn the port Of New London, in
C"nne:trcut. + 9 p.ncerdInrs which have
taken RI cr Subsequently To The arrival of
he ne. o~s N t e United States was SUI.
fri-n,lv well know to you.
NV, Her Najc>tv's Government have to
observe. thar. >lnce the year 1920, it has be-
como unli r'ul. according to- the law Of
SPAN. I" import negroes frUm AfIica as
>ilvcs INTO the Spanish domi7i"ns, and that
as tire negroes here referred Ia had been new-
!, impaired from Africa To- Cuba. end could
not BY law he imported is slaves. they must
IN The eve of the law tie considered as free
persons.
And Great Britain is also bound to remer-
her that the law of Spin which fraiiy pro-
hibi,ed the slave trade Throughout, The Spanish
dnminions from the date OF 1.-THE 30th of Nav,
1920. (the provisions OF which law are con-
tanned in the Krna Of SPANS Royal Ccdula
IF the 18th of December, 1917 was passed
IN compliance with treaty OF obligation to
ihat effect, BY which the crown of Great
Britain. and for which 4 valuable compen.
sion. in return was given by Great Britain
t. Spain, rs may he seen by reference 10 the
81, 81. and it1 articles Of 4 public treaty
concluded between Great Britain and SPAN.
on the e2l of September, 1917.
Her Majesrv's Government, therefore,.are
moved by special and peculiar reasons to
tlhe IN interest in the fate Of these unfortun-
ATE Africans, who are known 10 have been
Illegally and f~eloniously reduced 10 slavery
by subjects of Spain.
Ii is next 10 be observed that Great Britain
and the United States have mutually engaged
themselves To each o:her, bv the 10Th article
at the treaty of Client. TO use their best en-
hravors for the entire abolition OF the African
slave trade. And there can he no doubt of
The f'sn intention of hnth parties r~eliglous'y
tn fulfil the terms Of that engagement.
Now the unfortunate Africans whose ease
IS the suhjec, nf thr present representation,
have been thrown by accidental circumstan.
ces into the hands o! the authorities of the
United Suites; and II NAV probably depend
upon The action of the United States Gov
eminent. whether these persons shall recover
the freedom t" which they are entitled, or
whether they shall be reduced 10 slavery,
IN violation of known laws and contracts
publicly passed, prohibiting the continuance
ri The African slave trade by Spanish sub
jects.
II is under these circumstances that Her
Mai~S'v'~ G"v4rnm"n' ~'nvinnslv hope that
~. P. f.~. - 3D., Z ia4 St4'es will fad
himself empowered - take such measures II