Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-01-07
ANTI-SLAVERY BUGLE.
THE AMIsTAD CASE..--sPEECH OF MR..
GIDDINGS


GIDDINGS
In continuation of his remarks "a part of which
We published last week. Mr., Giddngs said
nov desire the attention of the committee for
few moments to some of the leading points in tho
history of the Amstad case. Most gentlemen pres
cnt may be familiar with them but there are ma.
ny new members of the House who may not be fa-
niiliar with the arguments used in connection with
this claim.
In 1917, the Government of SPAIN BY its treaty
stipuatons with the Government Of Great Britain,
pledged ITSELF its power and influence for the a-
clifton of the slave trade. BY that treaty Spain
uot only pledged herself to abolish the slave trade
in her domnions and throughout her colonial de-
tendencies, but she declared that all persons i'm
ported from Africa should be free on entering her
dominions, or on entering her colonial possessions.
We, sir, of this nation, stood under somewhat diff
ferent circumstances. From tho very foundation
of the Government the popular sentiment of the
couatry was in opposition to the continuance Of the
slave trade.
In 1915, we bound ourselves by solemn treaty
with Great Britain, to use our power and influence
for tho total eradication of this traffic. and by sub
scqucnt treaties we ratified and repeated pledge
to carry out this undertaking. aud for many years
we have maintained naval force upon the African
coast, at an expense of from two to three million
dollars annually. to carry out the design of Kidding
mankind from this disgracciul traffic.
By our legislation we have declared it piracy,
and we hang the man that proves so rccrcant to his
duties to his fellow wmcn as to be found engaged in
that hated commerce. France has taken upon herself
similar stipulatiOns, and the whole civilized world
stood pledged FOR the maintenance of the rights OF
humanity against this trade in men. which even
jefferson termed ''an e%ecrdJie traffic in human
flesh"
Under these circumstances, in 1880 some Spanish
sayc dealers who were guilty Of this piracy, pre-
hibited by the laws Of Spain as well ~ hy treaty
stipulatiOns, imported into Havana n cargo Of Al
ricans. And here let me say that dates become
material. This cargo Of Africans were landed at
Havana on the 18th Of June, 1889, and placed in
the barracoons of that city. On the 23d of the
same month, Ruiz obtained from the Governor Gen
oral permit to carry these jdRiaoes, or legal slaves
from Havana to Principe, which lies ON the south
side OF the Island Of Cuba, and, the 9th. Mon
tez obtained like permit 10 carry lorty-nnc jodi-
noes or legal slaves 10 the same port All TINT the
slave deaer had to do was to pay stipulated duty
10 the Government, and to take his permit; and
this committee will see that il was permit 20 car
ry tdrtm siarcs, and not imported Africans, who
were free by the laws of Spain 1t had no alusion
to them and would respectfully call tie attcn-
ton Of the chairman Of the Committee on Foreign
ARilirs, who are going to report bill, to these
facts. II will be borne in mind that Monez and
Ruiz purchased these Africans, knowing them to
have been imported in violation of the Spanish
treaty and of Spanish laws, and therefore free.
On the 2Sth of June, having been just sixteen
days in the barracoons of Havana, they were ship
ped on board the Amistal, and on the LIST of July,
while sailing along the eastern coast of Cuba,
they took possession Of the vessel, and
serted their right to freedom. The captain and
cook, who opposed them, were slain; and the 9TH
er sailors sent ashore in small boat. Mon
tez was retained on board, aud directed to guide
the vessel to Africa; butnOt understanding the COM
pass, they directed their TO the north during
the night and in cloudy weather, until they finally
came to anchor Mpntaul; point, at the eastern
end OF Long Island. Now, desire the attention
of the chairman Of this committee, who is going to
report tho bill We have heard about, to know that
on the 18th of August, 1899, these same men, Ruiz
and Montez, filed in the district court of the State
of Connecticut their dcmand for these slaves that
on the 18th of September these Africans filed their
answers to this claim, denying that they had
been slaves to Nlontez and Ruiz or to any other
person they declared that they had been imported
into Cuba in violation Of Spanish laws and treaties
'nnd were entitled 10 their freedom.
And here call the attention Of the committee
more particularly to the fact, that at this period,
when these poor Africans were strangers in q
strange land destitute of friends ignorant Of our
language, the Government Of these United States
sent directions to its district attorney for the State
OF Connecticut to file claim to their bodies in the
United States district court, in order that they
should be delivered over to the Cuban authorities,
to be garroted for asserting their liberty. The FIX
ccutive influence was nut forth in favor of oppres-
district attorney obcyed his instructions, and lent
the whole influence OF his learning and talents to
the cause Of the slave trade. The whole was
htigated The proofs were taken, and the case
was fully heard and deliberately considered, and
tho decree was entered declaring that they had
been imported into Cuba in violation Of the laws
and treaties ef Spain that they were not and new
,er had been, slaves, but freemen and insteud of
neing gwen over to slavery they were ordered to
he set at liberty.
An appeal was taken from this decision to the
circuit court of the United States, and the circuit
reathrmed the decree of the district court. An ap.
peal was then taken 10 the United States Supreme
Court, sitting in this Capitol, and the case was ar
gued in this highest judicial tribunal of the nation
by the Attorney General of the United States, and,
upon full delibcration the decree Of the courts be-
low was reafhrmed in all respects.
l will now show to this committee under what
circumstances VIC are called upon to make an appro-
priation Of funds collected from the frcemen of the
North. Sir the whole power and influence of the
Government has contended for this claim before
the Judicial branch of Government; they have full
ly investigated, considered aud passed upon it.vl
And it now comes up to us by way of appeal from
the decision of the Supreme Court. The gentle
man from Virginia seeks to overturn, overthrow
and reverse tho decisions Of all tho courts of the
United States. Then, sir, it was brought to this
House; and come now to another point which is
somewhat important, In 1913, | think, we passed.
eur ordinary appropriation bill for the civil and