New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-09
THE AMIsTAn CLAIM.


We have read with pleasure the recent able speech
of Senator Dixon of Connecticut in opposition to the
accommodation of Mr. Buchanan TO pay the claim
of Ruiz and MoDtez for the Amistad negroes. Our
readers are acquainted with the Infamous character
OF this claim and we need not elaborate its history.
Cingue and his companions with other negroes)
were stolen from Africa, carried to Cuba in
Spanish ship contrary to treaties against the slave
trade and being there exposed to sale were pur-
chased by two pirstical scoundrels, Ruiz and MOI
tex by name, and shipped by them from Havana 20
Principe on board the schooner v Amstao' on
tbe yoyase the negroes rose asserted their freedom
took nossession of the vessel and, after yainly en-
deayorpp TO reach Africa, she driited INTO Long
Island Sound. where she and her negro crew, Ruiz
and Montez being also on board, were taken into
custody by the Marshal of Connecticut. The innO-
cent Africans were thrust into prison, while the two
Spanish pirates instead of being hung, were per-
mitted to sue in our Courts to obtain possession of
the negroes as their property. After long delay,
the Supreme Court of the United States decroed
that the negroes were free; and such of them as
had not previously gone to the land Of spirits were
returned to their home in Africa. For fifteen years
past, the Spanish Government, instead of putting
Ruiz and Montez to death for violating her treaties
and laws against the slave-trade, has been badger
ing our Government to pay them some $50, 900 for
these negroes set free by our Court. Presidents
Tyler Polk, and Buchanan have recommended pay
ment, and the present Senate Committee OF Foreign
Relations has warmly seconded the proposal.
hia
has been pressed by Mr.. Buchanan has provoked
Dir. Dixon to expose its nyalidity and iniquity IN
one of those acute lucid, and conclusive arguments
so characteristic of bis forensic efforts. The IN
herent diabOlsm of the claim is none the less APP
parent because set forth in the calm logic and cool
rhetoric of the Connecticut Senator. We can only
allude to two or three Of his points.
Mr. Dixon shows that the decision Of the Su-
preme Court in this case is binding upon the claim
ants, because, being the decree Of an Admiralty
Court IN rom as 10 title, it is conclusive everywhere
and upon everybody, and certainly upon Ruiz and
Montez, they being parties TO the proceeding. But
as the Spanish Government insists, and our Pro.
Slavery Administration comedies, that the former
is not bound by the construction which the Supreme
Court put upon our treaty (of 1850 with Spain,
Senator Dixon examines the matter an original
question, and shows
l. That the negroes are not merchandise"
prithin the meaning of that treaty. We have smi-
lar treaty with Algiers, which at that time held
Christian captyes as merchandise. If en- Al
gerine corsair laden with white Christian slaves,
had been thrown upon our shores, would we have
surrendered them to Algiers, or failing to do that,
have paid for them as property Senator Dixon
resses this vital point with great vigOr.
ii. But even if negroes are merchandise" IN.
der our treaty with Spain, Mr.. Dixon shows that
Ruiz and Montez were not the owners of Cingue
and his companions, they having purchased them
knowing that they were imported into Cuba con-
trary to law, and therefore were never legally
slaves. This point is elaborated with transparent
clearness.
III. In expOundirg the Spanish treaties for the
suppression of the slsyetrade, Mr.. ID. takes occa-
sion TO expose the duplicty Of that Government in
obtaining some two millions of dollars from En-
gland under the pretense that she sustained losses in
abOlishiDg the traffic, whereas the pretense was
sheer fraud-a fact which does not conciliste him
toward this trumped up Amstad claim.
". Finally for We cannot cite other points in
this conclusive argument), Mr.. Dixon comments
with severity upon the inconsistency and hypocrisy
Of Mr.. Buchanan in opposing the reOpening of the
slave-trade, and yet urging upon Congress, with Of
fensive zeal, the payment Of this claim of two con-
ftssed Cuban dealers in kidnapped Africans, who
openly and knowingly violated the laws of their
country in abetting an Illicit traffic in men.
We trust that the thorough expose of Mr. Dixon
will put such an extinguisher upon this claim that
no President or Committee of Congress will hereaf-
terhsve the efrOntery to propose to compensate
these negro-thieyes for their piracy