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"Mr. Forsyth to Mr. Calderon , 23d September, 1839." U.S. Congress. House. Africans Taken in the Amistad. 26th Congress., 1st sess., 1840.H. Doc. 185.
Mr. Forsyth to Mr. Calderon.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, September 23, 1839.
SIR: In the examination of the case of the Spanish schooner
"Amistad," the only evidence at present within reach of this department
is that presented by the ship's papers, and the proceedings of the court of inquiry
held by a district judge of Connecticut, on board the schooner, at the time the negroes
in whose possession she was found were imprisoned for the alleged murder of the captain
and mate of the vessel. If you have any other authentic documents relating to the
question, or evidence of facts which can be useful to a proper understanding of it,
I have the honor to request, by the direction of the President, that you will communicate
them to me with as little delay as practicable.
I avail myself of the occasion to renew to you the assurance of my high consideration.
JOHN FORSYTH.
Don A. CALDERON DE LA BARCA, &c.
&c. &c.
New York.
