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"Chevalier de Argaiz to Mr. Forsyth, 30th December, 1839, and translation." U.S. Congress. House. Africans Taken in the Amistad. 26th Congress., 1st sess., 1840.H. Doc. 185.
The Chevalier de Argaiz to Mr. Forsyth.
WASHINGTON, 30 de Diciembre de 1839.
MUY SOR MIO: En
la conversacion que tuve con V. S. antes de ayer rnanana, me entere de cuanto se
sirvio decirme acerca de la posibilidad de que el tribunal de Connecticut pronunciase
en su sesion del 7 de Enero proximo su incompetencia, o bien la restitucion de la
goleta Amistad, su cargamento, y negros halladas a su bordo: en seguida, manifesto
V. S. la necesidad de que la legacion de S. M. C. tomase sus disposiciones para hacerse
cargo de aquellos, tan luego como el tribunal pronunciase su sentencia o resolucion;
y aunque yo tuve la honra de exponerle la imposibilidad en que dicha legacion se
halla de poder trasladar a los expresados negros a la Habana, me parece conveniente
hacer presente a V. S. que–
Considerando que la goleta Amistad no puede hacer la navegacion por su mal estado,
y la total carencia de tripulacion:
Considerando lo dificil que seria proporcionar un buque de los Estadoa Unidos que
quisiese encargarse de llevar los negros a la Habana:
Considerando igualmente que estos negros han alegado ante el tribunal de Connecticut
no ser esclavos, y que el mejor medio de probar su alegato es colocarlos ante los
tribunales de la Habana:
Deseando, al propio tiempo, librar al Gobierno de la Union del embarazo de tener
en prision a los expresados negros:
Me atrevo a suplicar a V. S. tenga a bien disponer el animo del Senor Presidente,
afin de que se sirva resolver se conceda al Gobierno de S. M. C. la proteccion que
como buen amigo reclama en esta ocasion del de los Estados de la Union, reducida
a poner a disposicion del Capitan General de isla de Cuba los negros hallados a bordo
de aquella goleta, que tiene reclamados la legacion de Espana, transportandolos en
un buque de estos Estados. El Gobierno de S. M. C., me atrevo a asegurar, recibira
este acto generoso como un favor muy particular, que servira a estrechar los lazos
de buena y reciproca amistad que felizmente reyna entre las dos naciones.
Yo, por mi parte, no dejare de manifestar, confiado en la benevolencia de V. S. que
sere bien dichoso si puedo anunciar a mi Gobierno este nuevo testimonio de amistad,
por el que desde ahora le doy anticipadamente las gracias.
Con este motivo, reitero a V. S. las seguridades de mi distinguida consideracion.
EL CABALLERO DE ARGAIZ.
Al honorable Senor JOHN FORSYTH.
[37]
The Chevalier de Argaiz to Mr.Forsyth.
[TRANSLATION]
WASHINGTON, December 30, 1839.
SIR: In the conversation which I had with you on the morning of the day before
yesterday, you mentioned the possibility that the court of Connecticut might, at
its meeting on the 7th of January next, declare itself incompetent, or order the
restitution of the schooner Amistad, with her cargo, and the negroes found on board
of her; and you then showed me that it would be necessary for the legation of Her
Catholic Majesty to take charge of them as soon as the court should have pronounced
its sentence or resolution; and, although I had the honor to state to you that this
legation could not possibly transfer the said negroes to Havana, still it appears
proper for me now to declare that--
Considering that the schooner Amistad cannot make a voyage, on account of the bad
condition in which she is, of her being entirely without a crew;
Considering that it would be difficult to find a vessel of the United States willing
to take charge of these negroes, and to transport them to Havana; and, also, that
these negroes have declared before the court of Connecticut that they are not slaves,
and that the best means of testing the truth of their allegation is to bring them
before the courts of Havana:
Being at the same time desirous to free the Government of the United States from
the trouble of keeping the said negroes in prison, I venture to request you to prevail
upon the President to allow to the Government of Her Catholic Majesty the assistance
which it asks under the present circumstances from that of the United States, by
placing the negroes found on board of the said schooner, and claimed by this legation,
at the disposition of the Captain General of the island of Cuba, transporting them
thither in a ship belonging to the United States. Her Catholic Majesty's Government,
I venture to assert, will receive this act of generosity as a most particular favor,
which would serve to strengthen the bonds of good and reciprocal friendship now happily
reigning between the two nations.
I, for my own part, confiding in your kindness, do not hesitate to declare that I
shall be most happy to be able to announce to my Government this new proof of friendship,
for which I now, by anticipation, give thanks.
I repeat to you, sir, the assurances of my distinguished consideration,
THE CHEVALIER DE ARGAIZ.
Hon. J. FORSYTH, Secretary of State.
