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“On the Imprisonment of Ruiz and Montez.” Charleston Courier, 23 Oct. 1839.
NEW-YORK, OCT. 18.--
. . .
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The public will we think learn with surprise, that Messrs. Ruiz and Montez, of the
Island of Cuba, who were overpowered by their slaves on board the Spanish schooner
Amistad, and from whom they were rescued by a U. S. ship of war after enduring the
most horrid tortures--are now suffering incarceration in the common jail in this
city.
And for what? it will be asked? Have these gentlemen been guilty of any crime among
us? Have they committed any wrong here? None, whatever, [sic] They held slaves in
Cuba, but this the laws of Cuba, sanctioned. They purchased slaves in Cuba and transported
them from one part of the Island to another. This too the laws of Cuba sanctioned.
When fortunately rescued from impending death, by a gallant officer of our Navy,
they claimed the slaves as their property--and this question of property, is now
in a course of adjudication before our courts of law.
Yet, it is a fact: that they were yesterday both arrested in a civil suit by a process
issuing, one from the Court of Common Pleas, and, another, from the Superior Court,
on the assumed complaint of"Fullah, an African of the Mendi Tribe, and Singweh,
an African of the Mendi Tribe," for "imprisoning, beating and wounding
them," and the joint damages laid at $3000. On which process Messrs. Ruiz and
Montez are now confined in jail.
The Savages, in whose names these suits are instituted, are of course ignorant of
the whole matter. A life time would not suffice to make them comprehend it. The real
plaintiffs are the Abolitionists, and the foremost as usual amongst them is Mr. Lewis
Tappan! who actually accompanied the Sheriff's officer who served the writ to point
out to him the persons of the Spanish gentlemen. He of course would not loose [sic]
this opportunity of adding to the enviable notoriety he already enjoys.
[Courier & Inq.
