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New York Morning Herald, September 13, 1839, p.2
MORNING HERALD
Friday, September 13, 1839
Abolition and the Amistad Case
The "Journal of Commerce" and several other abolition papers, are very
busy trying to create excitement out of the Amistad case and captured Africans. The
Rev. David Hale, with a hypocritical, [ ], cast of the eye--not an honest, downright
squint like mine--is publishing the correspondence of Lewis Tappan & Co., who
intend, out of this case, to revive the dying embers of abolition in the north.
It seems there is a treaty in existence between Spain and the United States, by a
clause of which the former claims the restoration of the Amistad and her cargo, and
the latter government is bound in good faith, to deliver it, with all its appurtenances.
The Rev. David Hale, and his correspondents, however, close their eyes to the faith
and obligations of this treaty, and are busy, day and night, in stirring up the elements
of popular resistance to the laws, under the form of studied, elaborate, and ridiculous
appeals to their passions and feelings.
We are credibly informed, from authentic sources, that the stories told by Lewis
Tappan in the Journal, like those first published in a penny paper, are one half
fabulous, and the other half exaggerated.--In order to correct fables and exaggerations,
we have again despatched a correspondent to New Haven, to track the footsteps of
the abolitionists, and to tell the whole country the truth of this singular and extraordinary
affair. We have already corrected many of the outrageous fabrications of the "Journal
of Commerce," and its exciting adjuncts, and we presume we shall have a good
month's work on hand to correct the fabrications they intend to make for the next
four weeks, for when men with long black coats, under the name of religion, begin
to lie, they don't stick at trifles--they beat the Father of Lies all to pieces.
The Abolition Society have also advertised for contributions, in order to pay the
expenses attending their new movement, and we have no doubt, under the name of religion
and humanity, they will receive large sums, which will replenish the Treasury of
the Society--give fat jobs to their printers--and pay well for the insertion of their
articles in the "Journal of Commerce" and its colored associates. For the
course that we intend pursuing, to counteract the mischief which these incendiaries
intend to create, we ask no money--no price--no blackmail--we do it con amore.
This day we renew the publication of our correspondence from New Haven, and at the
holding of the U. S. Court, beginning on the 17th instant, we shall also have our
reporters in constant attendance.
Already this strange affair bids fair to excite a stronger feeling throughout the
Union, than any event that has happened in a long time. Whatever disposition be made
of these Africans, the laws and treaties between nations ought to govern its course,
in exclusion of those mischievous appeals to the passions of the mob of pious or
profane loafers. We should not be surprised even, if the Amistad case entered deeply
into the next election. Every thing about it looks black enough for a squall. Get
out your great coats and umbrellas--we know not the moment the clouds will pour down,
or the wind may blow.
