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Richmond Enquirer, November 26, 1839, p.3
THE AMISTAD TRIAL.--The unsettled case of the negroes found on board the Amistad,
came on for trial last Tuesday before the Connecticut District Court at Hartford.
Mr. Baldwin, counsel for the negroes, presented a plea in abatement, objecting to
the jurisdiction of the Court, on the ground that the Amistad was captured in the
waters of New York. Another ground was that the Africans are not property,
either by our laws, or the laws of Spain. The suit now on trial is brought by Lieut.
Genedy and other libellants for salvage. The question of property of course will
be involved, but at present the court declines considering that point. The question
of jurisdiction must be settled first. Evidence was accordingly adduced to ascertain
the precise place of capture. No decision has been yet made.
Since the above paragraph was in type, the following information has been received,
announcing the postponement of the case until January next:
Amistad Case/--A letter received this morning from Hartford, dated Wednesday,
11 o’clock A. M.,. states that the Court unexpectedly adjourned to the first Tuesday
in January, owing to the detention at New Haven of James Covey, the interpreter,
subpoenaed [sic] by the U. States from the British brig Buzzard, on account of sickness.
Tuesday afternoon several witnesses were examined respecting the actual place of
the seizure of the Amistad. Some swore that the distance from the shore was not more
than 20-30 rods, and others that it was over half a mile.
The District Attorney had filed another libel on behalf of the United States, grounded
on the claim of the Spanish Minister for the vessel and cargo, (Africans included)
to be given up to his Government according to the provisions of the treaty.--N.
Y. Amer.
