The Amistad as Campaign IssueGoals of these exercises:
Students will examine history as an executive and political problem, a public relations conundrum that exposes the underpinnings of American national politics c.1840, presenting the President with a messy issue, in which political costs and payoffs are inextricably tangled up in each other.
In class activities:
Students may role-play a political consultant (the term is anachronistic, but the concept is definitely not) advising a presidential candidate on how to proceed, what stance to take, and informing him/her of the costs various possible responses would exact in terms of political support in the various regions, among the various constituencies.
The resources listed below from the Exploring Amistad digital library are starting points for student research. Additional resources may be found by searching the web site and the digital library.
Exploring Amistad Resources:
Primary Documents
NEWS ARTICLES:
Election Stock, Richmond Enquirer, Sept. 6, 1839 Review of positions taken by several key newspapers on the poor viability of the candidacy of Sen. Henry Clay and the swing to support Gen. Wm. H. Harrison as the Whig candidate. States abolitionist resolution to not support candidate not in favor of immediate abolition of slavery. Suggests a conspiracy against the South.
Southern Reaction to Abolitionists' Interest in Amistad, Richmond Enquirer, Sept. 10, 1839. A southern newspaper article shows distaste for the abolitionists' attempts to free the Amistad Africans.
Abolition and the Amistad Case, New York Morning Herald, Sept. 13, 1839. Newspaper editorial arguing that the abolitionists are distorting the facts in reporting the Amistad court case.
The Captured Africans, New York Morning Herald, Sept. 17, 1839. This letter to the newspaper illustrates even Northern fears of abolitionists--their supposed lies and desire to break up the union. Martin Van Buren was aware of these fears and thus wanted to deal with the Amistad case swiftly, quietly, and safely.
Abolitionist Meeting, New York Morning Herald, Oct.29, 1839. Account of abolitionist meeting reflects reporter's bias as well as confusion and disunity among those present, including division over how to participate in next presidential election.
General Harrison, Charleston Courier, Jan. 8, 1840. An editorial suggesting that Harrison was pro-slavery (a good candidate for Southern support).
General Harrison and His Views on Slavery, Charleston Courier, Jan. 11, 1840. An editorial letter to the Charleston Courier in defense of William Henry Harrison against that newspaper's attack on him. Also included is the newspaper's response.
General Harrison on Slavery, Charleston Courier, Jan. 15, 1840. Editorial and an excerpt from an anti-abolitionist speech by General Harrison on the campaign trail.
For the Evening Post--The Amistad Case, New York Journal of Commerce, Jan. 16, 1841. An editorial, with a strong anti-slavery slant, that discusses the Amistad decision as part of the broader dispute between the North and the South. It expresses perfectly the large amount of political conflict Van Buren juggled while he tried to hold onto his office.CORRESPONDENCES:
Messrs. Staples and Sedgwick to the President, U.S. Government, April 15, 1840. Mr. Sedgwick and Mr. Staples appeal to President Van Buren to uphold justice on the Amistad case since Ruiz and Montez have no legitimate claim over the Africans and the Africans actions on board the vessel were justified.
Mr. Fox and Mr. Forsyth re.Amistad Case, New York Journal of Commerce, Feb. 18, 1841. Exchange of letters between Secretary of State Forsyth and British Minister Fox which President Van Buren sent to U.S. Senate: Fox's letter cites laws and treaties affecting legality of importing slaves from Africa and urges U.S. President to secure liberty for the captives; Forsyth's reply reflects the administration's wish to avoid involvement in the case.GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS:
Democratic Platform, 1840, Chelsea House Publishers, Jan. 1, 1971. Democratic Party on extent of federal government's power on issues including efforts of abolitionists and others to involve Congress in slavery questions.
Letter from Ralph I. Ingersoll to Martin Van Buren, Van Buren Papers, Feb. 15, 1840. Ingersoll tells Van Buren of the newspaper articles proclaiming his executive interference in the Amistad case. He begs a response that will put a stop to this politically destructive rumor.
Letter from Thomas L. Smith to Martin Van Buren, Van Buren Papers, Sept. 11, 1840. A letter informing the President of the increase in the American public's fear of slave insurrections (even in the North).COURT RECORDS:
Argument of John Quincy Adams before the Supreme Court--Part 1 , U.S. Supreme Court, Feb. 24, 1841 (S.W. Benedict, Dec. 1, 1841).
The beginning of this address to the Supreme Court, made by John Quincy Adams, stresses the injustice of executive interference in the Amistad case.
Argument of John Quincy Adams before the Supreme Court--Part 1V, U.S. Supreme Court, March 1, 1841 (S.W. Benedict, Dec. 1, 1841).
Part four of John Quincy Adams' arguments before the Supreme Court in defense of the Amistad Africans. He argues that the Amistad case must be decided in favor of the Africans because the Declaration of Independence gives every man in America the right to life and liberty as inalienable rights. And, the Executive Branch has ignored the Declaration of Independence to pursue the claims of the Spanish government.
Secondary Material
Themes: The Election of 1840 , Fred Dalzell. The Amistad incident was not a prominent campaign issue in the presidential election 0f 1840, between Democrat Martin Van Buren and Whig William Henry Harrison. It did reflect, however, their differing political tactics as well as the social and political climate of that time.
Biography: Martin Van Buren, Fred Dalzell. Martin Van Buren's rise to political power, his tactics as a politician, his views on slavery, and his decision on how to handle the Amistad revolt.
Mutiny on the Amistad: 'All We Want is Make Us Free', (presidential intrusion section), Howard Jones, 1992. The section entitled "Presidential Intrusion" shows how Martin Van Buren's intervention into the Amistad case--to maintain his political high ground--obstructed justice and compromised United States' laws.
The Amistad Africans and America, Peter Iverson, University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1969. This section of Iverson's thesis details the American public response to the Amistad incident, as well as the social and political climate of that time.
The United States--Discovery Section (Places). Proves the country's political divisions during the Amistad incident by listing several controversial events and issues at the forefront of American discussion.
The Africans in America--Discovery Section (Stories). Shows the overall American public interest in the Amistad Africans.
