January 13, 1854
The editor introduces extracts from this “timely, able and fearless speech”, Dec. 21, 1853, in the U. S. House. “Certain Cuban slave dealers” have asked for payment for the loss of their slaves in the Amistad case. Some members of Congress have recommended to the President that he give favorable consideration of the those claims. After recounting the history of the Amistad case, Giddings, in his speech comments: “We ask no favors at the hands of those who advocate the slave trade, and I will frankly say to them, that I apprehend they will recede from the position which the President has assumed; that they will not dare sustain him.” He urges that “he who holds ‘that this Government was constituted to secure the right to life, liberty, and happiness’ to the people, will never vote to prostitute its powers to encourage the slave trade, to maintain oppression, or dishonor our race.”
January 24, 1840
Here is a copy of the decision of the court in the Amistad case, including these words:
“Cinquez and Grabeau shall not sigh for Africa in vain. Bloody as may be their hands, they shall yet embrace their kindred. I shall put in form a decree of this Court, that these Africans, excepting Antonio, be delivered to the President of the U. S. to be transported to Africa, there to be delivered to the Agent, appointed to receive and conduct them home. ….”
September 6, 1839
A brief notice …… “it is a case which calls for the sympathy of all true-hearted, impartial lovers of liberty’ that the brave Cinques and his associates have committed no crime either against the laws of the United States or Spain, or the laws of nations; that they merely imitated the example of Washington and the heroes of the revolution; that they ought to be sent back to Africa in christian kindness; and that, if any persons ought be hanged, they are the two white persons found on board the Amistad. …..what hope is there that justice will be done? The abolitionists of Connecticut ought to bestir themselves in this matter.”
