United States v. The Amistad (1841)

Title: United States v. The Amistad (1841)
Description: This freedom suit originated after 53 Africans revolted and took control of the Spanish slave ship that intended to enslave them in Cuba. The ship was eventually seized by the U.S. Navy off the coast of Long Island and the Africans were taken into custody and charged with mutiny and murder. After a series of court appearances, the Supreme Court ruled that the Africans were "free negroes" who had been "unlawfully kidnapped, and forcibly and wrongfully carried on board" the Amistad. They were ordered to be released. After obtaining their freedom, missionary groups helped the surviving Africans return to Sierra Leone.
Excerpted: Yes
Date: 1841-03-09
Author: United States. Supreme Court
Legal Concept: Freedom Suit; Slavery
Subject: Incarcerated People; African Americans
Temporal Coverage: Territorial Expansion; Antebellum Period
Spatial Coverage: New York; Northeast
Procedural History: U.S. Supreme Court; United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit; U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut
Document Type: Supreme Court Case
Document Category: Primary Source
Bluebook Citation: United States v. The Amistad, 40 U.S. (15 Pet.) 518 (1841)
Digital Repository: Library of Congress
URL: https://www.loc.gov/item/usrep040518/

Title: United States v. The Amistad (1841)
Description: This freedom suit originated after 53 Africans revolted and took control of the Spanish slave ship that intended to enslave them in Cuba. The ship was eventually seized by the U.S. Navy off the coast of Long Island and the Africans were taken into custody and charged with mutiny and murder. After a series of court appearances, the Supreme Court ruled that the Africans were "free negroes" who had been "unlawfully kidnapped, and forcibly and wrongfully carried on board" the Amistad. They were ordered to be released. After obtaining their freedom, missionary groups helped the surviving Africans return to Sierra Leone.
Excerpted: Yes
Date: 1841-03-09
Author: United States. Supreme Court
Legal Concept: Freedom Suit; Slavery
Subject: Incarcerated People; African Americans
Temporal Coverage: Territorial Expansion; Antebellum Period
Spatial Coverage: New York; Northeast
Procedural History: U.S. Supreme Court; United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit; U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut
Document Type: Supreme Court Case
Document Category: Primary Source
Bluebook Citation: United States v. The Amistad, 40 U.S. (15 Pet.) 518 (1841)
Digital Repository: Library of Congress
URL: https://www.loc.gov/item/usrep040518/

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