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From the Boston Courier.The Afrienn Captives.We do not recollect any incident, for many years, the occurrence of which has caused so general n feeling of deep interest in the community, as the case of the Africans captured in the Spanish schooner Amistad. Where and for what arc they to bo tried, are questions llinl have been discussed ii some of the newspapers; some contend that they must be tried in 'he district of New York— others, in that of Connecticut. Some suppose they must he tried fur murder—others I'ur piracy. Wo are not sufficiently familiar with the principles of law involved in these questions, to arrive at any conclusion satisfactory to ourselves, much less, to present an argument that may satisfy oth-These unhappy wretches are now in gaol. 1 lie crime, for which'they are committed, 111 the technical language of the law, is called murder or pi-racy—perhaps both ; and the punishment of either is death. In the language of humanity they have committed no crime at all. I hey have attempted to regain the liberty, in which they were born, and which Ims been wrested from them by robbers, pirates and murderers. In making tins attempt they have done nothing more than every man in America would have done in similar circumstances, if he had courage enough to do it. nothing more than the laws of God, the laws of man, ond the instincts of nature, justify and demand. The unsophisticated common sense of mankind revolts at the idea of their having committed any crime.The next step to be taken in regard to these captives, we presume, will be to present the case, to a grand jury, and, if twelve men can be round, to say they are guilty of murder or piracy, they must’then be arraigned, and tried by another jury, before whom all arguments that the ingenuity of lawyers can devise, will be urged with all the eloquence of the most accomplished orators of the land, to obtain a conviction. Can a jury of twelve men bo found in the free states, that will convict these captives of a crime that will subject them to the punishment of death ? We nope not. For t^ie honor of a people, who call themselves enlightened and free ;—for the honor of human nature, if human nature tie not wholly depraved and past all redemption j—we hopethni there are not twelve men in our country, who would disgrace the name of an American by rendering a verdict or guilty.R,„ parhups lllu Court will Jociilo that tlic- ease is not within its jurisdiction, and that the prisoners must be delivered up to the Spanish govern mcnt, to be disposed of as that merciful tribunal iray decide. We all know, in such a case, what the end would be.We are 1 ware that, in the view of the conventional laws of nations, the case presents points ol great diffiulty; subjected to the laws of humanity, or morals, or religion, the case is as simple an one as can be imagined, and requires no casuistical argument. Every man, whatever be his nation, profession, or complexion, feels that the prisoners performed a deed of chivalry, that would, if they were not black, command admiration and np-plause. ....Joseph Cinguez. the daring leader or this band of captives, is a hero, worthy to stand by the side of the noblest Roman, whose name ever graced the pages of history. And shall lie be hung for striving to regain his liberty and give it to bis fellow-captivea 'lt; Shame, shame on tho law ortliu country, ivhii’ll shall bring his life in snrh ntermination. If they hung this nobio fellow, the scaffold on which he sutlers, will be a throne more brilliant than ever Alexander or Napoleon sat upon. He ought to enjoy the liberty for which he so bravely contended, timid the plaudits of fifteen million free Americans.ought iiollo be I imprisoned. T cannot bo. Tin and trial is thei fact of their heir them ia this wn kindred. Why Wliut propriety lt;ingtou in taking in law and juris Wlittt bad these native land,—wl the old sea, redd century's slave ti challenge the lun young Spanish could to regain tl what all men wo dilated Kamouficapture or impri led Montes to si any better than ' the false Spunia possessed.By the way, tl must have beenstarvation as pro lives, on that vot he ordered bread they were rising of somethin lie thinking of Lihe ing of that—for Spaniard's bren. furnished appear meats k mediae Ordered hr ran farmer throws ct a pretty way of i his nature, instil' endurance, by th We eau forgive But to be eslima puts us beyond , Hogs can't forgiv to us, are requirt We are almost p Test a lament in risen from his b he a mail, even pirate. For ho\ We can scarce!; anti-slavery editc better than n call11 ll.lof this slaveliol the more deeply identified, in estii guesund his peO| be. We can the those in bonds as Freedom.FromThe Congolese Hero. 1 ____1 ... I .
Newspaper Details
Brandon Voice of Freedom
Brandon, Vermont, US
Sat, Sep 21, 1839
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Robert C.
USA 10 Jul 2024
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