Roger S. Baldwin to Theodore Sedgwick discussing a report - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

Keyboard Shortcuts

The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk

Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC07099
From Archive Folder	Documents Relating to 1840
Title	Roger S. Baldwin to Theodore Sedgwick discussing a report
Date	21 November 1840
Author	Baldwin, Roger Sherman (1793-1863)
Recipient	Sedgwick, Theodore
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Discusses a two hundred page report (possibly of the Amistad case). Mentions Lewis Tappan, an abolitionist who supported the Amistad Africans' freedom. Discusses the authenticity of treaties admitted as evidence in the Amistad case at District Court. Refers to the Amistad Africans, whose recent importation to Cuba, reflected the violation of international and Spanish law. States that John Quincy Adams, who assisted with the Africans' defense, "Thinks the govt, when they see the record, may abandon their appeal without a hearing; as he is very confident they cannot hope to be successful. If it is argued, he will go very fully into it..." Relates his opinion that the case will be heard (before the Supreme Court) during the first week of the term.
Subjects	Amistad Slavery African American History Mutiny Slave Trade Slave Rebellion Law Global History and Civics Foreign Affairs Treaty Africa Caribbean Latin and South America President Government and Civics Superstition Judiciary
People	Baldwin, Roger Sherman (1793-1863) Sedgwick, Theodore (1811-1859) Tappan, Lewis (1788-1873) Adams, John Quincy (1767-1848)
Place written	New Haven, Connecticut
Theme	Slavery & Abolition; African Americans; Law; Foreign Affairs; Government & Politics
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information	Roger Baldwin, Seth Staples, and Theodore Sedgwick comprised the Amistad Africans' defense team.
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide [draft] New Haven Nov 21 1840 My dr. Sir Your favor is received, & I regret very much that I have no copy of the record to send you. It occupies about 200 pages. The attorney Genl to whom it has been sent, will have it finished at an early day & has engaged to provide Mr. Tappan with copies for the [counsel]. The facts which were principally in controversy on the trial in the District Court, are now distinctly admitted on the record viz the authenticity of the Decree of 1817, the treaties of 1817 & 1835, the ordinance of Nov. 1838, & the fact that the negroes are native Africans recently imported into Cuba. Mr. Adams, who spent the day here on Tuesday, in consultation, thinks the Govt., when they see the record, may abandon their appeal without a hearing; as he is very confident they cannot hope to be successful. If it is argued, he will go very fully into it. By the way, if, as you suggest, our friends expect both of us to argue the case with the Ex president, they must I apprehend be disappointed, as it will not be in our power to gratify them, consistently with the rules of the Supreme Court, which only allow two counsel [2] on a side. I think it probable that the case will be heard during the first week of the term which continues on the 2nd Monday of Jany. Yours very truly R.S. Baldwin Theodore Sedgwick Esqr. New York. [Docket]

Previous Item Next Item