In July 1839, a group of 53 Africans aboard La Amistad, a Spanish slave ship, revolted . After two months at sea with several stops for water and provisions, the Amistad anchored off Montauk Point in New England.
The Africans allowed themselves to be taken into custody after they were certain not to have landed in "slave states. The Africans, known popularly as the Amistads, were claimed as cargo by Cuban slave traders.
The Africans, whose charismatic leader was given the name Cinque, argued that they were free men and women, kidnaped and carried to the U.S. against their will. After hearing details of their abduction and enslavement, with riveting testimony of Cinque, the district court ruled that the Africans were free men and women, and should be returned to their homeland.
Out of concern over relations with Spain, President Van Buren appealed to the Supreme court, which was seen as a favorable jurisdiction because a majority of the justices were from Southern states and had previously owned slaves. Arguments began on Feb. 22, 1841, with the Africans represented by an aging John Quincy Adams (former President of the United States).
On March 9, the Supreme ruled 7-1 that the Amistads had been kidnaped, and that, even under the laws of Spain, the Africans must be freed.
November 1841, 35 of the surviving Amistads - with an American mission group - boarded a ship called the Gentleman and returned to Sierra Leone. In Sierra Leone, Cinqué was faced with civil war.
Sadly, upon their arrival, Cinque learned that his wife and children had been killed in his absence. He and his company maintained contact with the local mission for a while, but Cinqué left to trade along the coast. Much speculation remains over whatever became of Cinque, but he had a significant influence on fomenting Abolitionist ideals and plans.
