Teaching With Documents:The Amistad Case
Statement of the Supreme Court to Circuit Court, March 9, 1841
Following its decision, the Supreme Court submitted this statement to the lower court where the case originated. The statement indicated that the decision of the circuit court was in part upheld and in part reversed. The part that was upheld related to the freedom of the Africans. The part that was reversed related to Judge Andrew T. Judson's application of the Congressional Act of March 3, 1819. Judson's decision authorized the President to return the Africans to Africa. Ultimately, the abolitionists arranged for their return in early 1842.
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National Archives and
Records Administration,
Records of the Supreme Court
of the United States, RG 267
- Libel of Thomas R. Gedney,
Lieutenant, U.S. Brig Washington
August 29, 1839 - Answer of the Proctors for
the Amistad Africans
January 7, 1840 - John Quincy Adams' request for
papers relating to the lower court trials of the Amistad Africans
January 23, 1841
ARC Identifier: 301671 - Opinion of the Supreme
Court in United States v. The Amistad
March 9, 1841
ARC Identifier: 301672 - Statement of the Supreme Court to Circuit Court
March 9, 1841
