Subject of
Adams, John Quincy
Pieh, Sengbe, Sierra Leonean, 1814 - 1879
Supreme Court of the United States, American, founded 1789
Published by
Benedict, S. W., American
Signed by
Bradlee, John T., American
Date
1841
Medium
ink on wove paper
Dimensions
H x W: 8 11/16 × 5 11/16 in. (22 × 14.5 cm)
Description
A first edition manuscript of John Quincy Adam’s arguments before United States Supreme Court in the trial United States v. Schooner Amistad, 1841. The Octavo pamphlet-manuscript is constructed of handstitched rag paper, with 35 pages of John Quincy Adams’] full defense of the illegally captured Mende Africans by the Spanish schooner, La Amistad. A signature, possibly from a former owner of the manuscript, is written in blotted ink across the top front. Below it, in staggered size font, is: [ARGUMENT / OF / JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, BEFORE THE / SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES / IN THE CASE OF THE / UNITED STATES, APPELLANTS, / vs. / CINQUE, AND OTHERS, AFRICANS / CAPTURED IN THE SCHOONER AMISTAD, BY LIEUT. GEDNEY, / DELIVERED ON THE 24th OF FEBRUARY AND 1st of MARCH, 1841. / WITH A REVIEW OF THE CASE OF THE ANTELOPE, / REPORTED IN THE 10TH, 11TH AND 12TH VOLUMES OF WHEATON’S REPORTS.]. The lower third of the manuscript’s front reads: [NEW YORK / S. W. BENEDICT, 128 FULTON STREET. / 1841.]. There are no markings on the blank reverse of the manuscript.
Transcription Center Status
Transcription Available
Place printed
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Place depicted
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
Cuba, Caribbean, Latin America, North and Central America
Sierra Leone, West Africa, Africa
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Books and Published Materials
Type
books
manuscripts
Topic
Illegal slave trade
International affairs
Law
Slavery
Trans Atlantic slave trade
U.S. History, 1815-1861
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2018.46.6
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5c555f537-deaf-49ec-9815-af12ef6b8a36

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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