Amistad Incident

Late in August, 1839, several Amistad captives were on shore near Long Island Sound, (this link is a 19th century chart) trying to barter for food. Conditions on the ship were atrocious; most folks were starving. The Africans were spotted by a naval officer, Lt. Thomas Gedney, who boarded the ship with his colleagues.

Shocked by what they found, the officers located Ruiz and Montez who told their story. At the time, 54 Africans were still alive, including the four children. A federal cutter brought them to New London, Connecticut.

Spain wanted the "slaves" returned. Huge political issues were at stake. If the Amistad mutineers went unpunished, what would happen if other slaves rebelled?