Description

On that day seventy-three-year-old John Quincy Adams, who had not argued a case before the high court since 1809, rose to speak for the defense of thirty-six Africans. They had lost their case for freedom in the lower courts in Connecticut. They no longer had funding for lawyers to argue their appeal. In what was essentially a “Hail Mary”, they were now relying on a pro bono defense presented by the former President, now a representative to the U. S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts.

Who were these people? How did they end up in jail and court in Connecticut? How were they able to mount a defense? What are the odds of the U. S Supreme Court in 1841 granting these thirty-six individuals their freedom and provide for a safe return to Africa?

This is the fascinating story of the “cargo” of the Amistad. This is also an acknowledgment of the outstanding contributions of an often disregarded one-term president.