Tappan, Lewis, 1788-1873 to Theodore Sedgwick
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05799 Author/Creator: Tappan, Lewis, 1788-1873 Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 September 1840 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket : free frank ; 24.2 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy
Tappan, an abolitionist supporting the freedom of the Amistad Africans, discusses a letter from Roger Sherman Baldwin to Sedgwick. States that Mr. B. (Baldwin) requests the advice of Sedgwick and Seth Staples regarding the trial. Refers to Judge T. (possibly Smith Thompson, Judge of the Amistad trial at the Circuit Court level). Writes "We ought to make a powerful onset on the 17th to obtain the liberation of the Africans- and to let the Judge understand explicitly that we expect to carry the point..." Expresses astonishment that President Martin Van Buren has not yet upheld a promise to give instructions to the District Attorney, William S. Holabird, to admit the authenticity of treaties (pertaining to restriction of the Spanish slave trade). States that his brother, United States Senator Benjamin Tappan, will see that Van Buren's promise is redeemed. Relates that Van Buren had written a directive to John Forsyth, Secretary of State, on the back of Lewis's letter to Benjamin. Instructs Sedgwick to read an article in the paper Emancipator signed by "Quere." Writes "I feel a strong desire to try the writ of Habeas Corpus with reference to the Africans. It is a monstrous perversion of justice to retain these poor men for political considerations- monstrous!"
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