What was the cause of the Amistad Case?
The question was raised as to ownership of the slave ship Amistad, which had been taken in the open seas after the slaves had mutinied and gained control of the ship. Salvage rights for the ship and the property (including the slaves) were claimed, by various claimants. The slaves claimed that they were free men and could not be turned over to Spain. John Quincy Adams, a former US President, argued the case before the Supreme Court. The case was decided to the benefit of the slaves, declaring them free men and ordering their return to Africa.
