Amistad: Struggle Over Water

เนื้อเรื่อง

On the Monday, 26^th of August, 1839, the U.S. Navy brig of Washington captured the Amistad near Long Island, New Yorkits cargo and crew.  Now they expect a reward for capturing the ship, as well as money from selling the cargoin this case, the slaves.

The U.S Navy brig Spotted the Amistad, where it seemed to be stopping for fresh supplies.  The Navy Brig was able to capture the ship, after some shots were fired.  The ship has been taken to New London, Connecticut on Thursday, August 29^th.

The Amistad was a Spanish slave-trade ship which departed from Havana, Cuba, for a plantation in Port Principe, Cuba.  At that time it is believed that the Africans mutinied after rumours that they might be killed and eaten.

The fight happened on the Amistad on the 2^nd of July, when the slaves battled the Spaniards.  Two Spaniards, as well as two slaves, were killed in the struggle.  Spaniards Jose Ruiz and Pedro Montes were then forced to sail east, towards the sun, back to Africa.  With fear and hope to be rescued, at night when the sun has set, they sailed slowly west and north to the United States.  This made a zigzag route up to New York, over a period of two months without being realised by the Africans.

There were fourty-nine men, one boy, and three girls in the cargo of the Amistad.  As from hearing in New Haven, Connecticut, it was decided that the Africans would stand in trial for murder and mutiny.