Amistad Page #7

like a doll.

A court, as it happens,

of which our own president,

Martin Van Buren,

would be most proud.

Thank you.

This is a publication

of the office of the President.

It's called "The Executive Review",

and I'm sure you all read it.

At least I'm sure the President

hopes you all read it.

This is a recent issue, and there's,

uh, an article in here,

written by "a keen mind

of the South", who...

My former vice-president,

John Calhoun, perhaps.

Could it be?

Who asserts that "there has never

existed a civilized society

"in which one segment did not

thrive upon the labour of another.

"As far back as one chooses to look,

"to ancient times, to Biblical times,

"history bears this out.

"In Eden, where only two

were created.

"Even there, one was pronounced

subordinate to the other.

"Slavery has always been with us,

"and is neither sinful nor immoral.

"Rather, as war and antagonism

are the natural states of man,

"so, too, slavery, as natural

as it is inevitable."

Well, gentlemen, I differ with

the keen minds of the South,

and with our president,

who apparently shares their views,

offering that the natural state

of mankind is instead -

and I know this is

a controversial idea -

is freedom.

Is freedom.

The proof is the length to which

a man, woman or child will go

to regain it, once taken.

He will break loose his chains.

He will... decimate his enemies.

He will try and try and try,

against all odds,

against all prejudices,

to get home.

Cinque, would you stand up,

if you would,

so everyone can see you.

This man is black.

We can all see that.

But can we also see as easily

that which is equally true?

That he is the only

true hero in this room.

If he were white,

he wouldn't be in this court,

fighting for his life.

If he were white

and his enslavers British,

he'd be weighed down by the medals

and honours we would bestow upon him.

Songs would be written about him.

The great authors of our times

would fill books about him.

His story would be told

and retold, in our classrooms.

Our children, because we would

make sure of it,

would know his name as well as

they know Patrick Henry's.

Yet, if the South is right,

what are we to do with that

embarrassing, annoying document,

"The Declaration of Independence"?

What of its conceits?

"All men created equal," "inalienable

rights," "life, liberty," and so on.

What on Earth are we

to do with this?

I have a modest suggestion.

The other night I was talking

with my friend Cinque.

He was over at my place, and we were

out in the greenhouse together.

He explained to me how when a member

of the Mende - that's his people...

How when a member of the Mende

encounters a situation

where there appears

no hope at all,

he invokes his ancestors.

Tradition.

The Mende believe that if one can

summon the spirit of one's ancestors,

then they have never left.

And the wisdom and strength

they fathered and inspired

will come to his aid.

James Madison,

Alexander Hamilton,

Benjamin Franklin,

Thomas Jefferson,

George Washington,

John Adams.

We have long resisted

asking your for guidance.

Perhaps we have feared

in doing so,

we might acknowledge

that our individuality,

which we so, so revere,

is not entirely our own.

Perhaps were feared an... an appeal

to you might be taken for weakness.

But we have come to understand,

finally, that this is not so.

We understand now...

We've been made to understand,

and to embrace the understanding

that who we are

is who we were.

We desperately need

your strength and wisdom

to triumph over our fears,

our prejudices, ourselves.

Give us the courage

to do what is right.

And if it means civil war,

then let it come.

And when it does,

may it be, finally,

the last battle of

the American Revolution.

That's all I have to say.

In the case of the United

States of America

versus the Amistad Africans,

it is the opinion of this court

that our treaty of 1795 with Spain,

on which the prosecution has

primarily based its arguments,

is inapplicable.

While it is clearly stipulated

in Article 9 that - and I quote -

"Seized ships and cargo

"are to be returned entirely

to their proprietary."

The end of quote.

It has not been shown

to the court's satisfaction

that these particular Africans

fit that description.

We are then left with the alternative

that they are not slaves,

and therefore cannot

be considered merchandise,

but are, rather, free individuals

with certain legal and moral rights,

including the right

to engage in insurrection

against those who would deny them

their freedom.

And therefore, over one dissent,

it is the court's judgment

that the defendants are to be

released from custody at once,

and, if they so choose,

to be returned

to their homes in Africa.

Thank you.

Well...

- What did you say to them?

- Huh?

What words did you use

to persuade them?

Yours.

To keep you safe.

Thank you... Baldwin.

Fire!

All clear, sir.

- Fire.

- Fire!

- Fire.

- Fire!

Fire.

Fire.

Fire.

Take a letter, Ensign.

"To His Honour, the United States

secretary of state, Mr. John Forsyth.

"My dear Mr. Forsyth,

"it is my great pleasure to inform

you that you are, in fact, correct.

"The slave fortress in Sierra Leone

does not exist."

Que bonita!

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