Description

A letter from John T. Norton to Lewis Tappan with a "favorable report" on "our African friends." Norton writes that he does not see them as much as Samuel Deming or A.F. Williams, but he sees them at least once a day and his son spends two hours with them every morning assisting Sherman M. Booth. He finds their "docility truly remarkable" and they have not "tumbled for money since Mr. Booth and Mr. [Golding] had a serious palaver with them." He reports Kinna saying, "If our friends wish us to go to a great meeting, I will do my best if all the world is present," and reports that Kinna led a prayer in Booth's absence. Norton mentions that some of the Africans have been ill including Peah [Pie] and Cinque and seeks advice from the Amistad Committee, hoping that they will visit. In regards to an interview with Dr. Anderson that Tappan mentioned, Norton hopes "an arrangement will be made with the Board which he represents [Rufus Anderson of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions?]. He states, "They could immediately appoint one or more missionaries who would devote themselves to teaching and learn the Mendi language." The Africans like Sherman Booth, but he does not, in Norton's mind, contemplate going with them to Africa. Norton then comments that he is glad to hear Mr. [Joseph] Sturge is expected and hopes Tappan will visit, as well. He reports that twenty-five of the Africans attended church and Sabbath...

From Collection

Slavery and the U.S. Supreme Court: The Amistad Case

Record Contributed By

Amistad Research Center