"'JOHN FORSYTH.
"'W.S. HOLABIRD, Esq.,
"'_Attorney U.S. for District of Conn._'
"But after all the order did not avail. The District Judge,
contrary to all these anticipations of the Executive, decided
that the thirty-six negroes taken by Lieut. Gedney and brought
before the Court on the certificate of the Governor-General of
Cuba, were FREEMEN; that they had been kidnapped in Africa; that
they did not own these Spanish names; that they were not
_ladinos_; and were not correctly described in the passport, but
were new negroes bought by Ruiz in the depot of Havana, and
fully entitled to their liberty."
At a public meeting held subsequent to their liberation, the teacher of
the Africans made a statement as follows:--Their ruling passion was a
love for home; and their desire to return thither was constantly
manifesting itself. One day, a short time ago, Fohlee came to his
teacher, with his cap in his hand, and said, "If Merican men offer me as
much gold as fill this cap full up, and give me houses, land and every
ting, so dat I stay in dis country, I say no! Is dat like my father? Is
dat like my mother? Is dat like my sister? Is dat like my brother? No! I
want to see my father, my mother, my brother and sister." This feeling
manifested itself in many ways; and they expressed themselves willing to
undergo any thing short of losing their lives, if by so doing they could
be at liberty to return to the Mendi country.