Amistad
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:23:00
If it please, Your Honour.
:23:02
The bench recognises
District Attorney Holabird.

:23:06
I would like to present
the court, Your Honour,

:23:10
with the charges
of piracy and murder...

:23:12
I have a petition for
a writ of habeas corpus.

:23:15
I was speaking.
:23:17
Mr Holabird, your charges, whatever
they might be, will be rendered moot.

:23:21
That petition, Mr Tappan
- if that's what it is - is moot,

:23:25
until an actual writ by some higher
court, by some miracle, is granted.

:23:30
- Mr Holabird is correct.
- And if you would, sir,

:23:34
please kindly refrain from
impersonating a lawyer,

:23:38
which you patently are not.
:23:40
- As I was saying, Your Honour...
- Your Honour.

:23:45
Mr Secretary.
:23:47
Your Honour, I am here on behalf of
the President of the United States,

:23:52
representing the claims of
Queen Isabella of Spain,

:23:55
as concerns our mutual treaty
on the high seas of 1795.

:23:59
- You have my attention.
- Thank you.

:24:02
These slaves, Your Honour,
are the property of Spain,

:24:05
and as such, under Article 9 of said
treaty, are to be returned posthaste.

:24:10
Said treaty taking precedence
over all other claims...

:24:13
Them slaves belong to me
and my mate, Your Majesty.

:24:16
- Your Honour, I...
- Who be you two gentlemen?

:24:19
"We, Thomas R Gedney
and Richard W Meade,

:24:22
"whilst commissioned
US Naval officers,

:24:25
"stand before this court
as private citizens,

:24:29
"and do hereby claim salvage
on the high seas

:24:32
"of the Spanish ship La Amistad
and all her cargo."

:24:36
- Here you go, sir.
- Your Honour...

:24:39
You wish to make this claim above
that of the Queen of Spain?

:24:43
Where was she, pray,
:24:45
when we was fightin' the winds,
Your Excellen... uh, Honour.

:24:48
Her Majesty, the Queen of Spain,
was busy ruling a country.

:24:53
Your Honour, these officers
claims are just...

:24:56
Your Honour!

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