:31:03
Without an accompanying mastery of at
least one-tenth its measure of grace,
:31:08
such erudition is worthless, sir.
:31:11
Now, you take it from one who knows.
:31:17
If you gentlemen will excuse me.
:31:22
- We know we aimed high asking you...
- Well, aim lower!
:31:27
Find yourselves someone
whose inspiration blossoms
:31:30
the more you lose.
:31:37
If the court awards them to Spain,
:31:39
they'll be taken to Cuba
and executed.
:31:41
If the two lieutenants prevail,
they'll likely to sell them to Spain,
:31:46
and they'll be executed.
:31:48
If Montes and Ruiz are successful...
:31:51
I'm a little confused.
What are they worth to you?
:31:54
We're discussing the case,
not its expense.
:31:58
Of course. Well, the case is much
simpler than you think, Mr Tappan.
:32:03
It's like anything - land,
livestock, heirlooms, what have you.
:32:08
Livestock.
:32:11
Yes. Consider -
:32:13
the only way one may sell or purchase
slaves is if they are born slaves,
:32:18
as on the plantation.
:32:21
- I'm right, aren't I?
- Yes.
:32:23
- So, are they?
- "Are they?"
:32:26
Yes. Born slaves,
as on a plantation.
:32:30
We're not certain,
but we very much doubt it.
:32:32
Let's say they are.
Then they are possessions,
:32:35
and no more deserving of
a criminal trial than a bookcase.
:32:39
On the other hand,
let's say they aren't slaves,
:32:42
in which case they were
illegally acquired.
:32:45
Forget mutiny, forget piracy,
forget murder.
:32:48
Those are irrelevant occurrences.
:32:50
Ignore everything but
the pre-eminent issue at hand.
:32:54
The wrongful transfer
of stolen goods.
:32:57
Either way, we win.
:32:59
Sir, this war must be waged on
the battlefield of righteousness.