Cinqué, Joseph (c. 1814 – c. 1879)

Cinqué, Joseph (c. 1814 – c. 1879)

  • <p>Protrait of Sengbe Pieh (Joseph Cinque), New Haven Museum. Courtesy of the National Park Service.</p>
  • <p>Joseph Cinquez, the brave Congolese Chief, who prefers death to slavery, and who now lies in jail, ca. 1839. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.</p> <p>Beach, Moses Yale, Lithographer. Joseph Cinquez, the brave Congolese Chief, who prefers death to slavery, and who now lies in jail. , ca. 1839. [Boston: Joseph A. Arnold] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2003690782/.</p>
  • <p>Joseph Cinque addressing his compatriots on board the Spanish schooner, Amistad, 26 Aug 1839. Lithograph by John Childs. Courtesy of the Chicago Historical Society.</p> <p>Lithograph by John Childs Courtesy of the Chicago Historical Society</p>

Read more about Joseph Cinque at: https://tinyurl.com/y26z5uqy, and https://tinyurl.com/y6cjmbzw.

Read more about the Amistad Mutiny of 1839: https://tinyurl.com/y2bloxo6, and https://tinyurl.com/k629vrx.

Explore primary sources related to The Amistad, including the writ of Habeas Corpus for Joseph Cinque aka Sengbe Pieh at: https://tinyurl.com/y57dxvk5.

After the successful conclusion of the court case those taken into slavery, now free, were to set sail to Sierra Leone including Joseph. Before leaving for their trans-Atlantic crossing they anchored the night to say their farewells at Staten Island. Read more about their final night in America below.

On Thursday morning, the Mendians, the Missionaries, and several friends, went on board the barque Gentleman, which is to convey them to Sierra Leone. A steamboat towed the barque to the lower harbor. Nothing could exceed the delight manifested by the Mendians as they found themselves fairly started on their way. As the vessel proceeded, the whole company assembled in the cabin of the steamboat to spend an hour in a meeting suited to the interesting and solemn occasion...At the conclusion Cinque rose and replied - his remarks being interpreted by Kin-na - and his pathos, tenderness, deep feeling, and powerful eloquence astonished those present who had never heard him before, and it was a deeply affecting scene to all. Mr. T. then read to Cinque a Farewell Address in verse, written by Joseph L. Chester, one of the company. The steamboat having reached the place of anchorage, off Staten Island, and being about to cast off, the whole company knelt while Deacon Townsend of New-Haven offered the Lord's prayer, the Mendians repeating each sentence after him, as they have been accustomed to do. The benediction was then pronounced by Rev. Mr. Andrews. The bell rang, and an affecting leave was taken of the Mendians and the Missionaries. The steamboat moved back to the city, leaving these dear brethren and sisters to pursue their long passage across the trackless ocean. At the dawn of day, Saturday, Nov. 27, the barque proceeded to sea with a fine breeze. In thirty to forty days it is hoped they will safely arrive at Sierra Leone.

Published in THE COLORED AMERICAN, on December 25, 1841, titled "THE AIMSTAD AFRICANS. FAREWELL MEETINGS AND EMBARKATION." Courtesy of Accessible Archives.