The case went to the Supreme Court in January 1841, and former President John Quincy Adams argued the defendants' case. Adams defended the right of the natives to fight to regain their freedom. The Supreme Court decided in favor of the Africans, and thirty-five of them were returned to their homeland. The others died at sea or in prison while awaiting trial.
Throughout the Amistad trials it is the courage and leadership of Sengbe Pieh that ultimately frees the native Africans. In the beginning of the movie Sengbe knows no English, but by the middle he learns some while in prison. A translator is found who helps Sengbe express his anger at the legal system that may free him, but will not correct or even address the real crime against him. Legally, since the Africans were native to Africa and not born in the United States they were not slaves. However, the questions about their status as African-Americans plays against them because they do not speak English. Therefore, Sengbe and the rest of the natives are misunderstood for a long time. Everything from the language these natives speak to their beliefs and clothes is different. .
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Culturally speaking, the Americans and native Africans were worlds apart. It is this very same issue that causes great confusion on behalf of both parties. The trials and arguments revealed much about the attitudes toward slavery. The ultimate decision made by the courts had many implications and created conflicts within the United States over slavery. The conflict at hand was that the Africans said they were not natives of Africa, and were born free. When, in fact, they were natives of Africa, and were born free from slavery. The United States argued that its treaty with Spain required it to return ships and property seized by U.S. government vessels to their Spanish owners. The Supreme Court called the case "peculiar and embarrassing.
