That the respondents, being treated on board said vessel, by said ruis & montes, & the capt. & crew thereof with great cruelty and oppression, and being of right free as aforesaid were incited by the love of liberty natural to all men, and by the desire of returning to their families and kindred, to take possession of said vessel, while navigating the high seas as aforesaid near said island of cuba, as they had right to do, with the intent to return therein to their native country, or to reach an asylum in some free state where slavery did not exist, in order that they might enjoy their liberty under the protection of its government

plea of the mende, november 19, 1839, in the u. s. district court of connecticut

which defense is being exampled above

a. government obligations regarding property laws

b. the natural rights of free people

c. the non-applicability of international treaty

d. the justifications for refuting salvage claims