18. Which gift did the kidnapped African passengers of the Spanish ship "Amistad" give to John Quincy Adams after he helped win their case before the United States Supreme Court in 1841?
From Quiz President John Quincy Adams and His Times
Answer:
The Mendi Bible.
The "Mendi Bible" was given to Adams along with a letter of thanks on November 6 1841:
"To the Honorable John Quincy Adams: Most Respected Sir, The Mendi people give you thanks for all your kindness to them. They will never forget your defense of their rights before the great Court at Washington. They feel that they owe to you, in a large measure, their deliverance from the Spaniards, and from slavery or death. They will pray for you as long as you live, Mr. Adams. May God bless and reward you! We are about to go home to Africa. We go to Sierra Leone first, and then we reach Mendi very quick. When we get to Mendi we will tell the people of your great kindness. Good missionary will go with us. We shall take the Bible with us. It has been a precious book in prison, and we love to read it now we are free! Mr. Adams, we want to make you a present of a beautiful Bible! Will you please to accept it, and when you look at it or read it, remember your poor and grateful clients?... For the Mendi people. Cinque, Kinna, Kale."
The first African-American governor of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick, used the Mendi Bible to take his oath of office on January 4, 2007.