persons of color revisited

[Laurence Horn]

Silly me; I forgot to check google.  A search under "Amistad person
of color" turned up, inter alia, the following brief from John Quincy
Adams, which indicates that the denotation of "person of color" may
not have been as broad then as it is now (emphasis added):

U.S. Supreme Court

                                                     THE AMISTAD, 40
U.S. 518 (1841)

                                                                  40 U.S. 518

                                                                The AMISTAD.

                                                          UNITED
STATES, Appellants,
                                                                       v.
      The LIBELLANTS AND CLAIMANTS of the SCHOONER AMISTAD, her
tackle, apparel and furniture, together with her cargo, and the
AFRICANS
                                          mentioned and described in
the several libels and claims, Appellees.

                                                               January
Term, 1841

... The attorney of the United States, in behalf of the United
States, prayed the
court, on its being made legally to appear that the claim of the
Spanish minister was well founded, and was conformable to the treaty,
that the court make such order for the disposal
of the said vessel, cargo and slaves as might best enable the United
States in all respect to comply with their treaty stipulations, and
preserve the public faith inviolate. But if it
should be made to appear, that the persons described as slaves, were
negroes and persons of color, who had been transported from Africa,
in violation of the laws of the United
States, and brought within the United States, contrary to the same
laws, the attorney, in behalf of the United States, claimed, that in
such case, the court would make such further
order in the premises, as would enable the United States, if deemed
expedient, to remove such persons to the coast of Africa, to be
delivered there to such agent or agents as might
be authorized to receive and provide for them, pursuant to the laws
of the United States, in such case provided, or to make such other
order as to the court might seem fit, right and
proper in the premises...
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