 James Covey

James Benjamin Covey ("né" Kaweli; c. 1825 – 12 October 1850) was a sailor, remembered today chiefly for his role as interpreter during the legal proceedings in the United States federal courts that followed the 1839 revolt aboard the Spanish slave ship "La Amistad".Covey, who spoke Mende and possibly other African languages as well as English, was instrumental for enabling the Mende passengers of the "Amistad" to communicate with the court and to defend themselves successfully against charges of mutiny and murder.