 The case was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in "United States v. The Amistad" that the captives were not slaves, but freeborn men and had legally defended themselves in gaining their freedom.In November 1841, Covey, along with the 35 Africans of the "Amistad," who chose to return to Africa, boarded the ship "Gentleman" for the voyage.Funds had been raised for them from private sources.