The Portland gazette., 1818-12-29

Hr5t,tnG sa3 4a4brister.---As sample OF
pu0ilc gs8og, we publish the sentiments OF
sey-.@. rnItors on the subject Of the trial and
execution OF these men =
Awriter 10 the Philadelphia American Dali
| ly Advertiser, after. the usual slang against
| Great Britain which democratic writers are in
| the habit Of introducing into all their para
graphs, remarks, among other things, that "the
prejudice arising from the splendor of his
| ljacksons talents, has given way 10 state
menl Of facts made By the court and the Geaer.
al themselves !" and recommends every one to
make . full exposition Of his sentiments a.
sanst such arburary and untaagfuI proceed
| aRgs."
| The editor of the National Messenger, a
democratic paper, alter doing. Gen. Jackson
the justice 10 say he is 6 decidedly the first
soldier in our country" and regreting bis i'm.
prudent and aristocratical conduct in regard
10 these men, says g ii sgas MURDER ana
eTery flcer Of the court marital are accessn
| ries."
writer in the Philadelphia Union, re-
| marks, that,
g II the blood of every American does not
boil, when he reads the trial Of Alexander
Arbuhnot, let him make no more pletentions
10 the feelings OF man, or the rights OF free
man. The only witness vino testified any
thing, which could, under any circumstances
and 10 any capacity, render him worthy oil
death, was William Hambly. And who is
William Hamby ? A renegade Englshmau
! the sworn, determined inseterate enemy OF
The prisoners The man, who was mantuiy l.
courageously Tebuked, by Arbnthnot for bis
| treachery and who, on that account, is said
| by the court martial . have had us life threat
ened by the prisoner. And what was Will
lam Hambly's testimony ?--The heat.say ot
the Indian chiefs The counsel Of the prlson.
er objected to such testimony. And what
was done " The court was cleared, in or
Ger to take the question when they decided
tha, the prisoners objection was not valid
The witness was admitted and this is his
testimony THAT the Seminole Indians be
gan TO steal horses from the United States, &
committed murders on the Stella Siver, he GUS
Informed By them, at the insugation of the prls-
oner."
i" Thus, in country which boasts Of being
the only free country under heaven---lhe on.
! ly country where righteous laws are admins
tered with an impartial hand the subject oi
nation with whom we are at taken
in the territory OF nation with whom we are
not at war, is dragged before an exasperaed
tribunal of military chiefs and, not merely
upon the testimony OF a rooted toe, but upon
what such a foe had heard from other foes, il
condemned unheard, and hurried to the gal
lows without respite "
From the Boston Yankee.
"Whatever may be the result OF this quest
| ion, we do not conceive that England can
complain, unless indeed she claim them as her
public agents, residing in foreign country ;
this for very substantial reasons will probably
never be the case.
These men then were to be considered as
entitled to the same rights, and no greater
| than the Indians themselves. If the subject
be placed on this ground. Let has been con
tended. that as the indians exercise the right
OF killing their prisoners, we possess the same.
There Is something very repulsiye in this pc
sItion, though il may be true. We will not
deny the right of retaliation, though it would
be more grateful 10 justify the conduct of our
countrynen on any other ground. To imi-
tate the savage, in that respect only in wh ich
ne IS truly savage, is at least what we would
never recommend even If justice should pro-
hibit US TO condemn it. The laws OF savage
warfare may authorize and render necessary
great severity-Refusing quarter 10 such ar
enemy, with arms in his hands, may be ne
cessary; at least humanity will turn away
from the subject, and if it cannot approve,
will not condemn it. But when man is
helpless and in our power, when all opposi-
tion has ceased, and be looks forward otiiy
in our mercy. when the din OF arms has died a.
way, and the victor ieposed on bis triomph---
10 drag forth the miserable captive, and con
denim him to destruction, is the last course
which we would recommend 10 the gallant
and generous spirit Of our covntrymen, to IN
graft on the beiligerent code OF the republic.
We narder no prisoners, should at the same
time be The proud boast of our countrYmen,