Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-05-06

militia under General Tinchester's coumana at
Mobile, were threatening 10 In,uiny." .(See
y Aexander's siatenent) General Jackson saw
that the salvation of the country still in leo
pardy, n stdortination was not preserved in the
army. He approved the sentence, and these six
unfortunate, though guilty men, were executed
ms approval OF the sentence Of ;he court martial
was made at New Orleans on the I'D of January,
1910 The first intimation which the General
had OIL the news oi pea even by rumour, was
received on the 18th 10th of February, 1918,
from Mr.. Livingston, now member Of congress,
then one OF his aid de camps, who had been sent
io the British teet TO effect an exchange of prSo-
nefSs ana who on hiS return, brought information
from Admiral Cochrsfa-, that vessel had arrived
bringing intelligence that peace had been con-
ciuded. (See Mr. Livingstone note of this date
inciosedl This, mere rumopr, was received by
General Jackson near thirty DAYS after the anpro-
val oil the sentence OF the court martial and after
the execution had taken place. On the 9Th OF
L ebruary, 1857 Bowyer at Mobile Point, was
attacked by the British forces both by land and
sea, and on the Iltb, the attack was renewed aud
the Tort surrendered; So that on the IIth of Fe-
bruary, 1915, not even the r,inour of peace had
reached Mobile. Col. G.. G. Russell, who com
manded on the day the sentence of the court mar
uai was carried into execution states in letter of
the 18th OF July, 1927 that q we had no know
ledge of a treaty Of peace having been signed at
Client, It'll more than month after the approval
oil the sentence, and fifteen twenty days after
its execution. The official news of peace did
March.
1915; and on the 10Th of the same month"; the
British commander received the official nteili-
Sence from his government. IL was not until
after this period that the British forces left their
position on that border of the union
The elect which the execution of these men
produced IN the army was most saiutary Not a
whisper was afterwards heard of the mutiny which
had threatened General Winchester's command.
Subordination was restored, and all the troops in
the service were willing, and did without muir
perform md
were no longer head OF in that part of tho mill
tary service.
transmit TO You the statement Of major Arm
strong, lately OF the army, now the marshal Of
Alabama, highly respectable gentleman, who
was present at the execution, and who states the
facts which came within his knowledge.
From this narrative of facts. it is impossible 10
conceive how censure can attach TO General Jack
son. at The time he approved the sentence Of
the SIX rngieafers, he pardonod all those who had
been recommended TO mercy by the court mar
tial that tried them At the time of the OK
ccution all acquiesced in its justice. Every OIL
Ger In the army responded 10 the importance of
the example. for the good of the service At that
time the whole country was satisfied Not wills
per OF censure was heard against the command
ing General, or any member OF the court MAJ
ual in reference 10 it One of these tInfortu
nate men went from the immediate neighbour
hood in which reside. and no other sentiInen
prevailed on the arrival of the news of the or line
he had committed and the punishment he had suf-
tered than regret that he had committed the
crime, anu deep conviction that he had met the
late his conduct neritcd. That sentiment in re-
tation 10 all OF these, was universal in Tennessee
where they resided at the time, and such it has
continued ever since. The people of Tennessee,
many of whom had been in the campaigns against
thc hostile Greeks, knew too well how TO appre-
ciate the crimes of mutiny and descrtion in an
army, TO think OF censurng either the court mar
ual or the commanding General for having per-
formed duty however unpleasant vet absolute
a. a,,ffi,
people of Tennessee claim 20 be as moral and as
humane as those of other sections of the union.
and yet they, the neighbours and acquaatanceso OF
these six unfortunate men, and the neighbours
and acquaintances of Gen. Jackson have never
thought of censuring him for the approval OF
their sentence.
As well might you censure-the Judge for pro
nouncng the sentence OF the law the culprt fairly
condemned by jury of his country; as well might
you censure the Executive OF the union OF of any
OF the states for Withholding from the condemned
criminal pardon, when he had not been RECON-
inended 10 mercy, and when no circumstance in
ms case could palliate his crime censure Jack
son in this instance for Withholding from these six
mutineers remission of their punishment. And
yet, II Is as abhorrent to feelings 10 see a man
hanged as TO see him shot. The enc case is rs well
calculated the other to eulis the sympatbies Of
our nature; and yet, who ever heard the Judge or
the executive charged with the murder oil a man.
who was hanged under the regular sentence of
The law! What has Jackson done ia this instance.
ne mas omitted 10 pardon SiA muUnceTS and deser
tiers, the ringleaders of mutiny, the highest Of
fence known in an army, that left an important
post IN The enemys country almost deienceless, q
mutiny, the most alarming ofany that took place
during the war; and yet we new hear him unbiush-
ingy charged with cold 6ioOded murder Ifit be
said that the laws Of the u. States (under which
they were tried and executed) were too sangui-
nary, and that the punishment was too severe the
answer iS-neithcr Jackson nor the court martial
could alter H. II was their duty to execute aud
not 10 amendH- j ala justified in coming to the
conclusion that his conduct was approved AT the
time by the government itself. How does the mat
Ter stang! undertake to state thatthe proceedings
OF this court martial and the approval of the SEN
tence by the commanding General, were at the
Tune transmitted 10 the War Department. These
Identical tong lost but 7sOtO found, documents
were returned TO the War Department were re-
cclYed by that Department without objection, and
have there remGnld without objection, until re-
Gently, Tor political purposes, an attempt is made
% mlsiead the public. 1t did not occur to MIR.
Madison or 10 any officer Of the government, that
the six militia men" had been wrongfully tried
and executed, that they did not deserve their
disapproyed. AT asubsequent period, when his con-
duct N the Seminole campaign was arrsipned in
congress, when his whole public life was scrutin-
nlzcd, no charge was then made against him for
thc trial & execution of the 'ssix militia men"
ihen,whcn the transaction was fresh in the recoi
lection OF the country, it was not heard Of The
result OF the investigation is weltremenbered His
conduct was then ably, and will add Justly vindi-
Gated ny the present chief magistrate; it was APP
proved by the solemn vote OF congress; it was ap-
proved by his country, who then rememberedl
WIN gratitude his snilerngs, his priYatOns s, his
services.
II there was no oihcr e,.i,lerco or H. .st ct