Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser., 1845-02-15

iorOldS all quarter TO the Texans, under
penalty, to the officers nen-complying, o.
the loss Of their commissions. Here il the
black record: f7
ORDERS OF GENERAL WOLL..
HEAD QUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF rHx
NORTH,
M1ER, June 20, l844. =
81, Adrian Woll, General Of Brigade,
&c. make known:
81. The armistice agreed on with the
department Of Texas having expired, and
the war being, in consequence, recon-
menced against the inhabitants Of the de-
partnent, all communication with it ceases.
-. Every individual Of whatever con-
dition, who may contrevene the provisions
Of the preceding article, shall be regarded
as a traitor, and shall receive the punish
ment prescribed in article 45, title 10, trea-
tise 8, Of the articles of war.
90. Every individual who may be found
at distance Of one league from the left
bank Of the Rio Bravo, riU be regarded as
q tavorer and accomplics Of the usurpers oi
that part Of the national territory, and as a
traitor Of has country; and, after summa-
ry military trial, shall rsceiue the obove pun
ishment.
-. Every individual who may be COM
pretended within the provisions Of the pre-
ceding article, and may be rash enough to
fly at the sight Of any force belonging to the
Supreme Government, shall be pursued,
,,rfil +. on nr mt RI death - e,
The orders are plain as language can
make them. The crime is being found in
Texas Every individual from the fact
Of his being so found, is to be held and
deemed to be sstYaitor Of his country
and, as such, monstrous as it may seem! all
for there is no distinction, no exception
made or limited at--EVERY human being
there found, is, after summary military
trial, to suffer traitors death!
In comfortably pursuing our path o.
peace and of safety, these "Orders" meet
our eye Are we to pass them by? Tc
notice them might breed quarrel. Have
we right to notice them2 suppose TIL
next question Will be, whether we have q
right to fire on the pirates flag, or to tlwar,
his good pleasure, when he bids his VIC
Tins walk the plank, and consigns them t.
a watery grave. But, if needs be, we may
find proof, that the law Of nations does, ir
some cases--and this one-permit us t.
follow the dictates Of mercy and justice.
In every civil war, as has been already
shown from Vattel, international law re-
quires both parties to "observe the COM
mon laws Of war, the lnaxims Of humanity
moderation and honor" What are these
laws? Let Vattel inform US.
a'n an eneny's submitting and laying
down his arms, we cannot with Justice take
away his life. Thus, in battle, quarter
is given to those who lay down THEN arms
fusrs aas agSsf to fefased
-Nattel, Book III. chap. 8.
"Women, children, feeble old ineh, ant
sick persons, come under the description
Of enemies; and we have certain right!
over them, inasmuch as they belong TO ths
nation with which we are at war. Blu
they are enemies, who make no resistance
and consequently we have no right to NAL
treat their persons, muchless to take away
their lives. This is SO plain a maxim o
Justice and humanity, that, at present, every
nation in the least degree civilized acquies.
ces in ibid. III !, &
ut was dreadful error Of antiquity, {
most unjust and savage claim, to assume
a right Of putting prisoners Of war to death
even by the hand Of the eyecutioner.-
More Just and humane principles have
long since, been adopted. IBID.
But Mexico, we may be told, OILY threat
ems this fragrant violation Of the law Of ma.
tions. The threat is itself illegal. Wha
we may not do, neither are we permitted
to threaten. Says Vattel:
"Whatever advantage you may promise
yourself from an unlawful proceeding, tha
will not warrant you in the use Of it. The
menace Of an unjust punishment is unjas
IN itself it is an insult and injury.'-Bool
iiis chap. s. .4...
But the threat is idle, 1t has been said
merely meant to intimidate; too horrible 4
be fulfilled. II the blood shed on the plain
! Of Goliad had voice; il the walls Of tn,
Alamo could speak; would they vouch 70
it, that Mexico is too tenderhearted to kee]
her word! The treaty Of capitulation witt
poor Fannin was formally drawn up AM
signed by both Mexican and Texian officers
vel the morning Of Palm Sunday saw fou
hundred disarmed men marched out an
shot down, like becves in a slaughter
house. From what has been, we are jus
titled in deciding what will Be.
j But still, If these threatened crimes ar
committed by Me Nico, where do we fin
warrant to interpose and arrest them?--
That, too, shall be forthcoming. Il woul
be strange it It could not be found. G
what use is law without penalty? {
what avail the law Of nations, II nations ar
mot authorized to see it obeyed. So d
1 cides Vattel: tS
"The laws Of natural society are Of sue
. limportances to the safety Of all the State
. that, If the custom once prevailed Of tramp
ling them under foot, no nation could fla
. | ter herself with the hope Of preserving h
national independence, and enjoying d
, mestic Tranquility. : : All nations ha,
|, heretofore right to resort to Jorcihle ncn'
J tor, ~ purpose Of yepressing any one parti
n ular xal;on sCho openly violates the laws
, the society which nature has establishs
between them, or who directly attacks Y
, welfare and. safety Of that, society .-paa
Prseim p. Xiv.
II Here, then, we have the law and its y
Il sl.1s~~s:~& M~~sro haa ov,onIv vloknfe