Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-05-09

He then stated the substance Of the report as follows Gen
Taylor, with bis brigade, lying opposite Maamoas, in
the Territory Mexico and much without the bounda
ries Of Texas they without territory Of South Ca
rolins, or any other State.
Mr. HOLMES, of South Carolina said the army were in
Texas
Mr.. GIDDINGS said no they were IN the State Of Ia
maupas Of the eoniederaed Of Mexico and as
perfectly within the Mexican domnons they would have
been in the city OF Mexico itself While thus situated Gen.
Taylor says great efforts were used to induce his de-
ser, and that many had deserted that .picket guard
while pursuing party OF deseries in sight of them
while they attempting to swim the river Del Norte"
While the in the the guard fired upon and
killed of them This done by direction of the nom
commissioned officer n command OF the guard without any
other orders from the General than the ordinary command 10
bring back the This believed was the sub
stance of the report The transaction has been published
IN either Of the papers OF the city the subject permit
ted 70 go to committee in order that the country should be
informed.
Mr. TIBBATTs called Mr. GrDDrses to Order and argued
a ON the motion to reconsider in order discuss
| the merits Of the case. EE
The SPEAKER said that on the motion 10 reconsider,
the merits OF the question open for discussion.
Mr.. GlDDINGS resumed. The men thus shot were
Americans entitled to the protection our laws as much as
'he members Of this House They convicted Of no
CRIME they had been arrested offence thew were liable
70 no punishment, without trial and conviction under our
laws Their lives sacred those Of the members of
this House, and the shooting Of them was as agious mu
Ier would have been for the have entered
TINS nall and taken the lives of any two members Of this body
The rues and articles OF war; the laws Of the army hold the
Of service AZ sacred as they do the lives Of
| our citizens our Legislators.
Mr. JONES, of Tennessee, called Mr. GIpDIsGs TO order
urged that the House had ordered the report to be
printed i was not in order to argue in favor Of printing
The SPEAKER said the gentleman from Ohio ought to
| confne himselfto the proprety Of printing.
Mr. GDDIN GS resumed that his remarks were in
tended apply strictly the popey ofgving the country the
true character ohe outrage had been upon
laws and rights Of Amecas and show the light in which
such transaction formerly regarded by the army and by
Congress- he would respectfully ask of the House
the of Col William King, who commanded the army
in Florida in the year lsl8 The history he would
read from the public documents which may be found the
American State Papers, entitled Military Affairs, volume
| second. s's
In resolution the President this House
| message, in the following words
WASHINGTON, January 8, 1920.
| To the House Of Representatives..
In compliance with resolution of the House of Representa-
tves Of the 14h December, S19 requesting
be laid before any information may possess respecting
executions which have been inflicted in the the
guations provided for the government Of the trans
nit report from from the Secretary of War containing de-
tailed account in relation to the object Of the said resolution
Accompanying this message the following letter of the
| Secretary of War:
WAR DEPARTMENT, JAsuARr 6, 1920.
Sin have caused the records of this Department be
examined for all the information possesses respecting
tain executions other punsmens which may have been in
and regulations provided for The q the same
conormably resolution of the House of Representatives Of
December Ia 1917 the
reported to this Department that Col King,
Of the 4 infantry, while commanding at Pensacola had given
orders shoot down deserters if found within the limits of
Florida directed the enclosed order marked AZ to be
him His to this order received during alb
last The Colonel reported that such order had
been given by him. and that given in conformity with the
established usage of SERVICE when other of checking
deertion which had become frequent thresten the
total of the force under his command had failed
have the honor to be, very respectfully your obedent
servant, J. c. CALHOUN.
To the PRESIDENT Of the United States.
The order marked A is in the following words /:
ApyUTAsr INspEcTon GENERALS OryIcE,
MARCH 90, 1919.
Sin II has been reported TO the War Department from
entitled credit that since you have had the
in Florida and Pensacola orders have been
military shoot down deserers if found within the limits of
Florida and that such orders emanated from Col King Mill
tary Commandant and have accordingly been executed
The Secretary of War directs that you forthwith make par
cular and detailed stating the ORDERS by whom given,
euted with snch further facts deem important
this subject.
have the honor be, sir, your obedient servant,
Col WILLIAM KING, 4th Infantry,
Tensaw Post Office. Alabama.
Mr.. GIDDINss resumed When these facts reached the
knowledge of the Secretary Of War, order for his
Immediately issued, and general martial
vened in October following for the purpose Of trying Colonel
King upon the following among other charges:
Specification 3D. In that the said Col King being then
commanding officer Of the province Of West Florida, did fall
refuse and neglect immediate inquiry to be made
the attending death Of Neil Cameron
private and deseter battalion company, in
fntr who in the cruel and nhuman put
death the 10th September i8IS by Sergeant Chdes OF
the 9Th battalion company in about sixteen seventeen
had made resistance but begged be taken back and
shed according the OF his offence by order of gene
raj court martial"
The convened, and COL King found guilty. and
the sentence that he be suspended from all
pay for FIVE This sentence approved by the Pre-
siden, and ordered to be carried into effect
Mr.. g. further stated that, when these facts reported
to this House. the Military Committee reported the following
resolution
Resolved That the President the United States be re-
queed TO strike from the roll Of the army the said William
King late Of the 4th regiment Of United States infantry
Mr. BURT Of South Carolina, here called Mr. GIDDrses
TO order and the Speaker decided that he Of order
Mr. COBB moved to lay the motion the table and the
motion sustained.
And SO the subject ended.'
ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS.
Mr. ADAMS. Of mississippi asked leave TO introduce the
following resolution
Resolved THE Senate concurring That the President the
Senate and the Speaker Of the House of adj
journ their respective Houses die Monday the 18th
day oil July next, at O'Clock =. M
The introduction Of the resolution objected from va
rious quarters.
Mr. ADAMS moved to suspend the rules to enable him
move his resolution. t
The question was decided by yeas and nays follows
YEAS-Messrs. Abbott, Stephen Adams, Arnold Baker,
BarT'nger, Bell, Benton, James Black Brodhead, Milton
Brown, William q. Brown Burlington, John H. Campbell,
Carroll Cathcart John G. Chapman, Chase, Clakc Cooke,
Crozier, Cullom Dagan, Dsragh Garrett Davis Douglass
Ficku, Foot, Gentry, Grnnell Grover Hamn Hampton,
Harper, Henley, Herrick Elias g. Holmes John w Hous-