The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-05
Eron, Vera Cruz.

AT Maamoros Monterey, lamplco, IN Calliorhla, anu
now at Vera Cruz the flag of the United States no soon
er obtains ioohod than the press has started up to
plain the views OF the United States and the condition OF
the Mexican people. We have before us "The Ameri-
can Eagle of the 10th April printed at Vera Cruz, and
contains some articles OF intelligence which may prove
interesting to the public We lay them at once before
the readers of the Union.
From the Vera Cruz American Eagle, April TO-
MILITARY COMMISSION. The court, known as mill,
tary commission, has been in session here for several
days. and adjourned, after dsposng OF such business as
was brought before it.
We look upon the establishment of this court by the
as the most saluiary measure maj
has been adopted this country, and calculated to
render infinite benefit to our cause and make us respected
even by the enemy Heretofore offences have been com
mit,ed against Americans and Mexcans by set OF des-
peradoes who did so with mpunity In many instances
crimes of the greatest magnitude have been perpetated
and no other punishment inflicted upon the perperaor
than that of sending him to the United States, where,
probably his wish to go This was because there
was no tribunal to take coSnzance OF the offence. In
Matamoros and Monterey, Gen. Taylor was 10th to bring
the offenders before military court even # he was war
ranted in so doing, Uhe difficulty generally originating
between Mexican and American cnisens) and they would
generally be given free passage to New Orleans to be
set at liberty they touched the levee-or OF
course the offences being committed out OF the State. no
jurisdiction could be had over the matter On several oc-
casOns Gen. Taylor would turn them over to the MeXl-
authorities but they feared to act and refused to con-
slider the cases
This state of things demanded remedy, and General
Scott has happily hit upon the eXpedent OF military COM
missions, before which bodies the soldiers and followers
OF the army Judged and awarded such punishment as
the nature of their crimes calls for The murderer thief,
&C., brought up, and equal justice rendered to the
Mexican as to the American, and that by tribunal as
impartial as any jury in our own country.
The following officers composed the court Just adjourn
ed and it will be seen in the selection OF hem men have
been chosen altogether from the volunteers who are
Gently from the people, and who, consequently were con
sdered best calculated to try offences coming before such
court
Lieut. Col Anderson, lst Tennessee infantry, presi-
dents Lieut.: G.. T. M Davis aid to Gen Shields record
er Maj Marshall, Sd Illinois infantry; Capt. Lawer,
do; Capt Wright, 18th do; Maj Bowman, Isl Penn do ;
Capt Shaw, New York do. Capt Pearson, do
The first brought before them that of free
man of coor-Isaac krk-charged with rape upon a
tive woman adding thetto the vile offence. After ma.
ture consideration they found me accused guilty, and he
is sentenced to be executed this day. Here have
criterion of the justice to be rendered by this tribunal
sentencing, as i does citizen OF the United States to
death for an offence committed against enemy What
lesson it ought to be- too TO those to whom we have
been painted as savages respecting neither religion nor
law and committing, all over the country we have occu-
pied, these crimes for which the poor wretch is about to
suffer To these bug stores we hope, the sagacy
Of our able commander will succeed in giving the ie and
the establishment OF military commissions is the first
Two other adju1ged cases before the military commits
SONS were for theft committed by two privales OF the
LIST PENNSYLVANIA regiment OF volunteers. lhey were
sentenced each, to months Imprisonment in the Cas-
tie OF San Juan de Ulua and fine OF one menhs pay.
Hee also, we hope, society will be benefited BY this
ranks Of our army Who by offences ike the above, cast
odum on the whole troop. The property OF the Mexi-
cans private in particular, has been considered lawful
prey; and in every captured city band OF unprncpled
men have prowed about and added by their actions ad
dona misery to what is produced by the natural course
of war
Several minor cases. such as theft from the Mexicans,
&C., tried and punished by the Of military
commissions by imprisonment in the Castle Of San Juan
de Ulua
The city full of the dongs OF the enemy
about the federal city, but cannot get hold of any
thing in tangible form, as every one we hear speak
about interior affairs TO rehearse them their
feelings dictate. One will tell you that Santa Anna
has been defeated and is prisoners another that the OPP
position have been put down. and that quiet regns the
capital. We have not been able 10 make up our mind
as to which is which, and consequently our readers will
be left in the fix When the facts reach us, be
what they may, prepared to hear them, for from
the distracted state OF the country, nothing surprise
As we said in our last if Santa Anna has or will es-
tabish himself in power, we shall look for results of
great moment, the time fast approaching when he
will be forced to show the people what he really is.
Confidence once established, may play with the
feelings OF the people for me but the longer he in
duges in il the more disastrous and sudden the
quences when the Crisis arrives Tor the OF
motion will be hurled to destruction warning given
to prepare for the storm That Santa Anna is and has
been playing the Janus is beyond question; but whether
he turns up the friend of the people matter of ques-
ton. Their interests peace with and if he delays
ITS accomplishment to time when he thinks it can be
brought about with honor TO the nation he is mis-
taken for each days delay heighens the barrier between
us. Before the army left Tampico, it is our firm belief
that the difficulty could have been settled advan
tageous terms than ever before hereafter. But the
Rubcon has been passed, and Mexico must now accede
TO our terms
Those who govern this msnamed repubc-govern il
by decephon-will have to answer some day terrible
accountability not only for the OF this which
are shameful to them as nation, but Tor that course