The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-11-20

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brethren TO deeds OF rapine and massacre The other
commanded in person the party who perpetraed the cold
plooded butchery OF Lieutenant Scott and his unfortunate
companions Both had been engaged in most of the rob-
berries and murders committed, and active insga
oIs OF The savage war which ragged on our deenceess
frontier.
Acting as chiefs Of the negroes and Indians Arbuth
not and Ambriser, by numerous acts OF aocy. had be-
come Identified with those monsers-assoeiaes in the
war They the principal authors OF the hoslilies
oil The ferocous sayages, who observed none of The
rules OF civilized warfare-who gave quarers-
and only took prisoners for the purpose of iortung
They We're, without authority. principals in unlawful
war Their mode OF carrying II on was characterized
by plumber massacre destruction and revenge and was
in open violation of the laws OF war and of nations
Great Britain would not interfere 10 prevent those mis-
creans from nsgang the fugitive negroes and the In
dams from burning and pllagng, and scalpng the nhab
tans OF Georgia and Alabama hut she disowned them
and ieit them 10 their fate The Spanish authorities
would not. or could not interfere, and the Indians
garded them as friends and associates Both acted
chiefs oil the motley band. giving them counsel, and
exciting them to war and one OF them actually led those
black and red combatants to battle They both ofciacd
as Indian agents. in writing TO Spanish governors and
British ministers. stating their grievances and soliciting
assistance and sometimes as Quar'emasiers procuring
supplies, and furnishing munitions of war.
Under these circumstances II is believed that they
mered DEATH whether they placed upon equality
in state of open rebellion Indeed, their crim-
nalty was OF deeper dye than that OF the Indian chiefs
They were the Paymas.ers for human scalps and, TO
their native land. plunged into the recesses Of the will
derness and CROPPED their way the Indian camp for the
express purpose OF working upon the feelings OF the
waste the abodes of industry and innocence and stain
soil with the blood OF slaughtered women and chill
dren Enjoying the lights OF education, yet devoted to
this Infamous employment, the active agents in a war
which marked in its progress by plumber and mas.
sacre Should mercy have been extended to wretches
who excited such and who, within short period
would have renewed the ragical scenes As as
socaes OF savages who respected none Of the laws OF
civilized warfare, they could not claim the benefit pro-
lection OF those laws for they not parties. They
much outlaws to all its provisions a pirate on
the ocean. Such wretches more criminal than any
painted Red Stick, and 10 pardon them would be reach-
cry TO mankind If, in the ordinary OF justice. il
has been deemed wise and polite TO take the life OF an
offender for the murder OF single individual, both
lgion and humanity must recommend the nftlcton OF
the penalty upon him who has been conspclousy
instrumental in the murder OF every age sex, and
dition Although retaliation might have been employed
upon the innocent tor such hord crimes, yet, in these
cases it fell upon the guilty Let il be borne in mind
demanded 10 be surrendered by the treaty OF Fort
Jackson the terms Of tcch had been dniecedeaAy settled
by the government, ratified by your honorable body. and
carried into effect by the Congress of the United States
And let il also be recoeced that these the prophets
and iasiigators Of Me ,cdr, upon whom was ordered
to be inflicted exemplary punishment for hostllites so
The Two British ncendiaries were not executed upon
the general charge alone OF Exciting the Indians to
war;, as stated by your committee but upon that and
other general charges subIoned thereto, which they
omitted to notice. but which may be by reference to
the proceedings of the court Of inquiry that
sion.
The case OF Arbuthnot and Ambrister was not within
the reach of any rules articles of The rights and
privileges here secured belonged only to
irymen and The offences charged were committed by
foreigners beyond our territorial limits and ursdc-
tion municipal code contained nothing by which TO
ties. the offence Toithe principles of national law
alone applicable, which attached penalty TO their
crimes other than death. Ia organizing the court of in
qury it only intended Gas councils OF war; that
the opinion should operate directory and advice not to
become binding In the second sentence pronounced by
the special court upon Anbrisler, there departure
from the rules OF that law upon which alone it be-
leved jurisdiction was bad OF the offence. Nor was IT
less violation OF the rules and articles OF for those
rules had denounced corporal punishment. The SEN
lence therefore, was void because known TO no law;
Your respondent, therefore. conceived himself authorized
10 carry into execution the first sentence because it
awarded the only punishment, that legal to be inflicted
and because his awess, gully conduct entitled HIM to
die Besides AmbIister the most criminal. lie had
commanded in person corps OF negroes with the view OF
anticipating your respondent in the occupation OF ST.
Marks, and actually taken in against the forces
of the United States