Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-08-22
Letter From, Mexico.

recently received from Judge Frederic
Hall, giving an account OF the efforts 10
save Macmillan from his fate. Judge
Hall, the writer, was one OF Maximil'
ian's counsel, and prepared the brief in
the case, which We shall publish to.mor'
row. The views given In this commu'
Mica ton are not those generally enter
tain,' 1, on the subject of Maxlmilian's
guilt, yet they are entitled to careful
consideration
CRY OF Mexico, July o. 1867.
BROTHER HENRY II left San Luis
Potosi-whence last wrote you-on
the 26th Of May, with the intention of
visiting Gen. Corona on business. He
was stationed with his division otmen, at
Guadalupe, about three miles northwest
OF the City of Mexico. On the evening
of the 2sth I reached Queretaro, where
the Emperor Macmillan was taken
prisoner. Immediately on my arrival
the Emperor sent for me. At San Luis
Potosi l had becamelacquainted with the
Princess salm Sslm, and she had spoken
favorably Of me to Macmillan, so that
he had previously consulted about send.
ing for me. The next day called upon
him. Some time having been spent in
social conversation, he said he wished to
consult with me and employ me as coun.
sci in his defense. He had already en-
ployed one lawyer, 3 Mexican, of Quere-
taro, who had drawn up protest
against the Jurisdiction Of the court
martial. This court was composed ex-
clusively OF Captains and Lieut.. Colonies.
/ read the protest Of his Mexican law
yer, . Mr.. Vasquez, man older than
myself; but was not tavorably impressed
with it, and soon learned that the En-
peror was dissatisfied with it. The En-
peror seemed very anxious that l should
assist him. l said TO him that I came to
the country to treat with the Liberal
party, and did not wish to do anything
that would ipjure me In that respect
but as lawyers and doctors have right
to act even for enemies, professionally,
l did not think it would be detrimental
to me, to render him service, when he
was in prison, nearly destitute OF coun-
sci.
l accordingly went to work studying
the Mexican Constitution and the laws
which he was charged with violating.
He was accused Of violating law Of
President Juarez's, dated January 25th,
1862. This law Furnishes with death all
persons caught with arms in their hands
lighting against the Mexican Govern
ment, and all persons who Invite for
eigners to come here for the purpose OF
taking up arms against the government.
He was also accused Of issuing decree
dated the Sd OF October, 1865, declaring
all persons caught with arms in their
hands fighting against the Empirs,punish-
able with death also in general with
being fillibuster bringing men and
arms into the country to destroy the
government; providing for regency in
case of his death and finally with con-
tumacy, in Directing to the jurisdiction
OF the court.
The complaint was drawn up very in
artistically by young men not much
versed in the science OF law. A law Of
ficer, termed Fiscal, acts as prosecuting
attorney, and another termed an Assessor
acts as legal adviser and expounder to
the court. The General in command is
expected to he governed by the opinion
of the Assessor, in his approval or dis.
approval Of the sentence. The court was
composed of one Lieut.. Colonel Sanchez,
who was President, and six other Off
GERS with the rank OF captain only.
On the 18th OF June, the Court con.
vened in the morning at the Iturbide
Theatre-the Court blazing in full uni
form, the delight of Mexican officers,
occupied the stage, and the re st Of the
house was crowded with the eager spec
tators. After two days trial, at II
o'clock P NJ, the Court rendered a
judgment OF guilty, with the punish
ment of death. Ike next day General
Escobedo approved of the sentence and
ordered Macmillan shot at 7 O'Clock
A. NJ, the 10th. The President of the ma
ton extended the time to the 10Th of
June. Macmillan requested three IA
vors LIST, that he might not be shot in
the head; ID, to be shot at the same
time as Gems. Miramon and Mejia; Sd,
that he might be allowed to give each of
the soldiers who were to shoot him an
ounce of gold (sl6.) These requests
we're granted. He died hard, the shoot.
ing being unskillful. He received nine
balls before he expired.
To return TO my intercourse with
the Emperor. After examining
the constitution aud laws became
satisfied that Macmillan could not
be convicted according to law.