Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-01-29
CONDEMNED FOR TREASON.
The Only Trial and Conviction for the
Offense in New Mexico.

Ouense IN New Mexico.
The records of the courts of Santa Fe
contain the history of remarkable case
They show that in the year 1s47 man was
indicted, tried, found guilty and sentenced
to be executed for the crime of treason
against the government of the United
states. 1t is said to be the only instance
during the existence of the government
where the civil courts have tried and con-
victed 8 person for that high crime.
At that date this territory had only been
under the control of the United States for
few months, and congress had not yet
organized civil government, but the coun-
try was governed by code of laws pro
mulgated by Gen. Kearny, who, in COM
mand of the American forces, took pos
session of the territory in August, 1916.
The trial referred to took place before
Jacob Houghton, chief justice of the terri
tory, and who was appointed by Gen.
Kearny. The Indictment was returned
March 8, lS47, and was signed by R. Camp
bell as foreman of the grand jury. and
Frank p. Blair. Jr., as United States attor
ney. James Giddings was clerk of the
court.
The defendant was Antonio Maria Tru-
jillo. and it was charged in the Indictment
that he, with others, in the territory of
4NCW -uSAICo, Will lOTCe ana arms, anu De-
ing armed with weapons, maliciously and
traitorously made war upon the United
States and tried to destroy the constitution
and United States government.
1t appears that about the beginning of
the year 1917 an inconsiderable number of
Mexicans formed the idea that the govern
ment of the United States was a petty in
stltution, and that they would drive the
Americans (Grlngos) cut of the territory
and restore it to Old Mexico, and their
efforts resulted in number of them being
indicted for treason and the trial of the
case above referred to.
The sentence of Judge Houghton that
was passed upon the prisoner is in the fol
lowing words: Antonio Maria Truiillo, a
jury of twelve citizens, after careful and
patient investigation, pending which all
the safeguards of the law, managed by
able and interchangeable counsel, have been
afforded you, have found you guilty of the
high crime of treason against your govern
ment. What have you to say why the
sentence of death should not be pronounced
against you? Your age and gray hair have
excited the sympathy of both court and
the jury. Yet, while each and all were not
only willing but anxious that you should
have every advantage placed at your dis
poSdl tnaL Uneir nlShiy responsible duty
under the law to their country would per
mlt-yet have you been found guilty of the
crime alleged to your charge.
1t would appear that old age has not
brought you wisdom nor purity nor homes
ty of heart. While holding ont the hand
of friendship to those whom circumstances
have brought to rule over you, you have
nourished bitterness and hatred in YOUR
soul. You have been found secondinc the
acts of the most traitorous murderers that
ever blackened with a recital of their deeds
the annals of history. Not contented with
the peace and security in which YOU lived
under the present government, secure in
all your personal rights as citiZen-in
person, in property and in your religion
You gave your name and influence to meas
ures intended TO effect universal murder
and pillage, the overthrow OF government
aud one widespread scene Of bioodshed in
the land
For such foul crimes an enlightened
and liberal jury have been compelled from
the evidence before them, and by a sense of
their stern nut unmistakable duty. to find