By 1638, in the Plymouth colony there were only two incidents of murder. The second murder being that of an Indian by 4 White settlers. What can we learn about justice and racism from the character of the people who founded this country, given that the only witness to this murder was the Indian who would later die of his wounds? And that the only witnesses that he had actually died where given in testimony from two other Indians? Would their testimony stand against the testimony of Englishmen? How are the facts established and justice executed? Did the Indians feel need to riot? The court consisted of the wisest, most experienced, and best men of the colony, embracing Bradford, Winslow, Prince, Standish and others of similar character. A singular difficulty occurred at the trial, which, in some courts, might have resulted in the acquittal of the prisoners, and in others would have led to a postponement of the trial. Here were three men tried for murder, and none of the witnesses could swear that the wounded man was dead. Mr. Williams and a Mr. James of Providence testified that the wound inflicted was mortal, and two Indians in court swore that if he were not dead from the injury he received, they would be willing to die themselves. They were found guilty and executed. Before their execution they made a full confession of the crime, and acknowledged that they did it in order to obtain the Indians wampum. The one who escaped concealed himself for a season, and afterwards left the country. In the execution of these three colonists for one Indian, the Puritans exhibited their strong sense of justice, and their firm determination to protect, not only themselves, but also the natives, in the possession of their just rights. It was important that the Indians should be convinced of this, as otherwise, when injuries were done them, they would take the law into their own hands and inflict summary punishment. This execution, which, so far as we know, was unsought for on their part, must have convinced them of the certainty of colonial protection. For many years they made no attempts to avenge the injuries they received from individual colonists, but left the execution of justice, in such cases, to the English. (P. 179; INCIDENTS OF ADVENTURE IN THE HISTORY OF THE FIRST SETTLERS. JOSEPH BANVARD. 1851) Of the witnesses of the shooting in Ferguson who testified, three black witnesses Their testimony was the strongest testimony in the case that the officer had fired repeatedly in self-defense against a young man that was aggressive and out of control. Will their testimony stand?
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 02:10:33 +0000
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