Branding

The N. Y. Evening Post justlyremarks of Capt. Walker's sentence: "A more brutal nnd infamous infliction tban that decreed n this case, has not taken piace to our knowledge in this country for many years.'' This "brutal and infamous infliction" took place in Florida, underthe immediate logislative control of the United States. Is not branding with a hot iron, a "cruel and unusual punishmenl" to be inflicted upon a freeman? ís it not therefore forbdden by the U. S. Con8titution?