Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-06-13

and was nearly worked oil, we received a
copy of the following proclamation of Sir
George Arthur, in relation to the burning
of the Sir Robert Peel. This document
is temperate in its language, and contrasts
iavorably in TINT respect with tho letters,
messages, and proclamations, written BY
Sir Francis Head.
His excellcncy seems TO assume. al
though he does not scnture TO assert it us
a fact, that the perpetrators OF the outrage
were Americans aud he also takes it for
granted that our Government is bound TO
mako redress. In both these particulars
he will probably find himself in fault. In.
deed, as TO the first, il is altogether likely
that those engaged in the affair were Cana
dams, who knowing that the boat had mon.
ey on. board, and that she usually stopped
ut The island TO wool, took advantage OF the
circumstance 10 plumber her, hoping to
throw the deed on the Americans; or it
nigh. have been the act Of some refugee
who wished to CRAFTY feelings of private re.
venge, and at the same time embroi the
two countries. Until all the circumstances
arc known, it is certainly impo'itc in Gov.
Arther to indulge in covert Instructions.
The burning of the Peel naturally brings
TO mind the destruction of the Caroline, to
which, however it has very little rcsem-
! blance. The Caroline was attacked at Il
time when civil war was raging in the
Canadas, and under the suppositon that
she was engaged in rendering assistance to
the people on Navy Island. These cir.
cumstances furnish some slight ground per-
hafs for her destruction, and SO far the act
was less atrocious than the one which has
recently occurred. But when VIC rcmcm.
Der that the Caroline was lying within our
own waters, that our soil was invaded by
an armed force from another country, that
the government Of that country has volunta-
rily assumed the responsibility of the act
and the murderers with which it was accom-.
panied, in it, the affair, in addition to its in.
hcrent attrocity, becomes matter of great
national importance whereas the dcstruc.
ton Of the Peel, deeply us it is regretted,
possesses nothing of this national character.
1t was the mad act of awless mon-piracy
in fact--and the perpetrators deserve hang.
ing from the yard arm but our govern
ment is no more responsible for the deed
than it is for a simple highway robbery
Under any circumstances, however u due
regard TO our national character would de-
mand that every cxcrtion should be made
to bring the offenders to justice and con.
sidering the present delicate nature Of our
relations with Great Britain, growing out OF
events which have transpired on our from
tier during the last few months, the most
prompt steps should be taken. That our
government will do this-that, in the words
of Gov. Arthur "it will feel deeply the in
suit which this act Of savage and cowardly
violence, committed in the dead Of night,
has inflicted upon the nation"-and that
at will vin1icate the national honor" in tho
most ample manner, we cannot entertain a
doubt. In the mean time we lorboar farther
comment, but before concluding we cannot
refrain from romarking, with how much
greater force the words of Gov. A. which
we have quoted would apply to the de.
struction ofthe Caroline, that to the burning
Of the Sir Robert Peel.--BqG. Commercial,
Advertiser.
PRocLAMATIoN.-UpP CANADA.
BY his Exceency Sir George Arthur
Knight Commander of the Royal Ilano.
verian Guel phic Order, Lieutenant Gov.
ernor ofthe Province of Upper Canada,
Major General Commanding Her Males.
tvs Forces therein, &c. &c.
WIlEkE AS information has this day
been received, that ON the thirtieth day OF
May inst. the British Steamboat Sir Roberi
Peel, while lying poacebly at an American
Island, was trcachcrously attacked by a
body Of armed rulans from the American
shore, set fire TO and burned the passcn.
gems among whom were deCenceless ie-
males, wantonly and brutally insultcd and
a large amount of money, aud other proper,
ty on board the said boat was either plum.
dcrcd or destroyed And whereas
the said robbery and outrage cannot fai
to oxite feelings Of the utmost indignation
in the minds Of her Majesty Subjects, who
may be induced thereby TO resort TO acts o.
retaliation for the redress of injury, without
properly considering, that it belongs TO the
Government Of Her Majesty to claim thai
redress, and 10 the Government of the
United States to sec that it be promptly
rendered.
The Steamboat Sir Robert Peel, witt
the persons and properly Oh board, lay at O
wharf on tho shore of friendly power, in
tho confidence ofthai security which every
civilized Nation extends over the subjects
and property of foreigners, within its terri.
tory in times ofpeace, and free commercial
intercourse.
The Government of the United States
it may be confidently expected, vii! yindi.
cate the national honor; and feel deoTly the
insult which this &C; of savage and coward.
ly violence, committed in the dead Of night
has inflicted upon their Nation. They
will not and cannot, with any regard 10 Ma.
tional character, delay 10 bring the crimi.
nails TO punishment, or to render &c tho in.
jured subjects of Her Majesty, re! oss.--
, though it be to late, in this nsi ,'r, t, Offer
them protection.
The dcmcanor and conduct Of the pop.
ulaion of tbs Province, h been that of q
resting securely upon tho sancity os law
and the regular exercises Of the power oil
the great empire of which they form part
and accordingly, even during rebellion, and
foreign invasion, this Country has not been
disgraced by any scenes of individual VIC.
lcncc or revenge, OH the part Of its loyal
inhabitants. The character which has thus