Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1838-01-11

~ - 4o@@3t4M Gc1gmnanylng
tbs communicates, e vii - peresiv.
cd that the steaB-boat Caroline. owned
by one 81 our eiii1ens. Ehiie living =,
Scalossrr on the Niagara river. within
the hmits OF this State. on the nssht a
the xl'sh 81 Dseember last, Ma forri.
by seized By party Of sevenlF o.
eighty armed men IL beats. whtch
caine from. and returned 10 the Cana.
dian shores.
The crew and o.her persons in this
steamboat, Amounting 10 thir.y-thrse.
we're soddeBly attacked n midnight.
after they had retired TO repose. aod
Pro6abiy more than one-third OF them
waniouiy massaeisd. The boat ws,
detached from the wharf 10 which n
bad been secured, set on IRE. takes
iato the middle Of the river, and BY
the iorce IT the current, carried over
Niagara Falls. T~else Of ibe persons
who acre on board Ut Il are missing
aad there isground TO fesr they were
Killed ID the inrsders in .heir attack
upon II. or persisted ia is descent over
the eaisrsct. or those who escaped
hon the boat. one was killed on the
harf. and several others weFe wound
ed.
Tan warranted ia assuring you, that
the authorities net only Of this State
but OF the United States, have fel, an
anxious solIcitude 20 maintain the re-
la,ions OF peace and sIIici neutrality
with the British provinces Of Upper
and Lower Canada. At ali times since
the commencement ct the civi. disiurb-
snees iherein. and have in all respects
done what was ineumhsnt upon chem
10 do TO sastaia these relations. The
occurrence to which have alluded. il
az outrage that has not been provoked
by any act doae. or duty neglected, by
the government Of :his State or Of the
Union.
ifit should appear that this boat was
inteaded 20 be used for the purpose OF
keeping up an intercourse bets en- the
State and Navy Island. which Is now
heldhy an sssenblHge ofpersons in def.
anee ofthe Canadisn Government. this
Circumstance would furnish no iusti.
ficailou for the hostile Invasion oil our
territory and the destruction Of the
lases OF our citizens.
The general government IL enirust.
ed with the mai8ienanee Of our foreign
relations, and will undoubtedly take
tbs Necessary steps 10 redress the
wrong and sustain thu honor Of the
countrV.
Though haze received no Official
information Of The fact, have GOOD
reason 10 believe that the local aaihori.
ties Of this State have taken prompt aud
etlcieni meane, not only to protect our
soil from further invasion, but 10 re.
press any relative measures Of segres.
sion which our citizens unGer the i'm.
pulse OF deeply excited and indignant
feelings, might rashly resolve TO adopt;
and that the patriotic militia in the vi
entity Of the scene Of the outrage.
have obeyed with alaerily the cali
whiehshas been made upon them Ecr
these purposes.
Il will probably be necessary for
this State. to keep up q military force
for the protection OF our citizens and
the mainienance Of peace, until an
opportunity IS gwen 20 the general 20.
vernment 20 inlerpoSe With is power.
In thai event. apprehead that Il = III
De. necessary for you TO provide by
Law Tor the payment and mainlenanee
.ol such forces as the occasion may re-
quire.
I shall doubtless receive within a
short time Official Information Of VIA,
che local authorities have done, aad
shall be better enabled 10 form an opin-
ion Of what will be necessary on the
part Of this Stale TO preserve our rights
and The public tranquility. I shall then
eonmunicsse inrtiser with you on the
subject. and suggest such matters IN
relation 70 1t a. may require your con.
siderallon. w. L. MARCY.
Aibaay. Jan. 9. 1893.