Southern marksman. [volume] (Clinton, Miss.) 1838-1839, 1838-12-18


formation has been in part confirmed, by
Ia hostile invasion actually made by cii-
liens oil the United States in conjunction
with Canadians and others, aud accom-
panied by forcible seizure Of the props
erty Of our citizens, and IN application
thereof 70 the prosecution Of military OPP
erations against the authorities and peo-
pic Of Canada.
The results of these criminal assaults
upon the peace and order Of a neighbor~
ing country have been, as was 70 be exs
pected. fatally destructive 10 tie nsgui-
ded or deluded persons engaged in them,
and highly injurious 70 those in whose be-
half they are professed 10 have been I'M.
der.aken. The authorities in Canada.
from intelligence received of such intend
ed IN Vements among our citizens. have
felt themselves obliged TO take preeau-
tionary measures against them; have ae-
lually embodied the militia, and assumed
an attitude to repe the invasion TO which
they believed the Colonies were exposed
from the United States. A state Of feel
ing on both sides of the frontier has thus
been produced, which called for prompt
and vigorous interference. II an insur-
rection existed in Canada, the amicable
dispositions of the United States towards
Great Britain, as well as their duty to
themselves, would lead them to maintain
strict neutrality, AMI 20 restrain their
citizens from all violations of the laws
which have been passed for its enforce
ment. But this Government recognizes
still higher obligation to repress all atx
tempts on the part of its citizens to dis
lurh the peace ola country where order
prevails, or has been reestablisl led Dep
relations by our citizens upon nations at
peace with the United States, or combi-
nations for committing them, have at all
times been regarded by the American
Government and people with the greatest
adherence. Military incursions by cur
citizens into countries so situated. and
the commission Of acts of violence on the
members thereof, in order to effect Il
change in its Government, or under any
pretext whatever. have from the com
mencement Of our Government, been held
equally criminal on the part of those en-
gagged in them, and as much deserving of
punishment as would be the disturbance
Of the public peace By the preparation of
similar acts within our own territory.
by no country or persons have these
invaluable principles OF international !aw
principles, the stric4 observance o.
which is SO Indispensable 10 the preserva-
lion Of social order in the world-been
more earnestly cherished or sacredly re-
spectedshan by those grea, and good men
who first declared, and finally established,
the independence Of our own country
They promulgated and maintained them
at an early and critical period in our his.
tory; they were subsequently, embodied
inieglslatiye enacunenis of a highly pen
al character, dhe faithful enforcement of
which has hitherto been, and will, trust,
always continue to be, regarded as duty
inseparable associated with the mainten-
ance Of our national honor. That the
people OF the United States should feel an
interest in The spread Of political insttu-
tons as free us they regard their own TO
be, is natural; nor can a sincere solicit
ude for the success of all those who arc,
at any time, IN good faith struggling for
their acquisition, be imputed TO our citi-
zens as crime. With the entire freedom
Of opinion, and an undisguised express
sion thereof, on their part, the Govern
ment has neither the right, nor, trust,
the disposition TO interfere. But whether
the interest or the honor of the United
States require, that they should be made
a party TO any such struggle, and, by in
evitable consequence, to the war which
is waged in its support, is question which
by our constitution, is wisely left to Con-
gress alone to decide. 1t is, BY the laws,
already made criminal in our citizens TO
embarrass or anticipate that decision, by
unauthorized military operations on their
part. Offences of this character, in adj
dition to their ciiminaliiy as violations of
the laws of our country, have direct ten
dency to draw down upon our own citi
zens at large the multiplied evils of for
egn war, and expose to injurious imputa-
tons the good faith and honor of the coun-
try. As such they deserve to be put
down with promptitude and decision. |
cannot be mistaken, | am confident, in
counting on the cordial and general con-
currence of our fellow citizens in this SEN
timent. A copy of the proclamation
which have felt it my duty to issue. is
herewith communicated. | cannot but
hope that the good sense and PATRIOTISM
the regard for the honor and reputation o;
4 their country, the respect for the laws
which they have themselves enacted fol
their own government, and the love oil
order for WHICH the mass of our people
have been 50 long and so Justly distin-
guished, will deter the comparatively few
who are engaged in them from further
prosecution OF such desperate enterpri-