Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-12-13

important change has been effected by con-
ciliatory negotiations, that have resulted in
tho conclusion Of treaty between the two
Governments, which, when ratified, will refer
to the arbitrament Of n friendly power all the
subjects OF controversy between us growing
out of injuries to individuals. There is at
present, also, reason tn believe that an cqnl-
table settlement Of all disputed points will
be attained without further difficulty or un-
necessary delay, and thus authorize the free
resumption Of diplomatic intercourse with
our sister Republic.
i With respect to the North Eastern boun-
Diary of the United States, no official cores
poudence between this Government and that
Of Great Britain has passed since that COM
municated TO Congress towards the close of
their last session. The offer to negotiate a
convention for the appointment OF a Joint
commission Of survey and exploration am,
however. assured will be met by Her Ma
jes,y's Government IN a conciliatory and
friendly spirit, and instructions To enable the
British Sinister here 10 conclude such an
arrangement will be Transmitted TO him with
ont needless delay. Ii is hoped and expected
that these instructions will be of a liberal
character, and that this negotiation, If sue
cessful, will prove to be an important step
towards the satisfactory and final adjustment
OF the controversy.
I had hoped that the respect for the laws.
and regard for the peace and honour OF their
own country, which has ever characterized
the citizens of the United States, would have
prevented any portion Of them from using
any means TO promote insurrcction IN the
territory Of Il power with which we are at
peace, and with which the United States are
desirous Of maintaining The most friendly
relations. regret deeply, however, to be
obliged to inform you that this has not been
the case. Information has been given to me,
derived from official md other sources, that
many citizens of tho United States have AS
sOciatcd together to make hostile incursions
from our territory in to Canada, and to aid and
abct insurrecton there, IN violation Of the
! obligations and laws of the United States,
and in open disregard Of their own duties as
| citizens. This information has been ~ part
confirmed. by hostile INVASION actually
made bv citizens Of the United States, in
conjunction with Canadians and others, and
accompanied by iorciblc seizure of the
property of our citizens, and an application
thereof to the prosecution of military opera
tion against the authorities and people OF
! Cunada.
the peace and order Of neigbboring country
have been, as was TO be expected, fatally
! destructive to the misguided or deluded per-
sons engaged in them and highly injurious
to those in whose behalf they are proiessed
to have been undertaken. The authorities
| in Canada, from Intelligence, received of
such intended movements among our citizens,
have felt themselves obliged TO take prccGu-
tionary measures against them; have actually
embodied the militia, ard assumed an attitude
| to repe! invasion To which they believed the
Colonies were exposed from the United
| States. a state of feeling on both sides of
| the frontier has thus been produced, which
called for prdmpt and vigorous interference.
! II an insurrcction existed in Canada, the
nmcoblc dispositions Of the United States
towards Great Britain, as well as their duty
10 themselves, would lead them to maintain
"A strict neutrality, and 10 restrain their cit-
! zcns from all violations Of the laws which
! have been passed for its iniOrcemcnt.
| But this Government recognises still
! higher obligation To rcprcss all attempts on
the part of It's citizens To disturb the peace o1
a country where order prevails, or has been
I rc.cstablishcd. Dcpredatlons hv our citizens
! upon nations at peace with the United States
or combinations for committing them, have
ut all times been regarded by the American
i Government and people with the greatest
ubhorrcnce. Military ncur-ions by our cti'
zcns into countries 50 situated, and the com
mission Of acts of violence on the members
thereof, in order to effect a change in il
! government, or under any preieXt whatever
have, from the commencement OF our Gov
crnment been heald equally criminal on the
part of those engaged III them, and ms much
| deserving of punishment as would be tho
disturbance of the public pence by the per-
prtra;ion of similar acts within our own ter
litory.
i By no country or persons have these in
valuable principles OF international! law
principles, the strict observance OF which l:
SO indispensable TO the preservation of socia
order in the world-becn more earnestly
cherished or sncredly respected than by those
:, great and good men who first declared, an1
finally established, the independence of on
own country. They promulgated and main
tanned them at an early and critical period II
our history they were subsequently EN-
bodied IN legislative enac,mchts OF higi
penal character, the faiihful enforcement u
which has hitherto been, aud will, ! trus,
always continue 10 be regarded as dut.
inseparaby associated with tho maintcnonc,
Of our national honor. That The people OF th
United States should feel an interest in tn
spread Of political institutions as free us they
regard their own To b., IS natural nor can
sincere soic!tude for the success Of all ihos
who arc, at any time, in good faith struggling
!. for their acquisition, be imputed to our citl
ycns ms a crime. With the entire freedom
: OF opinion, aud an undisguiscd expression
thereof, on their part, the Government ha
neither the right, nor, trust, the. disposition
to interfere. But whether the interest or tn
honor Of the United States require, that the.
should be made party To any such struggle
' ard, by inevitable consequence, to the wa
which is wased in It's support, IS queslio
which, by our coh,ttu,ion, Is wisely lett l
Congress alone Ia decide.
> II is, by the laws already made, crImnd
| IN our citizcns to cmharrnss or an'lcipat
' that decision, by unau,horiscd military op'1o
,lous on their part. Offences oi ths charhc
ter. IN addition to their crlmlpa'l'y as VIOLA
=, lluns ot the laws oi uur country, have dlfoc
!, tendency To draw down upon our own clliAti
y. Mt large The multiplied evils nf u foreign wn
:, md expose to lnlurio"s mpu,aions the goo
. faith and honor al the country. As sr'
y they deserve TO be put down with promp,
Il. tudc and decision. cannot he mistaken,
:, AIN confident, in counting on the cordial ~