Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-03-22

correspondence beftCeen .Wr. Stevenson ana
Lord Paimerston on The subject Of The
Outrage committed by British
troops in the destruction Of the
Steamboat Caroline.
Mr.. STEVENSON TO LoLD PALMERsroN
% Portland Place,
May 90, 1888.
The undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary
and Minister Penipotentary from the U,
States, has the honor 10 acquaint Lord Wis.
count ramerston, her Majesty's Principal
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,
that in obedience 10 instructions from his
Government, it has been made his duty 10
bring to the view of her Majesty's Govern
ment the accompanying documents, detail
ing the particulars and proofs OF signal
and extraordinary outrage committed by
British troops, from the province of Upper
Canada upo the persons and property of
citizens of the United States within its linn.
its md Jurisdiction; and which in the view
of the President of the United States, form
the subject of demand for redress upon
her Mojes,y's Government.
In communicating this evidence to his
ordship the undersigned deems it proper to
accompany it with an explanation of the
manner in which it has been obtained and
the delay which has taken place in not
presenting the subject at an earlier period
to the consideration Of her Majesty's Gov
eminent.
BY an examination OF these papers it will
be seen, that rs soon as information OF the
proceeding was communicated to the Exec
utve of the United States, an official note
by the direction Of the President, was ad-
dressed by the Secretary of State to her
Majesty's Minister, Mr. Fox, communca.
ting copies of the statements which had
been received. and asked an immediate ex-
PLANTATION Of the circumstances under which
the aggression had taken place. Mr. For
syth's letter bears date of The 5th OF Janu
airy last, and the papers transmitted to Mr.
Fox consisted Of letter from the district
attorney ofthe United States and the atfi>
davits of the captain and nine others, who
were on board the steamboat at the time Of
her seizure and destruction in the port OF
Schlosser. Copies of these will be found
among the papers now transmitted 10 Lord
Palmerston.
These statements would have justified an
immediate appeal to her Majestys Govern
ident deemed it expedent, preparatory to
any demand being made, to have the sub.
ject thoroughly investigated. and the facts
ascer,ained. 1t was moreover anticipated
that the conduct ofthe individuals concern.
ed in this alleged outrage would under the
spontaneous act Of their own Government,
have undergone that official investigation
which such proceeding would 80 justly
seem to call for.
| Orders were given TO the Ia W officers OF
the Government to take immediate steps,
] for the purpose Of collecting the witnesses
and obtaining the fullest information of all
circumstances connected with the transact
ton.
This was accordingly done and the body
of evidence which the undersigned has now
the honor Of commun cating was the result.
Lord Palmerston will then perceive that
the delay which has taken place in not
presenting the subject sooner to the notice
of his Government, has proceeded from no
want of just sensibility TO the proceeding,
or any doubt of its being proper subject
for redress, but from a desire on the part
Of the President, to accompany the demand
with Irrefragible proofs as to the nature
and extent OF the outrage committed.
This evidence having been obtained and
transmitted to the President, he has, after
foil consideration, and under a deep sense
Of what was due as well TO the Government,
of the United States as that of her Males.
tvs, deemed the proceeding q fit one fol
the demand Of reparation.
With this demand the undersigned has
been charged and he feels that he shal
/ c,IG - -
and manifest the justice Oft the appeal which
he has been instructed TO make, by con
finng himself to brief recaptulation O
the facts established by the documents
which he has the honor of transmitting t
Lord Palmers,on, and the principles which
govern.
The following are the prominent ont
important facts.
! On the morning of the Goth of Decembe
a., last steamboat called the Caroline O
. Buffalo in the State of New York, left tina
, port for Schlosser, another port Of tina
State, upon the east side Of The Magyar
river.
. That this vessel was the property o
, William Wells OF the said city of Buffal
/ and was commanded by Capt. Gilman Ap
peby, both Of whom are citizens Of tn
United States.
That she was cleared with the view O
running between the said ports Of Buffa
and Schlosser, and for the purpose Of car
: rying passengers and freight.
J That on her moving down the Nagar
river, she came TO at Black Rood Dam
I and whilst in port, the captain caused tn
American ensign to be run up.
That, soon after leaving Black Roc
, harbor, several musket shots were dischar
y ged at the said boat from the Canada shore
:, :. but without doing any injury.
2 . That her course down the river was cor
q tinued without further modest lion an