Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-03-22
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1880.


o'clock in I've evening.
That the Ulcers and crew Of The "Caro
line" were tn 10 number, and that, in the
course of tn. evening Of that day. twenty
three other invduals (cilizens Of the United
Sla,es) cane on board the beat, and re
quested tha .oey might be permitted to
remain thGe during the night, as they
were unab, to procure lodging al the ony
tavern or i'm at Schlosser. That this re
quest was granted, and they retired 10 rest,
as did the ulcers and crew the said boat,
with the exception of the night watch.
That, ab,ut midnight an alarm was Civ
en- IN consequence Of the approach from the
river OF -four or five boats, and, a few mo-
ments after the Caroline was boarded by a
number of rmed men from said boats, who
immediateycommenced an indscriminate
attack, withpistos, swords and cullasses,
upon the parmed crew and inmates Of
said vessel, under the cry Of "give no quar-.
ters," sever,l Of whom were slaughtered.
That the steamboat was yielded without
resistance, nnd was Immediately afterward
set on fire il several places, cut loose from
the dock attached to The main land, tow
ed into the current of the river, abandoned,
and ultimately went over the Niagara
Falls.
That ono man, Amos Durfee, citizen
of Buffalo. was killed and left dead on the
dock at Schlosser, and others who escaped
with life, most severely wounded and dsa
bled, and among them was the captain.
That several individuals who were on
board the boat were still missing, and there
is strong reason for believing that they
were either murdered or found watery
grave in the cataract Of the river.
That Immediately after The boat was set
on fire, and cast adrift in the stream, bea
con lights were discovered on the Canada
shore, near Chippewa, and when sufficient
time had elapsed TO enable the armed
troops to reach the shore, loud and vocife
rous cheering was heard at that point, in.
ducing the belief since confirmed and &C.
knowledged that the outrage was planned
and consummated by a portion of the Brit
sh troops stationed there.
1t is in proof that there was no fortified
ton of any kind at Scbosser; that hostil
ties were not commenced on the American
side, and that no shot from cannon or fire
arms was discharged from the America,
shore on the morning Of the Goth Decem
Der, as pretended by one Of the British
officers.
1t further appears that two persons, pro
baby Luke Walker and SyIvanus Fame
Wrgley, were taken prisoners and car
red to Queenstown, and there coerced b
violence ADD threats 10 give evidence on
unfold the plans Of the forces on Nav
IslA!d.
The value Of the steamboat and proper
ty destroyed amounts 10 about $4,000.
These are the important facts disclose
by the documents, and upon which the an
pication for reparation rests. They can
not be perused without exciting the deep
est surprise and regret: For their proc
we are not forced to look at doubtful cred
il. The whole character of the evdenc
now submitted to her majesty's govern
ment is too clear and striking TO leave an
doubt of irs truth, although directly at va
rance, as lord Palmerston will perceive
with the statements communicated by Nj
Fox on the part of her majesty's province,
officers to the secretary of state, copies
which will be found with the papers ira:
mitted.
Indeed, SO far from the British state
ments representing correctly the circum
stances under which the outrage was con
mitted, it will be seen that they are
every essential particular, dlscreated an
disproved by the most unimpeachable ev
dence.
The concurrent testimony Of so man
witnesses of responsibility and s,andIn,
strip the proceeding of every pre,ext a
| loooI in ,Hco nd
of he most offensive and unwarrantab
, character.
1t shows, moreover, that so far from tt
outrage having been committed under e,
tenuating circumstances Of sudden cOnf1
E or the hurry and excitement Of lmpendr
:. war, it was perpetrated after concert al
, preparation, by an armed and SUPER,
!, force, upon unarmed and defenceless me
y under cover of night, and circumstances
, signal alrocity. 1t was proceeding. to
the more unexpected and reprehensbl
nasmuch as it was planned and execute
at a moment when the earnest efforts
p, the Government of the United States we
,, directed to the preservation of its oblig
a ton of neutrality. and while both /!
General and State Governments were usir
3 every effort in their power TO restrain ind
:, viduals on their northern frontier from VI
y lawfully interfering in the contest betwet
, Great Britain and her colonies.
Indeed, at the very moment when Il
Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada vi
u declaring to the Provincial Parliament h
0 confidence in the disposition of the Amer
can Government TO restrain its citize
from engaging in the contest that was TIT
a raging, and was waiting for replies fro
! the Governor of New York and her NJ
e esty's Minister at Washington. wi
whom he had communicated. this oulras
K was with his knowledge and approbatio
: planned and executed.
}, Under such circumstances, it was n
to have been expected that the whole pr
!. cecding could be regarded by the COVER
i ment of the United States in other lig