North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1841-05-05
NORTH AMERICAN:
swANTON, MAY 5, Is4I.
"rrRsrvrRE TO rHE END"
MCLEOD.

IuagS sinCe, III the New fork Legislature,
on The case OF Mcleod. From the speech
es made on that occasion, we made a few
brief extracts as our space would not al
low full Insertion. But as the quotations
which we made, did not do justice to the
speakers, we have thought proper TO quote
more largely as well for that purpose as to
give our readers a fair specimen of the o.
pinions entertained in relation to this excl
ting subject.
The debate arose from the introduction
OF resolution, inquirng into the pending
arrangements and correspondence, if any
existed, between the General and State
Government, in regard to the case of Me-
Leod. The resolution was introduced by
Conrad Swackhamer, and supported by a
very able and patriotic speech, from which
we shall quote the following remarks.
may be told that it was necessary,
that the government Of the U. S. should
take this case under its especial care, be-
cause England has threatened vengeance
on the United States, If but hair of the
head Of Mcleod is injured. But, let me
ask, did we complain, when the Patriots,
as they styled themselves, citizens of the
United States, misguided men il you please,
who had entered Canada in aid Of what is
called the rebellion, were taken up, and Ell
Their executed or transported, under the
mere form Of trial Was there any at
tempt on the part Of the proper authorities
OF the u. S. to arrest the course OF the
law, martial or civil, in the province OF
Canada |! No, sir, they had their trial,
such as it was; and although condemned
for rearing the standard Of Liberty in a
land OF despotism they were consigned to
an ignominious death and suffered the
utmost rigor of British laws, without in
reference from this side Of the line. Why
should not the laws OF New York take
their course in case like this Of Mcleod,
where the charge is the murder of unofen-
ding citizens under cover of the night, in
our own territory, and the wantoE destruc-
ton Of the property Of citizen Of New
York 80
= He was followed by Michael Hoffman OF
Herkmer, who justified the burning Of
the Caroline, and boldly declared that, ifl
he had been citizen Of Canada at that
time, he would have been One OF that
n'urdereus crew, and then closed with the
following disgracetul amendment.
"That the subject be referred to the
Committee On the Judiciary, with instrue-
tons toreport 4 bill providing for the entry
Of a nolle proseqn on the indictment a.
gainst Alexander Mcleod, and for his safe |
conduct"
Mr.. Simmons Of Essex, deprecated the |
discussion Of this subject as it might be |
prejudicial to Mcleod and he hoped the
Reporters would refrain from giving It pub
licity at present. In conclusion he said,
GAIL he could state then was that the
Attorney General yesterday placed in his |
hands bill which he desired should pass.
directing the Chief Justice to appoint
special circuit, for the trial of this person
at some other place than the county OF
Niagara" "'E s'R F'# y
MIR. Richmond, in an able and eloquent
speech, after having denied, as an eye wit
ness, the false rumor "tAat the Caroline
was in the daily practice of running be-
tween Sehlosser and Navy Island", as it
made but one trip and was destroyed the
same night, concluded as follows.
mo man could believe that these diff
culties in Canada were ended. Situated as
that Province was, bordering for thousands
of miles on this free Republic, its inhabit-
ants imbibing and sherishing renewed at
tachment TO our institutions and laws and /
a hatred Of their own, who could doubt
that at intervals and upon every favorable
opportunity, they would endeavor at least
TO assert their liberty? Was it wise in
view OF such results to put forth the idea
that the authorities there, and those under
them might invade our territory. without
being held personally amenable to our laws?
He did not mean TO justify the transporta-
ton Of troops and munitions Of war into
a country with which we were at peace
for that was not this case, nor could it be
justified on any principle Of good faith as
between nations. But he did protest a.
gainst one rule being enforced against our
citizens in Canada, and another and more
enient rule adopted against Canadians
like offences here. Those who
went from this side into Canada, TO take
part in the rebellion, were tried summarily
hv a drunn-head court martial-friad ~.