, 1841-07-03

seems that. from the conversation Of Mr..
Fox, Mr.. Forsyth was induced to believe
that a speedy answer would BE- given.
On the - of November. 1870, this unfor.
tunate man Alexander Mcleod. came volup.
taray within the jurisdiction Of The UnirA
States. am inclined to believe that the
vain b~oasting of this man, as 10 hin presence
and participation in the attack on the Caro-
line, has occasioned all the difficulty which
now exists. rather think he,gas not pre-
sent at the capture of that vessel. and this
TACT if it had been wisely used, would have
afforded the means Of adjusting the difficulty
to the satisfaction of both parties. But he
came upon the American soil, and. in the
ed that he had belonged TO Orew's capturing
squadron. In consequence Of these asser.
tions, he was arrested BY the local authori.
ties, and indicted for murder. This state Of
things gave rise toa correspondence between
Mr.. Fox and Mr.. Forsyth, from which ! in
tend 10 read a brief extract. The CORES.
pondence resulted in this: that NJ. FORSYTH
expressed it as his opinion, and that of the
President of the Z. States, that under the
Of nations the avowal by the British
Government Of The capture Of the Caroline,
should such an avowal he made, would not
free Mcleod from prosecution in the cri min
al courts of The State Of New York. j, eE.
feet was merely cumulative. il did not take
away the offence Of Mcleod, but added
thereto, and made il n national as well as IN
individual offence. The legal prosecution of
Mel cod, and the application To the British
Government for satisfaction. were independ-
ent OF each other. and might he separately
and Simultaneously pursued. But whether.
this we're the tue pIincle Of national law or
not, Mr.. Forsyth very properly said that
the question must lie decided by the judicia-
~ of New York. and that, il the position
If Mr.. Fox We're well funded, Mcleod
have the full protection Of that doc
trine before the court. lie could plead that
act had been recognised by the British
Government, and IL the plea were allowed,
he would be Sc; at liberty. That was the
%! the business at the close of Mr..
Van Buren's administration; and n happier,
safer. and more secure position of the ques-
lion for American rights and even for the
honor of England. also. could not have bccn
When the trial came on, Mcleod
would have tw" grounds Of defence: first,
hal he had not been present ut the capture
# the vessel; and, next, that this capture
mad hecn recognised by the British Govern.
nent rs a public act done under its authority.
II, in this state Of things, there had Leen a
nile prudent delay. the question would pro-
Jably soon have settled itself 10 the ~satisfac-
ion of both parties. But inquiries had been
addressed. in Parliament. 10 the British min.
sters or this subject, and a high excitement
nad been produced throughout the Brisish
nation. This can always be done in that
on every controversy with Ameri-
"A, because our side Of the question never
in their Public journals. lhave been
or years in the habit Of reading some Of the !
journals. and, so far as ! have OBJ Fl;
our side of the question. even in re- :
alton 10 The northeast boundary. had never Z
o this dav been presented To the British pub ,
Ir. No EnglislIman CAN obtain from any of
hose %i"nrnal which ! have seen. nnv distinct !
lea Whatever rs 10 the ground insisted upon !
" us in that controversy. II
An excitement had been raised on the Nc C
cod question, and loud defiances had been s
ttered on The floor Of the House Of Com n
,ons. Threats had been made, in case the u
american Government should dare 20 retain n
lcLeod in custody. An attempt had been !
nade on both sides of the water, TO pro- I
uce the belief that wal was impending; p
nd so far with success, that the American u
eet IN The Mediterranean. or at least a Tor. u
on Of II, has actually returned home. while II
our vessels in that sea had passed the e.
rats and gone into the Atlantic. Some c.
e"ple here even. other than the ladies. be- re
ime afraid that the British fleets would be m
pom our coast and lay our cities in ashes.- IN
marvellous panic prevailed fur a ,imn IL "
"ng those who had weak nerves. and then, az
crown all. came the letter Of Mr.. Fox to b'
|r. Webster. The British nation has, "
eelv admit, much to recommend it, but we IN
know that their diplomatic policy. unlike IN
at OF other European nations, has been of W
character bold, arrogant, and overhearinc. pr
I'm Bull has ever preferred tn accomplish IN
at by main force which other nations ma
ould have ATTEMPTED by diplomacy. leone IN
w to tie letter of Mr.. Fox. and such n let. mr.
r! This letter is tho more imposing from vi
e fact that it was not Mr.. Fox's own COM en-
.sitinn 3D., ., "a aA,,.oI --- I'M