The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-01-09
Washington, Jan. 2, Is4l.
MR.. FOX TO MR.. FORSYTH,

|
SIR have the honor to acknowledge the receipt Of
your letter of the Goth inst in which, in reply to
letter which had addressed to you the 18th, you
acauant me that the President prepared to
Div with my demand for the liberation of Mr. Alexan
der Mcleod, of Upper Canada, now imprisoned at
Lockport, in the State of New York, pretended
charge of murder and arson, as having been engaged
in the destruction of the pratcal steamboat Caroline
on the 29th December 1887.
learn with deep regret that such is the decision OF
the President of the United States for cannot but
foresee the very grave and serious consequences that
must ensue it, besides the injury already inflicted upon
Mr.. Mcleod of vexatous and unjust Imprisonment,
any further harm should be done to him in the pro-
gress of this extraordinary proceeding.
have lost no time in forwarding to her majesty 8
Government in England the correspondence that has
taken place. and shall awaitthe further orders of her
majesty's government with respect to the important
question which that correspondence involves
But feel it my duty not to close this communca-
ton without likewise testfyng my vast regret and
prise the expressions which find repeated in your
letter with reference to the destruction of the steam
boat Caroline had confidently hoped that the first
erroneous impressions of the character Of that event.
imposed upon the mind of the United States Govern
ment by partial and exaggerated representations,
would long since have been effaced by more strict
and accurate examination Of the facts. Such an in
vestgation must yet am willing to believe, lead
the United States Government to the same convection
Will WHICH ner majesty hutnOTples on Tic spot WcIc
impressed that the act in the srlctest sense
of sefdefence, rendered absolutely necessary by the
circumstances of the OCCASION for the safety and pro-
lection of her majesty subjects, and justified by the
same motives and principles which, upon similar and
well known occasions, have governed the conduct of
lustrious officers of the United States.
The steamboat Caroline hostile vessel en-
gagged in piratical war against her majesty's peo-
pe hired from her for that express purpose,
and knownto be so beyond the possibility of doubt
The place where the vessel was destroyed was mo-
mnally, it is true within the territory of friendly
power, but the friendly power had been deprived,
through oyerbearng piratical violence Of the use OF
its proper authority that portion of territory
The authorities of New York had not even been able
to prevent the artillery Of the State from being carried
off publicly, at midday tc he used instruments OF
against her majestys subjects 1t under such
circumstances which il is to be hoped will never re-
cur, that the vessel attacked by party other
jesty' people, captured, and destroyed.
remonstrance against the act in question has been
addressed by the United States to her majestys Go
vernment in England. am not authorized to pro-
nounce the decision of her majesys Government upor
that remonstrance but have felt myself bound to re
cord, in the me the above opinion in order to
protest in the most solemn against the spirited
and loyal conduct of patty of her majesty officers
and people being qualified, through an unfortunat,
misrepresentation, as believe, of the facts with thu
appelation of outrage or Of murder.
avail myself of this occasion to renew to you tn
assurance Of my distinguished consideration.
III. S. FOX.