Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-02-18

The BURNING OF THE CAROLINE
Mr.. Pickens, from the Committee on Military
Afhrs on leave made report in relation to the
correspondence, referred TO that committee between
MIR. Fox and Mr. Forsyth, on the case OF Mel cod.
D Mr.. p. moved that IT be laid on the table and
pointed.
The Report then read, for information, as
follows:
The Committee on Foreign Affairs, 70 whom
was referred the Message of the President trans
hitting correspondence with the British Minister
IN relation TO the burning OF the steamboat Caroline
and the demand made for the Liberation of Mr.
Alexander Mcleod, respectfully report:
IL appears that the steamboat Caroline" was
seized and destroyed in the month Of December,
1887 The committee induced to believe that
the facts OF the case as follows: The boat was
owned by, and IN possession OF a citizen of New
York. She was cleared from the City of Buff TO-
and, on the morning Of the 29th Of December 1887
she left the port Of Buffao bound to Schlosser up.
on the American side Of The Niagara river, and
within The territory Of the United States The
original intention seemed to be, run the boat be-
tween buhalo and Sehlosser, or, perhaps, from
Black Rock dam 10 Schlosser and should II seem
profitable, ii was in'esded TO run her also TO Navy
Island, and touch at Grand Island and Tonawnnd
Her owner was Mr.. Wells said to be a resDecta lie
citizen of Buffalo and II is obvious, his intention
IN putting up The boat was one OF speculation and
profit entirely. The excitement upen that portion
of the frontier, at this period had collected great
mlny in the neighborhoOd some from curiostv-
some from idleness-and others from taking an in.
teresi in the unusual and extraordinary collection
OF adventurous men gathered together al that time
on Navy Island. Navy Island was "nominaIlvn
m the British territory"
The owner Oi the Caroline took ADVANTAGE or
these circumstances to make some money with his
boat, by running her, as a ferry boat over 10 Wv
island. All these facts appear from testimony req
uloriy taken, (see III. X. Doc. No. 3O2. pioe IG
and 40, I'd Session, 2j.h Congres) and the commit.
zee know OF no legal evidence TO contradict them
here Is no proof that any or munitions of wa
were carried IN the boat, except perhaps one small
blx-pounder heid piece belonging TO passenger
The principal obJgc, TO run The bont as a e.,
boat from SehIosser, on the American side ~ NJ
Island, on the BRUSH side. II is believed Thar even
IN war, a neutral power has the right 10 trade IN
contraband articles, subject Of course TO seizp,.
and conhscallon,h taken within the jurisdiction ~
either OF the contending parties. VIVA, is cont,s.
band OF war IS not always certain. Treaty stipu-
auons frequently include some articles and eKeliIds
others recognised N the law OF nations Tradiog
~ contTaband articles is no excuse for svsdin tb
IerniofY and soil OF neutra! and independent DOW.
er, whose private citizens may choose 10 run tbs no
zifds Of such trade. 10 this instance there vve,s
no two foreign powers engaged in war. bus nil con.
cethed m me outbreak OF excitement within The Rr
ish jurisdiction, claimed To be British subject 10
resistance OF the authorities Of Canada a provinc.
., tne bhu'h empfe'-Eyen admitting, then, the
Caroline was engaged IN conlfabapd irade ,,t y,
was with citizens who claimed 10 be suLiscts In
same empire with those who were STYLED the t,,;,i-
matcOiiceTs Of the Province. Abstr,cuv s,,o,t,a.
now was private citizen 10 decide " no wee ,i,,
ana VINO wrong m these local disputes7 And which
portion 0fctzens ofibe same province mus, c,, e
izsns refuse to have any communication gitb7 a.,
the boat was merely used for one day aso Esr,g
boat and on the night Of the day she cor,r,e,,.yJ
running, she was seized while me or. Al die ,yb,C
NchIossor, and burnt. Several men were nssa,s,,.
Ho certainly one, who lelI dead upon Inc dccL
Now the insnuaiion Of the Brtisb 'Nf,,;.,.- "a .
2oh,oaser vas "nomnally" within the tsttitorv M
lhe United States, may well be retorted. ne We c,n
WIN equal Truth say that Navy Island was u,o,,,n
hUy within the "teuilofyn Of the Britisb CO..
meht ior at TIE period 70 which we a,uds. The n,n.
uo'eo'ou 'uere mao as ehectually defed Canada
AUTHORITIES ne any portion Of our peopls ia 100
garded ours. Yet British authorize ne, ~ u''ie-
10 pass by Navy Island, then in its ano,i,, ulef
tory, and 10 the plenutude Of its poyye, 40
egis OF Brush jurisdiction over Ame,,,-,,' VIZ
inns Wss Truly extending over US that Kind g,,,d
ianshlp which they had not the ability Al Al ,.
70 extend 70 portion Of their own ierr,,o.' u'',
which recommends itself 10 u.s. full a. much H., ~
assumption as from ils love Of right or law "
The Buush Minister Is pleased also To call a.
caroline "piraueai steamboat" The loose enitbe,
OF any one, no matter how high in place. r,nnc
make that piracy which the Law of natons a., ~
recognise such. Pirates are freebootsrs so.s,;s
Of the human race; and eminent jurists descr,b
them as ne ravaging every sea and coaet ,vi,b !,
Dag and no home. Piracy comes under the conc,
rent Jurisdiction Of all nations. Even in the ~or
point q view that IL can be considered, those 20,
nocted With the steamboat Caroline were but al,
and abe'tots of others engaged IN rebellion. Az
the committee are totally az loss 10 know up,
what authority rebellion is recognised as piracy
such oon'oundng Of terms is resting che case up,
epthcts, instead Of sound law OF lacts Bot ey.
.1pposing y TO be "piratcsl boat" az tho Mini
fef asserts 70 be- YET the moment Il touched o.