Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-01-07
wisHrSeroS, Jan'y 2, 1874.
M.. FOX TO Ma. FORSYTH.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 1910.
Sir have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
Of your letter Of the 18th instant in which, in reply
10 letter which had addressed TO you on the i3th
you acquaint me that the President is not prepared
TO comply with my demand for the liberation of Mr.
Alexander Mcleod, of Upper Canada. now mpri-
soned at Lockpou, IN the State Of New York, on a
pretended charge Of murder and arson, as having
been engaged 10 the destruction Of the piratieal
steamboat "CarOne" on the 29th December, 1887.
learn with deep regret that such is the decision
Of the President o. the United States, for cannot
but oresee the very grave and serious
that must ensue II, besides the injury already in.
hicted upon MIR Mcleod, Of a veKatious and I'M
Just Imprisonment, any further harm should be done
TO him in the progress Of this extraordinary pro-
eeeding.
Government IN England the correspondence that
has taken place. and shall await the further orders
OF her Majesty's Government with respect to the
important question which that correspondence in
wolves.
But feel il my duty not 10 close this communi.
cation without likewise testfYing my vast rccro
and surprise at the expressions which find repeat
ed IN your letter with reference 10 the destruction
of the steamboat Caroline. had confidently hope,
that the hrst erroneous impression Of the chnracte
Of that event, imposed upon the mind OF the Unite,
States Government by partial and exaggerated re-
presentations. would long since have been efaceC
by more strict and accurate examination Of IN,
facts. Such an investigation must even vet 1 an
rnent 20 the same conviction with which her Males
ty's authorities the spot impressed that th,
act in the strictest sense Of selC-defence
rendered absolutely necessary by the circumstance
OF the occasion, for the safety and protection Of he
hajesty's subjects, md justified by the same mo
lives and principles which, upon similar and we'll
known occasions, have governed the conduct Of IL
iusirous officers Of the United smtss
The steamboat Caroline was a hostile vessel en-
gagged IN pifaiical war against her Maiesty's peo
pie hired from her owners for that express purpose
and known 70 I've 90 beyond the possibility Of doubt
The place where the vessel was DESTROYED wa
nominaly, q istrue, within the territory Of friend
ly Power, but the friendly Power had been depriy
ed, through overbearing pirstica violence oi IN
use Of is proper authority over that portion oft
ritofy. The authorities Of New York had not eve
been able 20 prevent the artillery Of the State for
being carried 90 publicly Al midday, 10 be used !
instruments Of war against her Naiesty's subject
IL vas under such clrcumsiaDces which Il IS 10 d
hoped will reeur, that the vessel was attacl
ed by party Of her Majesty's people, capture,
and destroyed.
A femonslranoa against the act in question ma
been addressed by the United States 70 her Maze.
ty's Government IN England. ! am not authorize
20 pronounce the decision OF her Maiesty's Govern
ment upon that femOnstfanoe, bat have felt my
self bound to record, IN the mean time, the aboS
opinion. IN order TO protest 10 the most solemn mar
uer against the spirited and loyal conduct ola part
81 her Msjesty's ofkcers and people being qualihe,
through an unfortunate misappr, hension, as I b,
bese. Of the hets, With the sppelhtion Of Ouiraf
or Of murder,