Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-01-11


olina, seconded the motion to print extra copies,
and enlarged somewhat upon the importance of
one of the papers presented-that OF the Sccreta-
ry OF State in reply to Mr.. Fox. Something was
said by the Carolina Hotspur of State Rights,
which called forth word of comment from Young
Stanly of the other Carolina. II, said MIR. Stanly,
the doctrines of the SecretHry's letter,-Gt had
not been read,) be the doctrines of State Rights,
am opposed TO the printing Mr. Pckens, who
claims 10 be, par excellence, u State Rights man,
was prepared for this opposition from this quarter,
ms he said but he wished the doctrines of State
Rights submitted TO the people, and he was sure
they would triumph
'I'hey have BEEN responded Mr. Stanly with
great promptness, and the result is such defeat
as was never before heard Of For a moment or
two, no more was said, and the extra printing,
without The reading Of the documents, was order
ed. MIR. Afford of Georgia, who, unheard by the
speaker, had before called for the reading OF the
correspondence, moved reconsideration of the
vote, for the purpose of hearing the papers read
They were read, accordingly aud consisted
First, oil the accompanying message of the
President of the United States containing no opin-
ION, but merely transmitting the correspondence
of others.
Secondly, There was a letter from Mr. Steven
son, dated at London, in answer to note from the
secretary of State, in reference to the burning of
the Caroline. Mr.. FORSYTH had under direction
OF the President, directed the Americun Minister
10 seek some redress for the burning of the Caro-
llne The complaint bad been submitted, but no
answer had been given. The reason of delay was
asked
Thirdly, The British Minister sends in -aiswer
to compliant of this delay, note to the Secre-
tary OF State, stating that his Government had not
replied to the question submitted 10y the Govern
ment of the United States, but he had no doubt n
reply would speedily be received. Time inter-
venes, and nothing further is heard in regard to
the Caroline ard the Canadian disturbance, until
me arrest oil Nc Leod now II prisoner in the Jail
at Lockpori New York. AirIox, in consequence
OF this arrest, addresses letter to the Secretary
OF State, the object OF which is to obtain the re-
lease of Mcleod. The letter is neither creda-
bic to The good sense courtesy OF the Minister,
aud II mistake not, will be repudiated by the
higher authorities at home Mr.. Fox asks Tor the
release Of Mcleod, first, because The prisoner, in
his opinion, is not guilty and secondly, because,
II guilty, he has committed 10 offence against the
Government. The bu ming a. the Caroline, con
ilnues the British Minister, tCnS an act done By
tordy, and those mho tCere engaged in al, acted
der The authority of those an po'Cer IN Great Brit
am. This new and bold idea is more than once put
forth, for Mir. Fox repeats that the burning of the
Caroline was public act public act authorized
by the British Government. Tie question there
lore, he adds, is one between the Authorities of
Great Britain and the Government of the United
States. Upou this ground, again he demands in
the name of his Government, the release oil the
prisoner.
Mr. Forsyth replies with dignity, with courtesy,
and in excellent temper. Speaking under the di
recton Of the President he says that the imprs-
nent OF Mcleod is matter over which the au-
thorities of New York, aud not the F, dera Gov
ernment have control. He knows of no law, in
ternational or other law, under which his release
can be called for. a criminal against the United
States, he makes his appearance voluntarily in the
United States, aud is arrested e xanined, and bound
for al thnr co,, dor
like circumstances. Mr.. Forsyth here comments
briefly on the character of the offence. He is, he
says, one of an armed band of marauders, who
has been guilty OF committing arson. BY what
law, he asks, is such offender to escape the pun
ishment due to his offences Leaving this, the
Secretary of State comes TO the declaration made.
that the burDing Of the Caroline was public act.
ii was now, for the first time, avowed as public
act, by one having power TO speak wiki authority.
such being the case, theUnited Suites should tnth
or he the complainant, than Great Britain. With
some other relnarks, unmporant in themselves,
the Secretary adds that it is with unteigned re-
gret he cannot comply with the request of. the
British Minister He appeals to Mr. FOX 10 pear
witness, that during the vexed questions which
have agated the two countries, the President and
himself have been governed by sincere desire 10
preserve the amcabe relations existing between
the two Governments So ends the correspon-
deuce. orr
In the House it was listened 10 with attention
by all hearers. Mr.. Afford of Georgia broke The
silence, and rising to speak, first congratulated
himself that he had moved the Reconsideration
since the members Of the House had had the
pleasure of hearing most important admission.
He regarded there the State Rights question was
revived though having no more 10 DO Whh The
correspondence than it had with the ten con-
mandmehts) the letter of The Secretary OF STATE,
containing sound State Rights doctrine. Ii was
the good State Rights doctrine, and though an
no
he was willing TO render Justice where justice was
due and the more willing upon the present oc-
casion since this was the first aud the only act
connected with the present administration, which
he had been able TO approve, AS an American,
said Mr.. Afford, have felt humiated. have
seen the Lion of England ruling on our own soil,
the Government Of the Queen controlling the
Government of the President. ] have seen the
British on our North Eastern borders, on our
Northwestern borders too, and have felt ashaln-
ed at the spirit manifested by orr country IN al
lowing these repeated and unwarranted usurpa-
tons have felt, continued the Georgia mcnhe-
with feeling that the course of the President has
been TO bring America 10 the feet OF GFeat DrI-
tain, and rejoice now that see, MS do, in the
letter ofihe Secretary of State, spirit OF indepen-
dence manifested by those in power.
Mr. Holmes OF South Carolina rose to reply,
bur the floor was given to Mr.. Stanley OF North
Carolina, who wished to make an explanation.
His friend from Georgia had felt nggrieved at hls
rrevercnt alluson TO the doctrine of State rights
He alluded not 10 the honest aud Sound sentl-
nents OF state rights men, but 10 the opinion Of
Van Buren, state rights men; 10 such dociflne for
example, as that held 10y the gentlemen from
South Carolina, who had spoken, and by his state
of South Carolina. 70 call such doctrine the
doctrine of the states, was ridiculous. lie would
as soon look for white crow or II black swan, or
any thing which was hard 10 find, as for state
rights principles in such party.
MIR. Holmes ol South Can Dina followed in the
discussion, and presented new issue TO the
people. lie was reloiced ut the discussion, not
for the reason that state rights had been inciden-
tally alluded to,--for state rights principles, like