Richmond palladium., 1841-07-03


ish rebels and American pirates violating the
laws of the United States, and disturbing the
peace of the British territories, were done under
any degree of counenance from this Govern
mont, even regarded by 1t with indifference.
That so long line Of frontier as that which
separates Canada from the United States, irregu-
larties, violence and conflicts should sometimes
occur, equally against the will OF both Govern
ments, IS easily TO be supposed; and all that can
be expected of either, in these cases, good faith,
a sincere desire to preserve peace and do justice,
the use Of all proper means Of prevention, and
that, If offences cannot be ALWAYS prevented, the
offenders shall be justly punished. In all these
respects, this Government acknowledges no de-
linqueucy in the performance Of its duties.
Nor does Mr. Webster admit the propricty or
justice OF the term pIFates, which Her MaJestV's
Government pleased to apply TO those AmeTI-
can citizens who took part IN the Insnrrechon a
gainst the British Government. If citizens OF
the United States were engaged IN fitting out
military expedition against the British Govern
ment, they clearly violating the laws OF
their own country; but they were moi pirates,
has their offence any analogy TO piracy
Surprising all that is alleged against them TO be
true, they were taking part IN what they regarded
as civil war. IL Is quite notorious that sub
jects of the British Crown: have for the last two
centuries been permitted to engage IN foreign
wars both national aud civil; whole regiments of
them have been openly recruited, embodied, armed
and disciplined in England with the ayowed pUr-I
pose of aiding rebellion against n nation with
whom Eogland was at peace; and yet Ii has not
been imagined that Eugland has any tune al
lowed her subjects to turn pirates. The ditfe-
renee between the case of civil war arising
from disputed succession Of revolt, and the
Of fresh outbreak, Is acknowledged for
tain purposes; but a cause which has so foul an
origin as piracy cannot IN its progress or by lis
success obtain a claim to any degree of respect
ability, of tolerance among4 nations; and civil
vars therefore not understood to have such
commencement. Il is well known to Mr.. Fox
that authorities of high c,nincnce. both living
and dead, IN England, have maintained that the
law Of nations does not forbid the subjects Of ono
Government from taking part IN the civil commo-
tons OF another.
1t must not be inferred, however, that there is
any purpose on the part of this Govcrnmen, to
extenuate the crimes Of those citizens of the u.
States who have Ioined the military expeditions
agains, the British Government in Canada.-
The fact that they wero Iusifgaicd and led on
to this violation of the laws of the United States
by British subjects will not DO allowed 10 intiI-
ence the Presidents determination to bring all
such d.sturbers of the national peace TO exempIa-
ry punishment.
The Government Of tho United States has al
ways held that 1t is manifest acd gross ImprO-
prietv for ntividuals engage III the conflicts OF
other States and thus he n: while their Go
vernuent is at peece. They have thought, also,
that the saluary doctrine OF non nterv enlion by
enc nation with the aft llTs Of others is liable
DO essentially impaired, if, while Government
retrains from interference, interference Is stall
allowed To its subjects, indIy yiduay or in masses. .
Nor have they considered it sufficient 10 confne .
the duties of neutrality the Ease Of Governments
whose territories lie adj TO each other.--
The rule is founded in the danger of allowing
individuals 10 make war on their own authority, +
aud thus to counteract the policy or embroll the
relations of their own Government. And the l.. +
bap he first
tons 10 enforce the observance OF this Just rule OF
neutrality by special and adequate enactments. I
In the infancy of this Government, on the break |
ing out of the European wars which had their ori- +
gin IN the French Revolution, Congress passed /
laws with severe penalties, for preventing the |
citizens of the United States from taking part in
those hostIitIes. So also a, subsequent period, |
when the American Colonies of a European pow
er took up ainst their Sovereign, Congress,
not swerved by national sympahies or by any
temporary consideration, did not hesitate pass
acts applicable to the case of colonial insurrec-
ton and civil war And these provisions have
been continued, revised, amended, and are in full
force at the present moment. 1t Is in Mr.. Fox's
knowledge. too, that the act Of Congress, Of
March 10Th, 1888. passed for the express
purpose Of more etfectuallv restraining military
enterprises from the United States into the Brit
sh Provinces.
This Government, therefore. not only holds IT.
self above reproach IN every thdg respecting the
preservation of neutrality, the observance of the
princ Pile of non-intervention. and the strictest
conformity, in these respect, the rules of inter
national law, but 1t doubts not the world will do
it the Justice to acknowledge that i, has Sc, an
example no, unfit 10 be followed by others; and
that, by its steady legislation the most impor
tani subjects. il has done something 10 promote
peace and good neighborhood among nations, and
TO advance the civilization Of mankind
Under all the circumstances connected with
tie destruction of the Caroline i, Will. therefore,
be for Her Majesty's Government TO show upon
wha, rules Of national law that act is to be de- I
tended. Ii will be for that Government 10 show
necessity of selfdefence. instant, overwhel- (
ming, leaving no choice of me ans and no momen,
tor deliberation. |, mus, be shown tha, nothing
was done unreasonable or excessive; that admo- 7
milton or renonstrance TO the persons on board