The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-01-19
Fro NJ w A 8 Fl l N q II y N.
81 T. 81 f. 4 M r. n g. "A OIL, N

L II Il y Il II "A M u IL - "A IL ~ IL IN II
Last week we published synopsis Of the Cor
respendence between our Government and Great
Britain, that had then been made public, in relation
TO the burning of the Steamer Caroline. Since
then additional letters passed between the agents
Of the Two Governments and transmitted 10 Con-
gress by the President have reached US. That this
que slion may be well understood, copy below
the letters and the debate in the House in refer
encc 10 them Mr. Fox is impatient, and Mr. For
syth is short, if he is not sweet, in his reply.
Mr.. Fo1 to Mr.. Forsyth.
WAsHINaroN, Dec. 20, lS40.
SRI have the honor to acknowledge the re
cept o your letter of the Goth instant, i'm which,
in reply to Il letter which had addressed to y on
on the 18th, you acquainted me that the President
ia not pr pared TO comply with my demand fot the
liberation of Mr. Alexander Mcleod, OF Upper Can
ada, now imprisoned at Lockport, in the State OF
New York, on pretended charge OF murder and
arson having been Engaged in the destruction OF
the steamboat Caroline, on the 29th Of December,
1897.
learn with deep regret that such is the decs-
ion of the President, of the United States; and 1
cannot but fNesee the very grave and serious con-
sequences that must ensue, if, besides the injury
air ready inflicted upon MIR Mcleod, of a vexatious
and unjust Imprisonment ,'any further harm may be
done to him in the progress of this extraordinary
proceeding.
have lost time in forwarding to her Males.
tvs Government in England, the correspondence
that has taken place, and shall await the further
orders of her Maesly's Government with respect
to the important question which that correspon.
dencc involves.
But feel it my duty not to close this communi-
cation without likewise testifying my vast regret
and surprise at the expressons which find repeat
ed in your letter will reference to the steamboat
Caroline had confidently hoped that the first
erroneous impression of the character of that event
imposed upon the mind of the United States Gov
eminent by partial and exaggerated representations
would long since have been etnced by more
strict and accurate examination Of the facts. Such
an investigation must even yet, am willing to be-
lieve, lead the United States Government to the
same conviction with which her majesty's on The
spot were impressed, that the act was one, in the
strctest sense, Of self Defence rendered absolutely
| necessary by the circumstances fiho occasion, for
the safety and protection of her Maestys subjects,
| and justified by the same motives and principles
which, upon similar and well known occasions.
have governed the conduct OF 'usIrous officers of
tho United States The Steamboat Caroline was a
hostile vessel engaged in piratcal war against her
Majesty's people; hired from her owners for that
express purpose, and known to be 80 beyond the
possibility of doubt The place where 1t was de-
stroyed was nomnuy, i, is true, within the terri
tory Of friendly power; but the friendly power
had been deprived, through overbearing, piracal
violence Of the use Of its proper authority over that
portion of territory. The authorities of New York
had not boen able to prevent the artillery OF
tho State from being carried off publiclyai midday
to be used instruments OF war against her MaIes-
Tvs subjects. 1t was under such circumstances,
which, it is to be hoped will never recur, that tho
vessel was attacked by party Of her Maesty's PEG
| ple captured, and destroyed. n remonstrance "a
ga inst the act in question has been addressed by
| the United States 10 her Majestys Government in
| England. nm not authorized 10 pronounce the de
cs,on of her Majesty's Government upon that re-
| monstrance; bat have felt myself bound to record
in the mean time, the above opinion, in order Il
| protest in the most solemn manner against the
spirited and loyal conduc, of her Majesly's officers
and people being qualified through an unfortunate
misupprehens'on, as believe, of the facts, witt
the appellation oroutrage Of murder.
| avail myself Of this occasion to renew 10 yot
the assurances Of my distinguished consideration
| ii. s. FOX.