The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-06-29

Caroline was justifable employ of force, for
the purpose Of defending the British territory from
the unprovoked attack of a band OF British rebels
and American pirates, who having been permitted
| TO arm and organize themselves within the terrific
ry of the United States, had actually invaded a
portion OF the territory of Her Majesty
! The Pre- sident cannot suppose that Her Majes-
TVS Gov eminent, by the use Of these terms, meant
to be understood intimadng that those acts, vic.
lating the laws ofthe United States, and disturb
| ing the British territories, were done under any
degree Of countenance from this Government, or
were regarded by it with indifference e. or that, un-
der the circumstances of the case, they could have
been prevented by the ordinary course ofproceed-
ing. Although he regrets that, by using the term
"permtted,'' possible inference of that kind
might be raised, yet such an inference, the Presi
dent is willing believe, would be quite unjust to
the intentions of the British Government.
That a line of frontier such separates the
United States from Her Britannia Maestys North
American Provinces-a line long enough to divide
the whole of Europe into haves-irregular, vic
Iences ard conflicts should sometimes occur, O.
qually against the will of both Governments, is
certainly easily to be supposed. This may be more
possible, perhaps, in regard to the United States,
without any repr zach to their Government, since
up oflarge standing armies in time of peace, and
their situation happily exemps tn EN- from the
necessity of maintaining such expensive and dam
gerous establishments. All that can be expected
from either Government in these cases is good
faith a sincere desire to preserve peace and do
;ustice the of all proper means of prevention,
and that if offences cannot nevertheless, be always
prevented the offenders shall still be justly pun-
ished In all these respects this Government ac-
knowledges no delinquency in the performance OF
its duties.
Her nj ajesty's Government are pleased, also, TO
| speak of those A american citizens who took part
with persons in Canada, engaged in an Instruction
against tine British Government, as "American
pirates. 1.-THE undersigned does not admit the propri
ETY. or justice of this designation. If citizens OF
the United States fitted out, or were engaged IN
fitting out, military expedition from the United
States, intended to act against the British Govern.
ment in Canada. they were clearly violating tho
! laws Of their country, and exposing themselves to
the Just consequences which might be inflicted on
them If taken within the British doninions. But.
Notwithstanding this, they were certainly not Pi-
rates. nor does the undersigned think that 1t can
advance the purpose of fair friendly discussion, or
hasten the accommodation of national difficulties,
so to denominate them Their offence, whatever
| n was had no aOaloSV 10 cases o' pHaC5' ouPPoS
ing all that is alleged against them TO he true, they
were taking part in what they regarded as civil
war, and they were taking part on the side OF
the rebels. Surely England hersefhas not regar-
ded persons thus engaged deserving the appelia-
ton which Her Majesty Government besows on
these citizens Of the United States. II is quite no
torious that for the greatest part Of the last two
/ centuries subjects OF the British crown have been
| permitted to ergnge in foreign wars, both national
and civil and in the latter, in every stage of their
progress; and yet it has not been imagined that
England has any time allowed her subjects to
| turn pirates. Indeed, in our own times, not only
have individual subjects Of that Crown gone a.
broad to engage in civil wars, but we have seen
whole regiments openly recruited, embodied, arm
ed and isciplned in England, with the avowed
purpose of aiding rebellion against a nation with
which England at peace; although 1t Is true,
that subsequently, act of Parliament was passed
| TO prevent transactions so nearly approaching to
public war, without license from the Crown,
1t may be said that there is difference between
the ease Of civil war, arising from disputed sue
cession, or a proiracted revolt ola colony against
the mother country, and the case of fresh out
break at the commencement ola rebellion. The
undersigned does not deny that such distinction
may for certain purposes be deemed well founded.
He admits that Government called upon to con-
slider its own rights, interests, and duties, when
civil wars break out in other countries, may de-
eide on all the circumstances of the particular case
upon its existing stipulations, on probable res
suits, on what its own security requires, ana on
many either considerations IT may DO already
bound to assist one party, or it may become bound
# !, so CHI ooses to assist the other, and to meet
| the consequences Of such assistance.
...
But whether the revolt be recent or long contin-
ued, they who join those concerned in it, Whatever
may be their offence against their own country, or
however they be treated if taken with arms in
their hands in the territory of the Government a
gainst which the standard of revolt is raised,
not be denominated pirates without departing from
all ordinary of language in the definition OF Of
fences A cause which has SO foul an origin as pi
racy cannot, in its progress, by its success oh
tain claim TO any degree ofrespectablity, or toI