The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-03-02

ton IS complete and exclusive. IL the crimes com
mited be such as TO make man h0siis human
genRs-an outlaws Pirate, in the legitimate ac-
ccptaiion OF tho term, then under Tho law Of ma.
lions, the United States cour, aud tribunals would
have jurisdiction. But the offence charged ia this
case committed il in time Of pence, as Gar
las this individual was concerned, was one purely
agoinst the lea ioci aud coming exclusively within
the lutisdc lion ofthe tribunals Of New York.
Whether Mcleod lie guilty or not guilty
is the very point upon which an American
jury alone have right 10 decide. Jurisdiction in
State tribunals criminal tascS, and triat by a
jury of the pcnne are essential points in American
Jurisprudence. And it rs a total misapp' ehension
The nature of our sysem, to suppose that there
is any right in the Federal Executive to The
verdict of the one, ihwar The Jurisdiction OF the
| other. If such power existed, aud were exercis
ed ii would efectually overthrow, and upona Vi
tai point, the separate sovereignty and indeprn
dence of these States. -.~ a-. er~~py7
Your committee deem It dangerous for the Exc.
cutiyo to exercise any power o, er subjec,natter
not conferred hy treaty or by laws; and TO exercise
it in amy case in conflict with State jurisdiction,
would be thun dangerous; it would be usur
patton" e .##sstv gt.tg
which tie ambitious and grasplug spirit of Cheat
Britain is set forth in bold relief:
eve have other points of difference with Great
Britain, winch add, interest every question that
arises between US at present. Neither orr North
eastern or Northwestern boundaries yet settled
with her, and the subject is not entirely free from
difficulty. She has recently seized our vessels ard
exercised power, tnr0lping HE right Of search,
under pretext Of SURPRISING the foreign slave trade
which, if persevered in, will sweep commerce
from the coast OF Africa, and which if persevered
in, will sweep our commerce from The coast Of A
rlca, and which is Incompatible with our rights as
a ninra,ime power. She has recently, in her inter
course with Us, refused indemnity and denied cur
rights to property, subject matter vital TO
one half Of The States of this Confedcracy, aud
which, considering her military position at Bermu
da and her growing power ia the West Indies, is
of the last importance 10 ourNalioua Independence
All these subjects make every question between
US, a, this peculiar iuncture, OF The utmost impor
lance.
Besides this. VIC are both nermanenily desiineu
10 bave, perhaps, tue most extensive commerce o 4
modern nations. Our flags float side by side, over
every sea, and bay, and inlet ni the known globe.
She moves steadily upon her objects with ON
biton that knows no bounds. And wherever she
,
To any power.
Al this moment she presents 10 the civilized
world the spectacle Of the greatest military and
commercial power in combination, ever knnwn.
From her vast possessions in every quarter of the
globe. and her peculiar commercial system, she has
been made The reservoir of the wealth Of nations
Her internal resources, skill, labor, and machines
ry with her capital, are beyond calculation. Her
mai al heinz nhuut mi Jxyay tho of
Europe, gives her great control over the outlets
and curren is .of commerce.
Her military occupation of Gibraltar, Malta, the
lonian Islands, and recently OF ST. Jean d'Acre,
give her ascendency the Mediterranean and the
Levant while st. Helena and the Cape OF Good
Hope give her possession the currents oftrade
along those extensive coasts. The Bombay, Cal
cutta aud her immense possessions in the East In
dies, together with the recent movements in the
China sea and islands, enable her to extend her
power over those regions that have slumbered
for ages 10 solitary and enervated magnfcence
She possesses the Falkland islands but to control
the commerce that passes around Cape Horn,
while Trinidad gives her all she desires in the Ga.
ribbean sea. Haitian at one point and Bermuda
at another, stand out in great force over cur own
coast from one extremity To the other.
Her positions all the " o,id are at this mo.
mani, in a military point Of view, equal TO "A mil
lion ofm under Her continual conflicts
in the mighty regions OF the East, only enable her
officers to become skilful and 10 improve in the
! art of war, while her great Armies and extensive
{ feels diaw their support from the immense coun-
tries seized and occupied. In the present junctnre
of affairs no Statesman overlook these things
Steam power has recently brought us so near To-
ae her thar in the ofany iuuire conflict 7oar
aoith its eftcts, will be preopated upon us with
much more rapidity than formerly.
! Avarice and ambition are the ruling passions Of
modern times, and it is in vain to shut our eyes 10
| the state of things around US. 1t remains to be
seen what effect steam power is TO have upon
changing and modifying the whole ART of defence
and war 1t may be great engine for again lev
elIinp mankind, and reducing every thing 10 con-
les, of mere PLY steal force La that event IL m'snt
be difficult to conjecture what system Of "0'0''0'
defrnce aoiu stand the test OF time and experience.
| - We have deep stake in peace, ana f'aoiy nope
The repose Of the wor' d will not he d'sinfoe We