Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-01-08
HIGHLY IMPORTANT FROM wASHINGT'N
THE CAROLINE OUTRAGE AvOWED BY
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. .t
WAsu,vonoN Der 2i ic

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT 't
WAsHiSanoN Dec. 81, 1870.
Mr.. Fillmore Of IN. Y, asked the printing of five
thousand copies ofa letter and other documents from
the State Department in reference 10 Mcleod charged
with aiding in t'ie burning ofihe Caroline. 1t embra
ces q correspondence between the American Minister
at London, the British Minister here, and the Secre
tary of State. After. the five thousand copies had
been ordered TO be printed, mo ton to reconsider
offered by Mr.. Afford, of Georgia.
MIR A. was anxious to hear the documents read
and the reading was commenced by the Clerk.
send you synopsis of the correspondence.
The documents were, first, brief message from the
President, transmitting the correspondence between
the funcllonaries of the two Governments.
Secondly, letter from Mr. Stevenson, at London
addressed TO the Secretary of State, saying that no
answer had been received to the question submitted
from the United States Government respecting the
burning of the Caroline.
The third letter was from Mr. Fox to Mr. Forsyth,
stating that the British Government would probably
answer the questions submitted without delay.
Some time interviewed, when correspondence up
the arrest of Mcleod, now in prison in New York,
was commenced. The first letter concerning the ar
rest is one which will excite some attention in the
country. Its addressedby the British Minister TO the
Secretary of State and in it he complains of the
rest of subject of Great Britain, and his imprisonment
in New York. He demands the release of the pris-
oner, and proceeds to the principle or fact that
THE BURNING or THE CAROLINE WAS AN ACT COMMITTED
Ely THE BRIrrsH Authorities.
Mcleod, he asserts, if employed in burning the
Oarollllc, WHICH ne very micn doubts, was EMPLOYED
by authority. The British authorities therefore he
proceeds to say are responsible and not Mcleod.
The question, as consequence if 10 be controvcrted
becomes one which must be settled by the two Gov
.ernments and not by the prisoner. This well
known, he thought-or certainly was than init
mated at the time as It has been since and upon many
occasions. Mr.. Fox enlarged upon the idea that the
priso er acted upon authority, and that the subject
matter of compl,n was one fo1'he two Governments
to seltc. In conclusion again he expresses the hone
that the prisoner will be speedily released
The mos, interesting part of the correspondence is
reply OF the Secretary Of State to the British Minister
Mr. Forsyth in courteous terms acknowledges the
RECEPTION OF the letter of Mr. Fox and retcrates the
ground OF complaint. Under the advice and direction
of the President heprocceds answer the complaints
Always desirous to preserve the amcahe relations be-
tween the two Governments, he profcssrs to be still
desrons to terminate the present controversy in the
same friendly spirit He speaks of the delicate ores-
tons which have been brought before the Government
IN times pns and appeals to Mr. Fox bear testimony
to the friendly disposition ofthe President and the u
States towards Great Britain.
II Is with unfclgned regret he says that he cannot
now comply with the request submitted but he cannot
and tor reasons given al length. The circumstances
connected with the arrest Of the prisoner forbid IT,
He was charged with Arson, committed upon Amer
can soil and American property. The history of the
burning Of the Caroline the history Of great out
rage and the prisoner was confined arragned under
the charge of beng one of band of lawless marau-
ders. He made his appearance in New York volun.
tarily, after the commission of the offence and was
imprisoned as one Of the guilty party. The President
continues Mr. FORSYTH knows of no principle ofnter-
offender.
Mr. Forsyth proceeded to comment in becoming
temper upon the acknowledgment, for the first time
2iflclally made that the Caroline was burnt under
the authority Of the British Government. No such
avowal has before been officially made and it now
comes from one speaking by authority. Ii becomes
the United States, therefore, to act complainant
The reading OF the correspondence excited some
feeling in the House.
Mr. Afford of Georgia, who moved the reconsdera.
ton was the first to break silence. He was glad that
he had submitted the motion to reconsider, mud the
more 30 from the character of the correspondence
For one he ready approve the letter of the
Secretary of State, and do cheerully approve of it,
said Mr. Alford-and the more readily since it is the
first official act which can remember which has
been submitted by this Administra ton, which has
met my appreciation. My party biass.s are not 70
strong but can appreciate the good done by an op.
ponent
Mr.. Afford, in tone of high feeling, proceeded to
comment upon the conduct of Great Britain in all her
recent territorial re- lions with this Government. As
an American he felt hunbed The course of Mr. Van
Buren, had been to degrade the nation, and to hiring
the Flag OF Amerc" to the feet of the Lion of England
The President was humbed by the Queen and bro,
low. He hailed the high toned letter of the Secretary
as rG,esablIshing proper feeling of Independence in
the United States. He wished to see this feeling re-
vered, for he regarded the conduct of Great Britain
towards us as unjust and oppressive.
Mr. Holmes of S. G. replied, and with some feeling.
am delighted with this debate, said Mr.. H., not be-
cause the doctrines of State Rights have been alluded
70 during the dlscussion-(hat subject had been spo-
ken ofby Messrs Stanley Picken. and Afford before
the motion to rcconsider for any man now interprets
State Rights doctrine as he pleases. Like the Con.
stltutlon, the doctrine was construed as gentlemen
for himself
But am glad, said Mr. Holmes, for another reason
We have heard from gentleman of influence and
standing, who represents the South; something OF the
n INu nf ebn IvvS,r,
the gentleman speaks in tone warlike, of prospects
so bellgerent. am for peace. If there was a war
we at the South would be ruined BY il. am there.
fore opposed to- and fear that will be the policy Of
Georgia speaks by authority.
MI Afford replied. "a single word in explanation
to the honorable and distinguished gentleman from
SCUM carolina When upon the floor before, spoke,
not advsedly, or with any knowlege of what would
be the policy of General Harrison spoke for myself
only The sentiments gave vent to were my own
honest convictions do not agree with the member
who preceded me. When the war does come she will
be found in the field doing battle for the country
would speak for South Carolina in rep,y TO her rcnre
sentative for was of the first born children of her
nulllhcation, and know enough of South Car DINA to
know that she will stand by the flag of the country
Mr. Gushing of Mass, followed in the discussion
and commented freely and feelingly upon the cores
pondence upon the Speakers table He reminded the
House OF the important avowal for the first time
officially announced that our property had been pun
dered by Great Britain the authority of the officers
of the Government. He spoke also of the conduct OF
the authorities of Great Britain in Upper Canada both
judicial and military, in matters of Importance 10 M
as Americans. The British authorities were to be-
dealt with on their own principles. Mcleod is now
imprisoned, and could be condemned and punished
forthwith. r00
Mr. Gushing spoke in reply to Mr. Holmes of S. c.
also and in approval Of the patriotic sentiments which
had fallen from the lips OF the member from Georgia
He was delighted to hear them, and believed that upor
reflection they would find approval even in the hear
ofthe member from South Carolina. 1t was sinruIa,
enough, Mr. Gushing thought that while the member.
Of this Congress had from their here and from
the hastings proclaimed that the great Wing part,
were allies Of the British, they now acccsng tina
very party Of being to rush into a war with
Great Britain.
Mr. Duncan ofOho, rose to offer some remarks, bu
being of a party nature, he was called to order
| The whole subject was brought TO close by thu
| withdrawal of the motion 10 reconsider.