Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-01-15

would not lead to any ultimate difficulty but
when added to the many other open questions
the lofty Teatherstonaugh pretensions Of Eng
land upon the disputed territory in Maine-the
interference with our China trade by the block
ade Of the ports Of Canton-their claims in ref.
erence to the northwestern boundary, and the
present unequal condition of the colonial trade,
it may come to gradual estrangement between
the two countries, the end Of which is not dis.
tinctly seen. The position assumed by Mr. Fox,
and his demand for the delivery of Mcleod,
would seem to be justified in his view Of the case,
and on his principles Of action, while, on the
other hand, the position of Mr.. Forsyth, and the
arguments he assumes, are founded on such
principles as can never be given up by this
country. The case Of the Caroline differs in
some essential respects from the attack made
upon Prescott, or the conffagration of the Sir
Robert Peel-both from this side. In neither
OF these two later cases were the perpetrators
authorised or sanctioned by the American gov
commensurate or general. They were disavow-
ed and left to the mercy Of the laws of the coun-
try in which they were caught. The perpetra-
tors in the burning Of the Caroline, were in the
pay of the British government-the act is now
sanctioned and avowed by the British functionary
This constitutes great and essential difference
in the two cases. How would the British gov
eminent have replied to demand made upon
| them by the American government for the delv-
| cry of the invaders of Prescott! Would thew
not have considered it an insult of the highest
quality! Is their demand for Mcleod of "a DIFF
ferent character! We do not conceive it is.
Yet this demand is made-and this very demand
the nation will consider a gross outrage upon
the national feelings and the national rights, now
perpetrated by Mr.. Fox, a functonary of foreign
goyernment.-N. Y. Herald.
Mr. For to Mr.. Forsyth.
| WASHINGTON, Dec. Is, 1910.
Sin Il am informed by his Excellency the Lieut.
Governor of the Province of Upper Canada tina,
| Mr.. Alexander Mcleod British subject and late
deputy sheriff of the Niagara district in Upper Canada,
was arrested at Lewiston, in the State of New York
on the 18th of last month, on pretended charge OF
| murder and arson, having been engaged in the cap
ure and destruction Of the pratica steamboat "Caro-
line in the month of December, 1887 After tedious
and vcxatous examination, Mr.. Mcleod was commit
|
feel It my duty to call upon the Government of the
United States totake prompt and cflectual steps for
the Liberation of Mr. Mcleod tits well known that
the destruction of the steamboat "Carolina" was a
public act Of persons in her Maes,ys service obeyng
| the order Of their superior authorities. That act,
therefore, according to the usages nations can only
be the subject of discussion between the two national
Governments; it cannot Justly be made the ground of
legal proceedings in the United States against the in
dviduals concerned, who bound to obey the au.
thorities appointed by their own Government
may add that believe it quite notorious that Mr..
Mcleod was not one of the party engaged in the de-
siructlon of the steamboat "Carone;" and that the
pretended charge upon which he has been imprisoned
rests only upon the pernred testimony certain Ca
madam outlaws and their abetors, who, unfortunately
for the peace of that neighbohood, are still permitted
by the authorities of the State of New York to infest
| the Canadian frontier.
The question, however, of whether Mr.. Mcleod
was or was not concerned in the destruction of the
Caroline is beside the purpose of the present COM
municaton. That act was the public act of persons
obeyng the constituted authorities of her Majesty
Province. The National Government of the United
States thought themselves called upon to demonstrate
against 1t; and remonsrance which the President
did accordingly address to her Majestys Government
is still, believe, pending hject of diplomatic dis
cusslon between her Majesty's Government and the
United States Legation IN London. feel, therefore,
justified in expecting that the Presidents Government
will see the justice and the necessity of causing the
present immediate release Of Mr.. Mcleod, as well as
taking such steps as may be requisite for prevent
ing others OF her Majestys subjects from being per-
secuted or molested in the United States in q similar
manner for the future.
Itappears that Mr. Mcleod was arrested on the 18th
alt; that after the examination of Witnesses he was
finally committed for trial on the l6th and placed in
confinement in the jail of Lockpor,, awaiting the
! asslzes, which will be held there in February next.
As the is naturally occasoning great degree OF
excitement and Indignation within the British frontier,
earnestly hope that it may be in your power to give
me early and satisfactory answer to the present
representation.
l avail myselfofths occusion to renew to you the
assurances Of my distinguished consideration.
II. S. FOX.
Ian