Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-04-29
THE CASE OFMC LEOD BEFORE
THE LEGISLATURE OF NEW
YORK.

Jhc resolution lntIoouCeo ny WI
Hoffman in the Assembly Of New York
u,horislng the prosecuting attorney inI
the case of Mcleod, 10 withdraw the
indictment against the prisoner, was dis
cussed at length during the afternoon
session Of Monday, but without any
definite result.
Mr. Hoffman argued The Legality ard
expediency of his proposition, in speech
OF great perspicuity and power. "He
urged" says tho Argus, "tha' upon every
consideration Of humanity and justice,
and for state and political reasons of the
highest importance, and directly affect
ing the relations Of the Two countries,
the indiriduai should be altogether
merged in the governmental aspects ol
the case--ihat the controversy should be
carried OIL between the sovereigntles oi
the United States and Great B,ilain-
and that with this view, if the circum-
stances should warrant tiff reasons ol
state, the peace ofnalons, and the clam
Of the British government, recognising
and avowing the act as a sovereign aud
not as an individual act, should require
1.-THE prosecuting attorney should be
empowered TO release the agent, leaving
to the respective governments the claim
of indemnity on the one hand and re-
paration on the other"
Should the resolution pass the egis-
lature, and receive the assent Of the
Governor, there is no doubt that it will
be acted upon by the Attorney General,
who will forthwith, under its authority,
cause noile proscqn to be entered in
the trial new pending, and Mcleod will
re set a. liberty and receive safe conduct
across the border.
This ocl Of justice would at once open
a way for the adjustment Of all diferen
ces eysting between this country and
Great Britain. The advices received
Ivy the Caledonia to-day show that the
British government is amicably disposed
toward our own, and anxious to avoid u
war. The language OF even that fire
eating, high toned journal, Tho London
Times, is conciia,ory, and the Liverpool
| Ma,l, which has exhibited an almost
vindictive spirit in relation to the Nc
| Leod controversy, now appears to be
gratlfied that "Mr. Fox is conducting
his very delicate mission in such n way
as 10 obtain satisfaction, not by injurious
threats, but by friendly and respectful ne
gociation.
The release of Nc cLeod would change
the relative position oj The i'co countries
England claims, ard not without reason,
to be the nggricvcd party, as the case
now stands, and considers that an act OF
palpablc injustice on our part bars our
| rio ht to demand the redress which she
might be willing to yield to our remon.
si,ances, under other circumstances -
That we have injuries to complain OF
may not be denied, but let us GO into
court with clean hanus, and then il we
cannot obtain satisfaction pcaceably
we shall be sustained in the last resort
by the consciousness that He, in WHOSE
hands are tho issues Of life and dc ath, is
| on our side.
|, The consideration Of Mr.. Hohiman's
resolution was to be resumed yesterday
" Y. Star ofthe 24M uh.
\ The discussion having been resumed
on the 18th, Mr.. Hoffman in a long
speech justified, under the British gov.
ernlncnt, the attack made upon the
Caroline and its consequences. The
rebels, said MIR. H., had gained possess
sion Of Navy Island-ihe drafts Of men
there were made from the United States
the officers in command were our own
citizens, and IT was to be regretted that
the authorities of this State and the u .
States were not present in sufficient
force to prevent the difficulties which
followed. by the national law the SOW
cre,gn whose territory is endangered
had righ, to repel the danger, and if
in so doing Gin the language of an emf
nent person) he shall monentarily pas.
! the line between the two countries, il
must be the subject Of negotiation. The
local authorities Of Canada in this case
had got ont the means to destroy this
boat and put m end to the danger which
Threatened them, and does any one
doubt that they thought they were in
the exercise Of an undoubted right in
so doing and whether in so thinking
they judged right or wrong, was not ma
terial now; the object was TO repel the
danger which threatened then with in
va sion-tLe attack was made and the
/ llc OF an American citizen was lost
for this Mcleod stood indicted.
L Standing where he did, in the face OF
the whole Country, he MIR. ii would
ask where tho man was in this State
who would not have obeyed similar
order OF the local authorities? lr sedi-
ton and rebellion could erect itself 10
this Stato--if boat should be seen
daily plying from the Canadas, furnish
\ ing those in arms with the means oi
warfare, and orders should he issued by
| the authorities of this State to dcsiro,
that boat, was there any man who would
for moment refuse to obey that order
i Mr.. II, proceeded at great length to
comment upon the effect proceeding t'
extrcmiiles would have upon Mr.. M'L.
but we have no, space to follow him.
l. lie concluded his remarks with mo-
tion to md the resolution by referring
il to the judiciary committee, with in-
siIuciions TO bring in n bill "to enter n
n nollp Drusc uui on the indictme MT and "a