Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-01-14
AN INTERESTING QUESTION.

ihe TWO paragraphs subjoined will adris G
the reader of question of difficulty end inn.
portan;o about to arise between this countr Y
ana England. 1t has already become the
subject of correspondence between the Bri.
fish Minister at Washington and Mr.. For.
syth--the former demanding the release of
Mcleod, and the latter refusing to interfere
with the authorities of New York.
From the Bait Pilot.
QUESTION rRAuoHT WITH INTEREST,"
The trial OF Mcleod. one of those who were
actiVe IN cutting out the steamer Caroline
from The port OF Lockport, n. y, during tho
troubles IN Canada, was to have taken place
on Saturday last. lie has been formally i'm.
dicted for murder, by am American grand iury.
ana VIII undergo the trial in the same manner
as any private citizen of New York, indicted
for similar offence. The evidence relied up-
on, 1t is thought will be sufficiently strong to
convict him. In reference to this matter a
huiiaio correspondent ofthe New York Jour
nal oil Commerce, writes -
Should the prisoner be convicted, the yer-
dict to be given in the case is fraught with
grave consequences; for the English ministers
justify the attack upon the boat. They even
made McNab knight in testimony of Her
Malcsty's sense ofhis zeal and courage. Then
they must regard the execution of Mcleod
murder of British citizen, while travelling
I'm the territory of a government that was at
peace with his own government!
On the other hand, an assault was made hy
armed men upon steamboat tied TO thedeck,
In the port OF peaceful neighbor, and ;num-
Der of people sleeping on board Of her and
who were attracted to the spot from distance,
~ IN nnfn go.
lars storm an island held by insurgcrt Cana
dians, were slain in cold blood. Now the
laws of the State of New York pronounce this
act murder. All.who were engaged N it are
equally guilty, and either Of them, ifeonvict-
cd OF the fact, must incur the penalty If death
WIZ Governor Seward pardon tho prison
er, In the event OF his being convicted, and
sentenced to death! Will he dare tacompro-
mise the difficulty by committing hi. punish
inent TO imprisonment for life, with .he very
generally understood intention, in s,ch cases,
OF enlarging him aitera short term If years
This will not alter the aggressive am nnwar-
rantaoie character Of ANY punishm5nt of
British subject in the premises. Ministers
Will say, we had no right whatever to touch
McLecd's person--and they will l,mand re-
paraton for tho wrong. II McI.ooi is con-
vlcted OF the crimo; either in its fist or its
second degree, we may expect trouble.
From lie Niagara Courier
Case Of bILeOa.-The examination of Alex
ander Mcleod, before Judge Bowen, in this
village, has been closed Ii resulted in re-
handing him to Jail until he enten into re-
cognizance of $4,000 for himself, with Two
sureties of $4,000 each, for his appearance at
court, to answer to the charge Of icing one of
the gang concerned in the murder committed
at the time the Steamboat Caroline was burn
ed. The testimony given in is very contra
dlctory-several witnesses tending to impli-
cate the prisoner, while others swore positive
~ - i-,e hs;-e, als.-~.Ls-a ON Tho ui.,, of tho
burning Of the Caroline.