Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-07-17


have been cases in which individuals, Justly
obnoxious to punishment, have escaped,
this Is no more than happens in regard to
other laws.
Under these circumstances. and under
those Immediately connected with the
transaction itself, it will be for Her Maics-
tys government to show upon what state
OF facts and what rules of national law the
destruction of the Caroline is to be defend
ed. twill be for that Government to show
a necessity of self defence, instant. over
whelming, leaving no chance of means and
no moment for deliberation. 1t will be for
1t to show, also, that the local authorities of
canada, even supposing the necessity of
the moment authorized them to enter the
territories Of the United States at all. did
nothing unreasonable or exCessive; since
the act justified by the necessity Of self-de-
fence, must be limited by the necessity. and
kept clearly within it. 1t must be shown
that admonition or remonstrance to the pcr.
SONS on board the Caroline was imnracti.
cable or would have been unavaiina; it
must be shown that day light could not be
waited for; that there could be no attempt
at discrimination between the innocent and
the guilty; that it would not have been
enough to seize and detain the vessel: but
that there was a necessity present and ncv-
liable, for attacking her. in the darkness of
the night, while moored to the shore, and
while unarncd men were asleep on board.
killing some and wounding others. and then
drawing her into the current, above the
cataract, setting her on fire, careless to
know whether there might not be in her
the innocent with the guilty, or the living
with the dead, committing her to a fate
which fills the Imagination with horror. 4
necessity for all this the Government of the
United States cannot believe to have exist
cd.
All will see that if such things be allow
ed to occur. they might lead to bloody and
exasperated war: and when an individual
comes into the United States from Canada,
and to the very place on which this drama
was performed. and there chooses to make
public and vain glorious boast of the part
ne acted in it, it is hardly wonderful that
great excitement should be created and
some degree Of comlnotion arise.
This Republic does not wish to disturb
the tranquility Of the world. Its object is
peace, its policy peace. 1t seeks no aSrran.
dizement by foreign conqucsts. because it
knows that no foreign acquisitions augment
its power and importance so rapidly as they
are already advancing By its own natural
growth, under the proptious circumstan-
ces Of its situations But it cannot admit
that its government has not both the will
and the power TO preserve its own neutral
ity. and to enforce the observance of its
own laws upon its own citizens. 1t is ZEAL
Gus of its rights and among others, and most
especially, of the right of the absolute I'M
munlty of its territory against aggression
from abroad and these rights it is the duty
and the determination Of this government
fully and at all times to maintain: while il
will. at the same time, as scrupulouslv re-
frain from infringing on the rights of 9TH
crS.
The President inStructs the undersigned
to say, in conclusion, that he confidently
trusts that this and all other questions of
difference between the Governments will
be treated by both in the full exercise of
such spirit of candor, Justice, and munI
al respect as shall give assurance Of the long
continuance Of peace between the two
countries.
The undersig ned avails himself of this
opportunity TO assure Mr.. Fox of his high
consideration.
DANIEL WEBSTER.
HENRY 5. Fox, Esq. &c. &C. &c.