The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-01-05
Mr.. For 10 Mr.. Forsyth.
WASHINGTON, Decor

WASHINGTON, December 10, 1910.
Sir: | am informed by his Excellency the Licuten-
ant Governor of the Province of Upper Canada that
Mr. Alexander Mcleod, a British subject and late
deputy sheriff of the Niagara district in Upper Can
ada was arrested at Lewstown, in the State Of New
York, ON the 18th of last month, pretended
charge OF murder and Arson, as having been engaged
in the capture and destruction of the piralical steam
boat Caroline" in the month of December 1887.
After tedious and yexaiious examination, MIR. Nc
Leod committed for trial, and he is now imprson-
ed in Lockpor Jail.
feel ii my duty to call upon the Government of the
United States to take prompt and efiectual steps for
the liberation of Mr.. Mcleod. Ii is well known that
the destruction of the steamboat "Caroline" was a
public act of persons in her Majesty service obeying
the order Of their superior authorities. That act there
fore, according TO the usages of nations can only be
the subject OF discussion between the two National
Governments 1t cannot justly he made the ground
of legal proceedings in the United States against the
individuals concerned, who were bound 10 obey the
authorities appointed by their own Government.
may add that | believe il. quite notorious that
Mr. Mcleod was not one of the party engaged in
the destruction of the steamboat "Caroline; and that
the pretended charge upon which he has been impris
oned rests only upon the peTured testimony of certain
Canadian outlaws and their abettors, who unfortu-
nately for the peace of that neighborhood, 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 not concerned in the destruction of the
Caroline, is beside the purpose of the present com
munication That act was the public nc: of persons
obeying the constituted authorities of her Majesy's
Province The National Government of the United
States thought Il emselves called upon to demonstrate
against it and remonsrance which the President
did accordingly address TO her Majesty Government
is still, believe pending subject of diplomatic dis
cusson between her Majesty's Government and the
United States Legation in London, feel, therefore
justified in expecting that the Presidents Government
will the justice and the necessity of causing the
present immediate release of MIR. Mcleod, well as
Of taking such steps may be requisite for preventing
others of her Majesys subjects from being prosecuted
molested in the United States in similar manner
for the future
II appears that Mr.. Mcleod was arrested on the
18th umo; that after the examination of witnesses,
he was finally committed for trial on the 18th, and
placed in confinement in the Jail of Lock sport, awaiting
the assizes which will be held there in February next
As the is naturally occasIonng great degree of
excitement and Indignation within the British from
tier, earnestly hope that may be in your power to
give early and satisfactory to the present
representation.
avail myself of this to renew TO you the
assurance Of my distinguished consideration.
III. S. FOX.
Hon. JouN FoRsYTH, &c. &c.