Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-03-18
(Erorl he y. !. SIN. J

A
are actually ashamed of the silly exhibitions which
some of our contemporaries make in reference 10 our re.
lations with England. Al one time they speak OF the
case Of Mel eod in manner winch clearly shows t'y
know nothing Of the principles OF either national or
municipal law; at another they appal the world by
spreading Of war, and with white lips and chat
tering teeth tell that the irresistible power ct Eng
land will in about days sweep over the land Ike the
besnm of destruction. Buffalo is To fall victim, and
ockport is to be burned Mcleod IS 10 be tracked IN
force for his the British fleets are 10 descend
upon the Atlantic coast with wings New York IS 10 be
bombarded and burnt III about five minutes, II not less
and these pigeon-livered editors already seem to see
the bombs bursting around them, and 10 hear IN every
sound the report of the murdereus Paxhams
All this blood and thunder grows out of fact assert
cd by the sapcn; lettcr.wrers ut Washington, that the
British Minister has made formal demand for the I'M
mediate surrender of lcLeod else for his passports
We at loss TO conceive how any paper having
pran Of common sense could ever publish such an ab-
surd piece OF gossip II carries the evidence OF down
right alselood on It's face. Tire foreign ministers had
nj the il started, even been presented TO
the officers of the Admin stra.lou, and OF course
could not have had any official intercourse with them
whatever. In the next place, who ever heard OF d.
pomatc agent presenting claim, and accompanying
al the first start with such an nso!en and threaten
ing alternative. We believe that even Eng land, with
all her arrogance has better manners than 10 be guilty
OF an act gross, and one which would put compll-
ance on our part entirely ont OF the question
But the public mind may rest easy IN regard TO all
these silly rumors. There is not word OF truth in
them, and happy to say that they have not re-
ceiyrd the least countenance from the pecabe
portion of the press-the independent penny papers
The truth is that the members of the diplomat corps
at Washington were never formally presented to the
new President until Tuesday Of tins week, previous 10
which official correspondence Whatever took place,
and il is doubtful whether any has yet taken place II
there has not of the absurd and ridiculous carac
pJed no
that Nc Leod be discharged until after trial in
one form or another.-Ie IS in the hands of the law,
and beyond the reach of the Executive Such is
the law, both in this country and in England. prI-
soner situated as Mcleod rs in either country could
not BE- set liberty by any other than judicial power
The claims made By that country upon this may be
urged upon the trial perfect defence and protection
for tie prisoner but il for the judiciary to decide
whether they or not, mud to act accordingly we
do believe that the British authorities ever contem
plated any different They know too we'll the
principles of law By which all enlightened nations are
and must be governed. They may nave supposed that
Mcleod could be brought up before magistrate under
writ fha6cas corpus aud thus summary discharged,
but still the decision would be pronounced by judicial
and not executive officer. Should the government
of this country attempt any different course, would
show itself ,mbecile and contemplate in the eyes OF all
the world-arad 10 carry its laws into execution Ike
other civilized nations. We hope, indeed we know,
that we shall be spared any such Illuminating specta-
Gle.
This case is not as some papers pretend, entangled
and complicated in consequence OF defects in sys
tenn OF government To- any man who understands that
system, very PLAIN, SIMPLE matter III - the duty
OF New Yc 10 punish all crimes against her laws COM
mi,,ed within the limits of her jurisdiction. Mcleod
is accused arrested and indicted for such crime, and
must be tried else we must admit that our laws are
of no avail. We might well discharge any prisoner
in any ail in the State as TO discharge him. lie may
be ever so innocent-we hope lie s-but his innocence
must be established at his trial. and there alone
When the regular process of laws can be arrested
by the nod or the bravado of England, had better
tear in pieces our Declaration Of independence and
burn Constitution.
We repeat that we do not believe that England
poets any such base compliance our parts, and has
only taken the which she has for the purpose OF
furnishing the prisoner what she consersa perfect de-
fence on his trial We may rest assured that she will
never 70 to with on this point at any rate II
she does she must be quick about IT. Tor we understand
that Mcleod confident Of proving that he was not one
Of the party engaged in the destruction Of the Caro-
line has determined be tried where he IS, at Lock
port and that his trial will take place next week
We are Glad Of this and trust that instead OF beng at
war in the Of ten days, shall within that
time be entirely Tree from this fruitful source OF eS-
element. We earnestly hope that the citizens OF Lock
port and its vicinity WILL during the trial, remember
the importance of their position. The least disorder
the least disturbance Of the pence-any unlawful vlo
lence or rotous demonstrations will tend to bring dis
grace upon the whole country Let the proceedings be
ealm orerly just, and in every respect becoming The
character OF American citizens.
The Burning ofle Caroline and the arrest Of Mcleod
The aspect Of the case.
We have with some care, perused The debate N the
British Parliament on the case OF McLeod-aiso the
various speculations Of the leading London Journals
upon the subject. Our conclusion Isl that although
between the two countries may ana Will be avoid
ed the points at issue will not be adjusted without much
difficulty, and spirit of moderation and forbfarance on
both sides. II will be remembered that when the first
CORES pondence between Messrs Fox and Forsyth,
relation 10 Mcleod, submitted TO Congress
but one opinion was expressed IN relation thereto
namely, that the demand of the British Government
could and would not be acceded o-that the arrest
right and proper, and that If found guilty OF muir
der, Mcleod would be executed. THIS oplnlon If we
remember right was expressed by Mr. Clay among
Others and generally responded to throughout the
country. Nay, two members broadly lntiinated
that MIR. Fox had acted hastily and without any IN
structons from his Government-that he was a mere
volunteer and had nerfered of his own accord and
improperly. This our own opinion, as expressed
at the time and hence we attached very little import
auce to the movement. 1t will be remembered that
that correspondence terminated with an understanding
that Mr. Fox should wait for further advIces from Eng
land Mr.. Forsyth not being willing to receive his
opinions and demands, under the circumstances, as
those of the British Government.
Now, what the facts, according to the latest ad
vices Has or has not the British Minister at Wash.
ington been sustained by the British Government:
In our view, he has. In reply TO question addresse
him upon the subject, Lord Melbourne stated that
some year eighteen months ago, like that of
Mcleod expected to occur, and then definite in
structions were gwen 1t was under such lnstruc-
tons that Mr.. Fox had acted in the present case Blu,
the Government had not the less thought it their du
y to forward additional and certain instructions
which instructions over by the President, and
are now doubt, in the hands of Mr.. Fox. Further
the burning of the Caroline was fully and deliberately
justified, as we'll by Lord Melbourne as Lord Palmer
ston and Sir Robert Peel expressed the opinion, that
any British officers had been wounded in the affair
they should receive pensions corresponding in amount
with those they would receive, had they been wounded
in The regular service.-Mr. o. onne was also posi-
tive said there ought TO be strict unanmty in the House
of Commons their determination that the life OF Nc
Leod ought TO be saved; which sentiment according Il
the English papers, responded TO with cheers from
all parts of the House 1t thus appears that Mr. Fox ma
been fully sustained at home, that the British Govern