Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-10-04

ensv rance upon the unnilrDaing inhabitants al tis
o,nosi,e shore. Remonst'anccs, wholly ineffective
we're r,ade-so iDetis ctuaI, indeed, mat ihua re
.;mapt stationed the neah5orirg American island
l,oL I'd on without any attempt at interference, WINE
shots were fired from Tie American island iteli Tim
n,,r,ant fact stands Tie best American authority
| being stated in letter 20 Mr.. Forsyth, OF the Oil
If February 1888, of Mr.. B'nto", Attorney OF ,h'
| limited States the gentleman sent by your HoYern
mont TO ncure into the facts Of the case, who adds
very properly, that lie hia"es LEE S'ate"'e"' "' *
| regret and notification.
This force, formed of all the reckless ami m sehie
vons ,.o,le Of the border formidable from their mum
hers nd from their armament Rad N Their pay, and a
mari Of their establishments the steamboat Caroline, tho
! ,,p,.tou, means and instrument by which numbers
md arms were hourly increasing. night safely pu
il |, any candid man. acquainted with the EXISTING
state ol ia nrs 10 say whether ne military commando
in Canada Lad the reno cs; reaSor on The 2'lh o
December to expect 10 be elIe led from this Stale
If suffering by The prott Give intervention OF any
American an,hority. How long could Government,
ha yiuo the paramount duty q! protecting its own PEG
nj. W. reasonably expected 10 wait for what i'ey mad
then no ieason to expect: What would have been 'hs
c,uduct oil American officers: What has been then
coudnc, under circumstances much less aggravated:
would appeal to you, ST., 10 say whether the facts
yhjcb yon say would alone Justify this act VIZ: ia ne
ccssi,y OF self defence, instant, overwhelming, leaving
no choice OF MEANS and no moment Tor del'berhtion,
were no, applicable to this case in as high degree as
they were 10 any case Oh siniiaf description III
The history of nations
Nearly five years are now past since this occurrence
there has been for the public to deliberate upon
.nly and believe may take II 10 be the opinion oil
CANDID and honorable men, that the British officers
nho executed this TRANSACTION and their Government
who approved il, intended slight or disrespect 10 the
sovereign authority of The y. S That they intended
no such disres peci can most soemny affirm, and !
trust il Will be admitted that inference TO the con-
,rary fairly be drawn even by the most susceptible
points Of national honor.
Notwithstanding my wish that the explanation had
TO make might not revive in any degree any feelings oil
irritation, | do not see how could treat this subject
without this short recital of facts because the proof
,ha, no iiscspec was intended is mainly 10 be looked
Tor in the extent of the Justification
There remains only point or two which should
wish 10 notice. TO remove come degree, the impress
sion which your rather highly colored description OF
this transaction is calculated 10 make. The mode CT
telling story often tends TO dstort facts, and IN this
case more than in any other, it is important to arrive
al PLAN, unvarnshed truth
II appears from every account, that the expedition
was sent 10 pture the Caroline when she was expected
to be found on the British ground o? Navy island, and
that i was only owing TO the orders OF the rebel
leader being dsobeyed that she was not so found -
When the British officer came round the point OF The
island in The night he first discovered that the boat
was noored TO the other shore. lie was not by tins
deferred from making the capture, and his conduct
was approved. But you Will perceive, that there was
here most decidedly, the case Classification mentioned
IN your note that there should be ''no moment let Tor
deliberations" | mention this circumstance, to show,
also that the expedition was not planned with pre-
medl,aed purpose of attacking the enemy within the
jurisdiction of the United States, but that The necessity
or So doing arose from altered circumstances at the
moment OF execution
have only further to notice the highly coored pic
tire drawn in note, OF The facts attending The ex.
e-,tion Of this service Some importance is attached
INN. hacn mi
Tie vessel having been Sci OH ere and footed down
the falls of the river; and it is insnuated rather
Than asserted that Tn. re carelessness 10 the
Ives OF The persons board. The account gwen by
Lie distinguished officer who commanded the expedI-
lion distinctly refues satisfactorily explains these
assertions The ,ime Of light was purposely selected
as most likely 10 insure the execution, with the least
loss of life ard it is expressly stated .hat the strength
of the not permitting the vessel 10 be carried o
J being necessary 10 destroy her by tre, she was
drawn INTO the stream Tor The express purpose pre-
venting injury 10 me persons VI properly ~ VIC ~
ants at Schlosser
| would willingly have abstalned from return 10
he c,cts Of this Transaction, my duty being to oiie'
those explanations and assurances winch may !ead 10
satisfy The public nud aud TO the cessation OF all angry
i,onys bu. il appears 10 that some explanation OF
no facts OF tie case apparently misunderstood, might
We of service for tins purpose.
Although it is believed that candid and impartial
consideration Of The whole history OF this unfortunate
event will lead 10 the conclusion, that there were
grounds of justification strong were ever presented
n such cases and above ALL that slight of The autho
ritz of the U s. intended, yet, II must be ad-
med ,ha, there was in the hurried execution OF this
necessary service a violation of terrtory, and am in
s,ruc.ed to assure you that her haJestys Government
consider this as nost serious fact and that lar from
thinking that al, event of this kind should be lightly
tl ibcv would uofricnedlv depecate its recurrence.
Looking back 10 wha, passed at this dlsi.rce OF time,
b. is ncriaps most be regretted, that some ex-
PLANTATION and apology for this occurrence vas not I'M
Inedia;ely made; tEls, 9th fra"k explanation oil the
nccessity oil Tie case, might ana pro3aD would nave
prevented much Of the evaporation, and 0! the sub
scouent complaints End DENOMINATIONS TO which 1t gave
ri.e.
There are possible in the relations of nations,
as of individuals where necessity, which controls oil
n.et lave may be pleaded; bu, it is neither easy nor
safe TO attempt To define the rights or limits properly
assicnahle in such plea. This must always be sub
isc, Of much dcicucy, and should be considered by
friendly nations with great candor and iorhearance.
The intentions of the parties must mainly be looked
10, and can it for moment be supposed that Great
Britain would Intentionally and wantonly provoke O
great and powerful neighbor.
Her Mujrsty's Government earnestly desire that a
ccproca respect for the independent jurisdiction and
Authority Of ncighborlng States may be considered
among tie first dates Of ell Governments; and have
10 repeat the Of regret they feel that the event
Of which treating should have disturbed TIE har
Amer ican People and Government.
Connected with these transactions, there have also
.-.a a-can:2.anesa =: r::ch believe il is GENERALLY
admitted that Great Britain mas also had just ground
TO complain. individuals have been mude personally
liable for acts under the avowed authority Of their
Government; aud there arc now many brave men ex-
pos ed 10 personal consequences fer no other cause than
having Sc .ved III ir country That this is contrary to
every principle of international law it is useless for me
10 Insist Indeed il has beer admitted BY every outho
n, inf In fiict n
laws, difficulties have interviewed much to the regret
&c those authorities in giving practical effect to these
principles; and for these difficulties some remedy has
been by all desired 1t is 10 business Of mine TO enter
upon the consideration Of them, nor have snfcien,
information Tor the purpose; but ,urt on will excuse
my addressing to you the enquiry, whether the Go
ytrnneut ofthe T. S. is now in a condition to secure
in tec; and in practice, the principle which has neve
been denied in argument, that individuals, acting un
der legitimate authority, not personally responsible
fcr executing The orders of their Government That
the power. when it exists, will be used on every Iii
occasion am well assured; and ain bound 10 admit
HI, p1apc