The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-11-25
toFFIC1AL PUBLICATIONS.
CORRESPONDENCE
Uith British Special Mission.
THE CAROLINE, ETC.

Extract from the Message Of The Presdsr. to Congress,
al the commencement Of its present session.
regret that it is not in my power to make known
to you equally satisfactory conclusion IN the case
Of the Caroline" steamer, with the circumstances
connected with the destruction or which, 10 Deeem-
Der, 1887, by armed force htted out IN The prev
ince Of Upper Canada, you are already made ac-
quanted. No such atonement as was due Tor The
public wrong the United States by this invasion oil
her territory wholly irreconcieabe with her
rights an independent Power has yet been made
In the view taken by this Government, the inquiry
whether the vessel was IN the employment OF those
who were prosecuting unauthorized war against
that province, or was engaged by the owner IN the
business OF transporting passengers TO and from Ma
Wy island IN hopes OF private gain, which was most
probably the case, in degree alters the real ques-
ton at issue between the two Governments. This
Government can concede to any foreign Gov
eminent the power except in case Of the most ur-
gent and extreme necessity OF invading It's territory,
either TO arrest the persons or destroy the property
Of those who may have violated the municipal laws
of such foreign Government, or have disregarded
their obligations arising under the law of nations.
The territory of the United States must be regarded
sacredly secure against all such invasions, until
they shall voluntarily acknowledge inability TO acquit
themselves of their duty to others and in
ing this sentiment, do but affirm principle which no
nation earth would be more ready TO yndicate, at
all hazards than the people and Government of Great
it shall appear that the owner Of the Caroline"
was governed by hostile intent, or had made COM
mon with those who In the occupancy Of
Navy Island, then, so far he is concerned there
can be no claim to indemnity for the destruction Of
his boat, which this Government would feel Itself
bound to prosecute, since he would have acted not
only in derogaion of the rights of Great Britain but
in clear violation Of the laws Of the United States
But that is question which, however settled, in
manner involves the higher consideration Of the
violation of Territorial soyereipnfy and
To recognise il as admissible practice, that each
Government, in IFS turn upon any sudden and unau-
thorized outbreak which, frontier the extent Of
which renders impossible for either to have an eff
cient force on every mia of it, and which outbreak
therefore, neither may be able to suppress in day.
may take vengeance into its own hands, and without
even remonstrance, and in the absence Of any
pressing or overruling necessity, may invade the ter
roy OF the other, would inevitably lead TO results
equally to be deplored by both. When border col
lisons come to receive the sanction or 10 be made
on the authority OF either Government, general war
must be the inevitable result While it is the ardent
desire OF the United States to cultivate the relations
OF peace with all nations, and to fulfil all the duties
OF good neigborhood towards those who possess ter.
ritores adjoining their own, that very desire would
lead them to deny the right of any foreign Power to
invade their boundary with armed force. The
correspondence between the two Governm ents on
this subject will, at future day of your session. be
submitted TO your consideration, and in the mean
time, cannot but indulge the hope that the British
Government will the propriety Of renouncing
as ule Of future action the precedent which has
been set in the affair at Schosser.