The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-11-25

| This invasion took pIacolhe 10Th Of December,
1897 gradual accession 81 numbers and OF militia
ny ammunition continued openly, and though under
the sanction Of public authority, at least win no
public hindrance until the 29th Of the SAINT onth,
when several hundred were collected, and
twelve pieces of ordnance, which could only have
been procured from some public store or arsenal,
were actually mounted on Navy island, and were
used 10 fire within easy range upon the unoiiending
inhabitants of the opposite shore. Remonstrances,
wholly Intellectual, made; Intellectual, indeed,
| that militia regiment stationed on the neighborlng
American island, looked on without any attempt at
interference, while shots were fired from the Ameri-
island itself This important fact stands the
best American authority, being stated in letter 10
MIR Forsyth, of the 9th Of February, 1888, of Mr.
Benton attorney of the United States, the gentleman
sent by your Government TO inquire into the facts OF
the case, who adds very properly that he makes the
statement with deep regret and modification"
This force formed of all the reckless and msehiey
people OF the border, formidable from thernu
bers and from their armament had IN their pay, and
as part of their establishment, tins steamboat Caro-
line, the important means and instrument by which
numbers and arms hourly increasing | might
safely put II 10 any candid acquainted with the
existing state Of things to say whether the military
commander in Canada had the remotcst reason, on
the 29lh of December 20 expect TO be relieved from
this state Of suffering by the protective Intervention
Of any American authority. How long could Go
vernmcnt having the paramount duty of protecting
its own people, be reasonably expected 10 wait for
what they had then no reason TO expect What
would have been the conduct of American officers 7
what has been their conduct under circumstances
much less aggravated would appeal to you, sir,
to say whether the facts which you say would alone
justify this act, viz, "a necessity Of sefdeience in
slant, overwhelming, leaving choice of means,
and no moment for delibel alton, were not applicable
TO this case in as high degree they to
any Of similar description in the history Of ma
tons.
Nearly five years are now past since this
renee; there has been time for the public to delibe
rate upon II calmly, and believe may take it to be
the opinion of candid and honorable men, that the
British officers who executed this transaction, and
their Government who approved il, intended no
slight or dsrespect 10 the sovereign authority of the
United States. That they intended no such dsre-
spect can most solemnly affirm, and trust il will
be admitted that no inference 10 the contrary
fairly be drawn, even by the most susceptible in points
of national honor.
Notwithstanding my wish that the explanation
had TO make might not revive in any degree any feel
ings of irritation, do not how could treat this
subject without this short recital of facts, because
the proof that disrespect intended is mainly
to be looked for in the extent of the justification.
There remains only point two which should
wish to notice. to remove IN some degree the impress
sion which your rather highly colored description of
this transaction is calculated to make. The mode of
telling story often tends to disor facts and in this
than in any other it important to arrive
at plain unvarnshed truth.
1t appears from every account that the expedition
sent TO capture the Caroline when she was ex-
pected 10 be found on tie British ground Of Navy
Island, and that II only owing to the orders of the
rebel leader being disobeyed, that she was not so
found. When the British officer came round the
point Of the island in the night, he first discovere
that the vessel was moored to the other shore. He
not by this deferred from making the capture
and his conduct was approved. But you will per-
ceive that there was here, most decidedly, the
OF justification mentioned in your note that there
should be 'no moment lief, for deliberations i men
ton this circumstance TO show, Also that the expedi
ton was not planned with premedtated purpose of
attacking the enemy within the jurisdiction of the
United States but that the necessity OF doing arose
from altered circumstances at the moment Of execu-
ton
have only further TO notice the highly colored |
picture drawn in your note of the facts attending the
execution Of this service Some Importance is at |
tached TO the attack having made in the night and |
the vessel having been set on fire and hoatcd down
the falls of the river and it is nsnuated rather than
asserted, that there was carele to the lives of
the persons on board The account given by the dstn
guished officer who commanded the expedition dis
tnctly refutes, or satisfactorily explains these |
assertions. The time of night was purposely |
selected as most likely to insure the execution with
the least loss Of life, and II expressly stated that
the strength OF the current not permitting the vessel
to be carried of, and it being necessary to destroy
her by fire, she was drawn into the stream for the
express purpose OF preventing injury 10 persons
property OF the inhabitants at Schlosser
would willingly have abstaned from return to
the facts OF this transaction, my duty being to offer
those explanations and assurances which NAV lead to
satisfy the public mind and to the cessation of all an
cry feeling, but II appeared to me that some expla-
nation oil parts OF the case, apparently misunder-
stood, might be of service for It's purpose
Although it is believe ed that a candid and impartial |
consideration OF the whole history Of this unfortunate
event will lead to the conclusion, that there were |
grounds Oh Justiicatlon as strong were ever
presented In such cases and above all that no |
slight of the author ty OF the United States were
intended, yet, IT must be admitted, that there was in |
the hurried execution Of this ssarv service yo
aon OF territory, and am instructed TO assure YOU
that Her Majesty's Government consider this as most
seri us fact, and that far from thinking that an ever
of this kind should be lightly rsked, they would un-
iegnedly deprecatc IFS recurrence. Looking back TO
what passed at this distance of time, what is per- |
haps, most to be regretted, is that explanation
and apology for this was not immediately
made this, with frank explanation of the necess- |
ty of the might, and probably would have pre-
vented much of the evaporation, and of the suisse
quent complaints and determinations to which it
gave rise.
There are possible cases in the relations of ma
TONS as OF individuals, where necessity which con-
trolls all other laws may be pleaded but ii is neither
easy, nor safe to attempt TO deno the rights or limits
properly assignable to such plea. This must al |
ways be subject Of much delicacy, and should be |
considered by friendly nations with great candor and
forbearance. The intentions of the parties must |
mainly be looked to- and can it for a moment be SUD-
posed, that Great Britain would Intentionally and |
wantonly provoke great and powerful neighbour
Her MaJesty's Government earnestly desire that a |
reciprocal respect for the independent Jurisdiction
and authority of neighboring States may be cons- |
dered among the first duties OF all Governments and
have to repeat the assurance of regret they feel
that the event of which am treating should have |
disturbed the harmony they 80 anxiously wish TO |
maintain with the American People and Govern
ment
Connected with these transactions, there have also
been cIrcums stances of which believe it is generally
admitted that Great Britain has also had Just ground To
complain. individuals have been made personally !
liable for acts done under the avowed authority OF
their lnHn and iLere