New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-09-15
THE TRIBUNE.
Case of the Caroline.

The following is an outline of the Correspond
.nce between Mr.. WEBSTER and lord AsHEuR-
TON upon this subject published at length III
Yesterday Courier:
I. Mr.. Webster lays before Lord Asburton az
extrac. of a letter from the Department Oh o'a'e
70 Mr.. Fox. OF the Gath of April, 184i' ana An
extract from the Message Of the fresideh' oi lhs
United States to Congress at the comnienoeineh'
Of the Session as the readest mode OF presenting
the views which the u. ). Government eA''A CONS
OF the destruction OF the vessel.
II. Lord Ashburton replies that it's satisfactory
70 nerceve that they perfectly agreed as to the
oene-a, principles of international law applicable
% This unfortunate case. He adds:
Every consideration leads US to set as hlghly
"a YOUR Government possibly. do, tins para
mount obligation of reciprocal respect ter the In
5eoenaent territory of each. But, however strong
this duty may De, it is admitted by all writers, by
uris,s, bv the occasional practice OF al nations,
not excepting your own, that strong "verpower-
ing necessity may arise when this grest principle
may and must be suspended.
He briefly recapitulatcs the circumstances OF the
case and then says
/" / would appeal to you, Sir, to say whether the
facts which YOU say would alone justify this act, VIZ
necessity of self-deence, instant, overwhelming,
leaving no choice of means, aud no moment tor de-
iberation,' were not applicable TO this case IN as
high degree as they ever were TO any case OF
similar description in the history OF Nations.
Lord A. adds that he can most solemnly affirm
that tho British officers who executed this trans
action, and their Government who approved It, IN
no ION
authority of the United States. lie admits that
there was, in the hurried execution of the neaes-
sary service, violation Of territory, and adds:
a. am instructed to assure you that Her Majcs-
TVS Government consider this most serious
fact and that far from thinking taat an event OF
this kind should be lightly risked, they would I'm
feignedly deprecate its recurrence
In conclusion, he says:
Her Majesty's Government earnestly desire
that reciprocal respect for the independent lu-
risdicton and authority Of neighboring States may
be considered among the first duties OF all Govern-
ments; and l have to repeat the assurance OF
regret they feel that the event of which am treat
ing should have disturbed the harmony they 50
anxiously wish to maintain with the American
People and Government.
III. Mr. Webster, in reply, accepts the apology
of Lord Ashburten, in the following words:
The difference between the two Governments
is only whether the facts in the case OF the Caro-
line make out case of such necessity tor the
purpose of self.defencc. Seeing that the trans
action is not recent. having happened in the time
of one of his predecessors seeing that your Lord
ship, in the name of your Government, solemnly
declares that 70 slight disrespect was intended
to the sovereign authority of the United States
seeing that it is acknowledged that whether Jastl-
fable or not, there was yet violation OF the ter
rtory of the United States and that you are IN
s,lucted to say that your Government considers
that as most serious occurrence; seeing, finally,
that it is now admitted that explanation and
apology for this violation was due At the time the
President is content to receive these acknowledge
ments and assurances in the conciliatory spirit
which marks your Lordships letter, and will make
this subject as complaint of violation of terri
tory, the topic of no further discussion between
the two Governments"