The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-11-24
CASE OF THE CAROLINE.
Mr.. Utbster 10 Lord .3shburion.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE


WARRINGTON, 9Th July 1912
My LORD: In relation to the case of the {" Caro-
line, which have heretofore made the subject of
conference, have thought it RICH, to place in your
hands an extract of letter from this Department to
Mr.. Fox, of the Gath of April, lS4i, and an extract
from the message Of the President of the United
States to Congress at the commencement Of its pre-
sent session. These papers you have no ubt, al
ready seen; but they are, nevertheless, now commu-
nicated, such communication is considered
ready mode of presenting the view which this Gov
eminent ertains of the destruction of that vessel
The act of which the Government of the United
States complains is not to be considered as usable
or unjustilbe, the question OF the lawfuness or
unlawiulness of the employment in which the " Ca
rone" was engaged may be decided the way
the other That act is, of itself wrong, and Of
fence to the sovereignty and the dignity of the United
States, beng violation of their soil and territory
a wrong for which, 10 this day, no aonement, or
even apology. has been made by Her Majesly's Gov
eminent. Your lordship cannot but be aware that
selfrespect, the consciousness OF independence and
national equality, and sensitiveness to whatever
may touch the honor of the country-a sensitveness
which is Government will ever feel and ever cult
vate--make this matter of high Importance, and
must be allowed to ask for it your !ordship's grave
consideration.
1 have the honor to be, my lord, your ordshp's
most obedient servant,
Lord AsHBURToN, &c., Sc, sc.
Eriraci Of letter from Mr. Webster TO Mr.. For, dated
april "a, 1912.
The undersigned has now to signify to Mr.. Fox
that the Government of the United States has not
changed the opinion which il has heretofore ex-
pressed to Her Nlajestys Government, of the charac
ter Of the act of destroying the " Caroline"
II docs not think that that transaction can be us-
fed by any reasonable application construction of
the right Of defence, under the laws of nations
1t is admitted that just right of selfdeence taches
always TO nations well to individuals, and is
equally necessary for the preservation of both But
the extent of this right is question to be Judged of
by the circumstances Of each particular case; and
when its alleged exercise has led to the commission
of hostile acts within the territory of Power at
peace, nothing less than clear and absolute neces-
sity afford ground of justification. Not having
up to this time, been made acquainted with the views
and reasons al length, which have led Her Majes,ys
Government to thpk the destruction Of the Caro-
line justlfable act of self-delence the under
signed earnestly renewing the remonstrance Of this
Government against the transaction, abstans for the
present, from any extended discussion of the ques
ton. But it is deemed proper, nevertheless, not to
omit to take some notice OF the general grounds Of
justification stated by Her Maiesty's Government in
their instruction to MIR. Fox.
Her Majesty's Government have instructed MIR.
Fox to say that they of opinion that the
ton which terminated in the destruction of the "Ca-
ronen was Justiable employment Of force, for the
purpose of defending the British territory from the
unprovoked attack of band of British rebels and
American pirates, who, having been permitted to
arm and organize themselves within the territory of
the United Safes, had actually invaded portion Of
the territory of Her Majesty.
The President cannot suppose that Her Majesy's
Government, by the use of these terms meant to be
understood ntmating that those acts violating the
laws Of the United States and disturbing the peace Of
the British territories, were done under any degree
of countenance from this Government, were re-
garded by il with indifference; that, under the
Circumstances Of the case, they could have been pre-
vented by the ordinary course of proceeding AL
though he regrets that, by using the term permit
ted" possible inference Of that kind might be
raised yet such inference the President is willing
to believe would be quite unjust TO the intentions OF
the British Government.
That on a line OF frontier such as separates the
United States from Her Britannia Maiesty's North
American Provinces line long enough to divide
the whole of Europe into halycs-rregulories vio-
Iences, and conflicts, should sometimes occur equally
against the will Of both Governments is certainly
easily to be supposed. This may be more possible,