The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-01-21


tatives, by resolution, called for all the
correspondence between the Government and
that of Great Britain on the bject of the burning
| of the Caroline. In answer to this resolution
| Mr. Forsyth, then Secretary OF State, furnished
brief communication, containing solitary eG-
tract of a letter from Mr.. Stevenson, ouI Minis
| ter In England, dated July 2, 1899, in the fol-
lowing words 81 / regret TO say that no answer
has yet been given to my note in the case Of The
| Caroline have not deemed il proper, under
the circumstances, TO press the subject without
further instruction from your Department. II
| il is the wish of the Government that | should
do 80, pray to be informed Of il, and the de-
gree of urgency that am TO adopt"
| Such, il seems, was the Indifference and APP
athy of the Administration of that day, on the
subject of this q atrocious" outrage, that our
| Minister in England not only did not know
with what degree of urgency TO press the matter
on the British Government, but whether 10
press ii at all.
| In reply 10 this letter Of Mr.. Stevenson,
| Mr.. Forsyth, under date of September IL, 1889,
declines giving him the instructions requested,
rersing on the subject with Mr.. Fox. Yes, ac-
lually talking, chatting, on this solemn and mo
mentous affair, without resorling TO the "ink-
horn" or to protocols y an abominable mode of
negotiation, which Mr.. Benton seems TO think
| originated with the present Administration.
What the character of these conversations
was there are no "proIocols" to show" not
line" al least in the possession of the public.
But the result is seen in the last leuer OF Mr..
Forsyth to Mr.. Fox on the subject, dated Dec. 81,
1910, in which he tells him that the affair of the
Carolioe was to be discussed altogether in Lon
don, and that ''no discus ion olhe circumstances
here can be useful or proper"
In this state the affair was handed over, with
other innumerable difficulties and embarrass-
menls, 10 the Administration which succeeded
that Of Mr.. Van Buren-no atonement whate-
yer having been made for the "atrocious out
rage" nor the slightest disposition manifested
| on the part of the British Government To offer
an apology, or even disavowal.
The difficulty of adjusting this affair had been
much increased by the arrest of Mcleod, which
took place few months before the expiration
Of Mr.. Van Buren's term. Previous to that oc-
currence, The only difficulty in the way of the
adjustment Of the affair of the Caroline, was the
want either Of the in clination or ability 10 dis
cuss il. But the arrest of Mcleod wa, natu-
rally looked upon as an attempt TO enforce salts
faction for the outrage in the case of the Caro-
line, and of course stood in the way of volun-
lary offer Of atonement on the part of the Brit
ish Government.
| Yet, Notwithstanding this superadded diff
Guilty, and the fact that the British Government,
| in spite Of its demand for the surrender Of Nc
| Leod was compelled to wait the result of his
trial as malelactor, before one Of our hum
blest tribunals, the Administration of President
| Tyler has succeeded in Obtaining from that
proud Government, through its Special Envoy
formal apology for the outrage in the case Of
| the Caroline.
An apology il mus, be recolected, is all that
| has ever with any seriousness been demanded
| The question of indemnity is another matter ;
| aud whether our Government would have
been bound TO insist on that, depends
en- the question, which Senator Benton
himself does not venture to decide, or even
raise, whether the owDtrs of the Caroline
were, or not, guilty of violating cur laws, or
| those Of Great BIitan, or the law of nations
The outrage which we complained of in the
case Of the Caroline, was an offence to our ma
tonal dignity, aud was not 10 be atoned for by
an offer OF money, but might be amply satisfied
by apology.
| I mn 4 cd fhaf ,f lx,
nor among nations is somewhat similar TO q
point Of honor among individuals. Among
equals whether nations or individuals, an alb
Ject apology is never asked or expected. 1t is
considered generally sufficient humiliation Of
pride TO acknowledge having done wron., and
TO express regret, or even TO discam any inten-
ton of Offering dsrespect.
| 10 the present case, taking into consideration
all the circumstances which led TO the destruc-
ton OF the Caroline, the length Of time which
had been suffered to elapse-and not leaving al
ogetheT oul of consideration the fact that we
ourselves, on former occasions, have coutended
for, and exercised the, right under certain ext.
gencies, Of invading the territory Of a friendly
power, and even taking COM lete posse,sio OF
1.-THE apology offered by Lord Ashburton must
seem all that could reasonably be demanded
IL is in the following terms:
Although 1t is believed that a candid and impair
ta consid ration Of the whole history Of this unfor
nate event will lead to the conclusion, tat there
were grounds Of justification strong as were ever
presented in such cases and abor, ALL that no slight Of
he authority ~ United States intended yet
q nusi BE- admitted thai 1srt in the hurried execu-
ton OF this necessary service riOiaOn Of territory
and am insictediO you that her qjcys Govern
meni consider this most serious fact, and that far
from thinking that event Of tbs kind should be
lightly uskcd, they would unfeignedy deprecate its
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