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27th CONQHESS, 
 
 3d Session. 
 
 [SENATE.] 
 
 [99] 
 
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 MBSSAOS 
 
 r>ox 
 
 THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 
 
 Communicating, in compliance with a resolution of the ^nate, comes of 
 c7!^plndenfe in relation to the destruction of the steamboat Caroltne. 
 
 January 23, 1843. 
 
 Referred to the Committee on F oreign Re lations, and ordered to be printed. 
 
 To the Senate of the United States: , .- „f .u„ r.u 
 
 I transmit to the Senate, herewith, in answer to their resolution of the 5 h 
 
 instaST-port from the Secretary o'f State, with accompan^ymg^documents. 
 
 Washington, January 23, 1843. 
 
 Department of State, 
 
 Washington, January 7, 1843. 
 
 The Secretary of State, c horn has been referred the resolution of the 
 SeLle of the sfhinstant, requesting the President to commumcate to that 
 boSv "if not in hropinion inconsistent with the public interests popieo of 
 ^Sv corresponde^nce between the Government of Great Bntam and the min- 
 S of the United States at London, on the subject of .he destruction of the 
 
 lamboat . Caroline,' which may not have been heretofore P,f '^jy^^^'^S; 
 nicaTed to either House of Congress," has the honor respectfully to submit 
 to the President copies of the papers referred to. ^^^^^^ WEBSTER. 
 
 To the President of the United States. 
 
 lAst of papers sent. 
 
 Lord Palmerston to Mr. Stevenson, dated - 
 
 Mr. Stevenson to Lord Palmerston, dated • 
 
 Lord Palmerston to Mr. Stevenson, dated - 
 
 Mr. Stevenson to Lord Palmerston, dated - 
 Thomas Allen, print. 
 
 August 27, 1841. 
 August 31, 1841. 
 Sept'r 2, 1841. 
 Sept'r 2, 1841. 
 
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 [99] 
 
 2 
 
 THE CASE OF THE CAROLIME. 
 
 Lord Palmerston to Mr. Stevenson. 
 
 Foreign Office, August 27, 1841. 
 The undersigned, her majesty's principal secretary of state for forei<rii 
 affuns, in proceeding to reply to the note which Mr. Stevenson, envoy extra 
 ordinary and rninisler plenipotentiary froni the United States of America at 
 this court, addressed to him on the 22d of May, 1838, upon the subject of 
 the capture and destruction of the steamboat " Caroline," by a detachment 
 of her majesty's forces, on the river Niagara, on the night of the 29ih De 
 cember, 1837, ihinks it necessary in the first place to explain the reasons 
 why this reply has not been made sooner. 
 
 Mr. Stevenson's note, which had been preceded by a correspondence on 
 this subject between Mr. Fox and Mr. Forsyth, in January, lb38, was ac 
 comnanied by yoiuminmis documents, purporting to contain statements of 
 facts collected by the law officers of the United States Government from a 
 variety of witnesses whom they had examined for this purpose ; and it was 
 absolutely necessary that, before her majesty's Government could .nve a full 
 an.«\ver to Mr. Stevenson's note, copies of (hose documents should be <er)' to 
 the Governor General of Canada, in order that he mi<rht direct witnesses'on 
 the Kritish side to be examined ; and that he might transmit to her majesty's 
 Government correct accounts of those transactions, to which the statements 
 of the American witnesses related. 
 
 The proceedings connected with these inquiries necessarily occupied a 
 considerable portion of time, and it was not till the spring of the year 183Q 
 that full information was received. ' 
 
 Other border conflicts also happened, which app nred (o her majesty's 
 Government to dimmish the relative importance of the aflair of the Caroline • 
 nnd 11 seemed to her tnajesty's Government that the Government of (he 
 United States coxi d not but feel that liie result of all these events must be 
 that there was a large account to be settled between the two Governmenls' 
 vhich must be adjusted entirely, or not at all ; and that it was useless to' 
 discuss separate and particular incidents, as if they were the only points to 
 be arranged betwe.;;i the two countries. Moreover, the Government of the 
 t riited Slates was perfectly aware, even before Mr. Stevenson's note of May ' 
 c r !?'."' "•""^"' '^^ ''•"■ "i»i^sty's Government considered the destruction 
 of the Cnioline as a justifiable act of self-defence, properly done by the local 
 British aulhoriticG, for the protection of British subjects and (heir pronertv 
 and for (he secun(y of her majesty's territories. 
 
 This opinion had been made known to the United States Government by 
 Mr. P ox, in an official note to Mr Forsj ;h, a by the undersigned in more 
 than one conversation with Mr. Stevenson. ioreover, Mr. Stevenson, in 
 his note of May, 1838, did not represent (he transaction as beinff the m^au- 
 tlionzed enterprise of private individuals, acting upon their own responsi- 
 bility, and which It was doubtful whether her majesty's Government would 
 or would not, consider as being a matter for wliich the British Government 
 and rjation were answerable. But Mr. Stevenson, on the contrary, repre- 
 Eented (he (ransa.tion as one which had been deliberately planned, with the 
 knowledge and approbation of the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada 
 and execiued by armed troops, forming a portion of the British force, sta- 
 tioned at Chippewa; and Mr. Stevenson called upon her majesty's Govern- 
 ment to disavow, and disapprove the conduct of the Lieutenant Goyernor ia 
 
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8 [99] 
 
 il.U rpsnect But her maiesly's Government did not, after the receipt of Mr. 
 iSon'8 no e retract the opinions expressed on this matter by Mr. Fox, 
 S 1 Srt^e unde^s gned ; nor L lier majesty's Government m any manner 
 dioworXrpprove the conduct of the Lieutenant Governor of Canada 
 S XeVefore bSth that uhich her majesty's Government had done, and 
 thut\vhicl I e'r majesty's Government abslained from doing, cot.W leave no 
 irS Sr r^ Jmi«./ 0/ the President, X\mi the Uni.sh oovernment 
 tutlStoZZe ,0 compl/wilh the denmnd contanred m Mr. Steven- 
 
 *'"u isTo'be presumed that it was a conviction to this effect, which induced 
 M S ven ortolefrain from pressing for an answer •« ^^.« .-j^' If^'^ 
 special it,strt.c.ions from his Governn.eut to do so and w ch a^ led Mr 
 Forsyth to instruct Mr. Stevenson to abstam till further oulers, liom laKm^ 
 
 Te^r A a^^^^^^^^^^^ .he cirary. A V. «"' ^^f^^VSKv 
 he conduct, in this respect, of all those V^ZTL^TJoTZn can b'e 
 her majesty's Government on this account, and that, theretoie, none 
 
 ^' The srrounds upon which this opinion rests w^ll be found in the following 
 
 le iu .his BtatemLt, and^in the proofs by which it is supported, sufficient 
 
 -1^V:^tT^ t^en^n^^l^ir^'s colomal .Uhoriti^ 
 li.rnnltv': Government could most readily have giren reparation; but if 
 o,, the oter hand' can be shown that no wrong lias been done and that 
 Xe transact on in question vvas in truth a defensive measure on he part of 
 he Sish authorities in North America, the Government of tl . Lniled 
 4 afPs is too iust to press for a reparation which is not due. 
 
 Tfl^lJeX 1837, no civil war existed in Canada ; there was no party 
 ■fhin the Briih provinces arrayed in arms against the Queen's authority ; 
 within the *^ f . P^'J^^jken out in Lowei Canada in the autumn of the 
 trSr bit t itturtnci h^ been promptly quelled by the ener- 
 year 1^-^^' ^"Vh"' , " Ug^yig Canadian subjects, and by the action of her 
 STesXt^'u ar o5 tLs; disturb^^ hid ended, after a short con- 
 SJ aJd S U aSs of life ou either side. The leaders of the insurrec- 
 f^on had flid to the United Sutes.and, for some lime before December, lS3i , 
 Ser and tinq lity had been restored ia the Caoadiaa provinces, 
 
[»0] 4 
 
 citizens of the United SmL for . ho '^T'^ ""'^ "" """^ber < ' the 
 
 tory, not to o^a Sy^^^^^^^^^^^^ °^ "'v«rfing the B.i.ish lerri- 
 
 in Canada there was nono^hn. .1 . *"'' ''^'"•"'•^ civil war at that time 
 tory the aimcs of obbery^l "and',^^ ^"*"" '^' ^"'^'^ ''"^' 
 
 nnd her majesty's minS Twaa^wlrn h''' ^u TJ^''^'' Government 
 and the American Sec etarv If W f. ^"'^ '^'""'^ '''^^"^ P«°PJ« P'^'es;. 
 that this name can^Si::;:fer,; ttp ileV.:^^ '^ ^'•- ^-' «— 
 
 the'jiigh sens L c m wh h tS band oT^nf?"" TT""'- '^^'"'"'^ "P«" 
 upon the land. But if the term k ; n ?. "'^^"^'^'^ determined to commit 
 account of the nat u re ot the acTs wh?ch ,'?. '"'' '""PP'-^P^'"'^^ ^^ i« ««. "ot on 
 but on account of the a ement n wt:V f.l'"? "'"'' ""^T ^" m'^^'^^^> 
 
 The intentions of these men werin..hiT """'^ '° ''" «:«'"'ni»ed. 
 of New York took no effecS ZZ f" '''^ '!".?'"' ^Z" "^« government 
 ■ intentions into effect. % i n^c^on ,fe nai nf 7/'°'" '^^''"•ying those 
 seems to admit of but one explanat o^ thl ^^ f ''"' government, which 
 arn,s and ammunition of the te w ;« :fr«^^^^^ '^- 
 
 qiienily broken open bv this onn^ Jhl . • ""|"°'"ed, and were conse- 
 
 island, and part of the Bri.k , 2^ citizen, to mvade and occupy Navy 
 Caroline, wEich for heir snec Jitrv? ^^ ' ""^ ^""""^ ^"^^^^^ '^e s.eamboat 
 had been enclosed n the mriof B Sn'Th '"' °"i f '^' '"' '" ^^'"■^'' «he 
 bringing over to N^vy Xd from the untJl"s,l ^''', ''' '^'' ^'"P''' ^^ 
 ammunition, stores, and provisionT ®'"''' '''"'"''y' •"<^"' «'•'"«> 
 
 mJ^^gJI^St^SS S;.i''eT:st ^i; ^''^^ r^'^'y 'y « ^-^ °f 
 
 partly of British subject and ST. nf a ^ ^"''^^ Slates, and consisting 
 britifh authorities tita. on a mHi.l^forrn'; p/""'' ^"'^ '"''"^«'' ^^1 
 
 threatened invasion, and to Jef^nTi^rLfe^^erSor ^° "'^' '" 
 meTns\r.^;;f:r i^^^ ^^e Ca^-,i„e was used as a 
 
 Navy islandffuied thSfhe cTn^^^^^^^^^^ fl "''«^^"' ^^^ ^ad occupied 
 
 prevL supp/ies°and rlteSrnS pt;[nT om t'\rT' 7'"'3 
 would, moreover, deprive the force in hJltF^ /u ^ '° '^^ '^'""*'> O"'* 
 to the British territoHn he mai^ lanS hlv .h 'K" ""T' "^ P"^^'"^ over 
 to capture the Caroline both frth J r^~ ^> l''"^?''^' determined at once 
 of the invaders and to hasten theh- reE f "T'^'"^. '^" ^""''«'' P'-°g'««8 
 commanders, havinVrnKn tSis ZrrS InTr nn"T ^^'V'^'"'}^- The British 
 execution, because ^^ very hour's dlv^^^^^^^^^ no t.me.n carrying it into 
 But, in order to avoid as much as tS loW r/^'^^^^^ P"^P°««' 
 
 on either side in accompliE. theirob S Zf I T^ '^"^''°" "^ ^'^^^ 
 by a surprise in the night SnThTm.S l'^^ to capture the vessel 
 in the dark, by persons actrn/n inn '"'''^"^^':^' be«ng assailed unawares and 
 
 resist, and woL' b;rore 2ilyrercore"[ ^^fS '",'7 f '« '« 
 
 necessarily warned for defence bvsopTni .11 i ''^'"'^^d by daylight and 
 boa.. A^c»,.„,„, severBV;rE;^^ui't°iKZi' '^^Sl^ 
 
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5 [99] 
 
 «ach all of them volunteers from the British force stationed at Chippewa, 
 Xle-d on he nShl of the 29ih of December, 1837, from Chippewa to cut 
 ou he " C«rol!f;e,'' which they expected to find at ^-ys a„J, bu^ wh^h 
 thev discovered lower down the river, moored at the wharf at tort Hth osser. 
 Afllr beirchal lenged by the watch o.. deck, they boarded the vessel, and 
 aft« a .on but smart resistance, during which some of ^heboa^mg party 
 were severely wounded, they carried the vessel, drove on shore the crew ana 
 the ot er7-ons who were o'n board, cast her off from her "-r-g a^d pro- 
 ceeded to low her away, intending to carry her over to the British shore , bui 
 
 Sey fiundTer too\ei;;y to be towed up Y\" ft'orLrd\het' et'^t oA 
 after carefully seeing that there was nobody left on board, they set her 
 
 t:; rir ysTo'r^'rrofchrr.Zf i.^.^, wuhou. .,„„.„« 
 
 enclosure, to .l.i» note, and .he undersigned '«■)"•«'»' S' f, °S ° X 
 
 ;ti'c"e" S",::^le''?,;° U'ay rL.s. or ...c on >He-. >,..«» 
 Buffalo and Schlosser, which, m the ^^plh of a _Wortnjjmer , 
 
 way communication. . . , , • „Uf,iit to ffive 
 
 L. Slevenson commence, l.i, ..arrati.e l-y !« ^8 *»' ^^ « "^ '° f ^» 
 
 -fjiu'mturr;ti„sf p=rar:no:[ ;Xo= ->^o< - 
 
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whole (ransnction; of ihat fact which indeed is the very founda(ion of .h,. 
 whole proceeding and in which lic« ,he essence of theSleTnUe na°Llv 
 the hen recent invasion of the British rerri.ory at Navy isL by Vbnnd of 
 Briliah refugees and of American citizens, comrriandedbv a c^Lnof,,/ 
 
 Z2Jj '"V") ""'" '"» connivance of (lie mil horiliei of New Yo k nn.l 
 
 Ln, frE'.,:ieiiJ' oKl,„"r '"""" """"^ °"" """■"" ""^* 
 .heUe^s;el:i,,!;iS^.:^:i^,::-\,^ffj;^,"^^^ 
 
 N»vl ,f„ ' riclZlT'"!, 'T, ^'='''°'"" "■ N"vy island nSCckf,™ 
 own « alemem lln Te re^^ '"" 'J "''IT';"' "^ ''""" "'■ Slevenson's 
 was noi lor in w^l. 1 '""^"i '"'■ Y'"='' ">« Caroline wa, employeil 
 from Schlosse ^K ir.fl„ Tf " "'"' '"«'" ''"'"' ""f"'" "> S«l'l»«", "■"« 
 an," fion. So Vmo N^v^ i I ';;i°''"7 ^'"^"'^'", "'"1 '"^^if'" f'»"' B""-"!" 
 
 the'^iaste^u'h .^?.'/r "^ ""''''°"'' ""'' '^«^ l'^^" '-^^"^"'ed by Mr. Appleby 
 
 BriS territory • hnt sKe IfTh '''''"^' "'"• "^° '^'''"'' ^^'^'^ ^ad invaded the 
 British terriorfofhl'lei^^^ 1;!;^'; T ^'"^y' '"-'« '-^ings ou 
 thatofihphnnri «„ ^Miiepm poses, that her character was ident tied with 
 
 ..St fied in ?.^"?in "h! 7 'f "^^' ' ^'\'^ '^'' I^^ »""^h authorities were fully 
 her aL sucl ° " '"'"'^ ' ^''^^^'' ""'' '« ^^P^"''"g ^^ destroying 
 
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sir- 
 
 Mr. Stevenson .hen goes on to -y; that the Cnr^^^^^^^ Z't!:'^ 
 night, to the wharf at Port S^''»«^f, '/'^^;,7irnircr, and twenty three 
 her own officers ""i "^f.^*' ^'"7^1^^^^!^' J^"^^^^ were unable to 
 
 other inciividuals, a "'«'«' f^/^^^^'^^^aTs well k.^ 
 proc.ire lodgings nt the mu. I ''^^ "», '"J^ • . j g ,,,,o ,,nj „o 
 
 lirely fdled that night with other cm^er^^B of the U U cd « -^^^^^^^ .^,^^j 
 doubt, repaired thither for U.e same W^^J^;;* '^,.ut all the ihirtythree 
 twenty-three had come. And Mr. »\^;'*-"7" / ,,,p .^iahi-watch. 
 persci^s on board the Caroline retired '« « ' J^^' P' '^^'2, in passing, that, 
 ' Now, upon this, the ""J «"'g"«'' ^'^il sfeame^^^^^^^^^ l^« 
 
 considering that the Carohne ^J"^. «^, ^J^, ^J;' ""'f^^^^ 
 destined merely as a parage v-^^^^ «o large a 
 
 very danger which actually came ^'P^ ,"li,i,, ,he Carohne was boarded 
 k. Stevenson then states tha, "'"^'^^^^td^wth pistols, swords, and cut- 
 by people from four or five ''0'^'«';^ '°' """*^^ nm rued crew and infnales 
 laVes, began an indiscrimmate a tack upo^> ^ar e " '' T^a tl'e ^tea.ner wa. 
 of tl.; vessel, under the cry f " « r^^;;:,,^;'„"Xe ^nd sent down the falls, 
 yielded without resistance, and was tlienet on ne ,.„^,^,, u.at it is 
 
 ^ Now., upon this, the ""^^^-^^'f^ ^ . ^^'.^e fn he boat took no firearm, 
 stated by the British witnesses that the P^^^'^^ " 7„„ ^^ ,^,^,. Uen^m, hi 
 with them; and there was evide ly, a good ^^e without danger 
 the darkness of the night, hey could "ol i a^ e usea ^. ^ f,.„^ 
 
 ,o each other ; for, "l^'^/'g'; j/j.-'f .^"^eol^ ot pol"i^ly tell who might 
 foe, as far as his sword could f«^^^'''"^. ,",'.. ,„,4et bullet ; and, as the 
 find himself in the way of the mnge of ^ P'^^'^'^J'.^^J'^.'^g.^iine'' at diflerent 
 parlies from the dilTerent boats were to boar.Hhet. ^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ 
 
 ?arts, and in opposite ^'^^'^/Z^"^' ^''^^i ^^ '„,V of iKnemy's party. The 
 \,s likely to shoot one «"«^»!^\"; .% J°o iS[ g^Lement upon this head ia 
 strong probability, there ore is ,0 at - Bm^^^^^Jj^^^ \ ,,„d firearms, it 
 the true one; and, as it is P'^^^*^ •'•"'; V" , confusion of their surprise, 
 n,ay not "-f '-''y -. ^"PiP;r1h r^ay » 'v^ T^^^^^ the report of the 
 
 ^^r:rSway,itmaybepo.ib.e..coun^ 
 
 untrue, that the boarding party 7;'';?^" ^I^^.Xr'o put onshore, unharmed, 
 for it appears that one o the Pj^^, 'p' ^fi^'^'^C^^^^^^^ that they wanted the 
 
 note, that a parly of "^^^^^V J'" .^^erand X are said to have beea 
 
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*\. 
 
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 public «crvicc%n which aiytrr'^Ky^'^ '" '"^'"'"'"^ "'« 
 
 Bide; «nd (hat no shot ffOMi cnnLror fmm^^r "" "'" A">«rican 
 
 cimrged from the American 8ho,cr<l'- ""''"■/'r""''' *""' l^^^" ''is- 
 «s pretended by one of rSiah offic:r; '"^ "' "**^ ^^''^ °^ December. 
 
 British witnesses; and, on , 'co rec n s^ o 'TV"."''' ''^''"^'""^ '' '^^ "'« 
 wont must be permitted to repir Suhl v '"' ';«^i"".i««•y'« Govern- 
 ?cr, her majesty's CJovernment are r.'nl T- "o/"'""*^"''"'" «' Schlos- 
 
 is called '<pWschlosser''Cl^ K r'"'«"^'' 'h« P'^-^^ 
 
 ficd Unildingat present cxist7the"- f,l "T"' ^'^^''^ ''«"' "« fo'ti- 
 
 Uos had been commenced on the Ame can eklf ';'/^l''^?'''' "'"' "° '••^«^"'- 
 StevenTOn mean, the American 'hp.?! ('(' ^V that expressian, Mr. 
 been commenced by the Wican sis L^ ''"'!> ^"' !'^^' bostihties' had 
 bosMlities cor.sisted in an imSn of I?rl I '.' ''"'°""'' ^"''^' «"'^ those 
 f.om the State of New Yo.l T fa^f , "'f 'f"V^^' ''>■ on am.ed force 
 '0 make war against her ,n L,v's C^,Ly ^""P'" ""^ ^''' Y«f'< bad begun 
 "PP«rentiy. with the oonra ,ce of^he i" ^v""7'-. '^^ey had done so, 
 •lie New York territory at S ossc, ad n^'i '' "'^ "' .^'""'- ^'«' °n'y 
 become ene,ny'sla.,d, but her port onso' ?"■'"' '^''"™<='er, n"d had 
 nssumed the same condition. On'l or other ofM'^r^ "'^ ^''"' ®'"'« '^"^ 
 I'e government of New York k low nX if ?" '"""' '""'' be-either 
 band of invaders to organize and en S^ . '"""'".""""y' J'^nnitted the 
 nrn, themselves for S^aAh st^B it -'rr*'?^ "•'^*''" "'« State, and to 
 stores of the State, or else the Snt ^ """"P''^' °"^ o^ 'he mililarv 
 
 the border district ;\.,d hoe dfs-il^?v?;"'r ''"'' '"^' ''^ "nthority oJe" 
 of the power of the Statep^^'^n^.T' *!;/'- "---''. '', open detiance 
 Criiish pravince. ° ernment, as well as at war with the opposite 
 
 neu.rni that portion of a terrS' Sh 7 T °"«'"' '"'""' "> «P«t as 
 
 eniitlod to tho privilege of rani.n,i,^„ '?'"''=''"''' wtaiiily not be 
 
 ™bm? war „,^„ h °?°4S* t«?^,oT"' ° "" ""'""'^ ' W"" ^" 
 
 with her a. an enemV^^f they had fon,°dh? '" ,?""='?'' "">'« ^ave dea 
 ^ad ,,0 right to pn,L anj'cS;!,ire tr-«r;"tV^'L'![*?.'rfeiS 
 
 -- that neutra, and peac^-i'l^S ^iL^ItT^ "^^it; KS 
 
'\m 
 
 9 
 
 [99] 
 
 •he Caroline 
 If? the number 
 rroui his own 
 
 vindjcote the 
 arforming the 
 
 nation of any 
 l»e American 
 iul been dis- 
 >t' December, 
 
 nltenlion of 
 ling it by the 
 ly'a Govern- 
 in at Schlos- 
 fh the place 
 »nt no forti- 
 nl no hostili- 
 )re88i.)n, Mr. 
 ostiliiies had 
 ; and those 
 armed force 
 : liad begun 
 linddoneso, 
 Not only 
 er, and had 
 t State had 
 
 be — either 
 iinitted the 
 ate, and (o 
 e militory 
 hority over 
 3n dedance 
 e opposite 
 
 to retaliate 
 respect as 
 lience to a 
 ily not be 
 ngaged in 
 
 r the Uni- 
 s employ- 
 lined wi'lj 
 ave dealt 
 imits, but 
 le United 
 
 iiestiona- 
 le to pre- 
 e United 
 
 States was bound to maintain, even if civil war had been raffmg in Canii- 
 dft- but V.' u-(i was, if possible, still more incumbent upon every portion o 
 the Union .v. a time when peace prevailed, not only between iho llpited 
 Slates and (ircnt Urilain, but within the (.'anadinn provinces themselves. 
 
 These, then, are the grounds upon which her majesty's (.ovcrnnieiit con- 
 ceive that the Government of the United States has no just nsjht to demand 
 reparation for the capture and destruction of iho (Jarohnc ; and these ore 
 the grounds upon which it is impossible for ht-r rnajosly's Government to 
 consent ihut nny such reparation shall be ntade. 
 
 The undersigned rwiuests Mr. Stevenson to accept the assurances ot lus 
 
 high consideration. PALMERSTON. 
 
 Mr. SteL'e7ison to Lord Palmerston. 
 
 32 Upper GaosvENOR Street, 
 
 August 31, IB'll. 
 
 Mv T-onD : I had the honor to receive vcstcrday the ollicial communi- 
 cation which your lordship did me .he honor to address to «»e;^"f «;/^|;^^ 
 of the ii7th instant, in reply to my note of the 2-2d of May,1.83S, relative 
 to the capture and destruction of the steamboat "Caroline," m the month 
 of December, 1837, by a party of her majesty's Canadian sul-ects, with- 
 in the limits and territorial jurisdiction of the United Slates. 
 
 As the r-presentationscontainedinyour lordship's note, toiiching this pro- 
 ceedincr, diller so essentially in point of fact from those which were made to 
 the Government of the United States, and which 1 had the honor of commu- 
 nicating to her majesty's Government in my first note, and may consequent y 
 lead to a more thorough investigation of the whole affair, in order that c 
 material facts of the case may be more fully ascertained, and as I arnon ne 
 eve of returning lo the United Slates, and there is reason to believe that my 
 successor may soon be expected in England, with instructions from his Gov- 
 ernment on the subject, T do not feel it necessary or proper to embark in the 
 creneral discussion of the important questions embraced by your 'ortlslups 
 note. I shall, therefore, hasten to transmit a copy eft" your loidship s com- 
 munication for the information of my Government, and respect till y ask 
 that the statements and proofs to which it refers may be furnished to me at 
 the earliest convenient day, for the purpose of b^ing forwarded with your 
 
 lordship's note. , , i j i • i „«„ci/ior 
 
 In the meantime, I deem it proper to submit to your lordships cons de- 
 ntion, some observations which have been rendered necessary by certain 
 parts of your lordship's communication, and which demand my immediate 
 
 "In accounting for the delay which has taken Pl^=« I'^.^'^'^.r"'^;';;''!? ^ 
 answer of her majesty's Government in the case of the Ca.olme, and 
 "heTncidents arising out of the border difficulties, on the American and 
 Canadian frontiers, your lordship holds the following language : 
 
 '< The Government of the United States was perfectly aware, even be- 
 fore Mr. Stevenson's note of May, 1838, was written that her m'lJesty s 
 Government considered the destruction of the 'Caro me' as ^ Justifiable 
 Sof self-defence, properly done by the British colonia -^hof -; ^ ^^^^^ 
 protection of British subjects, and their property, and for the security oi 
 
/ 
 
 )' 
 
 'e 
 
 f9»] 10 
 
 SL '"on's not^^ ''"" '° '"'"P'y ^^'"' '•'« ^^'"""d contained in Mr. 
 
 Nmi if , i! f I "i' ^™'l' ^«^'".?any step in the matter." 
 be infmed that Kl'" 'hose parts of your lordship's note to leave it to 
 ce inrerrecJ tiiat the capture and destrucdon of the " Caroline" steimPr wn^ 
 
 iTmade kr^own hi Mr P ' V^f!'r<' "P'"'"" ''*"'' '-^^^^^^l ^^d been official- 
 jy maue known by Mr. tox to the Government of the United Staler in hiq 
 
 correspondence with the Secretary of S.ate, prior to the a rest of M^Leod 
 
 such'iS^t IsTvh" iT' •'"" ' '^'" 'r' •' ^'^>^' --' diSnctly.Sany 
 ^n?.L • ^^^°"y ""warranted, inasmuch as no such avowal or 
 
 opm.on was either commimicated by Mr. Fox to fny Government or 1?^ 
 your lordship to me That it was not made by M^ Fox a STaoiu.hf 
 t.on of the facts will show. In his fi,-st note to Mr Folth Vr^S m 
 media ely after the occurrence took place, and to which irisnr'esur^edvZ 
 lordsh.p refers, M,. Fox confines himself to the exp ession 0^^^! oTn oS 
 ion as to the nature of the transaction, and not that of his Gov^niZZ 
 Indeed, as late as the 23d of December 1840, in an officinl note tr. fS 
 Amencan Government, he expressly declared 'thaf he td no aUhohy 
 
 St,XmTtn;s';risr^^^ 
 
 .hi^^Sn'^rSvSJmS'i^^^^^^ 
 
 was .hen unknown to her .najesty's Government, and toThfch nei hir in 
 pl.cat.on for redress or complaint had bee,, made If Mr. P'ox's co, Vmunf 
 cauon to Mr. Fo.;syth couM have been regarded by the Amerira . Govemi 
 ment a« cotpmumcatmg the avowal or opinion of her n.aiestv's Govemme^f 
 
 diLrxs:."' m T ^' '''•'' 'h' "« ''''' hTv7bee.7o7Tve ;' 
 
 u.nerent characlei. Whatever opm.ons, therefore, might have been enior 
 
 Ca"dia:;''n.?.P'T'^ by Mr. Fox, from the circumstfnces deta led by he 
 Canad an authorities, ,t is qu.te certain, .hat as late as Decembe,-, 1840 he 
 
 mav be T,ir V'" '7^ «=«">'n"nica.ion to my Government, as that which 
 may be .nferred fiom those parts of your lo.d8hip'8 note. 
 
 «hinV."'' '^"^ T'''^' "^""^ ^^^' S'^''"' "'■ communication made by your lord- 
 S PJJ.'"^' ^"b^^q^^^nt to my note of 1838, which presented the^case L one 
 for redress, w.ll not, .t ,s presumed, be pretended. On the contrarv so un 
 asked was the delay on the part of your lordship to answer my no e, aid 
 
 % 
 
11 
 
 [991 
 
 :nown to the Uni- 
 Mr. Forsyth, and 
 Mr. Stevenson." 
 is stated : " That 
 Stevenson's note, 
 ind by the under- 
 r disavow or dis- 
 d, therefore, both 
 which her mnj<?s- 
 iiibt whatever on 
 ; British Govern- 
 con(ained in Mr. 
 
 sumed tha) it was 
 nn to refrain from 
 ms from his Gov- 
 struct him to ab- 
 r." 
 
 )ote to leave it to 
 ne" steamer was, 
 ct of self-defence , 
 had been oliicial- 
 ted Stales, in hia 
 •rest of McLeod, 
 stinctiy,that any 
 such avowal or 
 >vernment, or by 
 brief recapitula- 
 yth, written im- 
 i presumed your 
 of his own opiw 
 lis Government. 
 cial note to the 
 ad no authority 
 nent on the case, 
 
 posed to express 
 3fence of which 
 hich neiiher ap- 
 ''ox's communi- 
 nerican Govem- 
 fs Government, 
 '■ been of a very 
 ave been enter- 
 detailed by the 
 !mber, 1840, he 
 t, as ihat which 
 
 e by your lord- 
 the case as one 
 contrary, so un- 
 r my note, and 
 
 
 Lke.i 10 be m«r>Kled whether I ««. 10 pre» lor an ».wwer, and, ,t 80, the 
 degree or urgency Ihac I J joa.l,.pL^ „„ f„„her in- 
 
 '^^ ifbpl- leave to refer your lordship to the ofiicid conespondence on ibis part of 
 
 mmediately on the ai rival ot me nrsi imeiugi-nvc .„i,Y,;tip(l that i« 
 
 opinion, that the case might turn out to have been one w h ch ^^ ^"f ^^J J 
 
 nlp.ce, been received by her majesty's Government. 
 
 ^ The substance of these conversations, it is proper also to say, v,ere com 
 
 munilTated by me at the time to my Government, and were also made pub- 
 
 ''^\^t^'r^oSr^t?;haracter, as e.ly as mr^ry. 18^ c^ 
 
 mmmMmm 
 
 communkation c«er look phce bclweenm m, .'^^^ »??f„f "™'^°" °VfN°" 
 
 t^jnsx^^^'^'^ ;';u?h;i:«':ii:.";.?Sver„,„en. 
 
 must rest where it properly belongs. 
 
of 
 
 the earliest mon.ent of LnerS ' T . "^ Government, to avail myself of 
 slatements cSnei in your Torl^wS'^''^ """^ ""^app'ehension wliich the 
 cordingly seize arop;S y before^vo.^rTor.H^ ^' -'"^"f ^'''^ «^- ^ «- 
 Office, to address to';^ E^communSin '''^ ' '''""= '™'" ''^^ ^'''''^'S" 
 
 i^isuSsSrsLS^^^^^^^^^^ «'"--'^ I should lament that any 
 
 <;apable of expianaUon ,nd thnf ,nn • '' '" "■"'"'"" '" ^ '"attar which is so 
 in which we have IS to each 1 ''' '"'?'"«"'. ^^hen the public relations 
 forever; and X have bepn «.? ,^'' T^ ""^T' "" "^^ P'obability, to cease 
 -minentiy ,rJl^l^ ind'satSo?'"'' '' """ ''^ ^P^^^' ^'--^- - 
 I beg your Lordship to accept assurances of my high consideration. 
 
 A. STEVEiNSON. 
 
 Lord Palmerston to Mr. Stevensoti. 
 
 «J, dated the27tli ultimo uno tl'^ Inh^ f r" ''' "°'^ ^'''''' ''>« ""dersign- 
 the steaniboat '< Caroli.Te "^ J'"' °^ ^''' '^"P^"''^ ^"^'l destruction of 
 
 gard to the facts to wlS^L s "vpT^^ " ' ""^ '^"'"'" ""P'-^^'sions with re- 
 ion, .he undersigned wo Id be^ e'l^I t TV'T 'r^^ f""" S'-^^te. precis- 
 The " n-irni;..^" "'"" o^o' 'eave to recapitulate (hem. 
 
 DecembeE;Ts3r "" "'^P'""' ""'^ ''^^^'^^^'^ -^ ''- night of the 29th of 
 
 acc^mitiefbynrero^;S.^:^ a note to Mr. Fox, 
 
 ican vLion ol a.e,:^;Z:Tih7 "^^^^^^^^^^ 'V^' '''« An.er.' 
 
 would necessarily form .h^^DJea of n 1 '. r"''"''. *^''' ^^""^^''^ «'a'ed 
 ty's Oovernnient: Mr. Fov m medH.l f ''/"J' '''^'''' "P'^" h^'" fn^Jes- 
 «he Lieutenant Governor of urefKL^JT^'?''^ '"^'^^ °^ '''^^« P'W^ '« 
 ixiajesly's Government ^^ Canada, and reported thereupon to her 
 
 .yth,"i,f ^hleht'i'rt'nift;?^ '^'- ^^ "^''^--^ '-^ "«te to Mr. For- 
 
 Sir Francis HeS S" ^ t;ms,";r;vV''r' '"^ '"'^? """ ^''^-'-d Ll 
 the Canadian authorit,e i^ e S ^ J^^of Tu'p' 'I •'"^'j''^^ ^''^ ^^^^ «'" 
 note Mr Fox wrote to Mr. Fo;:y;hrfo,ro;s ' ^'^ '^"'''"" ^ ^"^ '" '''- 
 
 seult'::Xf ^ISSr^tlon mT'^l ' Pr ""^ ' "-' "^ — ^0' of 
 in destroying that v LS, woul TeCJo I J^'" ffi ^'' r^'^'y^' ^"'^>^'« ^'^''^ 
 " At the Time when he evpn. I 1 sufficiently established. 
 
 States were not Tfo^ed withiL tiff r"''^;-''''."''^'""'"^ ^■'^' °f ^'»« United 
 York. The authori^v of Z i '^'^""^'' *^''""^' "^ ^''^ State of New 
 
 lence. HermajlX^slits i7ti:;ir '^^ piratical vb- 
 
 they were threaLe'd with Lm flTrtteji^y" td oSttr'^ ''''''''' ' ^'^ 
 
18 
 
 [99] 
 
 1 any further observa- 
 int, to avail myself of 
 )rehension which the 
 susceptible of. I nc- 
 ring from the Foreign 
 
 uld lament that any 
 ) a matter which is so 
 1 the public relations 
 probability, to cease 
 personal character so 
 
 ousideration. 
 
 . STEVEiNSON. 
 
 '^picmber2, 1841. 
 )f State for Foreign 
 note of the 3 1st ul- 
 ister plenipotentiary 
 from the undersign- 
 e and destruction of 
 
 intial diflerence be- 
 
 mpressions with re- 
 
 d, for greater precis- 
 n. 
 
 ight of the 29th of 
 
 ^ note to Mr. Fox, 
 ng forth the Amer- 
 Vir. Forsyth stated 
 ss upon her majes- 
 d of these papers to 
 1 thereupon to her 
 
 a note to Mr. For- 
 hen received from 
 > justify tiie act of 
 line;" and in this 
 
 id the necessity of 
 
 y's subjects acted 
 
 iblisheii. 
 
 iws of the United 
 
 ihe State of New 
 
 ' by piratical vio- 
 
 idy suffered ; and 
 
 ..This ex^rfinary ..ale or things »PP»- "trX'ng"^^"^ 
 >,n«^ imnelled tiiem to consult their own security, by put^uing u"u J 
 
 her majesty's Governr,|erjt ,^ ^,^, documents, transmitted with 
 
 vol^r ^oSr a co^™^f the 0.^^^^^ 
 ification of the aggression committed yP«" '^^ '""'TC;^ acted, 
 
 and he concludes by '^^7? "'"^S^^i^^ec^^t^^n w^^^^^^^^^^^ madi in hi's 
 
 ''t^,m. Foxreplied in a note ^-^ ^^^^^^X^^^:^ 
 though he did not acquiesce m the view wlch th^^^^ 
 
 ment are disposed to take of tlie facts '^"""^^^^ J^'"^^ ^je^jje the question 
 
 pretent, into any fmiher coniroyersy on tVie subject February, 
 
 ^ The'account of the transactiorj reached t;":^^"^ ^Z^';"^^ fj ^he under! 
 iQ-^S Rpiween that ( me and the month ot Mayor inai jt^a , 
 fgned h^aSTom': conversations with Mr. S.-e-ono„ the su^^^^^^ 
 ^The undersigned kept no "^^'""'^"I'^.i^JXrwere T t't Mr. Steven- 
 
 ^TtL undersigned isnotmistaker^nlusrecollec^cm^^^ 
 conversations was at the Foreign Office and (he urn ersig^^^^^^^ 
 
 pression that, on A.^V°r''""' *''t't rnvemmen had then received of the 
 Ihe statements which her "^^Jf J. ^p^^^^T all ever^rMr. Stevenson's 
 transaction from the ^overnmen of Oanad^^ At » ^ «^^" ^.^^^j ,^ j.^,. gte- 
 
 umTu?;; h^v^'been I justifiable ---^^^f g^^^^^^^^^^ by instructions 
 On the 22d of May of that year of 1838,Mr. bte^en^^^^^^ note,demand- 
 from his Government,addressed to theimden^gne^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ 
 
 ,ng reparation for the ^destruction of the ^^^^^^^^^ /^^ ^^ ^^, „po„ 
 United Slates Government <=onff.'-ed •Jat transact on committed 
 
 United States citizens, and a violation f,Umted States terry ^ 
 by British troops from the province "[U^l.e 3 approbation of the liet 
 Jas planned -^ --ute^^^^^^^^ by en- 
 
 :^::;::^:=»s& „, this 
 
 to the matter. 
 
 I 
 
 ^kjw^SP*-" 
 
f 99] 
 
 R,,f I • . . . "--., ,,,c nvo uovern- 
 
 was upo,"onf o^cl'sio^nrtire 'sllbS If'"*' ^'"'^''. '^^ ^««« «f "'e " Caroline " 
 Mr. Stevenson, „oi having U.en rece Kp ^^'f"''"', "'"' '» September, 1839 
 
 what degree of ingenyrX.f'""''^ ^''''!'' an answer; a d ft S 
 »eply, informed Jvfr. S^eve, r har f " V""l' '' "PP«'^'^ '''"l Mr/FLrmir in 
 were required; as, in cons 1" '..^„V ^^Z"'''''^'- 'ns.rucions on iha T u " 
 
 President-;;:; ^e;r;o"":::r"" °' ""''^ -"vel^;^ "l ".ril^'^jr ll"' 
 ' Vollr;^hof '• ""'" " ''" '"'"''" Goven^menu^iil;! 
 
 iinlil tiie arrest ITMrMrLpnf'r'i ^' ^""" "'«ies>>'s Government- and .., 
 
 elusions : '"«> "" '""Jes.y's Oove,„,„e„, draw ,l,a &„„„,„, ,„„ 
 
 if seems to her maip^tv'o r< 
 Stevenson, note of tC'k^d'^fXrrsSrrr'"''^' "''''' ^^ ^^^^re Mr. 
 and the Government of Wa.I.inS ' , Presented, Mr. Stevenson 
 
 her majesty's Governn.ent tha Sfe X' ,"■' "'"''^ '^^^''^ «f "'e ophnW 
 
 . I hose conversations were undn.)^> n '^ "'"dersigned. "" °^ 
 
 ar.se in consequence o Sny co nm ^ ^^ '"■*"""'*'' '"^"""^h as they did nor 
 ^truc.e,i by his'Govem,ien?to mS to Jh'"" Y'"^'' ^'^^^ ^'-enson w. ?„ 
 versat.unsof that kind which f"eal?,l!? V^'^^/^'^ned ; and .hey were con- 
 
 ut^derlakmg, upon matters wliich ir^ I Li ? . ' ^ "'' " ^'^w' '" a preiiniinarv 
 .u 1..;; ""i^ ^^^P^'^"^- Go ^ mm ^„ f^Jj".^« ^^"l^jecs of formaf disZoJ 
 sucl. future discussions. "'"eni*, and in order to prepare the way for 
 
 adopts and becomes responsible for theiL ' R.^r^r*'"™-"'' ^^ '"^ «'''en<^e, 
 
 mem. But the opiuwus expressed bj 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 -1 
 
15 
 
 [99] 
 
 »hen the account of the 
 ^ctly stated in Mr. Ste- 
 le subject of the ' Caro- 
 he undersigned," with 
 aa incidentally alluded 
 itevenson's note of the 
 leen rhe two Govern- 
 
 seof the "Caroline," 
 
 between Mr. Sle'en- 
 
 in Sepieniber, 1839, 
 
 111 her majesry's Gov- 
 
 madein May, 183S 
 
 iwer; nndif so, Willi 
 
 i ihai Mr. Forsyth, in 
 
 "oils on that niatt.T 
 
 IS with Mr. Fox, the 
 
 s Government wiih- 
 
 ivernment ; and yet, 
 'k place on (he l:ii|i 
 afTairoftlie " Caro- 
 Government, in any^ 
 
 t' the following con- 
 
 lat even before Mr 
 ted, Mr. Stevenson 
 ^ of the opinion of 
 -Caroline" had been 
 (ed that ihe under- 
 ivey (he opinion of 
 the United States; 
 his having deemed 
 lance and result of 
 
 ch as they did not 
 Stevenson was in- 
 nd (hey were con- 
 en (he minister of 
 w (0 a preliminary 
 formal discussion 
 3pare the way for 
 
 Irong opinion ex- 
 time, have been 
 najesty's Govern- 
 ved any such in- 
 uthority to speak 
 »««/ acts are not 
 nt, by i(a silence, 
 )U8 expressed bj 
 
 Mr Fox in Janunrv, 183S, upon the subject of the destruction of the " Caro- 
 hn;" were noTdSvowed Ey her majes.y's Government, and have never 
 
 '^irir^mdllgrdre'^^^^^^^^^^ cour. mean to say, that the opinion. 
 «o exme^ed by Mr. Fox, and by himself, were final and conclusive decisions 
 of iSrTjtty '8 Government in .he case, although .hat given m wiu.ng br 
 Sr Fox v^as as strong and unequivocal as words could well convey ; ana t 
 Tobvious that .hose opinions, having been expressed be ore the date o Mr 
 Stevenson's note, of May, 1838, coi.ld not at any ra.e have been decision 
 upon the demarld made'in .hat note And as .hose op-n'ons had ^^^^^^^^^ 
 founded upon the information which her majesly's colonial authouties had 
 he .nmsmiued to Mr. Fox, and to her majesty's Governmen, • vj«3 Po ^ 
 IS that counter-statetnents, forwarded upon mforma.ion ^o'l^^ «J "^y *>« 
 UnHed Slates Government, might satisfy her majesty's Govemmenl .hat ihei 
 fi^ vtrof U.e case, and Iheir'first opinion regarding it, however strong ha 
 onin on might Imve been, were ermneous. The undersigned therefore doe 
 not me uTtS say, and never has contended, that either h.s conversations w.t 
 M . S "nison, or Mr. Fox's note to Mr. Forsyth, ought to I'Jje precluded 
 lie demand which was afterward made by Mr. Stevenson's note of 1838. 
 
 But he undeisi-nicd contends that that demand was made with a previous 
 know e 1 'e"on I e part of (he United S.a(es Government, of the views and 
 ipi^'lonrof her majesty's Government, as to the transactions to which the 
 
 ' ^'S'unSncd has further to remark, .hat the words f Mi Stevensoi^s 
 note of May, 1838, distincUy prove that the Government of the United State. 
 d?d.)ot entertain any doubt whatever whether the capture and destruction of 
 Ue ' ' CaSe" hud been the unauthorized act of mdividuals, for which 
 such individuals were .o be made responsible m .heir private capacny or 
 whetbJr it had been a public act, done by persons m the service of the 
 BtiirGovenment, and obeying superior authority and for which, conse- 
 mently .he Bri.ish Govern to be responsible, because the spec fie 
 
 JimXin of Mr. Stevenson was, .hat the act was committed " by a po tion 
 orthe BriU h forces stationed at Chippewa ;" and that" it was planned and 
 executed wlh .he knowledge and approbation of the heu.e.uuu governor of 
 IJDne Canida,'' and that it was " .he invasion of .he territory and sove e.gn- 
 w of -m "dependent nation, by the armed forces of a friendly power :" and 
 L necirdTmand which Mr. Stevenson made was " that .he whole pro- 
 ceedincriuld he disavowed and disapproved, and that such redress as he 
 naU.re°of the case obviously required should be promptly made," by the 
 
 ^ Tt'^uS^n^d therefore maintains, that the very contents of Mr Ste- 
 vensori's ote on838 preclude the United States Government from altemp - 
 rnfto nunke Mr MoLeod, or any other British subject, personally answerable 
 fof anv sha^e t ey „,ay be supposed to have had in .he destruction of Uie 
 '^r3i e '' and that Mr. Forsyth was mistaken in saying, as he did in hm 
 no^e to Mr'Fox of .he 26th of December, 1840, that up to .hat t.me he 
 United States Government hadhad no authentic announcement that the 
 Suction of .he " Caroline" was a public act, of persons m her majesty s 
 See obeying the order of superior authorities; for Mr. Forsyth wotild 
 hav ?ound Ihaf authentic announcement in the note of h.s o^ P^^^'P^^^^ 
 tiarv presented in pursuance of instructions from himself, so >ong ago as 
 May' 1838 But while on the one haad ihe undersigned contends that the 
 
[99] 
 
 16 
 
 United Slates Government knpw ;,,.!, 
 
 ty's Govern.„ent thought he dl'^'J^J^^ ^/f^^ Pf « ^^ 1838, that her majes- 
 on .he o(her hand, the^nde^S S ^n iV P^l'""" " J"«''fi«We act; 
 mem, by continuing to give nf replyTo th. ^ ^"'J"^' "'"J«^'>''« «overn. 
 son's note of May, 1838 was in K • ^«'"«nd made in Mr. Steven- 
 
 U.at demand; an5^he o^rie^i.imo .T/''""^ ^'l''"'"^ '° compi; ^h 
 Government could draw frL fhj L f w?'^. ''^r^*^ "'« United States 
 ment adhered to the opinion wh Xit had orS '"' ^''' '""J^^'^'^ CJ«vern. 
 
 It appears, then, from Mr S p,L , ''"^'^a^'y expressed. 
 years tie United Sates Government "' «'«'ement, that for nearly three 
 ty's Government on .his sSbLct 7c • .htT"' S '\' ^''^"^ '' »'- 4e« 
 stated as a reason for not DSn^r I L •^'' '? ^''°'^«'' '839, Mr. Foreyth 
 <hat .he President had beeS S if ' '' "'"J'''^ ' Government for an answer 
 tl>e Bri,i.h answer wltlS anVLth'Sr^'r."' ^^- *'«^ '« "^P-^' 
 ceased with the further lapse of imi 1. ^'.T' ^^""^ '^^'^" necessarily 
 good, as long as till the beglm^ngorfs^O ""''' ""' '^^ ^'^ '° ^ave helj 
 
 and the t.mc .vhen the arrest ; M McL od iT ""^ ')" ""''^ "^ ^I^^' 1«38 
 February, 841, no comnumica, «; ever toot d^^^^^ ^""''\'" ^"^'•''"^' '» 
 undersigntd on the subject of .h^^CnmlM^'^ 
 venson nor the late President Van Rm.L^' ^°'^' ^« "either Mr. Ste- 
 cient in watchful and S^ tlmio^ traliT'^'-^'^T" "-"'selves defi- 
 of I.e Umted States have be n o "cerne^ T " I" ^'"•^'^ '^' J"«» '''^^^ ' 
 he has not much erred in supposin^as TnlJ . ""''^':«'g"ed conceives that 
 nication, that this long and inleSn^I <^- ^r H™ '" ^'' ^o^m^'- commu- 
 
 '"ent, and of i,s minifter at Tl is io.m IT^,-''^ "l" ^"^''^ States Govem- 
 arose from the considerations owSlheTnre'r^^'r'/^ '''« "Caroline"" 
 In hazarding that supposition k seem, .n,?^"/'' ""^^^'^^^ '" 'hat note, 
 sumed nothing but what is ht Idy hoLrnhl' T^^^P.''^ ''^"^ ''« has as- 
 Urn ed S,ates,anu that he has onKi.lined 1 'p ''' ^'''""^^^^ of the 
 guided by the same feelings of cmliulT r u -^ Glovernment to have been 
 « Mr S.evensoa has f v-:. a^T^ ;^^^^^^^^^^^ "- undesigned be^' t? 
 in all Its dealings and intercourse S Mr sV ^^''■"'."""' ^^ ^er majesty 
 
 PALMERSTON. 
 
 -'►/r. »Sfee>c;wow ^o Lord PalmersU 
 
 on. 
 
 32 Upper Grosvenor street. 
 My Lord : I hasten to do mvsplf .h» u r . ^^P^""^^^^ 2, 1841. 
 
 of your lordship's note of tins "ie i„l in ^J",' «f ^'^knowledging the receipt 
 relative to the capture and de tructr; the ? ^r'° Tl "^ '^^ ^Ist ultimS, 
 
 I shall take the earliest opnortun . v nf V ^'"'''''"^ ^^^^mex. 
 ^^'"'"""ication to the UniffCe?but ri?"^^^ 
 
 circumstances which it details i^be r '"rd d bV ',t' r" ^'^'^"""'^ '^"'^ 
 
 J- "c regaraed by my Government it does 
 
 f 
 
 
1838, thnt her majes- 
 ine"aju8lifiab)enct; 
 ler majesty's Govern- 
 made in Mr. Sceven- 
 ling (o comply with 
 :h the Uniied States 
 ler majesty's Govern- 
 sressed. 
 
 hat for nearly three 
 silence of her majes- 
 r, 1839,r.Ir. Foreyth 
 iinent for an answer, 
 f Mr. Fox to expect 
 t reason necessarily 
 »e said to have held 
 
 of the 31 St ultimo, 
 note of May, 1838, 
 nvn in England, in 
 een himself and the 
 IS neither Mr. Ste- 
 vn themselves defi- 
 liich the just rjghta 
 ned conceives that 
 liis former commu- 
 ted States Govern- 
 )f the " Caroline,'* 
 'erted in that note, 
 ed ihat he has as- 
 lovernment of the 
 nent to have been 
 idersigned begs tc 
 ent of her majesty 
 
 with (he Govern- 
 jpresented at this 
 
 on the assurance 
 
 LMERSTON. 
 
 17 
 
 [99] 
 
 not belone to me to decide, or even to conjecture Without desiring, il^re- 
 '?ore ^protract a discussion, in the conduct of which neither your lordship 8 
 src'eritv nor my own will be doubted, it is yet proper that 1 should notice ll^e 
 Tsappfe enskn which still seems to exist in relation to the causes w'uch 
 "flSed my Government or myself in not pressmg upon your lordship and 
 her maiestv's Government an earlier decision of this painful subject. 
 
 a2 t e explicit answer given in the last note which 1 had he honor to 
 address to your lordship on this part of the case, and in whu:h it was stated 
 that neiOiir riy Government nJr myself were influenced by the considera. 
 Ss supposed in your lordship's note of the 2rth ultimo, I had not ima- 
 ^S iharsuch an influence would again have been repeated, and more es- 
 Ely as I urn s"ill unable to perceiv^ in the statements contained in your 
 Fordsmp's last note any just foundation for such an imputation. On the con- 
 tmrv the motives whiclf influenced my course, connected either with myself, 
 mv Government, or that of her majesty, were of an entirely different char- 
 aifer fmm tS which have been imagined. I must, there ore take leave 
 Sn to enter my friendly protest against the impression m which your lord- 
 Et llmdulges, and lo^estate, in'language as precise and intelligible as I 
 can^use that in refraining to press the case upon ihe consideration of her majes- 
 . wrGomlent 1 was not influenced, nor have I any reason to believe that 
 S 'L Government was, either wholly or partially, by the considerations which 
 * yolr lordship has felt authorized' again to repeat, h--ver such a course 
 miffbt have been regarded by your lordship as honorable to the Government 
 S te Sed S ta ef 0? its minister. Should it, however, turn out to be the 
 cLe that the acquiescence in the silence of her majesty's Government by 
 ha the United States was, as your lordship B"PPo;e«| « ^"ifice made to 
 ^ love of peace, of one thing I can assure your lordship, that my Govern- 
 ment w II be prepared at the proper time, and whenever it may become 
 neceUVv to do so, knkly to alow it. As there is no other part of your 
 rordshTp's coinmun cation which requires any further notice from me, I avail 
 mysel d- the opportunity, in closii' g finally the correspondence, to expr^s 
 mv acknowledgments for the very gratifying terms in which your lordship 
 Z beerpleased to speak in the manner in which I have represented my 
 country atTermajestyLourt, and to tender to your lordship the renewed 
 assurances of my distinguished consideration and respect.. g^^^gj^gQj^ 
 
 fREET, 
 
 mber2, 1841. 
 
 Iging the receipt 
 
 the 31st ultimo, 
 
 amer. 
 
 'your lordship's 
 
 s(atements and 
 
 Jrnment it does 
 
 
 (f