AMSRIO£IT-yoiT7N , 3?BSR.
MONDAY, -lan. 4,1841,
Cuniberlatul County Bible So
'',■ ’■„■• ' ■ cicty. ~'-.V r
This has boen one of the noblest institu
- -lions in (lie county. It was fuundedin 1817,
■ and has been in existence S 3, years. Its re
.cords show, that the best, wisest and most
respectable, of all the Christian denomina
tions of our county,- and especially of our
borough,-have been its friends, patrons and
► i contributors. Many of thesegoud iqpn have
‘ ‘ gone tp: their reward, to
7 different parts of the country, and only a
- few of the original founders are now in the
county. Tlicir children 1 and friends should
take a pride in sustaining aiuhcxtending this
uoblo Bociety. It is the common ground on
which all‘Christians have niet and can meet,
and join their hands together in the works of
■mercy. , This they have done, and, prosper
ed' heretofore. ‘ All the revered wen who
were its eadiest and fastest friends have de
parted from amongst us: hot one remains.—
But will their successors'in the'work of the
ministry fail to foster the excellent society
they founded and handed down to us? It
is to hpped, not. We ought to be grateful
to God 1 for the good it has done, and respect
the memories of those who. were,the instru
ments of-doing it. Butdet not -fheinlmbi
l-tants of Carlisle, and Cumberland county
fail- in their duty in the great cause of the
Bible. ■ The society has already raised anti
expended about three thousand dollars, ($3,-
, OOO) two thirds of which have becn -'appro
- priated to this county. . Twice has the conn
- ty been explored and supplied: once in 1828,
and again in 1835. The Sabbath Schools
have, been once supplied,-and betvyeen seven
bundred'and one thousand dollarsjiaye been
placet} under'tlipdireclion of tile Parent So
ciety at New Vork to aid in translating and
diffusing the Bible abroad. • Few; people im
jagine to what a great extent theßible is dif
fused abroad,. Nine tenths of the inhabi
tants of the earth might read the word of
God in their own languages; ffith such won
derful success have the efforts of the Bible
1 Societies and of individuals been crowned.
In this great work Cumberland county has
heretofore. taken an honorable, part. Will
the •inhabitants grow weary in-well, doing?
Sdiefvnot. The,time,for.renewed exertion
has resolved on a re-supply of the State.—
•The resolution is to find out the destitute
families and,-give each a copy Of-the holy
scriptures, if they will not purchase: also .to
give a copy of the N.cw.Testainent to each
sabbath school,,scholar in the State, who has
not got one. -This noble resol.ution-is to be
. earned out by each, county society accom
plishing the work within thoir owa limits.—
1 ; Cumberland county done it:; she
will.do it again. ..The movcmchthas begun:
every denomination has entered into the
work; a; reorganization of the society Wok.
- place:at a public meeting called in theTst
Presbyterian Church on the 2Sd of Decem-
ber last.. -The meeting was‘called at the in
stance of the Rev, Mr. Dale. The'society
had become enfeebled, and was much' in
debt, (between 700 and 600 dollars) to the
■Parent, Society at New York. This noble
institution, upon learning our embarrassment
generously forgave the.debt upon condition
that we would reorganize and become effi
cient. This.reorganization is nearly com
plete. The plan is to have 21 managers,
many of whom shall reside in the county:
also a committee of three in each township
to visit their:township, and learn the num
ber of Bibles wanted; to collect donations for
the purpose of ■ practicing them, and then to
distribute them as soon as procured. The
officers and managers have been appointed;
and their'names will be'seen below. The
committees for the townships are being ap J
pointed.as fast as the Board can learn who
will probably serve with efficiency. Good,
men and. true arc wanted in this glorious
work. The managers, or any friends of the
cause, will confer a great favor by address
ing letters to the Corresponding Secretary,
Ivlr. R.,C. Hall, Carlisle, mentioning such
persons iri-the several townships as will be
good meihbcrS'Of the township committees.
These committees will report to the Board
of managers, and return their funds to them,
arid from, them receive the Bibles and Tes
taments for distribution. It is very'desira
ble that.they would take an exact account of
the number of .unday Sschool children in
their townships severally. ,
In order to. prevent the contracting a debt
again to embarrass.the society, a resolution
was passed.binding, theananagers not to pur
chase at any time more than twenty fiye per
cent'on credit, paying cash for the remain
der. This will effectually prevent a debt.
The constitution is a very simple one, and
makes, the society auxiliary to the Pennsyl
vania society; ■ The object is, first to supply
the destitute families and' all tlie .Sunday
schools in the countyV.arid then, if there be
a surplus, place it at the disposal of the Pa-,
rent Society for general use. Willnot'eve'ry,
citizen (ake a suifablo part' in thia blessed
work? ~ Will not every citizen become a
member of the society. Make up your minds,
ad ' fiic committees of
wlientheycall.
one dollar, a
_ for life. The
record will befaithfully kept.iffCarlisle,-by
TV, D. Seymour, Esq. Recording Secretary:
The .names will be' enrolled by townships.
The society looks with confidence io the
clergymen in the county, and the committee
in each generous support. ' The
enterprise wjll. cost time, trouble aiitl motl
ey, but tlie*ffuits will he glorious. The
names of the, members of the-township cbW:
mittees will be published as soon as possible.'
80“ The officers and managers; (a list-of
whom will- be , found: below) will meet on
' Tuesday evening the 12th of January, at the
bouse-of W. D.’ Seymour. Esq. at .r o’clock
in the evening. 'A ; general attendance is.
ftsry important. ■
• -By order of the Society. . : , ,
; : . JOHN P. DURBIN, Prfes’t.
' . OFFICER#. . .v:vir.
Rev;, DURBIN; President. : ■
Rev. A; M’Gjtt, 1
' Rev, P. GaEEKiEAT, ■ >V, Presidents
Rev « J• Utßtciiy..: _ r \ J
' Rev. ■/?. <?.-■ tidll, Correspd ’g. Sec’yv .
' M r. Wi'Di fteymbiir, llccord’g. Sec’y.
air.^oiaAamuerton.Tre.^ui'cr.
■' managers.
Rev. H,:Au rand/Cur lisle. *
Rev. H. Slicer, 1 " ,f do V
Rev, ,'W.Sprole, .do
Mr. H. Dnffield, do
Fced’k Watts, Esq. do
Mr. R. Angney, 1 do '
J. Hamilton, Esq. do ...
Mr. G. Kcllcr, -do’ ;
Mr. J. Philips, do ' . |",
Hon. S. Hepburn, do
Mr. Jacob Sener, do
■Mr. Samuel Irville, Newtop;
Rev. Alex, Sharp, Newville,
Dr. CunVminafcbipkinson.
Uev. Mr. MaSRf, Shippcnsbiirg. '
Rev.Mf.Kremer; '■.'■ do
Rev. —■ — Morris, IlßgesWwi). -
Mr. J. M. Means.-Newburg’.
Mr. Philip Zeiglcr, West Hill. P. O,
Mr. Robert Clai'k, N. Middleton,
Tempertiuce JjtepartmeHt.
NOTICE.
1 A mooting of ilio Union Total Ahstjnoneo So
ciety of tho° Borough of Carljsle, will be held in
the Methodist Episcopal Church, on Friday even
ing next, at half pastfl o’clock, at which time an
address may bo expected and delegates will heap
pointed to attend the Temperance Convention to
ho held at Harrisburg on the 13th inst. All tho
friends of temperance are invited to be present.
January 7,18*11, . ’ ■
Corrected, JVtoiice.
The Executive Committee of the Cumberland
County Temperance Society beg leave to inform
did friends of Teafperanco throughout the county,
that from the best information wo have been able
■to’ obtain, the time of holding the intended .Tem
perance Convention, aa-first.announced in tho pa J
pors, was incorrect. ■ It is tojneet at Harrisburg,
on Wednesday the Utk of January inst. and noljpn
the 12th. The hour.of mooting, it is presumed, is
10 A. M., as heretofore.
M. CALDWEBL, Chairman.’
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CUM
BERLAND COUNTY TEMPER-
SOCIETY,
December 9,51 h, 1840.
It is but .about (our months since your
Committee came into office. About the
same time, a new Temperance organization
took place in the 'borough, whose public op
erations rendered‘it .expedient for us to en
ter upon some new system of action, if we
-wjjiild.Ayohl.wola.Unjr.a.DrincmlpAylvicLthe
which was then thought to be - dictated by
the results of experience in our temperance
operations. This principie-is, os set forth
by a committee of the society in January
183 r, “That hVo or move temperance soci
eties capnot exist in our borough, as entirely
independent organizations, without the dan
ger, on the one hand, of becoming inefficient
in-their action, for want of strength properly
■tbVgustaiiTthe'm’allTwT'onTljo'olh'errof'ex-"
Minting the appearance, at jeast, of opposi
tion to each other, by a conflict in the times
of Holding their.meetings, or of,some other
of theirpublic movements.” The pl an a '
doptcil at that time was, “a union of names
and of influence for the purpose of produc
ing concert of action in all our public ef
forts,” while-the private organizations still
existed, “for the purpose of advancing, in
their own peculiar way, the general cause.”
In view of this arrangement, entered into at
the' time with so much formality and care,,
your committee judged it expedient, to en
ter on no, system of public meetings, t and to
adopt no public measures, which could, even
by the enemies of the cause, be construed
into opposition; since ho real cause of oppo
sition existed.
In this state of things, your committee
did not suppose it necessary to liejdle; but
at once cast about them, for some new means
of aiding in this great and good work. —
They immediately made application to the
editors of the political papers of our borough',
soliciting 'them to "devote a portion of their
sheets weekly .to the temperance cause, thus,
opening a new field of labor fur ourselves,
and at the same time furnishing useful intel
ligence to the public, and exerting a health
ful influence upon the morals and happiness
.of the community. Tljis suggestion was re
ceived by both editors in a spirit that cheer
ed us in oiir hew labors; and the arrange
ment was put.off. only until-after- thc-clcc--
tion.when the press of political matter would.,
subside. x lt has gone into effect; and this
we have to .commend to the society and' to
our successors, as demanding tlfcir influence
and their care, lest the Tempcutnce Depart
ment of our papers. shall decline in interest,
become useless,'or" perhaps worse than usct
less, and then be dropped/ To present such'
a result it seems to us necessary only to
bear in mind how great the number we* are
thus enabled to. of whom
can never be addressed on this subject in a
ny other way. From our intercourse with
the editors, We fully, believe, that the res
ponsibility of a failure in this department,
in either paper, will rest, upon the professed
friends of temperance. _ ,
Your committee have labored also, in an
other way to make theinsclyes useful; but ns
•yet we fear withoutmuchellcct.t*oursoci
ety has.heretofore been local, or nearly so,
Writs action; but having rcaspn-to believe
that the cause.of temperance is at a lovv ebb
inmo'stpartaofour couhty,Vvehave'bypef
sonal correspondence, and through the agen
cy of bUr excellent friend, the lley. D. Mc-
Kinley, communicated, with all the principal
points in the county; and have expressed
our willingness to visit them and to assist
them in any way in our power, to reorgan
ize tlmir scattered forces ahd to come up a
gain. to a successful conflict with vice, -deg
radation arid ruin,-and to the aid of virtue,.
happiness and domestic; peace.' We might
have appointed meetings ourselves,'and thus
have .gone abroad, to the' mot|e*reitibtb parts
bftidr enlarged field,' pf s labor; b*it we have
thought it best, to act hut a secondary part
Visits weliriight'make, that we; may
be assured, on leavrng; that; there remain
those, who will take' care of the seed we may.
sow.- As soon as our successors shall have
evidence, that the friends of pur cause arc
fairly awake in, any place, we strongly re
commend to them to carry out the purposes
which we have fqrnied,- in. this particular, &
tofu|filtheple(lgcdiyhichweh‘byegiv^
~ Ovving to this indirect operation,
dependent jnpyembnt,
pening bf this reporfrcommenccd ih ourbo
rough, many of
pledge,, llcfbie suspcfctiijg tha j
izalion was contemplated;, and a r fevV,' pur-,
baps, sincc.i Among these were soule of
our own officers. They - however*- though
acting with us, have not, with , perliajps' one
exception, withdrawn their names. from the
new'society, nor have.any of: those who re
signed tile pledge, renioVed their', names
fromi oui- list of signatures. One nppeinlcd
to office in the new society was,at the lime,
and still is, oi worthy officer in ours. From
these things,Jwe infer, that itismutfmlly a
.greed, that there is no incongruity.in being,
members of both societies.' Our numbers,
then, though not increased, lire not, matcri-,
ally diminished; and if the time should nev
er come when weehall have to renew our
public efforts in Carlisle, it will he with us
rather a matter of rejoicing Ilian of regret,
as it will leave us free.lo prosecute schemes
•of usefulness, less imposing, and cortScqucnt-
1 V more likely to be neglected. Your com
mittee however fully adopt; the sentiment of,
the last report, “That inhwnion wopld' be
found om* greatest strength and efficiency.”
To our,total abstinence pledge, we have.re
ccivcd, within the last four years,.47l sigr
natures, of wbiclrnumber 21.8 wereobtained
during the last year of our regular opera
tions. , We believe'uur members aVe very
generally holdingTaSt-tlieir integrity.
, The subscriptionyear of the .“Journal of
the American Union” having
Expired, your committee,'aided by some o
ther friends of (he cause, have considerably
increased the subscription for 1841.-
The subject of amending the constitution
by excluding the old pledge, will come up
for your consideration. In support of this
amendment, ySiir committee need only re
iterateihc aigument of the last report:—
“ThaY the old.pledge, having existed in our
constitution for the last four years, only as
a .dead letter, ought no longer, to remain
there as a reproach;-to.,our cause.” This
subject was laid over to the present meeting
only as a mbre matter of form.
With the fullest confidence in the final
triumph,of the principles on which the tem
perance reformation has thus far progressed,
this report is respectfully subotitted.
TVI. CALDWELL.
R.LAMBERTON,
11. AURAND,'
- J.ULERICH,
Executive Committee'.
Note.—The amended constitution and the list
of officers for 18 H, hereafter.
s>, 'U - ■■■ c":‘7 ■
Mr. Editor: —ln your last appeared a
short article in the Temperance Department,-
headed “Instructive Tale.” Now, to be
honest. I always have some dislrustof,these
“Talcs.” Nobody can write a good tale,
b.iit who has been deeply read in human na
ture, _ and who understands all the delicate
shades brhuinan feeling as exhibited under
like circumstances with those described;—’
In matters ofimpoßtancc—matters involving
as much as do the-principles of the temper
ance reformation, I prefer the sober facts.—
I will not- however generalize too much;
some talcs are very good. But this’ one 1
do not like to let pass-wUhout a stricture or
two. . ,
The story, divested 6f all embellishment,
is simply this:—Thomas P , once of in
dustrious and steady habits had become a
constant lounger about the tavern, and ex
tremely dissipated; and had squandered all
his property. Through the instrumentality
of his amiable arid excellent wife, he resolv
ed to break off his habits of drinking. And
to (his end, he filled his decanter, and pla
ced it in the window of his shop, saying—
“l can face my enemy,” and kept it there
constantly before his eyes. And this well
filled decanter is represented as his pledge,
which he always faithfully observed—dying
an old man without ever haying removed it
from its place.
First. —l object to this kind of pledge.—
No other but “Thomas P.” has to my knowl
edge ever been reformed by it; —certainly
no other, so deeply sunk in degradation as
Tom is represented to have been.- The
drunkard, who has commenced a reforma
tion', often has an inconquerable thirst fur
drink produced by barely seeing tlVe liquor,
or even by coming near the place where he
has been accustomed to drink. This is not
the pledge of a Tcmperuncc Society,
Secondly. —l object also to tiiffprincipled
Neither is this the principle of the Temper
ance Societies.. “/ can face my enemy ”
no principle is more full of evil. It is- at
Variance with that sentiment which we daily
utter—Acad us not into temptation; and.is
at variance with the common sense of man
kind, which would laugh at tlie.folly of him,
who—with the means of effectual 'escape at
hand—would battle off tifmad dog with his
cane,—saying, “/ can face my enemy.” As 1
in the one case, so in the other, there are tip
laurels to be won; he who makes the must
effectual escape is. the most to bo congratu
lated.
• No principle is more erroneous. The
drunkard—however it may be with some
temperate drinkers—;the_;drunkard cannot
face hie He who has formed a-strong
love for-intoxicating drinks canndtAvith safe
ty expose himself to temptation^!.call on
those who have been reformed ffoiii intem
nernnee. or, whom* ri‘fnrm:ilinn ia utill *ln>
subject of noxious solicitude on.the part of
their friends,—to testify on this point. They
have testified; and so fully assured ani I of
the truth of their tcstimbiiy that ,were I a
drunkard and wished fo break oft' liiy habits
of drinking; instead of placing a filled'.de*
canter fiefore tne, i yVould break the vessel
that had aided fir my ruin—reserving but a
broken fragment, to remind me of my rcso:
lution. 1 would upbn the, ground
every drpptof and ciderJand
every thing else I migHtdihve. vvhich 'could
excite a thirst for my favorite beverage, and
would go round a square rather than bb_cx,-_
posed to the smell of its odoW;'l. would ra
ther lose a good'bargain than go to the bar
room which had witnessed my former dis
grace;' & would submittb pass a few months
■of comparative solitude, rather than; associ
ate with my old companions in degradation.
He who lias bned acquired a taste forpfrong
drink has tub iriany interests, n't slake, to
hazard .them all on the idlgkxperimenf,
which only tests his abilily-r-W./ac« hU en-
emy. : •
But ho pririoiplcjiah>ofe «nieeri«% dan
in ’its tomlcncy. ~,1 n the case of eer
bed stages of intemperanpe.thejnebriatenot
onUr/W^iO^
ting too long, and I must reserve this part
of Uie discussion for another paper.
GIiEANBR. ,
January 1, 1841.
’ GOVERNOR PORTER.
We copy frpra the Montrose Volunteer
the . following. Teniacks .in relation to the
course pursued by the federal press before?
the recent election, with respect,to Governor
Porter, and their course since that period:
... “Previous (o the: Presidential" election
some of the federalists professed.to be deci
dedly in favor of Gov. Porttr and his ad
ministration: but since said election in. .this
state resulted, in giving them a lrifling ipaV
jority, their great attachment to Goy. Porter
has suddenly. vanished,, and.they arc now.
seeking some other man as the represehta
,tlve of their principles.,- But , what-jias the
Governor.done since the 'election, to merit
this sudden displeasure of the federalists?
Is it because he has faithfully and impartial
ly performed the duties of his office, in eve
ry'respect, even td the issuing',of his:Froplaf'
motion declaring the Harrison, electors of
this , state duly elected? Is it-because he
did not follow the example of his 'illustrious
predecessor’ in contesting a close election?
Has his upright and manly course in such
respects excited- their enmity,; in view of the
course a'fcdcral administration might have
taken under such ' circumstances? (judging
from .(lie past?) If it is none of these, then
what can it be? It can bo nothing else than
the-unveiling of their own hypocrisy! the
casting off of the. mask which has long hid
■their rcal political'deformity!, a mask worn
to deceive the unsuspecting portion of' the
democratic pa:ty! like i wolves in' sheep’s
clothing they sought admittance into the
fold to devour! they have.no feeling in com
mon with the democratic party; asth.eir acts
prove when placed in .power! In the polit
ical friendship of their leaders, we have but
little faith—they produce distrust, dissen
sion and division in (he democratic ranks,
and beguile a portion of., the unsuspecting
into the support of their.own parly thatthey
might,thus ride triumphantly into power.”
[’ey nEoCnsT.]',
Democratic •Mnti-JP’orter
Jtlccting.
In nursuancc of ..notice, a large_and tea-.
Wpjdemdcratp;' of.' thb.
borough of Hari'isburg,' an'd;--<hV-adjoining :
townships, assembled in the court house, on
Tuesday evening the Blh December.-. ■
The meeting was organized, by appoint
ing FREDERICK. STINE, President; J.
.Kneplev, sen., Jacou Reward, O.V. Mont
gomery, and Daniel Siiopp, Vice Presi
dents; and Thos. C. Reed and ,C/ias. A. Sny
der, Secretaries.; When,
■ On motion; the following named-persons
were appointed g committee to draft resolu
tions expressivC -Of the.sense of the- meeting;
Maj. John McGlauchlinr'bamel’Snydcr,
James Robinson, David Reinard, J. Maih,.
John Lease, J. P. Shupp, and Capt. Reinard.
-Who, having retired for- a short lime, made
.the Tallowing report; which, after being read,-
was unanimously adopted:
Whereas, the time is fast approaching
.when the.democratic party will, in accord
ance with its usages, make choice of a suit
able candidate for the next governor: Ami
whereas, it is of vital importance that the
utmost union and liarmony ’should pervade
the ranks of .the democratic party, during
"the next gubernatorial contest; and for the
purpose of securing the united efforts of the
whole democratic party, we would respect
fully admonish our democratic brethren to
aid in the selection of a man on whom. , the
whole party can rally; being satisfied' that
the proceedings of lust winter sanctioned by
the.prcsent Executive, has lost him the'eon
fidence of two thMs of the party in this part
of the state, and arc looked upon as a sacri
fice of democratic to which may
justly be attributerkthe triumph of federal
ism. in Pennsylvania at the late Presidential
contest. There ,iu cd be no difficulty in-ma
king a proper selection from apiong the ma
ny prominent "democrats. of llie Keystone
State. When United, we feel- confident of
the triumph of truth over error.’ But, (obe
united,-we mu^t- have-a- new-man.—All-in
dividual preferences-must-give p|ace to the
common good. We must have a democrat
and a Patriot, in truth and in -rfeed. Then
will olir hills and vallies teem with the har
dy yeomanry of this free land, making their
way to the Ballot Box, with their counten
ances brightening as they were wont to
brighten,in days of .yore, when democrats
both professed and practised truth,. With-'
out a new man, we are satisfied that there
cannot be that concert of .action which here
tofore has marked the operations of the de
mocratic _
Resolved, That \vc are satisfied froth un
doubted information received ,'fronr,, various
quarters of the State,- that there is iio possi
ble hope.of success, unless ivc have a 'new
man: that in the comity ofDauphinthe ma
jority against us will be increased_to 1,50_0,
if hot moref nhd we calPupon the candid of
his Excellency’s friends here;-to inform the
democracy-abroad oft he truth.-andtoccase
endeavoring to suppress thereat ioneoT pub
lio seniiiiieiii, by stv , irining~eVci'y' nerve -
create an artificial one, lest by so doing, they
may witness the'erection Of federalism bn
the ruins of dethoeraty, : ; ■ . •_ -
" Resolvedi That independcht bf the un
doubted unpopularity bfthe present Execu
tive, caiised by his being connected with the
proceedings of the last Legislatme.-we arc
in favorbf. aiid : will firmly ; maintain, That
no man slioulUbe put in nomination the Se
cond time: that (he interests of the people
require that;the principle .of ope term for
Governor should be established, ahd ; rigidly
adhered to,. SO the only efiectoal femedya
gainst the Venal peculatiun.That now stalks
abroad in this, once flourishing Common-,
wealth. <■“ ■- •
Resolved, That we recommend sub
ject of the election of Cnrial Commissioners
by the People, to the serious consideration
of the dcinbcracy, believing, (liatasa matter
of economy, and for the proper regulation
of th’eStatelmprovcmenfs.tlicintcrcstsbf
the people require it.
. Resol ved,-That; we deem it incumbentToh
all gond Republicans ta.sacvificu at tneahfine
of-tlie publie good al f indiy.idu al. preferences,
and: thciwliolcsomoi proyisions of. the Sub-
Treasury law may, still bepreserved, from;
the ruthless bund of federalism. . V,.V ■
Resolved, That the Secretaries be direct-;
ed to forward a copy of the .proceedings nf
this.meeting to everyJcqunty in the State,’
to bcpublished in every democratic paper.
FREDERICK. STINE, President. ■
John Knk*vi,bV, ~J
. -Jacob Ueinakd, L v
V ;rO; V. MwcdoMEhy; r V r J
: - : ' DANiF,i. Smiri‘, J
V n ' ? Secretaries.
Chari to Ji. Snyder, 5 •
■ Congress, •
i. We find nothing as yet in thc proceedings
of Congress.wljich'woukhbe of general in
terest,/if we except thc.subjoinbd correspon
dence which was elicited by.acall from the
House of Ucprcsentativcs. It alludes to the
arrest and trial of Ahxander M’Lcod, a
Bntish subject, who \yas concerned ih-the
outrage at Schlosscr in-the State of-New
Yorkj some three years agn;^—- —--
Mr. Fop lo Mr. Forsyth,
December IS, 1840.
Sir: I am informed by bis Excellency the'
Liyutonant GayqJmDr of the" Province ot Up
;pef.iGnnada, that Mr. Alexander McLeod, a
British subject, and lath deputy sheriff of
the Niagara district in Upper Canada, was
arrested at Lc.viston in the State' of New
.'York, oh the 12th of last month, on the pre
tended charge of murder and arson, as hav
ing been engaged in the capture and deslruc-.
tion of the piratical steamboat'‘'Caroline.”
in tlfe”mohfh~of December,, 1837’. After a,
tedious and vexatious examination,-Mr. Mc-
Jjeod was committed for trial,.and he is now
imprisoned'in Lockport jail. - '
1 fecl.it my duty to call upon thjs Govr
ernmcnt.of the United States to take prompt
and effectual steps for the .liberation of Mr.
McLeod. It.js well known that the des-.
truciiou of. the'.steamboat' “Caroline” was a
.public het of persons in her Majesty’s ser
vice; obeying the ,ordcrs*of; their- superior
authorities. Tligt act, therefore, according
to the usages" of nations, can oVily T he - the
subject of discussion between the' two Na
tional (Jpvcrnmcrifs: It cannot justly be
made the ground of legal proceedings in the
United States against the individuals con
cerned, who were bound to obey the author
ities 'appointed by.their own .Government.
I may: add that 1 believe it is quite-noto
rious that Mr. McLeod was not one of the
party in the destruction of ; tjic
steamboat, “Caroline;” and that the .preten
ded clhVrgeupon which he has, heen.,';ini|ms
oited rests oiily upon thO perjyfetl tcsiiindpy 1
of certain Canadian outlaws and 'their abet
tors, who, unfortunately for the peace of
that neighborhood,.are still pcVmitted.by the
authorities-of the State of New York to ia
fesf the Canadian frontier.
The question, however, of whether Mr.
McLeod was or. was not concerned in the
destruction- of the “Caroline,’! is beside the
purpose of.the jircsent communication. The
act was the public actyif-pei'soiisobeying the
constituted authorities of her Majesty’s Pro
vince. The National Government of the
United States thought themselves called up
on to remonstrate against it;-and a remon
strance which the President did accui'dihgly
"address to her Majesty’s Government, is
still, ! believe, a pemling subjcct of diplo
matic discussion, between her Majesty’s Go
vernment and the United States; Legation
in London. 1 feel, therefore, justified in
expecting that the President’s Government
will see the justice .iifd the necessity'of cau
sing the present immediate-release of Mr.
McLeod, as well as of takingjsuch steps as
may be requisite for preventing others of
her Majesty’S subjects from being persecu
ted or molested in the United Slates in a
similar manner.for the future. '
Itappears that Mr. McLeod wa? arrested
oh tile 12lh ultimo; that tvl'ler the examina
tion of witnesses, he was finally com milted
for trial on.the'lSlhl and placed in confine
ment in the jail of Lnckport, awaiting the
assizes, which will be hc,Ul there in Februa
ry next. As the case is,naturally occasion
ing a great degree of excitement and indig
nation within, the .British frontier,! earnest
ly hope, that it may be in your power to give
me an early and satisfactory answer to the
present reprcsctftajirtnr; . ' " ■
I avail myself of this occasion to renew
to,you the assurance .of my. distinguished,
consideration. H. 15. FOX... ■
Hun. joiIN-FoRSYTII; -
il/r. Forsyth to Mr. Fox. I'
Department op State,
; Washington, December 26, 18*10.
" Sir! I have the honor to acknowledge, &
Have laid before the Presiilent, your letter
of the 13th instant, touching the arrest and
imprisonment of Alexander McLeod, a Bri
tish subject, and l|Ue Deputy ShefilV of .the,
NiagSra'.District, ili: on u
charge of-murder undersoil; as'diavmg been
engaged in the capture and 'destruction. of
the steamboat‘.‘Caroline,” in the month of
December, 1837; in .'respect to'wliicli yon
state that'ydu feel.it your duly to cal!upon
the Guvdrrimcnt of.lhe United States to fake
■prompt and.effectual, steps for the liberation
of
The subjects of he;- Majesty, the. Queen of
Great Britain,; from,being persecuted'or mo
lested, in a: similar manner,: for the future../
.. This demand,widi tlicgruunds upon which
President, with a sincere desire.to give it
such a reply ns will not only manifest a pro--,
per regard for tlie character and. rights.of
the United!; States,. but, -at the-same time
tend to preserve (heamicahle relations wliich
so'‘adyantagebiis!y;,fdr hoth,.aHb s isf between
this«puntty nnd Eiiglaud. reality
of tins' disposition, pnd; opTlm uniformity
With which it liils been, evinced in- themany
delicate and ditficulf questions which' have
arisen between the two countries in the last
feyv- years, no one. can .be. more convinced
than yourself. It’is then with unfeigned re-:
gret that thcPiesidentfindshimsclf unable
to recognize'tlic v a lid ityo fad eman d ,aco m -
pliance with which "you deem so material to
the df the' gpod understanding
wliiclfhusUeenliitlicrlonianlfestedbetwceil
'the two countries: r- ,■•;■•■ kv! -I '■ ■ fiviv;
: -The jurisdiction of. the several ..States
which constitute the Union is, within its ap
propriatesphereperfectlyindepcndentof
the Federal Government. Thcoftencc with
which blr. Mcd.end'is charged was cq.mui.it
ted within, the:tciTitory; andragaiustthe laws
aridveitizens bf tl e State of New York, and
is one ;that within’’tlie cbmpe-;
teiicy of her tribunals; It do.es not,’ therCt
fdre, present an octvasion ,\vhcte, under tlie
terpositioh'called.for '.^qldl bf
;fur whichawarraUf^
powcrawith-wlikhtti(rFcdcralE xe ® u ** v<:
is in vested., .Nor would the circumstances
to wliich you have referred, or the.reasons'
you have urged;Justify the exertion of,such
a power, if it existed. 'i'lie:tr,arisaction out
of .which the question arises, presents, the ■"
ease, of a most unjustifiable invasion, in time .
of peace,ofa portion., qf the territory of the .
United States, by ai .band of: armed, inqii
from the adjacent territory- of Canada, the
forcible fcaptu re by them wi tlfin our own wa
fers, and the ■ a
steamboat, the property of a citizen. of the, .
United States, and the murder of one'Or
more AmericancUizehsi If arrested at the
time,. the ''offenders might' unquestionably
have been brought to justice by tlie; judicial
authorities of the State wilhfn whose; ac
knowledged; territory these crimes were
committed!and_thcir subsequent’voluntary _
.entrance witfiin that territory, places Them
in the same situation;’ The President is not •
aware of any principle of international law,
or indeed of reason or-Jußiicer-wliielrenfi
lies such offenders- to- impunity;- bcfortr'tlie
legal- tribunals,, when.... coming . voluntarily
within their independent and undoubted ju
risdiction, because they acted in .obedience
to their superior authorities;dr because their
acts have become the subject of diplomatic
discussion between the two Governments.
These 'methods of redress,The legal prose
cution.ofthe offenders, and.-llid , appliciillgn
of their Government for satisfaction, are in
dependent of.ench other, and may he separ
ately end simultaneously pursued. The u
vowal or justification of the outrage, by the *
British authorities, iniglit be'a .ground' of
complaint will) the Government of the Uni
ted States, distinct from the violation of.the '
territory and laws of.the Stateof New York.
The application of the Government of the
Union fo. that orGrcat'lJrilhin, for the re- ,
dress, ofan authorized oufrage,of thepeace,'
dignity, amp rights ofth,e..United States, can,-,,.’
hot d.epriyc the Stale of New York of her
undoubted right of vindicating, through. the
exercise of her judicial power, the property
and lives of her citizens. You have very
properly regarded the alleged absence of
Mr. McLeod frlmi-tlie scene of the olVcnro
,a£ the time.when it was committed, .as not -
material to the decision OlThe present ques
tion., That is a matter to be decided by le
gal evidence; and the sincere desire of the
President is; Ihul'it may be satisfactorily es
tablished., If ilie destruction. .of Jlie,.f|iir(i-T,;;
jesty’s service, obeying the order of their ,
superior authorities, this fact has not been
before communicated to the 'Government of ■
the United States by a person authorized to
make the admission; and it will' he, for the
court which has takcn c.ogniziince of the of- .
fence with uhich Slr. McLeod is charged,
fo decide upon its .validity, when legally es
tablished before it.
r i>pcF--’
occasion toreminil the Governncenl .of ’ her
Hrilanic Majesty that the case ofthc “Car;
bline” has been long since brought to the at
tention of her Majesty’s principal Secretary
of Stale for Foreign Allans, who, up to this '
day, has nut comihunicatctl its decision ■
thereupon. It is hopeil-lhat the Government
of her Majesty will perceive the importance
of no lunger leaving the guv cm me at of the
Uniteil Stales Uninformed of its views ami
intentions upon a subject which has natural- ■ ■
;Iv produced much exasperation*, and «hich
has,led to such gravc.conse(|uenccs.
I avail myselt, of this occasion to renew
to you' the assurance of thy distinguished
consideration. ■
JOHN-FORSYTH.
H. S. Fox, esq. &c. &c. &ci r ;'
TO £*£>T.
THE large and commodious I oust* in ihtvßo
rough of Nlenbanicsburg, now <ccnpiid by
the Mitfscribers, for the term'of one fn ni
i he Ist of April 1841, until Hie Ist of'Api iriti42.
The dwelling will be looted separate or togeth
er with ifie S’forc Uoom mid Warehouse. , Fur
conditions call on the subscribers.
ARNOLD & Co..:_.
Merhaliirsburg, Dor. 31, 18-tO
■ N. U. We have leased amtlter properly in
said Iv'ronjJ) for-tbe-urm of.three years-lmm
the Ist of April next, anil had leased the lit st
described propertyh r the same tei in, and said
term thus.not «.xp,nv until tbe-lstof Apiil 184 C.
THE creditors.nl Di. AV. A..W, Sleigleman,
late of the County o| Cumberland, deceased,
_.»rc hereby notified'4liaJ M <lio uncU i*sigued an au
ditor appointed by the Oi plums’Court c.if the
County afotesald, to settle ami ad just the raua
jind proportions of the remaining assets ol.the
estate ol said deceased, in the bands s of Lewis
Hyer, and,Daniel Shelly, jr/bis administrators,
among said, creditors, will aiu*ud fur’tiial pur*
posc-ai Hoover’s tavern, itf Merhauicsbuiy, mi
Saturday the. 2od day of January next, ul 10 o’-
clock A, M*. "ol said day. • <*•
\V M; M. POUTER, Auditor. ,
oli f!4O, ‘ 3f. * (
Estulc offiFrederick ilild, dee d. "' '
:• no.tiok.
. I.Ej i'ERS tesiamenniry on -til?, fstate. of
Frcderick.Uild, deceased, late of Allen to»li
ship,'Cumberland comityV have been,issuitl' to
the subscriber
AH persons indebted.go'.said -estate; will. make
payment, And those having claims will present
them lor settlement. ! .... •r. .. "
WM. HAUKNESP, Executor,
*l. 18M.‘ : - ; : ' -
Dgcei
"•kTOTICE. isliereby givtn th;U,SuiK wiU he
•JJK brought against all in their
possession any Muskets, lufletf,Pistdls'orSwords,
or any other i public;- military property; .unless .
(hey deliVeruplhesanie to the undersigned'or
to snme commissioned volunteer i fficor or con- "
stable, nil of whom are hereby authorised toa«k,
drtn^, ; t*)reiife, and : receipt for’ the- sameirr? /1
Property ofVhis Kind in the hand!, of any actual
member. ol on existing voluot ee r, co mpa ny will. ,■
not lie disturbed. A .
will WpahV toi any pereon coUecting;and deli v«.,
crihg%nysucli property, tit the undersigned. ’ •;
. . ' : ' \VrKatiL^Ungrliisp.
,•:?Sris'.trtrilffifv
' ■,
TH E will cnnrtiiue their Auctirh'
on Friday the Ist and 2nd if _
January, where will lie ifiVred a variety of XJi y •
Goods, such us Cloths; Cnssmctts,'lrish I, tor o',
n'iokingßj Bieiichfd .^pdbpiiblenche'dbjtftislihsi ;
•
articles of M« reliant)Vie.:‘- Sale to rt tnhirhpe at;
3,o’clock during • ■
the evetiinc- v •’ " s " ; •. ■■■■
: , hitneu v mulVanv,• ’'"i
, December. "1, 1840, ;V-3.a
-'.N; B. On Saturday nfterhddh W.ili
.Andtinn.a'Mah.nßany C.earVTabUyVhfl n set..
oFdinnejr. Stone! China, the property of'Captain
©lx; b i.:vvV -