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Issn 1859 – 4603 Tạp chí Khoa học Xã hội, Nhân văn và Giáo dục – ISSN 1859 – 4603 UED JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, HUMANITIES & EDUCATION THE CAROLINE AFFAIR AND THE DIPLOMATIC CRISIS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES IN THE PERIOD 1837-1841 Received: 05 – 09 – 2017 Nguyen Van Sang Accepted: 20 – 12 – 2017 Abstract: The Caroline affair has been one of the historical events of British-American diplomacy since http://jshe.ued.udn.vn/ the War of 1812 to the Webster-Ashburton Treaty 1842. The beginning of accident was the destruction of the American Caroline ship by British Army forces in Upper Canada on December 29, 1837. When the incident occurred, Britain’s and the United States’ opinions on this issue was in stark contrast. The differences in opinions were the causes of tensions between the two countries. In the threat of war occurrence, Britain and the United States held talks on the Caroline affair. Caroline's handling of the problem had played a significant role in reducing tensions, paving the way for resolving conflicts in the relationship between the two countries through the Webster-Ashburton treaty in 1842. At the same time, this issue established new principles in international politics. This article is intended to contribute to the history of the Caroline affair, McLeod’s case and the history of British-American relations related to this issue from 1837 to 1841. Key words: Britain; the United States; diplomatic crisis; Caroline affair; McLeod’s case. British and American governments to resolve Caroline 1. Introduction affair while avoiding a possible war until an agreement Caroline is the name of a ship owned by the was reached through the Webster - Ashburton Treaty [3]. Americans, used to support the insurgency against British rule in Upper Canada in 1837 [1]. The ship was 2. The beginning of Caroline affair in 1837 subsequently captured, burned and sank near Niagara In 1837, in Upper Canada, present Ontario, a group Falls under the command of Colonel Alan MacNab of of people under the command of William Lyon the militia force and Captain Andrew Drew of British Mackenzie [4] revolted against British rule to fight for Royal Navy. Americans see this incident as an Canadian independence [5]. The intrusion of liberalism encroachment on their state honor. Immediately the and coercion by the British colonial Government in Americans along the border asked the Government to Canada was the main cause of the uprising. In addition, start a war with Britain in Canada. The diplomatic crisis Canadians were not satisfied with the British rule and in relations between Britain and America emerged. It considered the United States as a model, a source of was called Caroline affair, Caroline case, Caroline support and shelter [6]. The news of the uprising spread incident or Caroline controversy [2]. This crisis could out rapidly and received support from many parts of the United States, especially the part of the people along the Canadian border [7]. Some American supporters of the * Corresponding author revolt believed that the uprising was the spiritual Nguyen Van Sang The University of Danang - University of Science and Education succession of the war of independence in 1776. They PhD.Candidate, Institute of History - University of Lodz, Poland Email: [email protected] hoped the uprising would completely eradicate the be lead to the outbreak of a war between the two British rule in North America, what Americans regretted countries. Diplomatic activities were conducted by the when their revolution in 1783 did not achieve. They believed that Britain had finally given up its rule in 44 | UED Journal of Social Sciences, Humanities & Education, Vol 7. No.5 (2017), 44-52 ISSN 1859 - 4603 - UED Journal of Social Sciences, Humanities & Education, Vol 7. No.5 (2017), 44-52 North America, and Canada would join the Federation began receiving support from the Caroline. This vessel of Americas. American supporters of the uprising also worked like a ferry from the US coast [15], mainly at intended to bring the issue of democracy into Canada, Black Rock and the Navy Island in communication furthermore desired for interests in this land. At this between insurgents on the island to land [16]. Colonel time, the bearers of missionary ideals in the American Allan Napier Mc Nab, the commander of British forces at leadership also strongly supported the uprising [8]. Chippewa, predicted that the destruction of the Caroline Their support posed a threat to peace between Britain would prevent American support for the Navy Island and and the United States, which had strained ties between disrupted the Canadian admission plan by the rebellion. the two countries, possibly leading to a war between the Therefore, he ordered an expedition for this purpose [17]. two. The US Government also recognized that. On According to Captain Gilman Appleby, the November 21st, 1837, the United States declared neutral Caroline departed Buffalo on the morning of December for the uprising and called on the Americans to obey 29th and arrived at the port of Schlosser in New York. [9]. However, due to the strong involvement of a large On the way, the train stopped at Black Rock. Upon body of American citizens in the uprising, government leaving the Black Rock, a series of rifles fired at efforts failed [10]. Caroline from Canada but did not damage it. After Subsequent to his failure in Upper Canada, releasing "a guest number" on the Navy Island, Caroline William Lyon Mackenzie, the leader of the uprising and docked and landed at Fort Schlosser around 3 pm. In the a remnant of the group, fled to the United States seeking afternoon, Caroline made two trips to the Navy Island more support. As the insurgents arrived in Buffalo, Dec and finally returned to Schlosser around 6 pm. In the 12th, 1837 Trowbridge, Mayor of Buffalo, sent a letter evening, 10 crew and 23 people were all American to Mr. Fillmore, who was later a member of the US citizens who stayed on board the whole night. At Senate. In the letter, he expressed concern that the midnight, about 70-80 men were armed with weapons presence of insurgents and the support of a part of the on board and attacked on board ships with rifles and Americans would pose a nuisance to relations between swords. Crew and passengers with all 33 people tried to Britain and the United States [11]. On the following escape. The ship was captured, towed to land owned by day, William Lyon Mackenzie and Rolfe held a meeting British forces, then was cut, pulled out to pull to the in Buffalo, New York on the rise, calling for arms river, burned and pushed down the Niagara Falls [18]. assistance and recruiting American volunteers to enter The captain and crew all said that the attack was carried Upper Canada. Immediately, hundreds of American out by British forces garrisoned in Upper Canada's volunteers joined, weapons and ammunition were Chippewa. Because, after Caroline was destroyed, they provided [12]. heard loud shouting from the shores of Canada [19]. In At the same time, William Lyon Mackenzie, along the attack, the two killed Amos Durfee were killed in with more than 25 men, controlled and formed an the dock with a bullet on the head and a boy serving the interim government in the Navy Island [13]. The cabin on the board, two others were arrested [20]. uprising caused British attention. The governor of Upper Canada sent a message to the Governor of New 3. British-American opinions and the diplomatic crisis in their relations related to the Caroline affair York to inform the insurgents but did not receive a reply. The situation became more serious when on On January 4th 1838, President Van Buren received December 28th, 1837, Mr. Trowbridge reported that 200 information about Caroline affair and determined to or 300 men, mostly American campers were found on avoid a war with Britain. Van Buren immediately the Navy Island in Upper Canada. The force was armed ordered General Winfield Scott to come to the Niagara under the command of an American named Van border to lead the US military and use his "rhetoric and Rensselaer and involved in the uprising. The force then diplomacy" to awake American volunteers withdraw increased to more than 1,000 people [14]. In particular, from the uprising of the Canadians [21]. On January this was also the time when insurgents on the island 5th, 1838, President Van Buren issued a neutral 45 Nguyen Van Sang statement, urging US citizens to stop hostilities. He said November 12th, 1840 [31]. McLeod was arrested at these actions affected the neutrality of the United States, Lockport prison for allegedly deliberately burning down interfered in the internal affairs of neighboring British the Caroline and killing Amos Durfee. territories, and even violated the law and territory of the Following the arrest of Christie and McLeod, the neighboring country [22]. On the same day, the United British administration began to issue visas for the States gave its first opinion regarding Caroline affair by Caroline affair and McLeod case. December 13th, 1840 Mr. Forsyth, the message of US Secretary of State to the Fox sent a letter to Mr. Forsyth responded to the arrest British Minister, Fox in Washington. Mr. Forsyth of McLeod by US Government. He said the accusation expressed his surprise, regretted the incident, and was insufficient evidence and called for McLeod's warned that the incident would create the subject of a release. In the letter, Mr. Fox reiterated the principle claim and demanded Upper Canada to respond soon to mentioned in the case of Christie and reaffirmed that the the incident [23].
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