Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-12-23
THE RAIDERS FROM CANADA.


The RoBBRRs we're released by Judge
Courssl on the sole ground that be had no
right to issue the warrant, an imperial statute
requiring that the Governors General should
sign it, Was this trap deliberately pre-
pared by the judge, or was ne simply ignor-
ant of a statute abridging his powers Tits
is an awkward predioament for judge, but
the case shows that Judge Coarssl is exactly
in that predicament. It seems, too, that those
who instituted proceedings were badly post
ed and commenced in error nor is the Gov
ernor- General entirely blameless. Presuming
that he knew his own powers in such cases,
he is responsible for not intimating that pro-
ceedings should be commenced anew under
warrants from his hand.
The view of the cdss at Washington.
The pretext upon which the St. Albans
raiders have been set at large, and their plum
der restored TO them IL, that Il esas necessary,
under an act Of the British parliament, for
the governor general of Canada to bave is
sued his warrant for their arrest. This is
believed to be the first among many cases Of
extradition which have taken place wherein
this rule has been applied. The Canadian acts
ef May 80, ls49, and May ls, 1861. were
passed expressly to provide for the contrary.
They contain the following words
" And whereas certain provisions Of the
act passed by the parliament Of Great Britain
for the apprehension Of certain offenders have
been found inconvenient in practice in this
province, and more especially that provision
which requires that before any such offender
as aforesaid shall be arrested, warrant shall
issue under the hand and seal of the person
administering the government, &c"
The view Of the case IN Canada.
QUEBEC. C. f., Dec. Is
The discharge OF the st. Adams raiders
surprised the Numbers Of the government,
and the ground of the discharge is pronounced
ridiculous. The magistrate it is likely will
be severely dealt with. New warrants have
been issued by the Superior Cours Judge for
the re-arrest Of the raiders, and constables
are 10 pursuit An efficient military force is to
De sent to the border towns Immediately to
prevent further depredations.
But Courssl let the rascals start, with all
their booty, against law and honor. We are
afraid the constables will be Courssls rather
than courseis
ToRoNTo, C. W., Dec. l5
There is profound sensation in regard to
Coursas decision in the case of the raiders
The best legal authorities pronounce il con-
trary to law, and it meets with general con-
demnation.
CANADA ARoUsED.-By the favor of a
friend, we have received files of the Montreal
Witness to the 10th. The Witness Gays
there is great unanimity in Canada against
Coursols course, and that since it has been
demonstrated that the policy of the rebels is
to involve the United States and Great Britain
in war, many Canadians, who have sympathzed
with the rebels, are now against them.
Among the documents published by the Gov
ernment is the approval, by the Queen, of the
very Canadian statute which Cours0l decided
had been set aside by the Imperial statute.
II seems more and more clear that Coursol
acted corruptly. In fact the Witness init
mates much.
The report from New York, that the money
of the ST. Aibans banks has been returned to
them, cannot be true. Ninety thousand dollars
Of that money ,oas deiive, ed 10 the raiders by
the chief Of police, Immediately after Counsel .
decision, Coursol advising it, He is evident
ly as big villain the robbers, for, his
decision did not question the robbery, its eff
feet ought not to be to give the stolen prop
erty to the robbers. We should like to know
how much of that money went into Coursols
pocket.
~ Our readers will recolect that we
published, several days in advance OF the dis
charge OF the rebel robbers by Judge Coursol,
a statement of tneir leader, that he had de-
clined several offers to escape " bscause he
expected to be discharged" If be had intel
ligence in advance OF the decision to be made,
why was not the other side informed i-es-
pecislly as the rogues were to escape by a
flaw If it was one,) that could be cured
Perhaps Courso can tell.