The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-10-30
SECRETARY SEWARD TO THE BRITISH MIN1srEr

SECRETARY SEWARD TO THE BRITISH MINISTER.
Dept OF STATE,
WARRINGTON, Oct. q.
SrR-It is understood that James Lynch
and John McMahon have been recently con-
voted in q colonial court of Canada, and sen
tenoed to death, upon charge that, being
citizens of the United States, they were &C
tors in the assault made in the month of June
| on Fort Erie, In that colony. 1t can hardly
be necessary to direct you attention to the
fact that the government of the United States
is required by the highest considerations of
| national dignity, duty and honor to inquire
into the legality, justice and regularity of the
judicial proceedings which have thus taken
place, and that after making such q careful
scrutiny, we shall expect to make known to
her majesty's government such opinions as
the President, upon due consideration, shall
adopt. With this view the consul of the Uni
ted States at Toronto is this day requested
to procure, for the information of this depart
ment, copy of the record of the trial and
conviction of Lynch and McMahon, and also
of all further trials and convictions of q sim
liar character which shall take place in Can
ada. While no unnecessary delay in the sx-
sminatlons of the cases which are thus ex-
psotsd to come before this government may
be intended, it may nevertheless happen
suit from past incidents or from future events
which cannot now be foreseen. / have now
| the honor to request you to take such pro-
cesdings as you msy think proper, to the end
that such applications of the consul shall be
promptly met.
The President directs me to assure you of
his confident hope that her maiestys govern
ment will not only cheerfully comply with
the request l have thus made, but that they
will think proper, also, to examine the judi
cial proceeding aforesaid, with q careful re-
gard to the rights OF the United States, and
to the maintenance of good relations between
the two countries. Such relations are always
difficult and delicate in states that are ada
cent to each other, without being separated
by impossible boundaries. For this reason
it would be very gratifying to the President
IT you should be able to give me an assurance
that the execution of the sentences pronounc-
ed upon the convicted persons will be sus-
pended, II occasion for delay shall arise IN
the manner before mentioned to make it de-
sirabls.
Finally, deem it proper to say that the
offences involved In these trials are emmi-
nently political. It is the opinion of this gov
eminent that sound policy comedies with the
best impulses of benevolent nature in REQ
ommending tenderness, amnesty and forgive
with freedom and earnestness, because the
same opinions were proposed to us in our re-
cent civil war by oil the governments of Eu-
roye,and by none of them with greater frank
nssss and kindness than by the government
and statesmen of Great Britain. I am very
sure that you will find that the recommends
tions of policy of clemsncy and forgiveness
n the case of the parties concerned are in en-
tire harmony with the suggestion and repre-
sensations which this government has made
to her majesty's government in regard to the
aggressions which have been made on the
Canadian frontier, and that they are also in
harmony with the proceedings which this
government has thought i, just, wise and ex.
pedlent to pursue in regard to the violation
of lts own neutrality laws, which was Involv-
ed in these aggressons.
have the honor to be, with the highest
consideration, sir, your obedient servant,
WIN. Fl. SEWARD.
To the Hon. Sir Frederick Bruce