Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-11-02
RrMEyr OF STATE,
nv Acu,~rrpr ncf OF 1000

SIR-it IS un0erSt0Od tnat James Lynch
and John Mcmahon have recently been con-
victed in colonial court of Canada and
sentenced to death, upon charge that being
citizens of the United States they were ac-
tors in the assault IN the month of June
last, at Fort Erie, in that colony.
1t can hardly be necessary to direct your
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 careful scrutiny, we shall ex-
pect TO make known to Her Majesty's Gov
eminent such opinions as the President,
upon due consideration, shall adopt. III
With this view, the consul Of the United
States at Toronto is this day instructed 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 u
similar character, which shall take place in
Canada.
While no unnecessary delay in the exam
nation Of the cases which are thus expected
to come before this government is intended,
it may nevertheless happen hereafter that
delays may unavoidably result from PAST in
cidents or from future events which cannot
now be forescen.
! have now the honor to request you to
take such proceedings as you may think
proper, to the end that such applications G..
the consul shall be promptly granted. The
President directs me ~ assure Won of his
confident hcre that Her Majesty's Govern
weut will not only checrfully comply with
the request ! have thus made, but that they
will think proper, also, to examine the judi
cial proceeding aforesaid, with careful re-
gard to the rights of the United States, and
80 the maintenance of good relations be-
tween the two countries. Such relations are
always difficult and delicate in States that
are adjacent to each other, without being
separated by impossible boundaries. For
this reason it would be very gratifying to
the President if you should be able to give
me an assurance tnat execution of the sem
fences pronounced upon the convicted per-
sons will be suspended if occasion for delay
shall arise In the manner before mentioned
to make it desirable.
THE REToRT COURTEOUS.
Finally deem II proper to say that the
offences involved in these trials are in their
nature eminently political. Ii is the opin.
ion Of this government that sound policy
comedies with the best impulses of benev-
client nature in recommending tenderness,
amnesty and forgiveness in such cases. This
is made with freedom and ear
nestness because the same opinions were
proposed to us in our recent civil war by all
the governments and publicists of Europe,
md by none Of them with greater frank
ness and kindness than by the government
md statesmen of Great Britain.
am very sure that you will find that
hose recommendations Of policy of elem
,ncy and forgiveness in the case of the par
les concerned are in entire harmony with |
III the suggest ms aud representations which
his Government has made to Her Majesty's |
Government in regard to the aggressions
which have been made on the Canadian
fontier, and that they are also In harmony
With the proceedings which this government
las thought il just, wise and prudent to
,ursue in regard TO the violation of its own
neutrality laws, which was involved in these
ggressions. H aH
! have the honor TO be, with the highest
consideration, sir your obedient servant,
[Signed WIN. H. SEWARD
To the Hon. Sir Fred. W. A: Bruce.