The Portland daily press., 1866-10-29

w. NRw YORK, Oct. %.
:, Inc following documents have been received
$500 DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
~, 1. Washington, Oct 27.
Dr; I; lharstoi', Esq, Us Consul, Toronto C. W.
on'GFor your information enclose a copy
to Sir rGse q this date which have addressed
y. 70 OF rederlck w, A. Bruce, the British Min
ister mere, upon the subject of the conviction
aLu ataL sentence of James Lynch and John Nc
Manan by Colonial Court of Canada on the
cnarge fa &C. oi completely and participation in the
.aoo ~ aeeacK on Fort Erie. In accordance with
Ilo purpose expressed in that communication
you are expected to procure, without delay. for
enS S. use e OF the Department, copy of the rec
vIus oi the trial and conviction of LYNCH and
McManan, and also of all further trials and
tIls consicuons OF similar character which shall
taKe place in Canada, with the least possible
delay after their determination.
1853 am sir, your ob't servt,
WILLIAM h. SEWARD.
Uepartnent Of State, Washiuoton d. c.. Sent
zHW.-Sir; 1t is understood THAT James Lynch
ana Jonn McMahan have been recently con-
vicseu i IN criminal court in Canada, and SEN
zens OF the United States, they were actors II,
tne assault made, in the month Of june last
at Fort Erie, in that Colony. 1t can hardly he
necessary TO direct your attention to the fact
Inat tne government of the United States Is
required, by the highest consideration of ma
tional dignity, duty and honor, to enquire into
the legality, Justice and regularity of the i,ldi
cial proceedings which have thus taken Mace
and that after making such q careful scri,tinv
we snail expect to make known to her Maiesty's
government such opinions the President un0n
due consideration shall adopt. With this view.
the Consul of the United States at Toronto il
TINS DAY instructed to procure for the informa-
lon OF this Department., copy of the record
: Of tne trial and conviction of Lynch and Nc
.,;a4;o, na, ana aso OF all further trials and con-
a ahor ooka x,,Is IL
take place in Canada. While no unnecessary
delay IN the examinations of the cases which
are thus expected to come before this Govern
ment Is intended, it may nevertheless happen
eUr aeIeaisel, tnat delays may unavoidably result
fr0m past incidents and from future events
which cannot now be foreseen. I have now
!ne nonor TO request you to take such proceed
lngs as you may think proper to the end that
such applications Of the Consul shall be
promptly granted: The President directs me
70 assure you Of the confident hope that Her
Malestys government will not only comply
WIN tne request have thus made, but that
tney VIII think it proper to examine into the
Judlclal proceedings aforesaid with careful
regard 70 the rights Of the United States, and
TO the maintenance of good relations between
the two countries. Such relations are alwavs
difficult and delicate in States that are ada
cent to each other without being senarated Inv
impossible boundaries. For this reason 4
would De very gratifying to the President if
-,
that the execution of the sentences pronounI
ced upon the convicted persons, will be sus-
pended It occasion for delay shall arise in the
manner before mentioned, makes it desirable
Finally, deem It proper to say that the often
ses involved in these trials are in their nature
eminently political 1t is the opinion .of this
government that sound policy comedies with
the best impulses of benevolent nature in
recommending tenderness, amnesty and for
glveness In such cases. This suggestion is made
with freedom and earnestness because the same
opinions were proposed to us in our recent
civil war by all the Governments and publcests
OF Europe, and by none of them with greater
frankness and kindness than by the Govern
ment and statesmen of Great britain, am
very sure You will find that these recommenda-
tlons OF policy Of cemency and forgiveness
IN the case OF these parties concerned. are IN
entire harmony with all the suggestions and
representations which this Government has
made to her Majesty's Government i'm re-
gard to the aggressions which have
been made on the Canadian frontier and
that they are also in harmony with the pro-
ceedings which this Government has thonobt
" just, wise and prudent to pursue in regard to
the violation of its own neutrality laws. which
was involved in those aggressions.
L nave the honor to be, sir, with the highest
consideration e Aos'
Your obedient servant,
m. WILLIAM FL. SEWARD
10 the Hon. Sir Frederick w. A. Bruce.