Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-10-29
To ADyERrISERS.
THE CONDEMNED FENIANS

Important Diplomatic Correspondence-
Mr.. Seward to Sir Frederick W. A
Bruce.
Hon. VIM. n. Seward enclosed to ID. Thurs
on, Esq. our Consul al Toronto, on SATURDAY.,
copy OF the note addressed by the Secretary
of State 10 Sir Frederick W A Bruce the Brit
ish Minister here, upon the subject OF the con-
yiction and sentence OF James Lynch and John
McMahon, by colonial court of Canada, on
the charge OF completely and participation In
the late attack on Fort Erie. The Consul ia
instructed to procure, without delay, for the
use OF the State Department copy of the rec.
ord OF the trial and conviction OF Lynch and
Mcmahon, and also of all further trials and
con vietions Of a similar character which will
take place in Canada. with the least possible
delay after their termination. The following
Is the communication of the Secretary Of State
TO the British Minister:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON Oct
~ lec6--SIr: 1t u understood that James
Lynch and John Mcmahon have been recentIv
convicted IN colonial court of Canada. and
seftenced 10 death, upon a charge that being
ciuzens OF the UnIIed States, they were actors
IN the assault made in the month Of June lasr.
al Fort Erie, in that colony
II can hardly be necessary TO direct your ar,
tention TO the fact that the Government of the
United States Is required by the highest con.
sIdershons OF national dignity, duty, and hon
VI 10 10 a,e ihto me iegailtJ, justice, and reg
uIarify OF the judicial proceedings which have
thus taken place, and that after making such a
careful scrutiny, we shall expect to make
Known 10 her Malestys Government such
opinions a. the President, upon due consider
anon, shall adopt
With this view the United States Consul at
Toronto Is this day Instructed TO procure, fer
the information OF this department., a copy of
the record of the trial and conviction OF Lynch
ana mcmahon, and also of all further trials
ana con yieuons OF a similar character which
snail take place IN Canada
w bile no unnecessary delay in the examin-
alien of the cases which are thus expectsd m
come before this Government is Intended n
may nevertheless, happen hereafter that de.
lays may una voida bly, result from nast inc;
cents, or from future events which cannot
now be fOreseeD.
have now the honor TO request Won IN take
such proceedings as you may think proper to
tne end that such applications OF the consul
snail oe promptly granted. The President di-
re, m M 20 assure you Of his confident hope
cneerIuIiy comply with the request I have
thus made, but that they will think IL proper
ais9 70 e1amlne the j. dicial proceedings afore-
sald with careful regard 20 the rights of the
Cnited States and 20 the maintenance of good
relations between the two countries
Such relations are always difficult and del
lcate IN STATES that are adjacent to each other
without being separated by impossible bor
oers FOR this reason IL would be very graft
Tying 10 the President IL you should be able To
give me an assurance that the execution of
the sentences pronounced upon con victed par-
sons Will be suspended, If occasion for delav
snail IN the manner before mentioned make il
desirable. ~
Finally, L deem it proper to say that the Of
FENCES involved IN these trials are, in their ma
ture. emlnently political. IL is the opinion of
thls Government that sound policy Comedies
with the best impulses of a benevolent nature
In recommending tenderness, amnesty and for.
glNeness IN such cases. This suggestion rs
made with freedom and earnestness, because
tne same opinions were proposed to Us In our
recent civil war by the Governments and pnb-
hclsts OF Europe, and by none Of them with
greater nankness and kindness than nv the
Government and statesmen of Great Britain
am very sure that You will find that these
Iecomme ndations OF a policy Of clemency and
forgiveness in the case of the parties Concerned
are IN entire harmony with all the suggestions
and recommendations which this Goyerpment
has made To her MaIesty's Government in re-
gard TO the aggressions which have been made
on me Canadian frontier, and that they are
also In harmony with the proceedings which
TINS Government has thought it Just, wise and
prudent 10 pursue in regard 10 the violation of
Its own neutrality laws, which was involved
In those aggressions.
have the honor 10 be. with the highest CON.
sideTation, sir, your obedient ervant.
WIN. ii. SEWARD.
The Hon Sir FREDERICK W. a. BRucE.