The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1876-06-27

The President, on the Goth, sent
message to the Senate and House of
Representatives, respecting the extra
dition treaty with Great Britain. Az
ter stating at length the provisions OF
the treaty, aud critcising the action
taken by the British Government in
the Winslow aud Brent cases, the
President says:
at is with extreme regret that am
now called upon 10 announce 10 you
that Her Majesty's Government has
finally released both OF these fugitives
(Winslow aud Brent), and set them at
liberty. thus emitting 10 comply with
the provisions and requirements of the
treaty under which the extradition OF
fugitive criminals is made between the
two governments. The position thus
taken by the British Government, il
adhered TO. car not but be regarded AZ
abrogation and annulment of the arti-
Gle OF the treaty in extradItion. Under
these circumstances il will not, in my
Judgment, comport with the dignity or
self-respect OF this government to
make demands upon that government
for the surrender OF fugitive criminals,
nor TO entertain any requisition of that
character from that government under
the treaty. IL will be a cause Of deep
regret il treaty which has been thus
beneficial in its practicul operation,
which has worked so we'll and so effect
ualiy, and which, notwithstanding the
sxcitiug, aud at times, violent political
disturbances OF which both countries
have been the scene, since its existence,
has given rise to no complains on the
part of either government against eth
or its spirit or its provisions, should be
abruptly terminated. IL has tended 10
the protection OF society and to the
general interests OF both countries.
Its violation or annulment would he a
rstrogade step in international inter
conrse. have been anxious and have
made effort to enlarge it's scope aud to
make a new treaty which would be a
still more efficient agent for the pun
ishment and prevention OF crime. At
the same time, have felt il my duty
to decline to entertain a proposition
made by Great Britain, pending its re-
fusal to execute the existing treaty, to
amend it by practically conceding, by
treaty, the identical conditions which
that government demands under its
act OF Parliament. In addition to the
impossibility OF the United States en-
tering upon negotiations under me-
nance of an Intended violation or n re-
fusal 10 execute the terms Of an exist
ing treaty, / deemed it inadvisable to
treat OF only the one amendment pro-
posed by Great Britain. While the
United States desires an enlargement
of the list of crimes for which extradi-
tion may be asked. and otLsr improve
ments which experience has shown
might be embodied in a new treaty, it
is for the wisdom of Congress TO de-
termine whether the article Of the
treaty relating to extradition is to be
any longer regarded as obligatory on
the government OF the United States,
or as forming part OF the supreme law
OF the land. Should the attitude OF
the British Government remain un-
changed, shall not, without an ex.
preston of the wish Of Congress that
l should do so, take any action, either
in making or granting acquisitions for
the surrender of fugitive criminals un-
der the treaty Of l842. Respectfully
submitted. U. s. GRANT.
Washington, June =. 1870.