Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-06-28
The Presidents Message Relative to
the ExtrsditiOn Treaty.

NAouAN'I'N, uHHt w.
The President today sent message to
| the Senate and House of Representatives
respeouns the Eltradition Treaty with
prcat britain. Aitr stating at length the
provisions of the treaty, and criticisinp
| the action taken by the British Govern.
ment in the Winslow and Brent cases, the
President says:
1t 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 and Brent,
and set them AT liberty, thus emitting TO
comply with the provisions and requirements
of the treaty under which eXtradition OF fugi-
tive criminals is made between the two Gov
ernments. The position thus taken
by the British Government if adhered
TO, cannot but be regarded as the
abrogation and aunulment OF the arti-
Gle OF the treaty on eXtradition. Under
these circumstances it will not, in my juds-
ment, comport with dignity or self-res pect
OF this Government TO make demands upon
that government for the surrender of fugitive
criminals, nor TO entertain any requsition of
that character from that Government under
the treaty. Ii viii be cause of deep regret
If treaty which has been thus ben
encial in Its practical operations,
which has worked so well and SO ef-
ticieLtly, and which, notwithstanding the
exciting and at the same time violent polti
cal disturbances OF which both countries
have been the scene during its existence, has
given rise 10 no complaints on the part of
either Government against either its spirit or
It's provisions, should De abruptly terminated.
III has tended TO the protection of society,
and 10 the general interests of both coun.
tries. Its violation or annulment would
be retrograde step in international
intercourse. | have been anxious
| nd d. do Fart. H.. q,
and TO make new treaty which would be
II still more efficient agent for the punish
ment and prevention OF crime; al the same
time ! have felt IL my duty To decline To en-
terrain proposition made by Great Britain
pending lis refusal 10 execute the existing
treaty, To amend II by practically conceding
by treaty the identical conditions which
that Government demands under its act Of
Parliament.
In addition 20 the impossibilitv Of the United
States entering upon negotiations under the
menace OF an intended violation or Il refusal
u execute the terms of an existing treaty, |
deemed II inadsisable to treat OF only the
one amendment proposed by Great Britain,
while the United States desires an enlarge
ment of the list OF crimes for which extra
dition may be asked. and other improvements
which experience has shown might be en-
bodied in q new treaty.
Ii is for the wisdom os Congress TO de-
termine nhether the article OF the treaty re.
iating 10 eXtradiuon Is 10 be any longer re.
garded 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 unchang-
ed, shall not, without an expression Of the
wish Of Congress that | should do SO. take
any action either in making or granting
acquisitions for the surrender Of fugitive
criminals under the treaty Of 1872 Respect.
fully submitted, l. ;. GRANT.