Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-06-30
ExtraditiOn-rreaty Message Of the
President.
WASHINGTON. Lnne D

WASHINGTON, June ~.
THE President to-day sent message to
the Senate and House of Representatives
respecting the EXtradition Treaty with
Great Britain. After stating at length the
provisions of the treaty, and criticising
the action taken by the British Govern
ment in the Winslow and Brent cases, the
President says:
It is with extreme regret that am now
called upon to announce TO you that Her
Ma1essy's Government has finally released
both OF these fugitives, Winslow and Brent
and set them at liberty, thus omitting to
comply with the provisions and requirements
OF the treaty under which extradition OF fu-
gitiye criminals is made between the two
Governments. The position thus taken
by the British Government if adhered to,
cannot but be regarded as the abro-
cation and annulment of the article of
the treaty on extradition. Under these
circumstances 1t will not, in my judgment,
comport with the dignity or seIf-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. 1t will be a cause of deep regret
il treaty which has been thus ben
ehcial in its practical OF erations,
which has worked SO well and SO
efficiently, and which, Notwithstanding the
exciting and at The same time violent polit-
cal disturbances of which both countries
have been the scene during its existence, has
given rise to no complaints on the part of
either Government against either its spirit or
It's provisions, should be abruptly termis ated.
1t has tended to the protection of society,
and TO the general interests OF both
countries. Its violation or annulment
would be a retrograde step in interna-
tional intercourse. [ have been anxious
and have made efforts to enlarge its scope,
and to make new treaty which would be
still more efficient agent for the punishment
and prevention OF crime; at the same time
have felt 1t my duty 10 decline to entertain
proposition made by Great Britain, pending
its refusal to execute the existing treaty, to
amend 1t by practically conceding by treaty
the Identical conditions which that Govern
ment demands under its act Of Parliament.
In addition to tie impossibility of the United
States entering upon negotiations under the
menace of an intended violation or a refusal
to execute the terms of an existing treaty,
deemed it inadyisable 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 a new treaty.
1t is for the wisdom of Congress to de-
termine whether the article of the treaty re-
lating TO extradition is to 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 atti.
tude OF the British Government remain un-
changed, 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 1912. Respect
fully submitted, U. s. GRANT