Mr. Seward to Sir F. Bruce.
Department of State, Washington,
January 7, 1867.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of
a despatch of the 3d instant from our vice-consul general at
Montreal relative to the result of the recent Fenian trials at
Sweetsburg. I should be glad to know whether we may assume that the
capital convictions referred to will be suspended as other similar
cases have been.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
obedient servant,
Hon. Sir Frederick W. A. Bruce, &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Drummond to Mr. Seward
No. 12.]
U. S. Consulate
General, B.N. A. P., Montreal,
January 3, 1867.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you
that the trials at Sweetsburg of the prisoners recently held in
the jail of this city, on a charge of complicity in the Fenian
invasion of this province, in June last, terminated on the 28th
ultimo with the following results:
Madden, Smith, and Crowley have been sentenced to be hung on the
15th proximo; Holmes to be imprisoned for two months for
larceny, and Crawford for three months for receiving stolen
goods. The remaining eleven have been discharged.
Mr. Devlin, the counsel for the prisoners, with whom I have had
an interview since the close of the trial, appears to entertain
no doubt of his success in appeal in the cases of those
capitally condemned.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
C. G. B. DRUMMOND, United States
Vice-consul General, B. N. A. P.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.