Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Thurston to Mr. Seward.
No. 95.]
United States Consulate
General,
Montreal, November 10, 1864.
Sir: Some days since the Hon. G. E.
Cartier, attorney general east, called at the Ottawa Hotel, and left
his card for the consul general and myself. The consul general being
absent, Mr. Cartier expressed the wish that I would call on him at
his residence before he left the city. Accordingly, the next day I
called at his house, but not finding him at home I left my card,
with a request that he would do me the honor to call at the
consulate previous to his leaving for Quebec. Saturday morning last
Mr. Emmons of Detroit called at the consulate, and stated that the
object of his visit was to obtain information in reference to the
raid on St. Albans, the sentiment of the people of Canada, and the
views which the government of Canada might entertain of its powers
to render up the prisoners under the law; or, if the law was
defective, whether the government possessed the right to increase
its powers by additional legislation.
He explained to me that he had no official character, but that he had
lately visited Washington, and had an interview with the honorable
Secretary of State, and although he had received no authority to
represent the government from the department, yet the honorable
Secretary of State had sympathized with his efforts, and had freely
conversed with him and his associate, Mr. Barnes, of Portland, on
these subjects, as citizens, and had expressed the wish that they
should visit Montreal on their way home. Mr. Emmons exhibited to me
several documents establishing, as I believe, his position as a
gentleman of position and respectability in his State, and referred
me to parties in Montreal to whom he was well known.
While I was conversing with Mr. Emmons, Mr. Cartier and the Hon.
Darcy McGee, minister of agriculture, came into the consulate. I
introduced to them Mr. Emmons, and stated to them the object of his
visit at Montreal, as explained to me, and remarked to Mr. Cartier
that I presumed, from his calling on the consul general and myself
at our hotel, and the expression of his wish that I should visit him
at his residence, he desired to confer with me on the matter of the
St. Albans raid. I had ventured to request him to call at the
consulate, as I learned he was to leave for Quebec that evening, and
I feared I should miss the opportunity of having an interview before
he left.
* * * * *
I then informed him that explanations had been made to the Department
of State of the immediate and earnest action of the authorities of
Canada to secure the arrest of the raiders, and of the kindness and
courtesy with which the representations of the consular officers had
been received by the government of Canada, and of the satisfaction
which had been expressed by the Secretary of State at the promptness
and efficiency which the provincial government had manifested in
this matter.
* * * * * * * *
[Page 357]
They also invited my frequent consultation with their officials in
Montreal, And in other localities, and desired me freely to
communicate with them whenever I had any matter of which I thought
it proper they should be informed. They expressed their earnest
desire to do everything possible under the law, and evinced much
pleasure that the department had been informed of the steps taken in
the St. Albans raid, and left.
* * * * * * * *
This interview with three of the leading members of Lord Monck’s
ministry, unsolicited on my part, is certainly an evidence of the
good faith of the government of Canada, and its earnest desire
effectually to put in force all the requirements of the law, and to
maintain all their obligations as a neutral power at peace with the
United States. I should not have asked an interview of this kind,
but as Mr. Cartier evidently sought the opportunity of conversing
with me on the subject of the raid, committed on the territory of
the United States, I deemed it my duty to talk freely with him, Mr.
McGee, and Mr. McDougal on the subject, and have the honor to give
you the foregoing narrative as a resume of what was done.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
D. THURSTON, United States Vice-Consul
General.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Mr. F. W. Seward to Mr. Thurston.
No. 61.]
Department of State,
Washington, November 16, 1864.
Sir: Your despatch, No. 95, has been
received. The spirit manifested by the Canadian ministers at the
conference to which it relates was just and friendly; we hope they
may arrest the evil. Your own proceedings are approved.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
FREDERICK W. SEWARD, Assistant
Secretary.
D. Thurston, Esq., United States Vice-Consul General, Montreal.
