Mr. Seward to Sir
F. Bruce
Department of State, Washington,
August 4, 1866.
Sir: I beg your attention to the enclosed
extract from a communication of the 20th ultimo, from D. Thurston,
esquire, the United States consul at Toronto, relating particularly to
the case of John Sheridan, now under arrest in Canada on a charge of
Fenianism, and relating generally to the position of all persons
claiming the protection of the United States who are similarly held, and
against whom sufficient proof has not been adduced to support the
charges of complicity in the late movement.
I trust that there will be no further delay in any cases coming within
that category, in the liberation of the parties.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
obedient servant,
The Hon. Sir Frederick W. A. Bruce, &c., &c., &c.
[Extract.]
Mr. Thurston to Mr. Seward
No. 114.]
United States Consulate,
Toronto,
July 20, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit the
enclosed letter from D. C. Wiley, from Lansing, Michigan, who has
been employed by the friends of John Sheridan, now in prison here,
on a charge of being a Fenian, as his attorney.
I beg to say that it seems a great injustice to these parties
claiming to be American citizens, and against whom no proof that
they are or ever were Fenians exists, that they should be so long
confined in prison without trial, or that they are not discharged on
the evidence submitted to the government of Canada of their
innocence. It is reported that the government intend to send the
prisoners before a military tribunal. * * * *
I am, with respect, your obedient servant,
D. THURSTON, United States
Consul.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.
[Extract]
Mr. Wiley to Mr. Thurston
Dear Sir: I desire to call your attention
to the case of a citizen of the United States now confined in jail
at this place by the name of John Sheridan, charged with Fenianism.
His father and brothers are citizens of the United States, and
reside in Ingham county, in the State of Michigan. At the request of
his father I came from Lansing, Michigan, to investigate the case,
and find that the accused had been working on a railroad in
Pennsylvania during last spring, and had just engaged to work upon a
railroad in the State of Illinois as an overseer, and had made his
preparations to enter upon the work, when a slight circumstance
[Page 254]
brought him in contact
with the Canadian officials, and thus his arrest, which was as
follows:
Some time previous to his arrest he had become acquainted with a
young lady residing at or near Fort Erie by the name of Fowler, to
whom he was engaged to be married; that, hearing of the Fenian raid
at Fort Erie, he naturally felt concerned for the welfare of the
young lady, and twice telegraphed to her at Fort Erie, inquiring
after her welfare; but not hearing from her, he then telegraphed to
a friend at Buffalo, but received no direct tidings from her. This,
I think, was the 2d of June. He then came to Buffalo, and on the 5th
of June procured a pass from the British consul to visit Fort Erie
to see her. He then went over to Fort Erie; but, before he had been
there one hour and a half, he was arrested and sent to this place,
where he has been confined. He was arrested standing on the hotel
steps, where he had gone to inquire for Miss Fowler. Unarmed, and
quietly pursuing his own business, by the permit of the British
consul, he was taken, and has since been confined as a prisoner.
The charge against him is by a detective, who says Sheridan
identified himself with the Fenian movement in February last while
at Fort Erie.
I have had a personal interview with him to-day, and he absolutely
denies ever having been a Fenian, or having been in the least manner
identified with the movement.
He has the pass from the British consul, and a pass on the railroad
to take him to his place of employment in Illinois. He also has the
telegram received from his friend at Buffalo, and the correspondence
from Miss Fowler, all of which show conclusively that he had no part
in the Fenian movement, and was in Canada for no other reason than
as before stated.
* * * * * *
Yours respectfully,
D. C. WILEY, Lansing,
Michigan.
D. Thurston, Esq., United States Consul.
