Mr. Seward to Sir F. Bruce
My Dear Sir: I beg leave to ask your attention to a copy of a despatch which has just been received at this department from Mr. Thurston, United States consul at Toronto, and the correspondence appended to the same.
From these papers I learn that although the government of Canada very cheerfully announced its determination to comply with the wish of this government for a copy of the records of convictions in the so-called Fenian cases in Canada, yet that some difficulties have arisen there in regard to the furnishing of the testimony taken in the several cases, which need to be removed.
It can hardly be necessary to say that the records, without the testimony, would be of no use in enabling this government to ascertain the regularity, legality, and justice of the convictions,
It must be equally unnecessary to say that the saving of time is of essential importance in this matter, insomuch as the 13th day of December next is understood to be fixed for carrying into execution the sentence of capital punishment.
I think that the difficulties to which I have alluded are merely technical, or legally professional, and it is supposed that they could be promptly removed by an order from the executive government of Great Britain, or from that of Canada. In this belief I make this communication informal, not doubting that you will cheerfully bring the subject to the notice of the Canadian authorities.
I am, my dear sir, yours very faithfully,
The Hon. Sir Frederick W. A. Bruce, &c., &c., &c.