Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 3, 1877

No. 158.
Mr. Pierrepont to Mr. Evarts.

Legation of the United States,
London, August 22, 1877. (Received September 5.)

No. 221.]

Sir: I have the honor to state that I find in this day’s Morning Post the text of a commission lately appointed by Her Majesty for inquiring into the laws relating to the extradition of criminals, and that I inclose a clipping of the same. Mr. Cross lately told me that there would be much embarrassment in making a treaty of extradition, which required special action of Parliament upon a convention with any particular state. I think that this commission is for the purpose of producing a change in the act of 1870, and also for the purpose of considering the whole subject of extradition. Until this commission reports, I do not think that any new treaty touching this subject is likely to be made. I shall watch the progress of this commission and keep you advised.

I have, &c.,

EDWARDS PIERREPONT.

[Inclosure.]

[From the Morning Post, Wednesday, August 22, 1877.]

the extradition of criminals.

Whitehall, August 20.

The Queen has been pleased to issue a commission under Her Majesty’s royal sign manual to the effect following:

Victoria R.

Victoria, by the grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith: To our right trusty and well-beloved Councillor Sir Alexander James Edmund Cockburn, Bart., Knight Grand Cross of our most honorable Order of Bath, Lord Chief Justice of Englaud; ouc right trusty and well-beloved Councillor Roundell, Baron Selborne; our right trusty and well-beloved Councillor Colin, Baron Blackburn, one of our lords of appeal in ordinary; our right trusty and well-beloved Councillor Russell Gurney, recorder of our city of London; our right trusty and well-beloved Councillor Sir Richard Baggallay, Knight, one of our ordinary judges of our court of appeal; our right trusty and well-beloved Councillor Sir William Baliol Brett, Knight, one of our ordinary judges of our court of appeal; our trusty and well-beloved Sir John Rose, Bart, Knight Commander of our most distinguished order of Saint Michael and Saint George; our trusty and well-beloved Sic James Fitzjames Stephen, Knight Commander of our most exalted order of the Star of India, one of our counsel learned in the law; our trusty and well-beloved Sir William George Granville Vernon Harcourt, one of our counsel learned in the law; and our trusty and well-beloved William Torrens M’Cullagh Torrens, esq., Bachelor of Laws, greeting:

Whereas we have deemed it expedient that a commission should forthwith issue to inquire into and consider the working and effect of the law and treaties relating to the extradition of persons accused of crime:

Now, know ye that we, reposing great trust and confidence in your knowledge and ability, have authorized and appointed, and do by these presents authorize and appoint, you, the said Sir Alexander James Edmund Cockburn; Roundell, Baron Selborne; Colin, Baron Blackburn; Russell Gurney; Sir Richard Baggallay; Sir William Baliol Brett; Sir John Rose; Sir James Fitzjames Stephen; Sir William George Granville Vernon Harcourt; and William Torrens M’Cullagh Torrens, to be our commissioners for the purposes aforesaid. And for the better effecting the purposes of this our commission, we do, by these presents, give and grant unto you, or any three or more of you, full power and authority to call before you such persons as you shall judge likely to afford you any information upon the subject of this our commission, and also to call for, have access to, and examine all such books, documents, registers, and records as may afford the fullest information oh the subject, and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever.

And we do, by these presents, will and ordain that this our commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and that you, our said commissioners, or any three or more of you, may from time to time proceed in the execution thereof, and of every matter and thing therein contained, although the same be not continued from time to time by adjournment.

And we further ordain that you, or any five or more of you, may have liberty to report your proceedings under this commission from time to time, if you shall judge it expedient so to do.

And our further will and pleasure is that you do, with as little delay as possible, report to us, under your hands and seals, or under the hands and seals of any five or more of you, your opinion upon the several points herein submitted for your consideration.

And for your assistance in the execution of this our commission we have made choice of our trusty and well-beloved George Edward March, esq., to be secretary to this our commission, and to attend you, whose services and assistance we require to use from time to time, as occasion may require.

By Her Majesty’s command,

Given at our court at St. James’s the 18th day of August, 1877, in the forty-first year of our reign.

By Her Majesty’s command,

RICHARD ASSHETON CROSS.