Hastings Doyle to Richard Lyons, 1st Viscount Lyons, January 20, 1864
Major General Doyle to Lord Lyons.
My Lord: In consequence of the gross misrepresentations which have appeared in some of the American newspapers relative to what is termed by them “the rescue of Wade by a Halifax mob,” and which appears to have caused so much bad feeling on the part of the American public towards this province, I considered it my duty to desire the attorney general to attend and watch the proceedings of the examination which took place a few days ago in the mayor’s court, relative to the escape of Wade, and also caused a reliable shorthand writer to note the evidence given by the several witnesses. I have now the honor to transmit for your lordship’s information a copy of the report which has reached me from the attorney general, and also copies of the phonographic report by Mr. J. C. Bourinot, the shorthand writer above referred to, by both of which documents your lordship will perceive that the circumstances detailed in the report of Lieutenant Reyne, the officer of the guard at Queen’s wharf on the occasion of the escape of Wade, which I had the honor to transmit to you with my journal of the 23d ultimo, and which formed one of the enclosures, have been fully substantiated, and it has been clearly proved throughout, that, instead of Wade having been rescued by a mob, there were not in all forty persons on the Queen’s wharf, which is a large one, the civilians among them all of respectable position.
It is also clearly shown that no rescue ever took place, although there is no doubt the arrest of Wade was obstructed by Dr. Almon, Dr. Smith, and Mr. Keith; the first named having called a boat which was proceeding in the stream, into which Wade jumped, and by which means he escaped. The two latter gentlemen appear to have been but slightly implicated, as they do not seem to have taken any part in the matter until after the struggle between Dr. Almon and the constable, who was presenting the pistol at the boat, had commenced. It will also be observed that not a shadow of evidence proves that there was any concert or premeditation to obstruct the arrest of Wade.
The concluding paragraph of the printed evidence will show that Messrs. Almon, Keith, and Smith have entered into a joint bond for £200 each, with two securities in £100 each, for their appearance at the supreme court in April next.
This examination having been taken on oath will, I trust, prove to your lordship and the American government how grossly the real facts have been misrepresented by the generality of the American press, and that I have done all in my power to vindicate the law by taking the necessary steps to punish the alleged offenders of it.
I have, &c.,