Sackville–west to Fred’k T. Frelinghuysen, May 1, 1884

No. 165. Mr. West to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit to you herewith a certified copy of a report by the committee of the privy council of Canada, with a copy of a dispatch from the lieutenant-governor of British Columbia, inclosing a report by the attorney general of that Province, which I have received from the Marquis of Lansdowne.

These papers have reference to a case of lynching which has recently occurred at Sumass, in British Columbia.

It will be seen from the report of the lieutenant-governor that the Indian prisoner, Lem Tarn, who was the victim of this outrage, was forcibly rescued from the officers of the law and put to death under circumstances of great atrocity, and that the persons by whom this outrage was committed are believed to have entered the territory of British Columbia from the United States.

The Marquis of Lansdowne has therefore requested me to bring this case to the notice of the United States Government, in the hope that measures may be taken for the punishment of the criminals, should it be ascertained that they entered British Columbia from the United States.

The Marquis of Lansdowne at the same time expresses his satisfaction at the readiness manifested by the governor of Washington Territory to co-operate cordially with the executive of the Province of British Columbia in endeavoring to bring them to justice.

I have, &c.,

Certified copy of a report of a committee of the honorable the privy council, approved by his excellency the Governor-General in council on the 3d April, 1884.

On a report dated 27th March, 1884, from the minister of justice, stating that he has had before him a dispatch, dated 7th March instant, from the lieutenant-governor of British Columbia, representing that an outrage was committed at Sumass, in New Westminster district, British Columbia, by persons presumably from the United States of America, taking an Indian prisoner named Lem Tarn from lawful custody and hanging him.

The minister recommends that copies of the dispatch, and of the report of the attorney-general of British Columbia attached thereto, be transmitted to the British minister at Washington.

The committee respectfully advise that your excellency be moved to transmit the papers above referred to to Her Majesty’s minister at Washington accordingly.