STEWARD, Speaker of the House of Representatives to the pardons of Robert B. Lynch, John McMahon, and others, November 12, 1866

JOINT RESOLUTIONS relating to the pardons of Robert B. Lynch, John McMahon, and others.

Whereas Robert B. Lynch and John McMahon, citizens of the United States, have been recently convicted in a Canadian court, and sentenced to death upon a charge that they were parties in the attack made in the month of June, A. D. 1866, at Fort Erie, in the province of Canada; and

Whereas other citizens of the United States are held for trial upon charges for similar offences against the Canadian government; and

Whereas we believe that if the lives of the persons charged and convicted could be spared, through the humane and generous action of the Canadian government, it would do more to allay the animosity felt towards the English government by the countrymen of said Lynch and McMahon, and to secure immunity against further aggressions, than a rigid execution of the law: Therefore,

Resolved by the senate and house of representatives, That we, prompted by the same benevolent spirit which has moved the government and statesmen of Great Britain to apply for clemency in behalf of their subjects under similar circumstances to the United States government, in no unfriendly spirit, most earnestly recommend tenderness, amnesty, and forgiveness on the part of the Canadian government towards the persons charged and convicted.

Resolved, That the governor of this State be requested to cause a copy of this preamble and resolution to be transmitted to the President of the United States, as the expression of the sentiment of the legislature of the State of Vermont; and that the President of the United States be requested to transmit the same to the governor general of Canada, commending the subject-matter thereof to the earnest consideration of the Canadian government.