[Untitled], November 5, 1866.

[Untitled]

Alderman Talcott presented a preamble and appeal in relation to the late conviction, by a Canadian jury, of Colonel R. B. Lynch and John McMahon, priest, for an alleged act of; treason against the rights and privileges of the Canadian government, and their having been sentenced to death under the aforesaid convictions.

Alderman Clarke moved the passage of the preamble and appeal.

The mayor directed the ayes and noes to be called, and the motion of Alderman Clarke prevailed by the following vote:

Ayes.—Aldermen Knickerboker, Carter, De Wolf, Wicker, Barrell, Wilmarth, Calkins, Kaun, Finnucan, Hatch, Wallworth, Moore, Schuyler, Talcott, Woodard, Bixly, Holden, Russell, Ackhoff, Gastfield, Proudfert, Enzel, Shackford, Lawson, Clarke—25.

Noes.—None.

The preamble and appeal passed, are as follows:

Whereas Colonel Robert B. Lynch and the Rev. John McMahon have been tried at Toronto, Canada, and condemned to be hanged as participators, aiders, and abettors in aid of an alleged armed invasion of Canadian soil by persons and citizens from the United States; and whereas, as far as we are advised or can learn, no positive proof was adduced upon said trials of the participation in the said invasion, by them or either of them, and it is a well established fact that the former was here as a spectator and correspondent, and the latter, as in duty bound by his most sacred obligation as a minister of God, in the discharge of those important Christian duties which pertain to his high and holy calling, and especially to administer spiritual consolation to persons professing a like Christian faith with himself; and whereas the offence charged against these men is only political in its character; and as the subjects of Queen Victoria, both in Canada and in England, have urged upon our government mercy and clemency in the treatment of prisoners whose offence, unlike that charged against these men, was not political, but that of rebellion and treason against their own government: therefore, pleading the precedent sought to be established by Englishmen and Canadians, and following their example, we, as the common council of the city of Chicago, and the representatives of the citizens, do appeal to the English government, through the legally constituted authorities in Canada, and urgently and respectfully ask that the clemency so frequently and persistently sought by British subjects for rebel prisoners in our hands, be by them and their government extended at this time to the Rev. John McMahan and Colonel R. B. Lynch.

And we do most respectfully request his Excellency the President of the United States to take such action in the premises as this government may legally adopt in behalf of these-citizens of the United States, to relieve them from the extreme penalties of the law as administered by Canadian court and jury.

Alderman Knickerbocker moved that the clerk be instructed to send certified copies of the preamble and appeal, just now passed, to the governor general of Canada and the President of the United States. Carried.

State of Illinois, city of Chicago, ss:

I, A. H. Bodman, clerk of the city of Chicago aforesaid, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true copy of a preamble and appeal passed by the common council November 5, A. D. 1866.

I further certify that I am intrusted with the safe-keeping and custody of the preamble and appeal of which the above and foregoing is a true and certified copy.