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 M< 
 
I 
 
 Special ^ 
 
 SESSION, i 
 
 SENATE. 
 
 S Ex. Doc. 
 ) No. 1. 
 
 rr 
 
 M ESSAGE 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 
 
 • THANSMITTINO, 
 
 In resp<mse to Senate resolution of Febrvarif 11, 1889, a report upon the 
 
 cane of Louis Kiel. 
 
 MAiicii \'i, 18Hi>.— Uead and laid ii|Mtii the talde. 
 
 Makcii 19, Irti^i). — Ordered to be priuted, oiiiittiuy tlie jiriiited iiiclosuras. 
 
 To the Senate of the United States: 
 
 1 transmit herewith, in answer to the Senate resolution of the lUh 
 ultimo, a report of the Secretary of State, with accomi)an.vin}; papers, 
 in regard to the case of Louis .Kiel, otherwise known as Louis David 
 Kiel. 
 
 BENJ. HARRIfJiON. 
 
 Executive Mansion, 
 
 Washington, ^'arch 11, 1880. 
 
 To the P resident : 
 
 The Secretary of State, to whom was referred the resolution of i^he 
 Senate ot February 11, 1889— 
 
 Tliat tlie PresidtMit be requested to coinrnnnicate to the Sfuatf such kiiowledjit* or 
 iiitoriiiatioii as may be in his i)os8eHsi()ii or iiiuhsr his control rolatiiif; to the case of 
 one Louis Kiid, otherwise Louis David Kiel, with copies of all documents, pa|)*'rs, 
 correspondence, and evidence bearing upon the subject — 
 
 reports as follows: 
 
 Compliance with the resolution in its broadest setise would involve 
 the transmission of a voluminous mass of correspondence with the 
 British minister to this country, with the Secretary of War, and with 
 our consuls at Montreal and Winnipeg, in regard to the preservation of 
 neutrality along the border between the United States and Canada, an<l 
 the ])revention of the participation of American Indians in the rebellion 
 against the British Government, a!)d also communication of a great 
 mass of newspaper clippings relative to the military operations in the 
 Northwest Territory of the Dominion connected with the suppression of 
 the insurrection there in 1885, which it is imp()ssit)le to hav^e copied 
 with the present force of the l)epartment, and which it is believed is 
 not intended by the Senate resolution. 
 
 That resolution is understood to refer to the personal claim of Kiel to 
 protection as an American citizen. Accordingly, copies of the dis- 
 patches from the United States consul at Winnipeg, inclosing the peti- 
 tion of Kiel to the President and two letters to the consul, with the peti- 
 
2 
 
 LOUIS RIEL. 
 
 tioim of certaiii citizens of Caiiadian-Frencli origin, the Department'* 
 reply to Mr. AinbroHc Clioqnet, and the Dominion Blue Book, contain- 
 ing a full account of the trial and condemnation of Kiel, are herewith 
 transmitted. The rej>orts made by the consul at Winnipeg during the 
 course of the trial, it has been deemed unnecessary to send, as they 
 consitit merely of extracts from newspapers giving an account of the 
 l)roceedings. 
 
 The position of this Department in regard to the alleged Americau 
 citizenship of Kiel, and his recpiest for diplomatic intervention by the 
 Government of the United States to prevent the execution of the sen- 
 tence projiounced upon him by the Canadian courts, was fully stated 
 verbally to some of his friends who ])resented in ])erson one of the peti- 
 tions above referred to. They were informed that his alleged United 
 States citizeushij) did not give him any immunity from Canadian laws 
 for offenses committed within their jurisdiction, and that it had been 
 definitely certified to this Department that the otl'ense had been wholly 
 comuiitted within British jurisdiction. 
 
 Kesj)ectfully submitted: ' 
 
 T. F. Bayard. 
 
 Department of State, 
 
 ^yaHhin(fton, March 2, 1889. 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 LIST OF jycLOSCRJiS. 
 
 1. Mr. J. W. Taylor to Mr. Porter. No 4:{-2. July 25, 1885. 
 
 2. Same to same. No. ■i'Xi. Aiijrnst 5. 18H.'). 
 
 'A. Mr. J. K. Marier to Mr. Kavanl. Annunt 17, inHn. 
 
 4. Mr. J. W. Taylor to Mr. ]V)rter. No. 441. Septi-iiihor 12. IH'^n. 
 
 h. Petition oftho citizens ot Wayland, Mass. An^nst 18, 1885. 
 
 6. Mr. A. Chocinet to Mr. Bayard. October 15, 1H8,"). 
 
 7. Mr. IJayanl to Mr. A. UlioiiiU't. Octoltcr 27, 1885. 
 
 8. K('])ort of tlie Depart nient <if Militia anil Defense of the Dominion of Canada upom 
 
 tlie sujtpressiou of tlie rehellion in the Northwest Territories in 18K'). 
 I*. Epitome of Canadian Parliamentary doenmeiits in connection with the Northwest 
 rebellion. 
 
 Xo. 1. 
 Mr. Taylor to Jkr. Porter. 
 
 No. 432.] 
 
 United States Consulate, 
 Winnipeg, July 25, 1885. (Received July 30.) 
 
 Sir : T received by the mail of yesterday a letter from Mr. Louis Kiel, 
 ilated the 2l8t and posted atBegiua on the 23d instant, a copy of which 
 is herewith inclosed. 
 
 In reply 1 have informed Mr. Kiel that his communication and full 
 details of the proceedings at liegina will be furnished by me to the State 
 Department at Washington. 
 
 1 inclose a letter of Kiel to a wealthy friend, of Quebec, who has gen- 
 erously secured the services of counsel for defense : and also more de- 
 tailed reports of the trial at Reglna. 
 
 1 am, sir, your obedient servant, 
 
 l^<i^ James W. Taylor. 
 
 1 
 
 
LOUIS RIEL. 8 
 
 [InchiHure 1 In No. i32.1 
 iVr. Bill to Mr. Taylor. 
 
 Common Jaii, at Kkgina, ./u/iy 21, 18f^r>. 
 
 Sir: I am in tlic painful condition of bein^; brought belore the court at Regina, 
 under charge of high treuHon. 
 
 I have the honor to let you know, to inform yon that I am not guilty. 
 
 I have the highi-Mt rt-Bpfct for the stipendiary niagiHtrati-H before whom I have to 
 answer ; but their court ih not the one to try my caw, as that case iiad itN origin long 
 before the stipendiary court of Kegina existed. 
 
 As American citizen, I humbly appeal to the (iJovernment of my adopted land for 
 help ti.rungh you. 1 assure you my re(|Ufst is not inspired by any of those fet^iings 
 which might have a tendency tu create ditlicully between the IJnited States and 
 Euglanu. 
 
 I am small, and my humble condition prevents me from being heard by the British 
 dignitaries of the Dominion. I um contident that if you would deign wiite to the 
 American Government in my behalf, they would not refuse to say a good word in my 
 favor; that good word would secure nie » fair trial, and a fair trial would save me. 
 
 While in Montana, I have exerted myself to be a good citizen, and I have worked 
 in harmony with the United States authorities in tlie Territory. I nave even had 
 tlie honor to bo appointed several times United States special deputy marshal. If I 
 mistake not there are in the Department of Justice at Washington documents which 
 speak favorably of me. 
 
 In God I trust that a friendly word to the British minister would go far to protect 
 me from inattention. 
 
 Also, I have no means to deiray the expenses of a trial snch as the one I have t() 
 stand. I beg the American Government to help me that way too. Please transmit 
 my humble petition, if it is not altogether out of place. 
 
 Thanking you for all the favors you have d«)ne me in the past, and praying that 
 you may be fully rewarded, I hope the Providence of (}od will spare nie, through ua 
 generous a consul as you, and through as good a (iovernment as that of the States. 
 I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your humble servant. 
 
 Loins RiEL. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 Mr. Taylor to My. I'ortcr. 
 
 No. 433.] United States Consulate, 
 
 Winnipeg J August 5, 18^5. (Received Augusi 11.) 
 
 Sir : The trial of Louis liiel for treason tertninated on Saturday, 
 August 1, by couvictioii with a stroiijf recoiniiieiidalioii to mercy by 
 the jury, aiui a sentence of death to be executed on the 18th of Sep- 
 tember. 
 
 I forwarded in dispatch No. 432 a telegrai)hic summary of the pro- 
 ceedings of the tirst two days of the trial, July 20 and 21, which were 
 followed by adjournment to Tuesday, July 28. I now inclose a fuller 
 report of the oi)ening arguments of counsel upon the constitution of the 
 court and the competency of a stipendiary magistrate, with a jury of 
 six virtually of his own selection, and without the intervention of a 
 grand jury, to try a person charged with a capital offense. 
 
 It will be a hideous mockery of justice to execute Kiel before his 
 counpel can submit their argument on questions of such magnitude and 
 doubt to the tribunal of last resort. 
 
 1 also inclose a more succinct but sufficiently minute report of the 
 testimony subsequently given and the closing proceedings of the trial. 
 
 Kiel has addressed me a second communication, a copy of which, and 
 also a copy of my note of July 27, informing him of the receipt and 
 transmission to the State Department of his letter of July 21, are here- 
 with forwarded. 
 
 I am, sir, your obedient servant, 
 
 James W. Taylor. 
 
4 LoriS KIKL. 
 
 |In<'l()Hiiie3 III No IIM.— CuriuKpniiiU'iicnof LoiiIh Kiel willi L'nitcil .Stuti<it cuiihiiI nt Winiil|ie)(.| 
 
 ( 1 ) Mr. r,ujh>r to Mr. liirl. 
 
 IMti;!) Stai,i:s Consci.atk, 
 
 It'iiiiiiiny, J{. A'. ./,, '/iilfi "JT, 1^H^^. 
 
 Sik: Voiir Ictti r <il' .lul.v 21 wuh rt'ceived by iiic on llie 'J-lth of July anil )iii» hi't'ti 
 cari'l'iilly coiisiiltTiMl. 
 
 I have foiwanlcd a cojiy to tlw State D<'partinfnt at Wasliiiiytoii, accoiii|iaiiie<l by 
 your coiiiiiiniiicatidii to Dr. K. FiHi-ttif July H, and a t'lill report of tin* j)i<»c<'<)(linf»s in 
 ;^oiir('aMi> bctoit! tbi- stipendiary niiiKi^trate at ]{e;:iiia. 
 
 I sliall pr<>iii|>tiy adviNi- yoiiiHelf or yonrcoiinsul of any action upon your conniinnicu- 
 tion by tlie Wasbin;;lr>n antboritieM. 
 
 I am, Hir, your obedient Hervant, 
 
 jA.MKt* \V. Tayi.ok. 
 
 (U) Mr. likl to Mr. Taylor. 
 
 TltlSOX I)K KK(iIXA, 
 
 (no date) xitue .hti/imt I. 
 
 Sik: I bave received your true favor of t be "vMlli iiitimo. Tbi> niiinber of my tliaiiks 
 to yon is e(|inil to tliat of our starH ; and tlie sincerity oi my aeknowlednnient sbineH 
 out of my beart dni'iii<; iiiy misforluiie, trying to barnioni/.u witb the gentle brigbt 
 cob)rs of tlie Ameriean Hag. 
 
 I liave tbe boiior to send yon, as best I can, a part of my address to tbe court on 
 Friday, tbe last of July. 1 bave not presently iiiKb'r my band copy of my ob.serva- 
 tions as to tbe imperfection of llie jury, as to tbe Strang*' mode of tbeir selection by 
 an otticer of tbe Ciowii, iieitber as to tbe incompetency of tbe «'oiirt. I'erbaps you 
 \^ill be able to see it in )iiiblic print. 
 
 Saturday, August 1, 1 asked tbe court for tbe a])pointment of a coinnii.ssion to give 
 ine opportunity to produce all tbe circumstances of my case, and tor Ww, formati'ii of 
 a special tribunal before \vhi<-b 1 could ajuieal. My view is tbis : Tbe troiildes of 'Hh 
 in tile Saskatcbewjin aretbe ccmtinuation oi tbe tronldesof '(i'j-'70, »\bicb tlie (IttHwa 
 government lia^e never duly settled ; and I wisb tbat a tborongb investigation bo 
 made on tbe (inestion of tbose troubles from '(lit to tlie present time. 
 
 Tbe Ottawa goveriiment bave adopted concerning tbe balfbri-ed and In lian title 
 to lands an altfMretber ditl'ereiit view and ^iriiicijile tliaii those adopted by tbe Ameri- 
 can Government on tlie same (lueNtion. Tbe annuities paid by tbe United States to 
 tbeir Indians are distributed to tbein as donations. Tbat principb^ leaves tbe admin- 
 istration of Indian atfairs at libeity to ad(>])t a cour.se of action sncb as circumstances 
 direct best. Hut on tbis side of tbe line ii fixed Indian policy bas been a(b)pted, and 
 its jirinciple bas been made constitutional, tbereby giving llie Indians and tbe iialf- 
 breeds a constitutional jdat form. Tliegovernment of tbe Dominion, by its treaty with 
 tbe <lelegates of tbe Northwest, agreed that a certain proportion <if the landsbe granted 
 to tbe half breeds throughout the territory, and to inaugurate tbe princifde in Mani- 
 toba. One million four hundred tbouiiaiid acres were guarantied to them by the 
 tbirty-tirst claii.se of the constitution of tbat province. As its area contained at that 
 time only about 9,500,000 acres, tbe lanci grant was about one-seventh of the whole 
 BUi>erticie. 
 
 The half-breeds of tbe Northwest want that tbe same proportion be guarantied to 
 them ; that their seventh be valiied and understood to re[)resent a capital in the hands 
 of the government, and that an interest be jiaid to them every year on that capital. 
 
 And as tbe half-breeds of Manitoba have had the constitutional guaranty of that 
 seventh of the land on account of their Indian title, the Indian tribes of the North- 
 Avcst are naturally dissatisfied tbat the Indian title should carry less for them than 
 for the half-breeds. Besides, the termt of the tliirty-tirst clause of the Manitoba <act 
 state that the half-breed liind grant is made toward extinguishing ibe Indian title, 
 which give tbe Indians to iniderstand fhat when tlio Federal Government will have 
 given as much to the pure Itidians as it gave the half-breeds, then only will tbe In- 
 dian title entirely be extinguished. Ttie matter at stake is not a small one, consider- 
 ing the Northwest to have a superficie of about 1,195,000,000 acres of land. 
 
 Tbe Ottawa government disregards most openly tbe very views whicn they have 
 Bo liound themselves by constitution to follow. On tbe other hand, the half-breeds 
 and Indians, being unwilling rogive tbeir con.stitutional rights, have petitioned until 
 tbe Ottawa Government resoh ed to silence them by force, as they are just now doing. 
 Mr. Consul, this contradict* ry policy, it seems to me, ought to be modified seri- 
 onsly, either by repealing altoj ether t le thirty-first clause of the Manitoba constitu- 
 tion or by fulfilling it. Otherv.'ise the Indian and half-breed question, as it stands on 
 this aide of the line, may react fearfully amongst the American Indians and half- 
 breeds. For that reason I have thougiit that inasmuch as that reaction may disturb 
 
LOU IK RIKL. 
 
 r. 
 
 n« '|||« ir||||\.|ir|\' 1« lll« II lll< J 11(1*1' 
 
 C'iisioni'd t lu'lllNt'lv'CS lllnl Ciinsfd tlm hik^ i-> m n. mt- .-'imnn.n: 
 
 Mr. (.'oii.sul, if (Jiid's ;;o(m1ii<'kk and liiiiiiaiiit.v do not toiiu' to my aid tlii' sniiiiiro 
 ii|;aiiiHt iiii^ is tlmt tli«^ Irtli «it° Sf|it<'iiilicr next I Mliall <-i-aHe to live. 
 
 May U()<1 pn'srive yoii and liel|» you in all tliinj^s. And lecfivd my d('c|HNt ;rrati- 
 
 N't'iy rcNiiPctfiiliy, your liiiinl)l<! hci vant, 
 
 T.<»i IS RiKl,. 
 
 No. ."). 
 
 .1//'. ./. E. Marier to Mr. l>ayanl. 
 
 Lawrence, . I M//»N# 17, l.SH."). (RecciviMl Atijiust 19.) 
 Sir: At 11 iiit'i'tinj; lieUl ycistonlay by citizens of Ciniiidiiiii I'lviicli de- 
 scent 1 WH8 dire<rt«Ml us their secretary to send yon the iiich»setl petition. 
 
 As tlie present f.'overnnient has at heart tlie jndicions redress of all 
 wronjjsand proper (lispensati<Mi of all Anicrican citizens" rijxlts, I hcj; to 
 call yonr attention as to the i)osition taken of late by our vice-consul in 
 Winnii)e};; so much so as to insure him a position as a Dominion ollicial if 
 lie was recalled, showing in many o(H;asions his rather nnbonndol inter- 
 est to tlie rei)resentatives of the Hritish [)ower. As sncli actions ma\ i>e 
 detrimental to the canse we aie snbmittin}»' to you, I deem it my duty as 
 an American citizen to jrive you knowledyie of the fact, of wliicli 1 have 
 reliable information from WiniMpej; and elsewhere. 
 
 lielyiufj on the wisdom and iin])artiality of our Federal Government, 
 to which y(»ii belong", we are assured in advance that the cause we are 
 advocating will be justly dealt with. 
 
 I am, Mr. Secretary, your most obedient and humble servant, 
 
 .1. E. INIarikr. 
 Secretary of ('anadianFrcnch Cilizciis utul h'rxideiits 
 
 of Lawnnce, jJass. 
 
 [Incloaiii'f.l 
 Vefition of the Canadian- French citizena of the Vnited States of Lairvenvf, Ma>"*. 
 
 SiK : Consideritif; the i)artiality shown in the proceed inj^s :n the. trial of r.r»ni.s David 
 Kiel, in whie.b the aecnsed wan .sentenced to death for 1/iyh treason towanls Jli-r 
 Majesty, the Queen ol' Great liritain, for the more or U'sh active part In; has taken in 
 the recent northwcHt Canadian tronhli^s, and clainiin>; that the said Lonis David Riel 
 i8 a citizt-n of the United States, we hope that the Anicricau Government will have 
 liiui eqnita1)ly treated. \ 
 
 In consecinence, Mr. Secretary, we Wg of yon to be our interpreter to His Excel- 
 ency the President of the United States, reciucitinji him to assist in juvventinji this 
 abuse of justice, and that the Starsand Stripes, which are our safej^uard, shall shield 
 under its noble folds the unfortunate, who is tlie apparent victim of fanaticism. 
 
 Hoping that our request will be favorably considered, we are, Mr. Secretary, 
 Your most hniiible servanlH, citizeua and resiilents of Lawrence, Mass., 
 
 ,Tf)SKI»H Bl.ANCnKT, 
 
 Maoloike Boi.Dt:c, 
 
 .IaMKS L. Boi.DlTC, 
 
 EuxEST A. Dkmahs, 
 
 HKCT01{ DftllKSNK, 
 
 and four hundred and tive others. 
 Hon. T. F. Bavai:d, 
 
 IStcrvtanj of State, Waxhinijtoii, D. V. 
 
6 I-OUIS KIEL. 
 
 No. 4. 
 
 Mr. Taylor to Mr. Porter. 
 
 No, 111.! Unitki) States Consulate, 
 
 ]Vhnni>f{i, Septemhir 12, l^.S"). (lieccivcd SeptenilxT 17.) 
 
 Sir: IikjIosimI is si jK'titioii of Louis Kiel to the President. 
 I loiward the orifjinal, thiiikiiij; that such a course may be expected 
 under the circunistaiures. 
 
 J am, sir, .vour obedient servant, 
 
 James W. Taylor. 
 
 |Iii<' (mure in iliH|iMtr)i No, 441 at Wiinili>np. ] 
 
 I'll it ion of I.oiiis Jlicl lo llif Presidini, 
 ■Ii'^iis, >iaiivc/ lions. 
 M;ii'H', iiiti'ici'ilc/, |ionr nous. 
 Jiiscpli, |ii ic/ |ioiii' noiiH. 
 
 [XoTK, — Above on (hut iiajic. icvfrse jinjto lilank,] 
 
 To His Kxeellciuy ('i.k\ t.i.anm. 
 
 I'rt'Kidt'iil of the I'liilcd StntcH mid to flin Excvltriui/n Cahiiiel : 
 
 Mr, Phksiiu'.nt : T\u' iiiKli'isiniifd, y<mr liniiiMf iK-fitioncr, a forci^iiu'r l>y hiitli, 
 lu'ciimn AiiuricMii citi/tn alioiit tlio Itith day of Alaicli, l-'^:>, at H.lciia, LewiH uiul 
 Clark Coiiiily, .Minifaiia. 
 
 lit' is a native ot tlir Nortli west Territory, iti Hriti,sli North Aiiierieii. 
 
 Hf lias tlif lioiior to Miliir.it tliat tlie Hritisli (iovcniiiieiit ;iave, two h mid red yearn 
 a^o, toa coiiniaiiy of a<lvfiitiin'rs, tiie monopoly of tiie fnr trade in tlie NortliwcHt, 
 tlierelty deprivinj; tlie Nortliwest of its ri<ilif and of the jidv.'iiita<;es of tradiiijjj with 
 the worM, and depriviiiff tlie world of its rij^ht and of tlie Iteiudit.s of tratlinj^ witli 
 tile Xorf Invest. 
 
 That the ^ivin^ out of siieh a monopoly over the Noi'i h west left that conntry, new 
 as it was, alto;;eilier at the nierey of the Ilndson's I?ay Company ; tlu! more ho that, 
 from its haviii;^ lieen eonstitnted at tirst as a iaaj;istratnre ovj-r its own servants, the 
 same eomiiany was made, in the conrst! of time, by iinjierial authority, to grow upas 
 the ijovenimeiit of the Narthwest. 
 
 'I'liat tlii.-i measnie kept the Noithwest eonliiied to a stiiet " bloeiis " diiriiiff hIx or 
 Steven jreiierations: was a eause of coiitinnal ealainity to the Territory itself; ofdain- 
 ajie to the adjoining; eonntries, an insult us well as an iii.jnstici' to the worhl at larj;*'. 
 
 And that, haviiifj been resoit»>d to without reason whatever, coiise(iiiently without 
 jiisiue at all, it eoiihtitntes the British Government j^nilty of an extraordinary criiuo 
 anaiiist hnmaiiity. 
 
 The undersiirned. your humble jielitiouer, snbuiits that therefore the British Oovern- 
 meiit have foiteiled loii<!; a<;o all title and rijiht of <foverniny; the Northwest. 
 
 The iindeisijfned has tlie honor to sulunit that iu 'til* the (ittawa government envy- 
 Mi;! the lauds of the Northwest, boujjbt iliein (so to speak of the trausuetiou) from 
 the Hudson's Bay Conii>any. wliieli <lid not own them : that the Hndstui's Bay re- 
 (liieste<I <uie-twentieth of the 'J'erritoiy for the iierpetratiou of the Hale, nud was 
 granted it; that the tiauhaetioii, all against jirobity, as it was, received the sane- 
 tion of the British (■overnment,aud was carried out under its careful attention ; that 
 in so doing the British Goveniuieut iei)laced the oppn-ssive ealamitous fnr-trado 
 monopoly by one conii»lclely ruinous, as it gave the Hudson's Bay Company a still 
 greater hold ou the resomees of the country than before, and as it established the 
 government of another colony and of dittt lent intercHt muster of the wliide land, and 
 at liberty to disjiose of it, as of its own soil, as of its own property, without advan- 
 tages in return, without aiy couipensation. 
 
 'I'hat the iJominion began immediately to survey the Northwest, to cut the old sur- 
 veys and ignore tliem, to cut roatls throngli private ])roperties; 
 
 That the Canadian surveyors at that work were soldiers under disguise and num- 
 bering some four or five lini dred; 
 
 That the Dominion bavin; at the same time iu view to usurp the rule of the North- 
 west, made up a .iii-on]) of men, gathered from the vicinity of Ottawa, fnrnishetl that, 
 group with Jive hundred carbines, called it the Northwest Couucil, cxj orted it, and 
 
LOUIS kii:l. 
 
 < 
 
 atti'ni|it«*(l U> M'lit it Ht the I'ort (iiiir.v, wluii tlir live Imiiilrcil Mir\«>_\<iii« tiinnd out 
 to li*> II N(iiiaili-oii of iiiilitiii; 
 
 That tin' Hudson's Hav ('ompaiiy t'tnli'avon-d tiM-ii to liaml ovcrtotli*' iiivailoiH 
 that frovt'riiini'iit of tin* Nortliwcst wliiili lsn;;laiiil liu<l no coiiHtaiitly iif^lccttMl and 
 8(> olm'iiiatuly knpt ut the tliMjiosal of tiatliiii; a<lM>niiiri-iM : 
 
 That the |icoph- of thn Nortliwi'Nt rHHiNtcil I'lMT^ri'lic-ally th*> IIiiiImod'h Kay Com- 
 paiiy'n iiiii|iiitoiiH dcHi^iiH and thf Ottawa di*>adfiil Hrhi-iin', and ncvt-r failed lo clix- 
 iiify thii d«'ft'nsf of thric cannii with •■xpn'snionM of loyalty to Kn;;land ; 
 
 That the Hrit'Hh (iovernnicnt aiiHWon-d thfir niaunaninious lidflity l>y promptly 
 appointing hh ^{ovt'rnor of tiio NortiiwoNt tln> Ottawa f^ovt-rnor hiniNulf — that is t(» 
 Huy, th«< vi-ry iiniii in tiio i-nipift' whono ixmilion, whoHc a<lvi.st4i'M, ami roiiHt'tpn'iitly 
 wlioH«> whol»i intort'Ht w«Mti inoif coitainly a;;ainMt th«^ Northwest ; appointmi'Mt «!on- 
 Hpicmmsly partial and iinjuHt, which thi-mv at oiicu all tlie chanucH on the Mtrongust 
 Huh', in oppr*>sNin;{ the wtNik as inntdi iin jioNsildf; 
 
 That tin- HritiHh Oov.^rnim'nt tlmii h'ft thti NorthweMt without adniinii4lratioii, ex- 
 I)OHi'd to tint many perils of anar<:hy and invasion ; 
 
 Th<^ nndersi^ncd, your hnnilile petit ioniT, snlnnitH and respectfully elaim.s that by 
 oommiltiiiK this other reniarkahle series of outra^jes anainst the Northwest, the Brit- 
 ish (jSovernment have a^ain forfuited all titlt^ and ri;;ht of <:overiiin<; it ; 
 
 Your linmhlH petitioner snltmits that tin; people of the Northwest, left to tliem- 
 H«dves, had to or^ani/.e an*l to eoiistitutu a t^tale of their own, i<> take i-are of puhlio 
 atfairs, ami for their ]irotee|ion ; 
 
 That the honorahle William McTavish, fln-n still jjovernor, in iiatne, of the North- 
 west, having Iteen asked by a etniveiition of the |ieople's representatives if he could 
 approve ol'the new state, entrealed tlietn to push on th«-ir W(U"k ; ami his answer to 
 the Hon. .lolin Sutherland and Mr. I'ra/.er, tlu^ two ineniherH waitin<( on him, was 
 " For (iod's sake, form a >iovernment." 
 
 That wlien the lionventimi sat, Hon. .John Black, ;;overmir arf interim and ,ind;;e of 
 the Jl. H. (^)m])any, was one of the members elected by the people and consented to 
 net as chairman ot the c(uivenrion ; 
 
 That the people's representatives, niimberinir frtrty. beinif in ses-.iii!i at Fort (Jarry, 
 then formed a jiovernment and elected your humble petitioner as its liijjiiest employee, 
 February 11, 1^^7(); 
 
 That mote than two-thirds, thirty two out of the forty, voted the new jjovcnimeiit 
 into existence and (elected your humble jietitioner at the head of it ; 
 
 That the eijiht of litu- members were in favor to that extent that tht'y abstained from 
 ■ofteritijj any oppositioti; 
 
 That inwnediately after, Hon. .lud^^e Ulack, If. H. Company <;overnor«(/ in'irim and 
 rhairimin of the convention, h ft his seat and j^ave it courteously to the (iresulent of 
 the provisional f;overnment, according to tin- convent icm's vote; 
 
 'J'h.al, on the same occasion, Hon..)ohn Mlack, II. 15. Com|>any's <joveriior flf? iH<>Tim 
 and Jud^e, haviny; been chosen by the president of the NcMlliwest .is om- (d' the dele- 
 gates to Oltawa, accei»ted the api»oiiitmiMit, with the company's approval ; 
 
 That some days later the Hon. 1). A. .Suiith, a commissioner sent l)y the ixovertior- 
 gener.al to the Nortliwest, went in company with Keveri'ud .\rchdeacou McLean, now 
 hishop of the Saskatidiewan, and persu.-uled the districts whosi< ei>,dit re]ireseuratives 
 had remained neutral to join and to acknowh-dice your humble j)etili(mer ;is president 
 *if tlie provisional jjoverninent ; and Hem. D. A. Smith's advice haviii;; been accedetl to, 
 the niulersi<rued, your humble ]ietitiouer, received tluMi the nuaninious support of the 
 people. 
 
 As a result the new state of the Northwest, in '7(1 : its ^overnnu'nt were leijally coii- 
 Htitnted and tlie election of its president was carried out according to rej^jnlar consti- 
 tutionality. 
 
 Your humble petitioner respecifuUy submits that as soon as tlie new state wai or- 
 ganized, its <j;overnuieut formed, and its president elected, four commissiouers. Rev- 
 erend .1. B. Thibanlt. Vicar-General, Colonel de Salaberry, Hon. I). A. Smith, and his 
 lordship, Archbishop Tachd, appointed by the Crown, invited the nndersij^ned to 
 send delej^ates to Ottawa, and there to negotiate the terms of the federal (lact be- 
 tween tlr East and the Northwest. 
 
 That such invitation was a lecognitioii by the Crown itself, of the state, of the 
 government, and of tin- president of the Northwest. 
 
 Your humble petitioner submits, that he aiiiiointed in his official capacity a dele- 
 gation acitordi tig to thti repeated and jiressiiig invitation received: that his delegates 
 proceeded to Ottaw.a, were received by the Crown on his credentials and admitted to 
 treat on his instructions, which was another irretuisable official recognition of the 
 «tate, of the governnieut, and of the president of the Northwest; by whom! By the 
 Crown. 
 
 Y'oiir hiinible petitioner respectfully submits that hisilelegates having, at the oiit- 
 start, set forth that they could not begin to treat without the guarantee of a gen- 
 eral and complete amnesty, and having reciuired it as a condition sine qua no», the 
 
8 
 
 l.Ol'IS KIKL. 
 
 Virr-Kiiig «)f ('niiiii1;i iiiiKwcrrd iiioHt fiivmalilv tliat lln' Crown wiis yoiit;;, for (crtuiii 
 ami Mile, i<> aiiii'Cht \ all tin- \>iit*\ Iron Mrs, atlrr i In- rtiiicliiMJoii nl t he li*-at,\ , ami tliat 
 tlic IVdriiil i(j;iiiic iti till" Null liM est would lie iiianj;iiral<d l>y iln' priH lainatloii of 
 tliat ainm'Nty < oiiipNtf and );<'iii ral. And tli<- ifovtriior^iiit ral, l.ord LiN<;ur, }(iivo 
 liJM Vict'- Kinnl.N paKdi- an Hfcnrity. A tliir<i nrii }ii>Hilivcrn-i><iiiiluiii hfi the Cntirn of the 
 hIiiU', of Ihi- i/oi iiiniii III, (111(1 iirtHiilinl i>f thr .SihiIiiiihI, 
 
 TIh> nndl■^^<i^m'<l, ><inr hiimldc in'titioiiii, icH|ifctfnily HulnnitN tliat Iim lordHliip, 
 ArrliliislMip 'raclii', llifii a|i|Hiinli'd Wy tlu< ;i;ovi'rnoi-|ri>iiiTal of Canada an pacilirr of 
 tlic Nortli\>(>Nl, ^avc yonr liuinld<> pi'titioiirr IiIh ollirial word of lioiinr that tli<- am- 
 n<-Nty ill i|nfNtioii would lir proclainicil at the tunc sptcifinl : tiial is. at tlic vi-ry 
 opfiiinn of ronddcraiion in the NoitliwcHt ; 
 
 Tliat tli*> arclilii.sliop owi-d liiN coininiH^ion aM iniicli to tin- |il)-HNnr<- of t lit- ItritiHli 
 (lovi'minrnt iim to tin- novcrnoi-nt'in'ral'H clioiff ; coiini ipii'iit ly, lu'Md«'s lit-iny a. loiirth 
 mnarkaldf rcro^nitioii of tlif sialr );ov<-rnni<Mit and prcsidnit of tli<< N'oitliwi-Nt, IiIm 
 word of lionor ih tli<* word of honor not only of tin- ;;;ovi-rnor-;ri'm-iiil l>iit of lliu 
 liritii^li (■ovtM'iiincnt itNtdf coni'i'min^ tin* Mine mm imti condition ot anmcNty. 
 
 YoiM' liniiddit petitioner C(nild licm invii'W tiio w liol« treaty uh it took place; point 
 •lilt tlm many wayH in wliicli it lias lieeii broken ; and show l»y I'actM that the prcHtMit 
 ((ovcM'nnieiit of Manitoba and of the Noith\«est In ii )ierlect chaos of illcfrality, iin- 
 coiiMtitiitionality, and arldtiary legislation; Inif for the sake of lire\ily will conliin^ 
 to the one article ol the stipiilations on w liicli the breach of I'aiili has been aiknowU 
 ed^ed and established lieyond all iios.sibiliiy of dlseiisHion and doubt. 
 
 The limb rsi^ned has the honor to refer your excellency and your innst lionornldo 
 ministers (I) to a jiainplilet tntitled "Amnesty," written by Archldshop Tacln^ in 
 the year l^74, whereby his lordship proves his commission, his ijlimitctl instrnctioiiH^ 
 liis wold of honor, and that such word of honor has been repudiated liy the Crown. 
 
 (2) To the re|ii>rt of a coniiniltee appointed by the house, of comiiioiiN of Cunatlil, 
 in the year 1^71. for the purpose of empiirinn into the causes of ihe Northwest i roub- 
 les and the reasotiH which had delayed the )ii(icl.'imation of amnesty; wherein iiiok^ 
 than a do/.eii of hi;;hly respectable witnesses pros e that an amnesty <;eiieral and com- 
 ]dete has been ^niaranteed and that it has not lieeii fulfilled. 
 
 (15) To a series of icsolut ions ado|ited by the Ciinadi;in ;;overniueiit in '7r> reail diir- 
 injl the session, on or about the r.*th of February, and endorsed l>\ a lar;i;e majority 
 o| the hinise of cominons. Niicli resolutions sliowini; wi; h all conclusiveness that tlio 
 f^eiieral and complete amiMNly in i|iiestion had not only been ]iromised and guaran- 
 teed, but that it hud even in en made a niiif ijiki mm condilion of alliance with the 
 North wesi. 
 
 Your humble petitioner res)>ectfiilly calls, however, your excellency's and cabiiu^t'* 
 attention to the tact that the llmi. A. Macken/ie, then |)reinierof Canada, his wliolu 
 ministry and his larj^e majority in the house, instead of lo;;ically concliidinji liy peti- 
 fioniiifj the (.^ucen to lullill the promise, the V!ce-Kiiij>ly paiol(>, the word of honor, 
 the condition nine t/iid «"»/ of the amnesty jicncral ami complete on the Xortliwust 
 troubles, committed the fault of cont innin;; and perpetuating; the bnacli of faith, 
 
 I. Hy decreeinff ajiainst your jietitioner a baiiishiu»'nt of tive yearH. 
 
 II. Hy olferin^ my adjutant general, A. I). Lepiiie, the altcinative of a banJHliment 
 for the sami' jieriod of time or the loss of his ]>oiitical ii;;hts forever. 
 
 III. J{y iKsuiii<; themselves an amnesty to the rest of the North\>est people, such aa 
 amnesty beiii); in itsi'lf a mockery of Justice; in tin- first place becau.se the secretary 
 of the J)oininioii was bni the se<retary of a mere ccdony and had no more sivereijjii 
 jtower toamncHty iis than the Northwest would have had to amnesty Canada; and in 
 the secoiiil jdace, the provocation havin;; come from Ottawa, the fact of an iinjiistag- 
 jiiessor amnestyinfi his victim was nothiiif; else but the heif^lit of injury, and may be 
 tak«'n as the worst of our ffrievances a>:ainst the Federal (iovernment. 
 
 The Imiieriul authorities have allowed all this to lake place while perfectly aware 
 of the outra;ie. 
 
 N, B. — In 'til', diiriny the month of December, Lord firniiville, mini8ter of the col- 
 oiiicH, in one of his dispatches to the j;()veriioi-fi;eiieral, acenseh the Dominion govern- 
 ment of hur'nig hern a cniiHe of Iroiihlcs in the Xoiilnie»t. 
 
 N. B. — And the Doininion committed these wrongs ajjainst us, after having offl- 
 cially confessed that we were in the rijjht, as can be seen by the followinjr: In the 
 Rame month of December, '(i9, Hon, Joseph Howe, secretary of state for Canada, states 
 plainly in a dispatch to Hon, W, McDonj;all, concerning the way he (McDougall) and 
 Col, S, Dennis had acted in the Northwest; that they had compelled the people of 
 that Territory to form a government of their own: that such a government on ac- 
 connt of the circumstances and of necessity was legal ; that the responsibility of the 
 tronbles, even the shedding of blood, if it took jilace, rested on the Canadian gov- 
 ernriient's otticiala, and bitterly complains of their imprudence and temeriiy. 
 
 N. B.— In the month of May, 1870, Sir Georjic E. Cartier, one of the ministers wha 
 had treated with my delegates and minister of militia for Canada, acknowledges ia 
 
LOUIS KIEL. 
 
 9 
 
 n iiii'innrnTKiiini to tin* Crown tlint tlic ('jiiiinliiiii niivcnminit liavc caiisrd tli»> \orth« 
 wi'Mt troiihlt'N, iiimI lliiit till' |ti'<>))l(! of tlijit 'Icriilory liiid only kipf on llic ilrlrnNivH. 
 
 'I'luiN tilt' I'^-iiNonH wliirli Kn^rlainl mill tlir Uoniinion liavi- ^Ivrn aft<'rwar<l.s ii> try 
 and JiiHtity tiirir not t'oniplyiii^ willi, and tlicir dfio^atin^ tVoni, tli«; treaty oldi|;u- 
 tioiiN, will never amount to any tiling elm* than pretexinH. 
 
 Your IninHdo peiitioinT ri'MiM'ctfiilly Mulmiils to yonr excellency and caliiiu't the 
 following aN the |ironiii.ent (act of tli«< whole Hitinition — the nhif <iiiii No/tcondition of 
 an allianeu with the Northwettt, the uencral and (oinnlelu aniiieMty Iihn not heen fnl- 
 tilled. 
 
 ('oiiHe(|iH'ntly the Uritiwli fiovenirnent I'as had nejtlier tlie rifjlit of introducinj; tho 
 confederation in the iNorthwi-st, aH they did in l^Tii, neilherthe ri^ht of niaiiitaininfr 
 it thcr« Mince. 
 
 ('<»iim'(|iieiitly, tlint confederation which tlie HritJMli CJoveminent NnpiiortN lietween 
 Lake Sn))erior and the KNxky Monntains is an immense fraud and a dreadtnl t s ranny. 
 
 ConNeqneiitly, aj^ain, tlH> Ntate and the ;;overniiient of tlte Xorthwest are mine, .such 
 aH they wero intrnnle<l to me liy the jieoide's voice, at Tort (iarry, the 11th of lehru- 
 ary, 1H70, ami Hiich as re<-<)j;nized to me hy the fonr coinmiNHionerM of the Crown who 
 have invited ni(> to treat, and hy the Crown itself, which IniH treated with my del- 
 oj?at«!H through the Vice Kill}; of Canada. 
 
 Yfinr humble jtetitioner be^M leave to Hiibmit that he hnH a rinlit to «lenoniiee the 
 Itreach of faith in no iin]iortant a matter, to leject the jiact which Kn^jland has made 
 with him and she liaH never fulfilled, now iiriiici)ially, that your hnndd*- petitioner 
 liaH beiMi ]ierHecuted, has exhansted all nicans and patiently waited duiiii;; the long 
 jieriod of fifteen years, juincipally now that, instead of executing her (ddigation« 
 towaril me, Kngland i.s tiying to execute me. 
 
 Hefoie (tod and before ini n, the undersigned, your liumhle jMtitioner. de<larcH IiIh 
 native land free, and lian the honor to ask your excellency and nu)st InuioraMe min- 
 isterN for the advantage of annexing the Niirthwest to the great Amerii iin K'epniilic. 
 
 Your linmbh^ j>etitiiiuer respectfully asks, as American citizen, for your kind and 
 powerful proteeti(Ui. In the event of yonr excellemy ami most honorable cabinet 
 granting my reipicHt as American citizen, I. the ninlcrsigncd, have the honor to unk 
 tiiat the international limi between the Cuited .States and the Noithwest be blotted 
 out from Lake Superior to the Tacitic Ocean, that ihe llou. James \V. Taylor. United 
 StateH consul at Winnipeg, be a)i|)ointc(l governor-general of those vast terriiories, 
 and with the merciful help of Cod's |irovidcuce. if snili would be the dis|ioHiiion of 
 your good will and the favor of yonr government. 1, the undersigned, humbly ask you 
 to up|)oint me aH first minister and secretary ot the Northwest under Hon. James W. 
 Taylor. 
 
 Your humble petitioner resj»ectfully submits that he has no ill will whatever against 
 his enemies; that Ins great wish is to save his friends .ind as well to better, all he 
 can, the condition of tliosi* against him. I'hercfore I n's)>ectfnlly submit that, in the 
 case of such a iirovidential tneut, your excellency and most honorable ministers may 
 be ]deased to introduce and inaugurate the I'nited States institutions in the grainl 
 Northwent, without changing, for the present, the local ofliinals and emi)Ioy^s of all 
 sorts, so as to avoid n (commotion ; so as to satisfy and pleasi* all classes and all |iarties 
 and so as to secure more surely the su«'cess of the national institutions in this large 
 portion of the world, for the glory of your administration, and for the haitpiness of 
 this my native land. 
 
 Your humble petitioner thanks yonr ex« elleucy and your government for the good 
 they have already so generously conferred upon him. 
 
 I have the honor to be, of yonr excellency anil ol your cabinet, the very respect- 
 ful and humble servant and petitioner. 
 
 Lori.s "1)avii)" Kiel. 
 
 No. :>, 
 
 Petition of the citizens of Wayland, Mass. 
 
 August 18, 1885. 
 
 The undersigned, citiztins of the town of Wayland, State of Mas- 
 sachasetts, respectfully represent that Louis Riel was born at St. Vital, 
 Manitoba; that he was duly naturalized a citizen of the United States 
 of America at Helena, Mont., on the 16th day of March, 1883 ; that he 
 was arrested in Canada, tried 'ind condetnned for treason, and sentenced 
 to be hung upon the 18th day of September next; that we think he was 
 
10 
 
 LOUIS KIEL. 
 
 denied tbe rights to wliich he was entitled as an American citizen, and 
 we woiihl most respectfully petition you in your ofiicial capacity to in- 
 quire into the matter of said trial, and if said Biel has been denied his 
 rights as an American citizen, that you will use your utmost power, 
 with due regard to the honor and integrity of the United States, to se- 
 cure him his rights. 
 
 John Lamarine, 
 Meddie Scott, 
 Frank Lovely, 
 M. R. Brown, 
 W. C. Smith, 
 Alphonse Allaire, 
 (J. E. Brummett, 
 
 and fifty -eight others. 
 Hon. Thomas F. Bayard, 
 
 Secretary of State. 
 
 No. 6. 
 
 Mr. A. Choquet to Mr. Bayard. 
 
 Rochester, N. T., October 15, 1885. (Received October 16.) 
 
 Sir : I have the honor to transmit to you the petition of the French 
 Canadians, citizens of the United States, residing in the city of Roches- 
 ter, ;N. Y., praying for the interference of the United States Government 
 in favor of the poor and insane Louis David Riel, now languishing in 
 jad at Regina, Northwest Territory of Canada, under sentence of death. 
 
 I have delayed the transmission of this petition until I received an 
 authentic copy of the certificate of naturalization of Riel, which came to 
 me only a few days ago. 
 
 By my former personal acquaintance with Riel, and with the recent 
 information received from reliable parties, I am convinced that Riel is 
 now insane. 
 
 I would therefore humbly suggest that this fact be ascertained by 
 the United States Government to prevent, in case of failure of the 
 appeal now pending before the privy council of England, the hanging 
 ot an unfortunate insane citizen of the United States. 
 Verj' respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 Ambrose Choquet, 
 Counselor at Laic, 11 and 12 Ulicood Building, Rochester, N. Y. 
 
 [Iiicloanre i.] 
 Petition of French-Canadian oitisena of the United Stales residing at Rochester, N, Y. 
 
 To the Hon. T. F. Eavaud, 
 
 Secretary of State of the United States : 
 
 The inidersigued, citizens of the United States and of French-Canadian uatioualitjr, 
 respectfully lepreseiit, as they are credibly informed and verily believe : 
 
 That Louis David Riel is, and was at the time of his trial, a naturalized citizen of 
 the United States, and had for many years and up to the time of the troubles in 
 which he became invo veJ in Canada, resided at Montana, in the United States, where 
 he was engaged as a t "acher ; 
 
LOUIS RIEL. 
 
 11 
 
 That whilHt residing there lie was prevailed upon to go to Canada to intercede for 
 the oppressed inhabitants of the Canadian northwest territory ; 
 
 That while residing temporarily there he was arraigned and indicted for high trea- 
 son against Her Majesty the Qneen of England ; 
 
 That during the month of July last he was put upon his trial, which resulted in 
 his conviction and sentence of death ; 
 
 Tliiit, as yonr jtPtitioners are credibly informed, his trial was not only not impartial, 
 but that lu' was deprived of giving evidence which might have shown him entirely 
 innocent of the offense of which he was accused ; 
 
 That under the then existing political excitement in Canada, resulting in a meas- 
 ure from questions bearing upon the rights of the i)eople for whom he was contend- 
 inc. he was deprived of the means of making his best defense, and that his trial was 
 unfair, partial, and unjust ; 
 
 That, as your petitioners are advised and believe, the court before whom he was 
 trie<l was without jurisdiction, and that his conviction was unsupported by the evi- 
 dence and contrary to law. 
 
 Yt)ur petitioners therefore ask such interposition on the part of the United States 
 Go\erninent as may seem reasoimble and just for the relief and protection of one of 
 its ailopted citizens, now languishing under tiie sentence of death by a foreign court. 
 
 Kochester, N. 
 
 Y., August '.iK, IdSo. 
 
 A. E. Maxseau, 
 
 PiKRKK GaGNIEK. 
 
 Loris G. La Fontaine, 
 and s'Xtvsix others. 
 
 jIlK I08UIII 2. ] 
 
 Copy of the naluralizaiion ccrtiftcdlc of f.ouh David Riel. 
 
 In tlie United States district court of the. third Judicial district of the Territory of 
 
 Montana. 
 
 Present, Hon. D. S. Wade, 
 
 judge. 
 
 In till matfei' of the nppUcntiim of ^.oiih Darid L'irl, av alien, to become a citizen of 
 
 the (.'nited Staten of .tnurica. 
 
 In open court, March term, A. D. ISs;}, this Kith day of March, A. D. 188:5, as yet of 
 said term. 
 
 It appearing to the satisfaction of this court, by the oaths of E. L. Merrill and 
 Leni .ieroiiK!, cjjtizens of tlie Uniteil States of America, witnesses for that purpose, 
 tirst duly sworn and examined, that Louis David Kiel, a native of Canada, has re- 
 sided within the limits and under the juri.sdietion of the United States live years at 
 least, last past, and within the Territory of Montana for one yea"* last past ; and that 
 <lnring all of said five years' time he has behaved as a man of good moral character, 
 attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well dis- 
 posed to the good order and hajipiness of the siime ; and it also appearing to the 
 court, by competent evidi^nce; that the said ai)plicant has heretofore, and more than 
 two years since, and in due form of law, declared his intention to become a citizen 
 of the United States: and having now here, before this court, taken an oath that he 
 will sujiport the Constitution of the Unitetl States of America, and that he doth ab- 
 solutely and entirely renounce anil abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign 
 prince. ]totentate, state, or sovereignty whatever, and particularly to Victoria, Queen 
 of Great Britain, it is thertifore ordered, adjudged, and decreed, that the said Louis 
 David Riel be, and he is hereby, admitted and declared to be a citizen of the United 
 States of America. 
 
 D. S. Wauk, 
 
 Judge. 
 
 Signature: Louis David Kiki- 
 
 Offne of the clerk of the United Staten dit<triet eourt of the third judicial district of the 
 
 Territory of Montana, ss : 
 
 I, B. H. Tatem, clerk of the United States district court of the third judicial dis- 
 trict of the Territory of Montana, *-aid court being a court of record having common 
 law jurisdiction and u clerk and seal, do certify that the above is a true copy of the 
 
12 
 
 LOUIS KIEL. 
 
 act of naturalization of Louie David Kiel, as the same appears upon the records of 
 naid court now in my office. 
 
 In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said 
 court this 27th day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 
 eighty-live and hi the year of o>!r Independence tlie lOJth. 
 
 K. n. Tatem, Clerk. 
 
 C. U. Kkynoi.ds, Deputy Clerk. 
 
 No. 7. 
 
 • Mr. Bayard to Mr. A. Choqnet. 
 
 Department op State, 
 Washington, October 27, 1885. 
 
 Sir : Your letter of the 23(1 instaut was duly received, as well as that 
 of the 15th instant, in regard to the intervention of this Government 
 in favor of Louis David Kiel, under sentence of death at Kegina, in 
 Canada. 
 
 I need not assure you that the petition of certain American citizens 
 of French origin, which accompanied your first letter, received such 
 careful attention as the importance of the subject required. 
 
 The friends of Kiel Lad already niade personal application at this 
 Department to know how far the United States Government could 
 properly interfere with the execution of the sentence of the Canadian 
 court. They received a full verbal reply, which took into considera- 
 tion Kiel's alleged American citizenship. Such citizenship, however, it 
 must be remarked, even if beyond doubt, would not secure the posses- 
 sor any immunity from Canadian law, when, as it is definitely certified 
 to this Government in the case in the present instance, the offense was 
 committed within the territory of the Dominion. 
 
 It shall always be my first duty to see that the rights and liberties of 
 American citizens are jealously guarded, and that they receive such 
 treatment at the hands of foreign governments as our treaties, inter- 
 national law, and the claims of humanity require. 
 I am, sir, your obedient servant, 
 
 T. r. Bayard. 
 
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