I have to repeat that I am an American citizen, and owe
allegiance to the government of the United States. I am a
soldier, and have belonged to the National Militia of America.
Now, if war had broken out between the two countries, and that
I had been taken prisoner, the English government, according
to English law, would hold me guilty of high treason. I would
not be treated as an ordinary prisoner of war, but would be
liable to be strung up at the yard arm. See then the position
of England towards the United States. The Crown should not be
in such haste to act thus. It was hardly a judicious policy.
Andrew Johnson was the grandson of an Irishman; Mr. Seward was
the son of an Irishwoman; General Jackson was the son of an
Irishman; General Washington and Benjamin Franklin lived
and died British subjects, if this law be correct. There is
another point to which I wish to refer--it is to the manner in
which my government has acted in this matter--

THE CHIEF BARON--We cannot allow you to enter into remarks on
the conduct of any government. We have simply to sit here to
administer the law which we are called upon to discharge.

THE PRISONER--I wish simply to call your attention to one
point. On the 3rd of August I wrote to my government--

THE CHIEF BARON--I cannot allow you to refer to that.

THE PRISONER--The President of the United States, on a report
submitted to him--

THE CHIEF BARON--I cannot allow you to proceed with any