In re Extradition of Ferrelle

The prisoner is brought before me upon habeas corpus, and certiorari to proceedings had before a United States commissioner upon his arrest upon the charge of having forged a note or draft on William Owen Parker, in Canada.

The prisoner is entitled to his discharge, unless it appears that he is lawfully held. As the alleged crime was committed in Canada, there is no jurisdiction on the part of any officer of this government to take cognizance of it, except in pursuance of some act of congress; so that the question virtually is whether these proceedings, and the commitment under them, have been…