Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-10-30
NO. H..

In order more 1uliy 10 snow the JuStCe oi ou'
claims against France, ii may be proper tirst te
state, that a Convention was concluded at Paris
on the SIst of July, 1901, between the Uniteo
States and France, which contains the follow
ing stipulations:
Article /. "There shall be a firm, inyiolable
and universal peace, and a true and sincere
friendship between the French Republic and The
United States Of America, and between their
respective countries, territories, cities, towns.
and people, without exceptions or places"
Article 10. cit shall be lawful for the citi-
zens of either country, 10 sail with their ships
and merchandise (contraband goods always ex-
cepted) from any port achateUer, 10 any port OF the
enemy of the other, and to sail and trade with
their ships and merchandise, with perfect secu-
rity and liberty, from the countries, ports, and
places, Of those who are enemies OF both or OF
either party, without opposition or disturbance
whatsoever, and to pass not only directly from
the places and ports of the enemy aioremen-
toned to neutral ports and places, but also from
on, place belonging 10 an enemy TO another place
belonging to an enemy, whether they be under the
jurisdiction of the same power, or under the
several; unless such ports or place be actually
blockaded, besieged, or invested"
Article IA. "It is hereby stipulated that Tree
ships shall give a freedom to goods, and that
every thing shall be deemed to be free and ex-
empt, which shall be found on board the ships
belonging 10 the citizens of either of the con-
tracing parties" :,
Article %. cit is further agreed, that In all
cases, the established courts Tor prize causes IN
the country to which the prizes may be con-
Quoted, shall alone take cognizance OF them
And whenever such tribunal of either OF the
parties, shall pronounce Judgment against any
vessel or goods, or property claimed by cltl-
zens Of the other party. the sentence or decree,
shall mention the reasons or motives on which
the same shall have been founded, and an au-
thenticated copy of the sentence or decree, and
of all the proceedings in the case, shall, if de-
manded, be delivered TO the commander or "a
gent of the said vessel without delay, he paying
the legal fees for the same"
Such is a part Of the solemn compact into
which the French Government, entered, with
this nation; and how far they have fulfilled it, |
shall endeavor hereafter to show.
NO. III.
Towards the close of the year 1905, aFrench
squadron sailed from Rochefort, under the COM
manc of Admiral L'-Allemand, TO cruise in the
West Indies.
During this %cruize, upwards of twenty neu-
trail vessels were destroyed by Admiral L'Allc-
mand, of which, four were American. Repre-
sensations of this transaction were Immediately
made 10 the French Government by the accred-
tied agents at Paris, OF the different Nations to
whose citizens and subjects these vessels be-
longed; and a commission was appointed by
the Emperor, 10 ascertain the extent OF the IN
Jury sustained. This commission awarded tuli
restitution Of the value of the property destroy
ed; but TO this day no indemnity has ever been
made to the American claimants. What ADDS
to this injustice, is, that after the restoration oil
the Burbons; full compensation was made to all
the European powers, whose property was de-
this squadron. On the 2lst NoVein-
Der, 1906, a Decree was issued at Berlin by Ma
poleor, declaring the British Islands In a state
OF blockade. The decree, however, did not au-
,horise the coniscation OF vessels, in conse-
opence of their having been Ill England, but
merely prohibited their admission into the
norts of France:--The only ground of c%onfisca-
ton authorised by the Berlin Decree, of vessels
hound 70 France, was a false declaration.
Some months after this Decree was issued,
seven American vessels, richly laden, arrived
at Antwerp, four from Philadelphia, and three
from New-York These vessels had all been
captured on their passage by British Cruizers,
and sent into England, but were Immediately
liberated, and proceeded to Antwerp, their or
ginal port of destination.
The cousignees claimed an exemption for
these vessels from the operation of the Berlin
Decree, Oh the ground that they had been forci
6iy carried into England.
The French Government consented to allow
these cargoes to be landed and deposited in the
public stores, and permitted the vessels to re-
turn to the United States. When the consign-
ees pressed upon the French Authorities for a
restitution of this property, they offered to re-
store ii, provided, they, the ~consignees, would
give bonds for the value thereof to abide the
final decision Of the Emperor. This they de-
clined doing. 1t is important here to observe
that several American vessels and cargoes, sci
zed in other ports of France, under circumstan-
ces precisely similar, were liberated by giving
bonds; and that these bonds were afterwards
cancelled by special Imperial DEGREES.
Under various pretexts, however, these car
goes were detained IN the public stores, at An
twerp, for nearly three years, when they were