Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-11-07

90 years. shall the consider alton OF this ilnpor
iani snbjeotin my next number.
No ".
The seizure and detention OF large an amount of
American property, as that sequestered at Antwerp,
during time of profound peace, snd whist treaty
was IN full force that ought 10 have protected it, ne
cessarIiy produced al that time, strong and frequent
remonstrances on the part of our government.
To these Inconsistencies either eya,ive answers were
gwen deaf TUNED.
Mr.. Gaatin, shortly after his arrival in France
during the year 1916 made an able representation TO
the French government on the subject of this, well
as OF our other cldims upon France; but the einbar-
raised situation OF The cnnntry, assigned a rea
why the subject could then be taken into CON.
sideratlon During the year 1872 Mr. David Parish
presented memorial 10 Baron Louis the minister OF
finance, on behalf Of Dir. Archibald Oracle of New.
York, who proprietor .hree of the cargoes seizec
and sold At Antwerp claiming restitution of the pro
cccds thereof.
The reply of the Minister Of Finance 10 MIR Pa
rist,, is extraordinary document that shall quote
his own words. Baron Louis says,
81 admit with you the nqnity Of these measures, anc
with You deplOre their effects; but TO repair them
not within the compass of my power.
"lf the cargoes still existed m the Custom House
Stores, they should be immediately restored TO you bu
they were sold, and their proceeds no longer exist
'The whole transaction terminated i,,'enoca5h
Terminated four years prior 10 the tes:oration,"* Sc
&c.
/ Src'i was the language Of = French Cabinet Minis
ter, and fine specimen oil morality, trul!! According
to this doctrine thief taken with stolen goods upol
him. hound 10 restore thern but If perchance he ha
disposed of them, aI expended The money he is M
| longer rcsponsblc!,.
! In no part of tic correspondence with the Frencl
government. either before tie restoration hav
they attempted to prove that this property was eve
submitted 10 any legal aduGicalion either in conor
NIFTY with the solemn s'lPuIinns OF tie treaty. Tn
Berlin Decree, under which i; was seized.
The treaty declares thai the established courts 90
pr'Io causes should Gfone pronounce Judgment i'll case
OF vessels goods claimed hy ciizc.s OF either party
andthe Berlin Decree declares that the Council of Pri
yes ut Paris, should alone its provisions; vel il
the detention OF this property, both the Treaty and De
cree have been alike disregauled
| The only reason which the French Government eve
advanced IN support OF their title to this property was
that as 1t had been transferred by tic Emperor from
the cct'Sse REIMBURSEMENT TO the public treasury tia
it was defnitively condemned.
In reply to this unfouaded pretenton, Mr.. Gallati
IN his letter 10 the French Minister of Foreign Affairs
! Observes
''indepeuient OF any consdera ton drawn from Urea
y stipuaiions, from the provision of the Decree i,
sell II Is equally repugnant TO the principles of the la,
of Nations, generally acknowledged by the cyiliye
world, and to those Oft municipal laws of any ciyiliz
ed Nation to consider the order in question: imply
ing the condemnation of the properv of the parties
IN the smallest degree affecting their right. There wa
moi in this case, the form OF trial. no hearing of II,
PARTIES no notice given TO them of any alledged eroun
of condemnation, ofany intention TO bring ther
10 trial." sc. sc.
If any other proof were required of the rights of III
parties TO full restitution of their property il may
found 10 the 9th article of the Treaty which declare
'ihat free ships shall give freedom to goods and the
every thing found on board shall be free and exempt
&c; and yet these vessels liberated and perme
to return TO the United States durng the wear 100
ana Tie proceeds OF their cargoos this day unlaH
fully detained