American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-11-14
FRENCH SPOLIATiONS.-No. y.

Notwithstanding the objections previously urged
against restitution Of the value OF the property
seized at Antwerp, The justice OF the claim
iully admitted by the Vscount Montmorency
when minister OF foreign affairs.
Mr.. Gaalin, in his despatch to the Secretary o.
State, dated Paris, April IS, 1922 says:
"In several conversations had with Viscoun.
Montmorency, on the subject Of the Antwerp cases
he always evinced sense Of the Justice Of tie
claim, and disposition that an indemnity should as
made
In fact, during that minister's administration
there was every prospect OF this claim being paid
and the principal motive then assigned for not dis
charging it was, that there was no money al the
disposal of ministers, without applying 10 the e
sslature for all appropriation.
10 The mean time. the proce edings Of the allied
soyercigns at the congress OF Verona, during The
summer OF 1922, led 10 the resignation oI the Wis.
count Moptmorency; and with his tirement, the
best hopes OF the claimants disappeared.
! The French ministry aferwal DIS assumed new
ground and refused to upon the subject Of our
claims unless We would first consent to admit oil
their construction Of he treaty CT Louisiana As
The French government still persist in this refusal,
and as the negotiations The subject Of cur claims
is thereby suspended, shall briefly state the ground
upon which they build this unounded pretenson.
BY the 7th article OF the treaty OF Louisiana, It
is stipulated, that French ships and French goods
shall be admitted into the ports of Louisiana, for
/ twelve years, upon paying the same charges anu
duties as American ships, or merchandise import
ed therein. And the 9Th article Of the treaty lur'
Their declares tina, alter the expiration OF the said
twelve years, French ships and goods shall be ad-
mted into the ports OF Louisiana upon the footing
Of the most favored nation.
BY our treaty Of commerce with Great Britain
as we'll as with several other powers, have agreed
to admi. their ships and goods into the ports OF Inc
United States, upon the same footing cur own
they, granting IN return. to cur ships aud goods II
their ports, the like privileges.
Now the French government contend ihat ~
British ships are admitted into the ports OF Lou
islans, as one Of the United States. on the same
footing as American vessels, the French sh'p'
ought, by virtue OF the treaty, to enjoy the sans
/ privilege, without granting any equivalent
: This never could have been the intention oil lns
q pa,.ies at the time Of framing the treaty. .
d quite customary 10 insert provision IN trea''es'
. even when there is territory coded, thai " ~
ships Of each nation slal! enjoy in the ports Of NV
$ o,hsr, the privileges cf the most favored na!On
The usual acceptaon then of such terms Is g. !,
that the trainers Of the treaty could have inehoeG
n Tor treaty by which any one state would DC ..
IS Tied 10 privileges over another, would DC W.
c violation of the constitution Of the United osse
d which expressly declares, that DO preieitnes -
n be given by any regulation Of comme'ss q