Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-10-30
MONDAY. OCTOBER 80, 1926.
ESSAYS UPON FRENCH SPOLIATIONS,
Hiih some Observations upon the importance 81
Commerce. By Etzsimmons, a natirs Of Penn-
s~siUania.
70 rur prop,r OF ruE UNITED STATES.

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
ello@-Citizens-United as we. all are, by the
bend Of the Constitu' ion, as well as BY the COM
mon. ties of patriotism and principle, we cannot
be Indifferent to whatever affects either the no.
nor or The interest OF our common country.
The ESSAYS which are herewith submitted to
vour consideration, will probably unfold to you
MANY facts, with which, most of you, were be-
fore unacouainted. The manifest injustice Of
the French Government, in refusing to make
indemnify to our fellow-citizens, FOR unlawful
seizures and COMBINATIONS Of their property,
afte- having, for like injuries, compensated the
subjects Of the Monarchies of Europe and Afri-
ca, must necessarily excite your surprise, If not
awaken your Indignation.
This is not a question OF private interest a.
lone: but one of National concern.
Proprietors of land, and cultivators of the
soil, are particularly interested in supporting
our commercial rights, for without commerce.,
agriculture must anguish.
Ifany of you, however, should think that this
is a local question, which your are not obliged
to support, we refer you to our own history,
which abourds with instances of the most no
bic sacrifices, made by one part of the nation to
protect and defend the other. We refer you 10
the con1uc, Of thar illustrious band of patriots
and sages, who conducted our country through
the perils and glories of an ~eventful revolution.
OF the multitude of proofs given, that they
would not abandon the interests Of any portion
Of their fellow citizens, we shall extract one:-
The Legislature Of some of The Eastern
States, having expressed an anxiety, lest Great
Britain would not, in treating for peace, admit
their citizens TO take fish upon the banks OF
Newfoundland md its vicinity, Congress took
the same into consideration, and adopted the
following resolution:
"Congress Of the United States, July %, l77s:
I" Resolved, That the faith Of Congress be pledg-
" ed to the several States, that without their
unanimous c0nsent, no Treaty of Commerce shall
be entered into, or any trade. of Commerce
whatever, carried on with Great Britain, with
out an explicit stipulation on her part, not to
modest or disturb the inhabit ANS Of the Unit
ed States of America, in taking Fish upon the
banks of Newfoundland" sc.
Here then. we see, during a dark and gloo-
m ysperiod ofthe revolution, a striking instance
ofthe generous devotion OF the whole nation,
to support the rights of q part of its citizens.
Another instance, somewhat OF a similar ma
ture, may be found of a more recent date.
Towards the close of the year 1902, the Spa
nish authorities al New Orleans, refused us
the right of depositing our produce at that CT
~. When Congress were appraised OF this fact,
the House OF Representatives Immediately pass
ed a resolution declaring their unaaera6e deter
minafioD, to maintain the free navigation of the
river Mississippi.
In this resolution they were supported by the
unanimous voice Of the Atlantic States. So
many instances Of this nature occur in our his
tory, that it would be superhuous 10 quote
them.
Your injured fellow-cftizens, who have suffer-
ed by French spoliations, are about to make a
solemn appeal TO Congress, to in,erpose its au-
thority in their behalf.
Nothing is wanting to procure for them JUS
tice, but a firm resolution on the part Of Con-
gress to obtain il, supported by the authority
Of the Nation.
We rely upon you, fellow-citizens, 10 give
this measure your undivided susport. We are
joint partners in patriotism. We have a COM
mon interest In our common country. We are
blessed with the happiest form of Government,
which human foresight ever devised, or human
wisdom ever enacted.
The blessings VT enjoy were conquered by
the United energies OF the Nation; and by . ike
union alone can they be preserved
FITZSIMMONS.
Philadelphia, October 9, 1926.
FRENCH sPoLIATIoNS.
No.I.