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

hE1NSff Si'Ol>tAIlONS.
NO. |.
IL is now nearly twelve years since the general paci>
hcatIon oil Europe, and whatev France may
nave assigned during her mighty struggle for Empire,
Tor the various depIedaons committed upon lawful
commerce, i, might have been expected that suicient
tine had now elapsed 10 have made aonement for
the reiterated violation of our rights Independent
nation t is not intended here To discuss the question
whether England France, the Ia st wage ar
upon commerce ngand, by means of her for
midable Navy, committed depredations upon trade
at the entrance of our harbours and bocaded our
coast Alter many fruitless appeals to her reason and
TO her justice, finally appealed to arms and though
we procured no pecuniary satisfaction by war, YET
obtained rich Indemnity, in National Glory. We
vanquished her upon element that she 7aOdcStty called
her own; and ii remain but true TO ourselves, we
may venture 10 predict that the result and consequences
OF that war, will TO the blessings of peace
during the existence of the present generation
With France tie case is widely different. From her
we have obtained neither pecuniary indemnity, nor
acquired national renown. When reflect upon the
numerous fragrant violations committe BY France upon
our rights independent nation-rights moi only
protected by public law, but guarded by solemn
lsupuatIons-we cannot for moment suppose that a
paternai government will TO abandon its
citizens TO the injustice of foreign power. That these
aggessions were not committed by the present eoye-
ment OF France, is a question with which we have no
concern. as no principle of public law is more uniyer-
sally acknowledged, than that which makes the SOFT
responsible for the acts those who exercise sovereign
ty over H. Having paid considerable attention TO the
ally to transmit TO you some observations relative
thereto, combining myself to events which have oc-
Cured since tie peace of Anicns.
FITZsINAjONS.
NO. II.
In order more fully 10 show the justice of our claims
against France, it may be proper first TO state that
Convention concluded Paris, on the LIST July
lGOl between the United States and France, Ehlcf
contains the following stipulations:
Article !. stThere shall be firm inriol,bIe and
universal peace. and true and sincere friendship be
tween the French Republic and the United States O
America, aud between their respective countries ter
r'tores, Cities towns, aud people, without exceptions
or places"
Article IT, "It shall be lawful for the citizens o.
either country TO sail with their ships and merchandise
tcontraband goods always excepted from ana lo,l
tohdtece TO any port of the enemy of the other anc
to sail and trade with their ships and merchandise will
perfect security and liberty, from the countries ports
and places of those who enemies of both or of e,he
party, without opposition disturbance whatsoever
anu 10 pass not only directly from the places and por
OF the enemy aforementioned TO neutral ports and pla
ces but also from place belonging to IN cnen,y Il
another place belonging to enemy whether they be
under the jurisdiction of the power or under the
several unless such ports place be actually bocla
died. besieged, inrested.n
Article II. ''lt hereby stipulated thai free Shin
shall give freedom goods, and that every thing shall
be deemed to be free and exempt, which shall be fount
on board the ships belonging to the citizens of either O
| the contracting parties"
Article 2e cit is further agreed, that in all cases
the established courts for prize causes in the country
to which the prizes may be conducted, shall nl0ae ast
cognzance of them. And whenever such tribunal O
either OF the parties shall pronounce judgment agans
any vessel or goods, property claimed by citizens
the other party, the sentence Decree shall mention
the reasons or motives which the same shall have
been founded, and authenticated copy of the sen
tence decree, and of all the proceedings in the
SHALL 1T demanded, be delivered TO the commander O.
agent OF the said vessel without delay he paying h
| legal fees for the same"
Such is part of the solemn compact into which IN
French Government entered with tins Nation and how
far they have fulfilled it, shall endeayour hereafter t.
slow.