Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-01-23
FRENCH SPOLIATIONs.

From the Pht1delphd aurora ana FrdkItn Gdz Jan ~
The meeting Of the merchants interested in
French spoliations, on Tuesday evening, was
certainly one of the largest that has been wit
messed for many years in this city on any occa-
sion, and was conducted with an extraordinary
degree of unanimity and solemnity. Among
those present, were the various classes Of SUI
ferers The Antwerp claimants, and those
whose vessels and cargoes were captured, or
rather faithessly seized at the very entrance of
ST. Sebastians and other ports, by boats sent off
for the very express purpose, were very nunle-
rous. There were also to be seen many who
had immense sums e1torred from them, amount.
ing in some cases to more than half the value
of their property, in order to procure an acquir'
tai from the condemnation which had been
held over them in serr0yem for months or years.
Many also were there, who, urged by secret en-
missaries to compromise, under the sanction Of
the court, were compelled TO give up one half
or two thirds, to preserve the remainder; and
last, though not least in numbers, were seen
those who lost both ships and cargoes by con-
domination, after passing through the forms Of
a sham trial, and paving enormous charges be-
sides. Some few were present, whose proper
ty was finally acquitted; but, in these instances,
the expenses and long detention absorbed
nearly every thing. As no occasion has
ever occurred in our commercial annals Of
more diversified injustice and extortion,
than our claims upon France exhibit, so is it
one, in which the best diplomatic talents of our
country are required 10 effect the great pacific
object which this meeting appears TO have had
in view. Such men as ALBERT GALLArIN and
RUFUS KING, the latter Of whom, now in Lon.
don, is near the probable scene of negotiation,
would, in our humble opinion, apart from all
considerations of party, be most happily con-
Joined in such mission as is here suggested.-
Great experience and weight of character seem
indeed essential requisites in an extraordinary
and special embassy, and without it fair expe-
riment could not be made.
WEST POINT.
. A message was received in the Legislature
Of New-York on Saturday last from, Governor
Clinton, submitting communication from the
Secretary at War, requesting the passage Of a
law ceding TO the United States Jurisdiction o.
yer the lands attached to the post of West
Point, the boundaries Of which were given in
an accompanying survey. The governor con
eludes his message with the following para
graph:
81 have considered it my duty TO make these
remarks at the time Of submitting to you a
communication from the War Department
for transfer ofjurisdction Of at least one thou.
sand eight hundred acres of Iand on the west
side Of Hudson river, & pertaining to the mill
tary academy,a West Point The ,ranscendent
usefulness of the Military Academy, the dis
tinguished merits of its officers, and the respec-
table source of the application must form a
strong claim on your efficient interposition in
favor of any reasonable arrangements on this
occasion. But it will certainly be unwarranta.
bic to disest the county of Orange Of its terri.
tory, and the state Of its jurisdiction, to so
great an extent. Although coded territory
may, geographically speaking, be within state,
yet considered politically, and for the purposes
Of government, it is entirely extrinsic, and all
connection is dissolved"