Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-03-02
Congress os tie az. states.
HOUSE OF REpREsE fH1Dari nEp' =.

Sir. Everett, from the Committee ON Foreign AZ.
fairs, made the following report:
VI nc committee OF Foreign Afairs, 10 ,vhou, have
oeeh referred the memorials, respectively OF sundry
citizens OF Portland, of Portsmouth, OF Salem of Rhode
isaid' OF New York, of Philadelphia, and of Balti>
more; also the petition of BENJAMIN FRY and of John
and Alexander Johnston; Also letter OF tl,e Secretary
OF State OF January Goth, accompanied by n scheln,s
| OF claims on Foreign Governments prepared IN ODE
dience TO a resolution OF the Rouse of Represorta
yves OF the 10Th May, 1890; also, an additions! sche
dnie 81 claims OF citizens OF New 1orl; bee leave TO
report: ~
That the subject of the claims of American c;,;-e,s
on Foreign Governments for captures and spolia,;ons
on te high seas, and for approximations CONTRIBUTIONS
ana Illegal deteniinns lii port during tie Continental
system, SO called, is well known the House of Re
representatives. The above named memorials contain
the representations of large respectable bodies of
merchants, IN soiDe Of the important comtnerci,
towns IN the United States, also of inliy dual CIT;
Zens Similar memorials have, former occasions
been presented to tue House, and have received the
respectful notice OF the Committee o. Fore;cu AZ
! fairs.
The general nature of the claims preferred in ,boss
memorials, is the although the merits of the ones
ton vary IN certain degree reference 10 tile differ
ent Governments against whom the claims exist The
extent OF indridusl hardship and outrage was also
various The document from the Department of State
alluded to above, furnishes great deal OF important
iniortnation on both points. 1t WILL in the opinion Of
the COMMITTEE, expose to The American People series
oil losses, OF OPPRESSION and injury not less seriously
affecting the National character, than fatal to the r
vatc interests of the parties concerned, II is in c
the circumstance WHICH most entities these claims 60
the consideration Of the House that they grew out OF
violations of National Law, and the Faith of Treaties
deeply involving the honor OF the American People.
ihe claims preferred the Governments of
france: the Netherlands Naples. and Denmark The
proceedings OF the American Government, in the al,
tempt TO procure, by friendly negotiations that indein
hy winch IS due alike as matter of National and
private right have, at various times been conmunca
ted to the House of Representatives. Obvious consi
derations have led the Executive press will, the
greatest urgency the claims the Government of
France. -
Justice could not perhaps with proprefy be enfors
Geo from the other Powers before, nor dispensed with
alter It shall have been done to our citizens br this
powerful, prosperous and msgnanimous State; of whose
elevated and liberal POLICY tie People of the United
states have had too many proofs, final differ
encc OF sentiment this subject. The {nu,iit 90
are not uDmndi OF the plausible nature OF The ,ea
that 1T 10 hard that The present Government OF France
should be called upoa TO make reparafion for the ilIe
gal acts OF tie late Emperor. 1t is, however known
10 the whoa world, chat immense s,irs were in me
hrst years OF the restored Monarchy paid by France
TO the various governments of Europe; and that the
United States. the ouy People whose arms were NOT
turned against France is the ONLY one which has benn
excluded from tue general disribu ton of indemnify
here is, IN fact, hardship in refunnsr to the
American merchant the value those supplies 90 iono
since wreste iio'a him, which often spec flea y
applied TO the public service of France and ALWAYS
formed an accession 20 the public stock or te private
means OF her citizens How ~ eat the evils bief
France may have endured under the reign of Nspos
on, the exhaustion and mpoverishment resulting. TO
that country, were aeTiated by the enii,e amount OF
acquired by
from orr peaceful merchants. 1t is asking mach
that this amount should he regarded as having been
loaned to France and that it should now aftcrftean
or twenty years. use, be repaid TO its rieifu owners
The question OF bardships might be safely rested IN
the single consideration whether the citizens of Amc
RIGA ought TO be the fuaI losers of property OF WHICH
IN sequence of the arbitrary measures of the late
Emperor France has for many years gratuitouslv
enjoyed the beneE..
But the Committee deem it he less necessary TO
press ms point as The French Government, though
oen aiudDg to 1t, has denied the iustjce Of chose
caims has admitted he validity of several portions of
them; and makes their allowance. and pa, inen CON
tnSent ON the adjustment Of another question: in con
troyersy viz: tue privileges claimed By France in the
ports OF LOUISIANA under the eighth article of the on.
ventioD, by which Louisiana coded TO the United
States Tie Government of France maintains an in.
depreciation of that article in virtue % which French
vessels are gra'tousy to be admitted into the uors OF
LOUISIANA on The terms the vessels of Powers
between which and the u. States the dscriinna, tine
I duties have been mutually abrogaied This claim
has long formed the subject OF negoaiion between the
Governments of ttc u. States and France and the
former has ever expressed Willingness continue or
revive the discussion. 1t has however protested and
as me COMMITTEE tni. with great reason against ma
king the ndemnGcaticn justiy due TO individuals for
wrongs admitted to have been suffered CONTINGENT on
The settlement OF political question between he two
Governments. Allowing for n moment, and for the
safe OF argument, that the Goyrnment of the United
states rs wrong 10 its Interpretation Of the eighth arIi:
eof The Louisiana Convention this wrong can afford
FTaTec justification for withholding from individual
cIilze"s OF the United States the payment of debts
acknowledged 10 be due. II is however satisfactory
consideration, that Tie difficulty thus arisiDgy is in
air course Of removal In the operation of the existing
Commercial Convention with france the disc,i1pna.
ing duties wiz, the FIRST dag Of October next he
mutually repealed and the controversy arising on Die
Interpretation OF tue eighth article OF the Louisiana
Convention, will be thus practically settled Whom
this shall! DC the case, the known character Of the
French Government is pledge 20 the United States
that justice viii not long he withheld from our citizens
once rendered BY France, the indemnify so long de-
laJed viii no dou5t be promptly accorded by the other
Powers
! From the report Of the Secretary Of Stale above
alluded TO- il appears that Tie saims the various
Powers omiting paris Of doiiar} amount to Tie fol
( lowing sums:
! On France, 81. COO 900
On Naples, 2O32,93o
| On the Nelle'land5, 75O,059
On Dcnmar6, 1864, eco /
So nf- - IN