Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-03-29

tended by a thousand vexations and perplexities
but as il had been commenced, there was ro
escape, and Mr.. Meade had only to breast the
torrent that opposed him. and make the bea.
Of his misfoftunes 1t is not to bo supposed
that man who had been baseiy deceived ano
tred with by a christian government, could
we'll brook the indignties he received, and th
wrongs hc had to endure, nor is il remark Al blee
that the sufferer became perverse, pevish, and
imprudent Alive to . firm sense Of the deep
injustice that had en- done him, by tho gov
ernment Of Spain. and incapable Of tamely
snbmittingto the arrogance of an imbecie and
an lemnae monarch ,on particular oecas on
when his affairs were adjudioating, Mr.. Meade
dared to resent his wrongs in an opor court and
in the mldst Of excitement. uttered language,
which called forth the ire Of the ch and
consigned him to the damps ofa prison. Here
at once. the last lingering ray Of hope that had
cheered his passage through the vale oflifs was
sx'inguished. and for nearly four years, did ho
note the passage the timer. from the narrow.
aperture of his cell. and like Sterns's object of
misery, etch on his staff, the calender Of his
wretchedness In the midst ofhs confinement
he appealed 10 his native country for redress.
but ere his country could interpose, a revolu-
tion in the political affairs OF Europe, cast open
| tho doors of his prison, and once more he wss
| permitted to taste the pure air Of liberty
| But the return Of freedom did not restore n
ruined fortunoi and Mr. Meade returned to his
native country, a ruined bankrupt
His claims, however, On the Spanish geyerr-
nent, were supposed TO be good, and with IA
fond hope, he locked at them as treasures
which would, at no distant period, restore hin,
and his family, 10 ease and aflluencs. His
claims on the Spanish government, amount to
fire hundred thousand doiiors;-and at the
time of tho Florida Treaty. it was confidently
supposed that they would be liquidsted by tho
provisions Of that compact and, when the trea-
ty was about to be negotiated, by which Flori-
da was ceded TO this country. Mr.. Mead's claim
was presented, passed and admitted, by Mr.
Irvine the American Minister, who was fully
satisfied Of its justice.
BY one Of the articles Of the Florida Treaty,s
an ndemnifcation Of tho claims of Americans
was assented to by the parties, and soon after
M appropriation Of FIVE millions Of dollars was
voted by Congress to be distributed pro rata
among those whose claims wero allowed. il
WILDE recollected that though an appropriation
of five millions was made, that claims to the
amount of forty millions were presented, thus
rendering it impossible that any one, should
Obtain any very considerable sums. Mr..
Meade among Others presented lbs claim to tLo
Commissioners, but principal part of tho ey.
idence on which he relied was in so,;n. .r1
he solicited the Commissioners to apply forir.
After delay Of SIX months-and why the de-
lay was had, heaven alone can tell-the Com
mis.ioners made application to the Spanish
Government but owing TO tho hostile and up-
settled state of things, the application was de-
! layed in its progress. and the evidence did no,
arrive before tho expiration Of the Commission.
Consequently Mr.. Meado's claim was rejected
| The present bill before Congress, and in re-
latIon to which much has been said, is 10 sub
init the claim again, with the new evidence 70
new Board Of Commissioners, to be subjected
to the same rules as the dcfunct Commission.
| The bill is opposed by several members of Con-
grcss, on the ground, that the money appropri,
| atcd for the liquidation Of the Spanish Claims.
has been doivdeJ under tho decree of tho
| Commissioners, and thut If Mr. Meade has u
claim il must be against the Spanish Govsrn-
ment. II is also urged in opposition to tho
! claims of this gentleman, that he did not use
sufficient diligence, in cndeavouring TO procure
the necessary testimony to validate his do,
mands in the eyes of the Commissioners.
Tous it appears, that Mr.. Meades case pro, Z.
| sents very singular aspect, and though wo
would see him indemnfod, We cannst for tho
soul, OF us. discover how hs can obtain H. .
without the country and the people at larr,
suffer by reason Of passing to hin, an indsns,-
~. The money appropriated for the lquda,
tion Of Spanish Claims, has already been ex-
hausted and distributed, and ifsny further pro,
vision be made 10 meet tho claims of Mr..
Meade, it must como from the people, ard
they will have to bear a burthen, which Of
right cannot be imposed II the claim bo not
allowed, Mr.. Meade is forever ruined, and if
it be allowed fiom the funds Of the treasury,
he is made a man Of immense fortune, at tho
expense Of the people.