Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-07-14
CLAIMS ON FRANCE,

WdtlOh ABOUT IL, UOt OWCtut-hot ueiNeu hoW
any Of the agents of the administraton-com-
municated neither from Washington. WE think
it necessary at once to make this explanation, for
the purpose of preventing all incorrect impress.
sions upon the public mind. The reader must
therefore, beware of attaching more Importance
to it, than it really deserves. We speak on the
faith Of private letters We have seen or received
What is the exact state of the negotiation at
Paris, we really know not-How far the French
Commissioners have proceeded in their investi.
gations-how manv Reports they have made
and what is their precise character what Is the
amount Of the indemnities they have recommend
ed, we profess not to know. All that we are in
formed is, that the amount of the indemnities IS
said not to correspond to our demands and our
rights. 1t is said, that the most Hatering profess
sions of good faith and good intentions are large
ly extended to our Minister at Paris. but that
the French Government has adopted very tenn.
porizing polcy-that the gentleman appointed to
preside over the Committee of Investigation is
warm adherent Of the fallen Dynasty. particular
lv hostile not only to the interests of the Claim
ants but to the institutions of the United States;
and that after fire months delay, this Commits
sion had rejected favorable report made at their
instigation by member, whose superior oppor
tunities of estimating the subject were admitted,
and that they had substituted another of an en-
tirely unsatisfactory character.
1t is also understood, the present King of the
French has acknowledged the responsibility of
his Government for the acts of Napoleon; but
that, Notwithstanding this concession, which he
could not very we'll avoid adopting, there has been
great procrastinatIon and evasion; and it was the
opinion OF one intelligent observer on the spot that
the present government will not come to fair
aud equitable settlement, without very great
luctance. No fault is attached to our Minister
at Paris. On the contrary. the highest praise is
awarded TO him in the ability and zeal with which
he has conducted this negotiation.
Under these. circumstances, two different al
ternatives have been presented for the adoption
of our government. 1t is recommended from one
quarter (having no official relations, as far as we
can understand, with the U. States,) that further
appeals to the justice or generosity of France be
p, omptly discnninued-that our Minister be forth
with instructed, either to obtain restitution, or
to demand his passports; and that the whole ques-
ton be submitted to the next Congress of the U.
States for their cognizance; for them to deter
mine on the propriety of withdrawing all diplo.
matte relations at least, if not adopting non in
tercOurse act.
1t is contended on the other hand. and with
great, perhaps irresistible force. that such mea-
sure might be attended with the most unfortunate
results to our country-What, it IS said. are the
alternatives presented to US! Compromise of the
-NOn-intercOurse-or War. Let these
be submitted to the American People-and what
will they say? How far will they go? Will they
rush into non-intercourse, or war, for the sake
of the French Claimants? In quarrels between
nations or individuals, is it not easier to ldrdnce
than to recede? Is it not better to make another
firm and liberal appeal to the justice and genera
sity of France-to attempt, if possible, to make
fair and equitable compromise of our claims
say at 40, 600, 900 of francs? Such is said to be
the opinion Of some of our friends in France,
(havIng no connection at all with our Govern
ment,) and such seem to them. to be perhaps the
true interests of the United States.
It is all this while most unfortunate for our
country, that General Lafayette's influence is at
the lowest ebb in the Court of France. The on
ly chances of his again coming into power, are
eithar the Of onuthe, revUlutiun. or the DOS
sibliity Of the new Chamber to be convened in the
iat. being OF more popular cast. Some of the
letters from Paris, represent either Of those events
as Improbable Ii is the very worst sign of the
state OF things IN France, that this illustrous man,
the friend OF Liberty every where should have
been shorn of his influence by the present poll.
tics of the French Court.-Richmond Enquirer.
-a82sa>
.4,cfM Calamity have never had the
painful duty of recording calamity of nature |
so awful, as one which occurred during the tre
mendous thunderstorm with which Reading and
its neighborhOod were visited on Tuesday. About
ten o'clock two teams were at plough on field
rented by Mr.. w. Dodd, OF Checkendon. and
situated near Braziers the seat Of Admiral Man.
ley. A man who was with one of the teams saws
he was much ala, med by very vivid flash of
lightning. which deprived him OF his senses. -
On his recovery he was surprised at not seeing his
and horses; but, after some time,
ne discovered them lying on the ground. On
examination he found that two of the horses and
he two boys we're ifeless. Two of the horses
which were struggling, he released, and hast
,ned to procure assistance.
The elder of the boys, named Prior. a weak
ad Of l6 or IL years Of age, was holding the
dough- and the effect of the lightning on his bo-
ly was truly deadful. The electric fluid seems
o have struck him on the forehead and to have
proceeded straight down his body, in its course
completely cutting through his clothes, and burn.
ng his trousers below the knee to finder His {