Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-05-16
DEBATE ON THE AMERICAN TREATY

(Translated from a Paris nepSpdper)
Mr. George LAFAYETTE rose to speak on per-
sonal subject (Attenton.) have been, SAID
the honorable member, clearly designated
by the member who spoke last, that think my
self entitled to request of the Chamber mo-
ment's attention. | do not rise 70 defend the
Commission, of which had the honor to be a
member. from the charge of being under any IN
fuence whatever, while celebrating on the i'm
portant subject committed to it, but wish to
state matter Of fact, on which ind there Is
some misapprehension. My father was not
member of that Commission; |, alone, was one
ofthe Commissioners. Surely j did not pretend
to exercise there any personal influence; but the
strength of my conviction was not sufficient to
induce the ma jority to agree in opinion with me,
and remained in the minority, though strong
.]y convinced that there was more due TO the
United States than the majority were willing to
grant.
Mr. jay, reporter the Committee, then rose,
and in support of the Bill of Appropriation, he
read letter, addressed to him by General La
favette, detained at home by sickness) in order
to prove the good faith of the United States
The letter is in these words:
"Wbile regret that cannot take part in the
debate respecting the American Treaty, the al
most unanimous report Of the Committee, ana
the more profound knowledge acquired during
this year respecting this great interest, IN winch
y. "
the seas are involved, render it useless for me
to repeat the observations which made at the
last session. but there are facts, which might
have attested as a witness, and which now
submit to my honorable colleague, the reporter
of the Committee.
81. know that the date Of the repeal of the
Berlin and Milan decress, is anterior TO the
seizures and distinctions for which an indem-
nifty is claimed. | was myself the bearer OF
message on the subject
90. Although the United States are the only
power that remained unconnected with tne Goa
litions against France, an offer was made TO
them by the allies, then all powerful, to join their
claims to those which they preferred and the
payment of which they obtained. That OTTER
was worthy declined by Mr.. Crawford, the
American Minister at Paris. He declared that
the United States far from making common
cause with the enemies of France, would wait
until their accounts could be settled as betpeen
friends
"3. saw Mr. Barlow set off for wilma in the
full conviction, from the correspondence OF the
Imperial Cabinet, that the American claims
should obtain a favorable decision; and at the
moment of our Revolution of July Mr. Rives
thought himself sure of terminating his negotia-
ton, even with the Ministry of the Restoration;
which, nevertheless felt no obligation to the
United States, for having remained the friends
of France, while France was in friendship with
her enemies
Cd Among the classes of claims admitted in
the Report do not perceive the AatWerp Seiz-
ares, although my memory was perfectly clear
on the subject. Ihad recourse to the recollec-
tons of the Duke of Bassano, whose contempt
raneous authority, in his situation at that time,
is superior to any distant and posthumous as
sertion. | am then able to say, that no confis-
cation was decreed, and that the sale of the
property had no other object than to prevent its
deliberations; that there was disposition to
admit the Justice of a claim, supported by the
act of the government ITSELF which, in short,
considered the merchandise deposited in the
caiSSe Reimbursement, as american property,
which makes an additional sum of more than
two millions, without reckoning the Maria and
her cargo, involved in the same measure.
" 1t is from these positive data and others OF
the same kind, founded on the fact of monies,
which, in my opinion, unjustly, but, nevertheless,
have entered into the public treasury, that even
after allowing for the French claims | had in
nv conscience, as an honest arbitrator, estima-
! ted the American claims at the sum of thirty
millions, and this amount is not so uniusfiable
as some have thought proper tosay, while Iyield
all the honor due to the administration which
has reduced to the treaty to narrower limits.n
Extract of letter from General Lafayette to
his correspondent in Philadelphia: dated I'd
April, 1884.
cit is with the deepest affection and with the