The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-23

SATURDAY, January 90 1898
The SENATE did not sit to-day. n


WAYS AND MEANS
By Mr.. CAMBRELENG; Against the petition
OF Lewis Feuchwanger, and the petitions Of the pro-
| prietors OF the Neapolitan indemnity stock
BY Mr.. McKIM: For the relief Of Zaehariah
Jefferson.
BY Mr.. DARLINGTON; For the relief Of Syl-
vester Phelps, and representatives Of Charles Ian
don, deceased.
By Mr.. CUSHMAN: Against the petition Of
Charles Wilkinson.
DISTINCT or coLUMBa.
| By Mr.. MONTGOMERY: Against the petition
Of the Union Bank, Georgetown, for money lost in
the robbery OF the posi- office in Baltimore.
BY Mr.. BRUYN For the relief Of John Baleh,
| Jr
REyoLUToNARY CLAIMS.
BY Mr.. MUHLENBERG Senate bill for the re-
/ lief OF James McCrory, with an amendment.
Senate bill for the reliefof DIR. John Ramsay de-
ceased, with an amendment
Senate bill forthe relief of Frederick Seige, with
an amendment.
| PRIVATE LAND CLAIMS.
! BY Mr. RARIDEN: Against the petition of VIM
| L. Weddingon, and David and Samuel Bailey
| BY Mr. LEADBETTER; Against the petition of
Richard and Stephen Livingston.
BY Mr. CHEATHAM Against the petition of
Balus Corde
MILITARY AFFAIRS
By Mr. COLES bill to carry into effect the
resolution of Congress for erecting monuments 10 the
memory OF certain general officers of the Revolu-
lion, and for erecting marble column at Yorktown
BY Mr.. MCKAY: Against the petition of John
Foster
OLD FRENCH CLAIMS.
| Mr.. HOWARD, from the Committee on Foreign
Relations, reported bill 10 provide for the saisfac-
iion Of claims due TO certain American citizens for
spoliations committed on their commerce prior 10 the
3lst of July, 1901
| This bill was twice read and committed, and the
report in its favor having been read through, at the
request Of Mr.. CUSHING, was ordered TO be
| printed.
CLAIMS UPON DENMARK.
The following resolution, reported by Mr.. CusH-
LSG from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, on the
| 18th inst, was on his motion, now taken up:
Resolved That the President of the United States
be requested (f in his opinion, not inconsistent with
the public interes) to consider the propriey of en-
tering into negotiations with the Court of Denmark
for the purpose of obtaining therefrom just and
equitable indemnfcation for the value of three pri-
sent by John Paul Jones, in one thousand seven
hundred and seventy mine, into Bergen, in Norway
and which were there delivered up by the Crown of
Denmark to the English, viz the leer-ofmarque
ships Union, of London, and BetSey, of Liverpool
and the bigantine Charming Polly.
The resolution having been read
Mr. TALIAFERRO said that this claim was sub
ject of very old times having occupied the attention
of the Continental Congress, and very strong resou
tions had been adopted in regard to il but he had
not the record before him. he wished the subject
postponed for one day, that he might have time to
refer toit before he voted upon the resolution.
Mr.. CUSHING said he had the resolution of the
Continental Congress before him, and would furnish
it 10 the gentleman from Virginia; (Which he did)
Mr.. TALIAFERRO having explained the reso-
luton thought there had, at subsequent period,
been another and stronger resolution, more man
daory in its character, adopted by the Continental
Congress. All he wished now TO suggest was, that
the resolution be modified as to request the Presi-
dent not TO consider the propriety Of originating
negotiation, but to carry into effect the resolution Of
Mr.. HOWARD said that the resolutions of the old
Congress had been before the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, and the point now made by Mr.. Taliaferro
had been discussed there and rejected. The vessels
named in the resolution had been captured by John
Panl Jones, and carried into Danish port, but had
been surrendered by the Danish to the British Go
vernment, on the ground thatthe capture unlaw-
full, the United States not being an independent
Power. Our Minister, DR. Franklin at that time in
France, Immediately on hearing Of the fact, remon-
strated with the Danish Government, and protested
against the surrendry. Within ten years past
treaty had been concluded with Denmark, by which
about 5000 600 had been allowed us a reimburse
ment for captures made during the last war but it
was question, which different opinions
held, whether the captures referred TO in the resou
ton were included his own opinion inclined 10 the
negative. But the Government having sanctioned
that treaty, il would he thought be going too far TO
require the President to go behind it. and execute
the resolution of the Continental Congress. He pre-
ferred bringing the whole matter before the Execu-
tive, and il he thought that, under all the circum-
stances the of this indemnity could Justly be
demanded, let him open negotiation with Denmark
for that end. He hoped the gentleman from Virgil
MIA would suffer the resolution 10 pass,
Mr. TALlAFERRO then went into an historical
review Of what had been done in the case by the
Continental Congress The case had passed under
his notice at the time for his own life was, had been
almost, indeed quite, contemporaneous with the affair
from its commencement. As he spoke from memory
alone he spoke with some difiidence, but his recol
lection of the facts very strong. The celebrated
Paul Jones had captured several valuable English
merchant men, and sent them into Danish port,
consigned 10 the French consul there but the prizes
were Immediately demanded by Great Britain, I'M
der her treaty with Denmark, as having been cap
tured unlawiully, Denmark not having recognised
the independence the thirteen United Colonies A
negotiation was immediately entered into by DR..
Franklin and the Danish Minister was forced TO
admit the principle of the validity of the capture,
and made specific offer of fl0000 sterling, (if he
remembered rightly but the offer was refused the
vessels having been insured in London for f50,0O0
or 100000 sterling There the negotiation ended,
and nothing farther was done till the close of our
Revolution, when the Continental Congress- as he
had before stated took up the mater in serious
est; and our Minister in France was authorized 10
depute John Paul Jones himself to negotiate with
the Danish Government for indemnity. No serious
opposition was made to the principle but as there
was reservation in JoneSs commission which sub
jected his doings to revision of our Minister at
Paris on this preext the negotiation was transferred
to Paris. Unfortunately, however, just about that
period, our Minister (Mr Jeierson) returned home;
and before his successor was appointed, the Revolu-
ton took place, and from that day to this not one
word had been urged by our Government in behalf
OF this claim.
As to this claim having been covered by the late
treaty with Denmark the individuals interested, on