Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-12-22
p O S Il s c. RIP Il
TCorre,uoa Ience of the Herald
BIZ THE SOUTHERN MAIL.


Claims for French Spohations, &c.
The weather has been extremely Geld for this re-
zion fer the last two days. The Potomac is fro-
sen over very firmly, and the passage between this
and Alexandra is kept open only by the use OF a
powerful iceb at. Gentlemen harry along the ave.
uue with their cloaks wrapt about them, shivering
with the cold, and the ladies' dear souls appear
beautiful as ever in their hoods and furs, with the
slight drawback Of a transfer Of the vernillion
from their cheeks to their noses.
This Washington is a curious place, sure enough.
There is no commerce, no manufactures, no busi-
ness Of any accountant the inhabitants, or most
Of them, are dependant upoa the uncertain and ca
prisious bounty of Congress. With the exception
Of the hotels, where the charges are not exor-
bitant, considering the Circumstances, every body
taxes enormously. The maxim OF the Cock
ney, never 10 do nothing Tor nobody Tor no
thing" is improved upon ere They Will do no
thing and sell nothing, without double or treble the
price in any other place. gentleman visiting that
UNIQUE spot Block Island, asked a native how the
inhabitants supported themselves in such barren
"In SUMNER" said the web-footed islander, for
every body is web-fooed "a Block Island, Eve
live by skinnng strangers
81 Aud in WINTER" inquired the gentleman.
"By skinning each other" was the reply.
Invert the order Of the seasons, and Washington
prescnts precise parallel TO Block Island.
The City is still rife with eculations and rumors
about the Cabinet. Ii seems to be generally under
stoed here that the Cabinet is formed with the
eeption ofthe Secretary Of the Navy. The Eastern
and Western States a.d Pennsylvana. are all to be
represented in it, according to the present. supposed
arrangements but the South will not be provided for
unless head ofthe Navy Department should be Sc
lected frem that section Mr. Preston will not take
any appointment. Mr.. Berrisn would make an ex-
eeent Secretary In fact, he is fully equal TO the
duties Of any station ia the gift of the government or
the people, and Georgia would be hattered or graft
fed rather, by the distinction.
There is some que stisn whether Mr.. Ewing will
accept the office of Postmaster General. He has
very extensive aud profitable salt establishment in
Ohio and he is apprehensive that his interest Will
suffer too mach If he removes to the seat OF Co.
vernnent.
There is much external cordiality between Mr..
Calhoun and Mr.. Benton, but neither ct them feel
very pleasantly towards Mr. Van Buren,. Indeed,
there is feeling of bitterness towards him, pervad
ing the whole party here. No man in the Cabinet or
not, stands in the relation of confidential personal
friend ID him, and the opinion 10 generally entertain
ed and occasionally expressed, that he has contri
buted 20 break down the party, by his Sc fish and i'm.
polite management. The members OF the Cabinet
have very few apologists defenders in Congress.
Mr. Ponsett and Mr. PauldiRg are spoken OF In terms
Of dstrust and contempt very generally. The i'm
practicability of Mr. Ponsett and the imbeciity Of
Mr. Pauiding, are admitted by all. They came into
the Cabinet without personal popularity or political
experience, and they will go out without honor, and
without regret from any quarter.
The bill appropriating five milliens towards pay
ing indebtedness of twenty, for French spolia-
tons prior to lSO0 to be taken up at the earliest
possible moment Mr.. Cushing, member Of the
most efficient upon the committee, has the matter in
charge, and much is expected from his zeal and
perseverance,.
The follow ns succinet statement of facts will
render the whole ineligible -
During the wars consequent on the French Revo-
iation more than six hundred vessels, the property
OF citizeas of the United States, were seized and
conhscated by individuals pr seeding under the
therity Of successive Governments OF France. The
United States, in behalf OF its aggrieved citizens,
demonstrated against these seizures as being in Vie
attn nj and nft he la AZ
handed redress; and France admitted that redress
was due, and that the sufferers we're entitled to in
Identification.
On the other hand, France had her subjects of
complaint also against the United States, for acts
alleged to be done or omitted by us, in violation Of
treaties, coutemporaneousy with the spoliatons on
our commerce, eomnitted by her; and the Govern
mcnt Of the Unt; d States admitted that France
entitled TO redress, and proposed TO pay her, in dis
charge Of her public claims ON us,a stipulated sum
OF nosey.
Finally, after mach negotiation great irritation Of
feeling on both Sides and near approach TO actual
war, the two governments concluded q convention,
and by which all these matters Of controversy be-
tween them were disposed OF, and harmonious inter-
course restored, the basis Of a reciprocal
citation Of the claims in question, whether Of the
French nation or the citizens Of France against the
United States, or Of citizens OF the United States
against the government OF France.
her remuneration, as nation, Of the claims Of her
citizens, the claimants were for barred of all
the recourse TO France which they might otherwise
have maintaAed, eitaer as individuals or through
the Intervention of their government and thus,
an point OF fact they have received any salts
faction whatever Of demands recognised on all
hands originally jast and lawful; and they lay
claim TO such satisfaction from any quarter,
less il be the government Ct the United States.
.tr -.