The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-11-30

FRENCH SPoLIATIoNS Prior, TO 1904
numerous meeting of persons interested in the
claims for French Spoliations, prior to 1900 was
held at the Exchange in Philadelphia on the
Gath inst at which the following resolutions were
passed;
Resolved 1st That the origin of these claims,
NAV be traced back to the period of our revolu-
tionary struggle. and the amount forms, in fact,
no inconsider,J.p Item in the cost OF our nation
al independence.
Resolved I'd, That when our government bar
tered away these claims for a valuable consid-
Grafton by the Convention OF 1900, they were
justified from the necessity of the case, and no
doubt acted wisely ard well at the same time
they became themselves liable to the claimants,
on the principle so clearly asserted in the Con-
stituton of the United States, ''that private pro-
perty shall not be taken for Publis use without
Just compensation"
Resolved Sd, That the encouragement to per-
severe in foreign trade, given to the merchants
BY our government in the form of a circular, is
sued from the Department of State under the adj
ministratsn of General Washington, in the year
1793-assuiing them of protection and indemnl-
ty-is a circumstance which ought ever to be
borne in mind, as bearing clearly and directly on
the aforementioned liability.
Resolved 4th. That the value of these claims
as against France, has oflate years become more
apparent from the fact that claims OF a similar
character have been successfully urged against
France by other nations, and similar claims have
been recovered by our government, not only from
France, but from almost every other government
of Europe.
Resolved 9Th, That during the long period in
which these claims have been pending and un-
settled, our convieton of their meritorious char
acter has been deep and abiding, and our faith
in their ultimate satisfaction by cur government
has seldom faltercd and has never failed.
Resolved 9th, That our conviction of the jus
tice of these claims is strengthened by our know
ledge Of the fact, that they have been subjected
to the scrutiny OF numerous and various commit
tees Of both houses of Congress, most of whom
have reported in our favor, and not one of them
against us for nearly twenty years past.
Resolved 18th, That the Report Of the Com
mittee of Foreign Affairs, made at the last ses-
sion of Congress by the learned, able and honor
able Member from Massachusetts, has, in our
Judgment, presented al argument in our favor
unanswered and Hnanswerable.
Resolved Sth, That the direct and disinterest-
ed appeal to Congress in favor of these claims
by the members OF the Convention to amend the
Constitution of the State, which met in this
city two years ago. is entitled to much weight
with every candid American Statesman, and es-
pecially with every Representative in Congress
from this Commonwealth.
Resolved 9Th, That the prompt interpositisn
in eu behalf OF the Governor and members Of
both branches OF our State Legislature in June
last, and the unanimous recommendation of the
Immediate passage of law for our relief, was
a noble act, and claims the expression of our
warmeSt gratitude.
Resolved 10th, That while We are bound as
good citizens to believe that Congress must
have had good reason for the delay to act finally
on these claims, we cannot but feel that to plead
this delay, in which we have had no agency, as
an argument against the validity of the claims,
would be cruel, oppressive and unjust.
Resolved 18th, That the proceedings of this
meeting be printed, and that a copy of them be
forwarded to each member of our Delegation in
Congress, and that Mr.. Buchanan of the Senate
and Mr.. Sergeant of the House of Representa-
tivcs from this city, be requested to present them
to their respective Houses as our solemn and
earnest appeal to the magnanimity and justice
of our National Legislature.
Resolved 18th, That a copy of these proceed
ings be sent to New York, Baltimore, and such
other places as have all interest in these claims
and that the claimants generally be, and arr
hereby requested to make vigorous and united
effort at the approaching session OF Congress Il
obtain that justice which has been SO long de
ferred.
CHARLES MASSEY, Chairman
CHARLES MACALEsTER, Secretary.