The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-01-10

FRENCH SPOLIATIONS.

II il now over forty years since the property Of
American citizens despoiled by France and 1t
is argued not denied. that by the convention be-
tween his country and France, bearing date of Sept
80, 1900 full and fair equivalent was received by
our Government from that of France for depieda,
lions committed by the latter upon property OF Amer
can individuals When this convention took place,
the individual sufferers urging their claims up
on the Justice Of France and there was every appear
ance of a successful issue; but our Government
stepped in received due remuneration, and thus the
claims upon the French were transferred 10 the Anne
rlcan Government.
II cannot be denied that full compensation was
received by our Government for If is denied, 1t Is
virtual admission that the authorities charged with
the negotiation did not do their duty.
WIN. then, does our Government withhold this
money from the claimants, which Is their just due,
and " hch wss only in the hands of The Government
One s trans q! for the Deneh' o. Inc s''p'
taken by France, an actual existed between III,
two nations 1t is not pretended that there had been
actual declaration OF war, and there had been nc
act which, according to the law of nations, would
constitute war or, If there was, it failed to attract
the attention Of such eminent urists as James Madi-
son, Chief Justice Marshall and others of high legal
sta ndiny who have given their opinion in favor OF
the payment Of these claims About dozen commit
tees of Congress have also decided, and believe
bill has than passed the Senate for their
! Payment
/ But fihe two countries were at war, to whom docs
the compensation rtCtNeu ny inns country from
France belong Why, undoubtedly, to Franco,
she being entitled to all the property she could cap
ture Let the opponents ofthese claims then, pre-
pare to pay the amountto France, il they sue
coed in making out their this ground.
Again, it is objected that the original claimants
have parted with their claims for less than their
yaue Let not the morality of this objection be ex-
posed Tell it not in Washngton-pub'ish it not in
the streets of New York Through the delay and
injustice of the government, its suffering creditors
have been compelled to part with their Just dues for
less than their real value then the government says
we will not pay at all to him who has taken the risk
of our bad faith and relieved the distressed Such
an example, by any government, highly destructive
of individual morality.
| These are the only two objections have heard
urged; and they are put forth gravey by govern
ment protesting to be Just; aud very many sufferers
have already descended to the tomb in poverty and
sorrow, whose afternoon of life should have been
rendered cheerful by the prompt Justice of their
country. Yes, the Aims House has putt seal upon
the grave OF more than toll worn mariner and
poverty stricken merchant, whose petitions to Con-
gress have been made in vain.
Ought not the Government TO pay fiese claims i'm
mediatey and is it not obligatory upon the press OF
the country which should ever be rady to advocate
the acquisitions of justice, to Uge their liquda-
| ton 7
| If these claims are not allowed and that without
more delay, then is that provision in the Constitution
which provides that private property shall not be
taken for public without just compensation" a
mere mockery--worse than useless CORES NJ J,
Journal Commerce.