The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-11-17
French NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Of CIai-
manfa n tia S<,eaefyz l.

present month, Tor he purpose OF taking some dec
sive steps, and 10 concentrate the action Of the gene
raj body, In pushing through their claims during The
approaching session OF Congress. Accordingly, OF
"Wednesday last very large number OF venerable
and highly respected orisina claimants and repre-.
sentative delegates assembled at the Society Lii
brary.
The following delegates were appointed officers
Of the convention
GEORGE oRIswoLD, ESQ, otNew York.
VIck-PRxnpkNrs,
Hon John Wells. Of Massachusetts,,
Hon. Benin C Howard, OF Baltimore,
Hon. Henry W. Edwards, OF Connecticut,
Francis Settlers, Esq, New York.
A c. Fsgg, E'q Connecticut
SpcRErAeEs
James B. Murray, Esq OF New. York,
Henry K. Pierpont OF rev York.
The meeting being organised, TH.opols sspswicx,
Esq made few brief cut pihy remarks on the motive.
which influenced the New York Central Committee to
make the CALL and the necessity there existed why the
convention should take such energetic
the decisive action of Congress during the coming
sion. He explained the peculiar position in which the
claimants stood with the government OF the United
States which had, by releasing France from the claim
assumed the debt themselves and the delay settling the
claims on the part OF the American high
ly discreditabe and grossly cupsbe. The speaker
commended that the question should be put forth the
public in shape that could not he misunderstood and
that the effort 10 procure the canceng Of the b by the
ful.
Several delegates spoke on the subject all
mending action action. Mr.. PrRxISs, OF Connecticut,
recommended that committee should be named or &C.
neral agent with an adequate salary should be poirted
by the convention, proceed Washing and during
the session to press the matter up-n the notice OF the
members and secure it, final success All that was
osssary in his opinion was. that Congress should he fully
appraised of the responsibility which rested on them to
Concentrate their attention and the obligation
The Hon. Mr.. LuNr, of Newburypprt, Mass. replied,
that the proposition OF the last speaker not quite ad
equate TO the necessity While he did doubt but the
appointing an agent would have beneficial eff, CT
would advise that ss beginning, strong and energet.
sress the subject He had in contemplation Of this
course, prepared rough draft Of such ,rial and
at the service Of the Convention should they deem
1t advisable to adopt his sus gestions.
Mr.. sEpGwIcK then off red the following resolution
which was adopted
Resolved, That Committee OF Ave be appointed to re.
Convention and also report such az they may
Deem necessary for adoption. The following gentlemen
were named and appointed such committee s.
Messrs Lunt, Sedgwick, Montague, Davis, and Meal
ester.
The following resolution also adopted -
Resolved, That a Committee Of five b. appointed 10
States.
Messrs Howard, Edwards, Gray, Perkins, and Mum.
ford, were appointed this Committee.
Mr.. FLAee offered the follow wing. which adopted
Resolved, That Committee be appointed TO inquire
claimants and their legal representatives, and what by
as"gnees and the cases o. particular hardship which
shall be found to exist.
The Hon. Mr. HowA then spoke for some minutes on
the course pursued 10 Congress heretofore this
thought there existed wish on the part both Of the
Senate and the House OF to do Justice t.
the claimants They had already passed several bills
different sessions, in favor Of Gquidaing their claim
and he had every confidence that by an earnest CLOSE
and wei directed the part Of the claim
ants their ets the question would
finally disposed Of at the coming session to the salts
OF the parties ntert sed and doubtless to the pub
lie at large. appears that the Hon gentl, m An
time since chairman Of committee in Congress before
was carried through TO pay these cliims
After some further conversational remarks, the Con.
venion adjourned give the Com uittee time report
On Thursday the Convention met twelve o'clock at
the same place, when the Hon. Mr. Lunt, of Mass,
Chairman Of the Committee to draft memorial read the
report OF the Committee recommending the adopting
memorial i. Lengthy. but very ably drawn up
The Hon. MIR BowAhD. as chairman Of the Committee
dra an TO the people, read the report and sub
mitted for the adoption OF the Convention address
Of considerable len 9Th which had been
forth the origin Of the claims aud the position of the Go
vernnept. For half century clsims been urged
again and repeat, diy had reports in
made, nut only tn bill passed for their
lief, In many instances the Withholding of the claims as
grevous wrong, and misery and poverty entaileo
on many widows aud Orphans who were dependent
che men OF the debt for the relief from almost
starvation. The object Of the report
the Government, but TO urge and claim them the
payment Of what their Committees had ackno lodged
the claimants. and It hoped, that every section vi
the country would take up the and then
representatives. in h Houses TO advocate the passage
bill for their relief. The claims Dsomark, Spain,
VI pies and Mexico had bean urged and paid, but the
French spoliaton claims, prIor to 1900 the only
overheard by the Government They were tn.
only claimants who excluded from the benefits Of the
pro con OF their country sustaining them sgsinsth,
injuries inflicted their property by foreign nstion and
which nation bad ackno edge the that claim
President James Madson in his letter to General Pinck
ney, had essy written that France hod admitted
the elaine from which she had been released by the
been denounced as speculstors who had purchased
he original claims at moety, and we're seeking to
compel the people make good what they had
pronounced unjust But this Convention appealed The
innate sense OF right and justice which had always dis
tinsuished their fellow crizens when they considered
right withheld Of injustice done ind.
vdua by the nation. That a ognised principle
hat private property could be applied 10 the public
Such had not been done in this nstsnce and
oprocure the ulfmen Of this pledge the claimants
now appealed to their fellow citizens
The address adopted. and the Committee ordered
that II be signed by the President and Secretary.
The Committee appointed drat series resolutions
Tor the guidance OF the claimants and the public, report
Firstly That IL was expedent that agents should be
appointed in the several cities and districts having
to urge the passage OF bill in their favor by Congress-
and that the Central Committee be directed carry this
into immediate operation
Secondly the Convention instruct the Central
Committee to obtain memorials, from many places ss
possible this SUBJECT TO be sent 10 Congress- and that
the OF this do urge upon their Con-
Repre- the advocacy Of this measure
Mr.. sspowicK offered the folio wing which is modif.
cation Of a resolution previously adopted
Resolved That il s desirable that special
agents should be appointed for the purpose ousng upon
Congress the consideration OF the claims by
this Convention; and that the Executive and Central
Committees be charged with this duty, with recon-
mending the performance OF by the different cities
where claimants reside If they see it,
The following gentlemen we're appointed to the follow
ing Committees
ExsourIvE CoMMIrrEs-NEw YoRK CRY
George 'iswold, Joseph Dels6elj,
Bdchs NJ Evsr,i James Murray,
0errt G. Vanwagener, Theodore sedswiok,
Walter r. Jones, Henry r risrpont,
Frederick De PYyster.
CeaREsPosDIra CoMMrITIEs
Maine. A w. n. Clspp, ESQ, Of Portland,
Francis Hobbs, g Bangor,
New Hampshire. Edward Cults, Portsmouth,
Massachusetts. Edward Brooks, Be,ton,
w. n. Montague,
T. Curtss,
George Lunt, Newburypt,
Rhode Island. =. Philip Allan, Providence.
IL