Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1846-08-22
A BILL

President TO become n law
A BILL
To provide for the ascertainment of
claims of American citizens for spolia.
lions prior 10 the thirty first day of Ju.
~, one thousand eight hundred and one.
BE II enacted By he Senate and House
q Representatives. Of The United States of
America. in Congress assembled, That
satisfaction shall be made, 10 an amount
not exceeding five millions Of dollars, TO
such citizens of tho United States, or TO
their legal representatives, rs had valid
claims to indemnity upon The French Gov.
eminent, arising out of illegal captures,
detentions, forolbIe seizures, illegal con.
formations and conisoatiops, committed
prior to the ratification Of the convention
between the United States and the French
republic, concluded on the 3Oth day of
September one thousand eight hundred,
the notifications Of which were exchanged
on the thirty first day Of July following,
Provided, That the provisions of this act
shall not extend to such claims as are sli-
pnIated for, and embraced in, tho conyen.
ton between The United States, and the
French Republic, concluded on the thirlielh
day of April, ono thousand eight hundred
and three, and for The liquidation and pay
ment whereof provision Is made In the said
convention; nor to such claims az we're al.
lowed and paid, in whole or in part, under
tho provisions Of the treaty between the
United States and the Spain, concluded
on the twenty second day of February,
one thousand eight hundred and nineteen;
nor TO such claims as were allowed, in
whole or 10 part under tho provisions of
the treaty between The United States and
France, concluded on the fourth day of
Julys ono thousand eight hundred and
thirty.one. And provided, also, that in
all cases Of transfer or disagreement, no
cIaiman nj shall be entitled 10 receive an
amount beyond tho consideration paid, and
interest thereon.
SEC. q. And DO il further enacted. That
for the purpose Of carrying into effect The
provisions Of this act, and 10 ascertain the
full amount and validity of said cIaims,
three commi, sioners shall DO appointed by
the President, by and with the advice and
consent ofthe Senate, who shall meet hit
the city of Washington on or before the
first Monday In Oct. next, and within the
space of two years from the time of their
first meeting, shall receive, examine, and
decide upon the amount and validity of all
the claims included within The description
above northumberland the Secretary Of
State is required forth. with, after the pas.
cage Of this act, to give notice Of the said
meeting, TO be published in three newsoa.
Pers IN Washington, and in such othor pa.
pers as he may think proper. The said
commissioners shall take an oath or afir-
to be entered on The record Of thoir
proceedings, for the faithful and diIlgent
performance Of their duties-and 10 case
Of The death or resignation of any such
commissioner, hls place may be supplied by
appointment as Aforesaid, or by the Pfesi.
dent, during the recess Of the Senate, of
commissioners in his stead. The
said commissioners shall be- authorized
to hear and examipn all questions relative
10 the said claims, and to receive all suita.
BILE testimony, On obth or affirmation, and
I'll other proper evidence and documents
concerning the saiDe-aud tho rules for
The decision If said commissioners shall
le the principles of justice, the law of M.
ions, and the former treaties between The
United States and France, 10 wit The
ofamiiy and commerce of the sixth
IF February, one thousand seven hundred
nd sogeDiy-eIght, the treaty Of alliance
1F tho same date, and the consular con-
of the fourteenth of November.
me thousand seven hundred mud eighty
Their decisions shall be in writ
ing, and II cd with Their secretary, and
he individuals interested therein shall, on
iemaf8, have copy thereof and fhe pro.
nuIgati0n of the decisionso of said COM
nissioncrs shall be in public. The said
commissioners shall not, at any one time
ifler tho first day Of January next, adj
onrn fora longer period than ten DAYS,
the consent Of the p. esident of the
States, in writing FIRST had and OBJ.
SEC. 3. And be ii further enacted, That
he said commissioners shall be, and they
hereby, authorized to make all need.
rules and regulations, not contraveninel
he laws of the land or the provisions of
act, for carrying their said commission
nto foil and efficient effect.
SEC. a.. And be it further enacted, That
/ shall be the duty Of tho Secretary of
State to procure, within the shortest time
fter the passage Of this act, through the
American Minister at Paris. or otherwise,
II such evidence and documents relating
o said claims as "a be obtained from a.
road, together with the like evidence and
comments on file in the Department of
tate, or which may be fled in the said
apartment, may be used before said com.
~1lssioners by the claimants interested
herein; but the same shall not be remov
d from the files Of said commissioners. !
SEC. s Andbe il further enacted, That
10 awards of all such claims as may be +,
and adjusted by the said com !
.llssloners, TO an amount not exceeding 4,
We millions Of dollars, shall be paid pro. :
TIA and that the said commissioners, acs i.
ng upon that principle, shall ascertain :
fix the amount 10 be paid upon each :
ward. :
Sec. g. And be it further enacted, That J
10 records of the proceedings of said com. 7
is sioners, and the documents prodaced !
them, shall, after the commission is +
osed, be deposited in the Department of !
late. !
Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That f
Q President Of the United States 10 au.
orized to take any measure which he
ay deem expedient for organizing the said :