New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-08-11
Folks Last etc.
From our Rezal- Correspondent

Folks La>t Veto.
From cur Reznla- Correspondent
WASHINGTON. august ath, Isi6-5P M
Just IS was rea3v 70 give y0u sketch Of The
proceedings IN both Houses last night. found ny
SELF able 70 give you the etc Message OF the Pres
ident on me French spoliations bill This Veto
Message viii probably be more interesting 20 your
readers than auy thing could say. send i; to
vou. therefore though !; has cost ne some trouble
TO procure copy Il has not yet been read II nc
Senate and vii not be printed here III Tuesday
morning Senator told ne. last night that nigh,
say It vas the meanest document ever enaarating
from any President bu, who could have thought
tha, even Mr.. Polk WOULD write such nonsense
He saws thai the claims seem 70 BE- g; ques
,ionable character and vet he thinks that more
money should be paid FOR them. He says the Trea
sur has no money, and yet ve:oes this because It
does not make the claims parable IN nloney. The
claims are already 50 stale and antiquated hist they
probably should not be paid yet he wishes to make
them older and take more time 70 pay them. Such
is Polk logic and PokIe gslstion r. mus; have been
brother Of Mr. Polk who raised these three points
in the celebrated case Of the kettle !. The kettle
was cracked when We borrowed II. , 1t wss
whole when we returned ,. We never haditil
Polk beats thu: all hollow / The claims anti
qpated. . Il IS a large amount 3 l. Is Inconve'
MEN, 10 paw now in money I. But it ought 70 be
paid in money. ) Five millions IS inadequate to
pay these stale and questionable debts O. But l
consider that Congress have not sense enoug TO ACT
with sufficient deliberation, and, therefore, though
the claims are stale and questionable, recommend
more time 10 make them less stale Reader, IS not
this fair abstract Of this most miserable OF all me
Vetoes which rnulish obstinacy, overxeenlns self
suttciency or heartless tyranny ever dictated But
let il speak FOR Itself.
MESSAGE.
To The Senate Of The tai;ed Stl1s
return 10 in which originated the bill!
entitled An Act 10 Provide Tor The Asceralnmeni and
Satisfaction OF Claims Of American Citizens :or spos-
tons committed By the French prior 10 the Jlst day
of July One Thousand Egh; Hundred and One which
was presented 10 on the 9TH inst VIII y ooecnons
10 is becoming Law.
In attempting 10 eve 70 the bill Tie careful exRrnina
ton it requires difficulties presented themselves in the
outset from the reinoeness OF the period 20 which the
claims belong the complicated nature OF the rarsac-
lions in which they originated and the proacted ncco
uatons which they led between France and the United
States.
bill By Congress and the approaching close OF their Ses
sion well the pressure OF other official duies nave
NOT permitted me 10 extend my examination OF the sub
which have been able give it. tnd objections OF
grave character TO liz provisions.
the satisfaction oil the claims provided Tor oy the
bill tits proposed appropriate i've millions OF dollars
can perceive no legal equitable ground upon winch
this large appropriation can rest portion OF the
claims haze becn than half century before the
Government in lis Z ecurvc or Legislative depart
nlens and all OF them had their origin IN events "meh
occurred prior 10 ;le year $50
Since l5O2 they have been from time TO time be
fore Congress. No greater necessity or proprety
these CLAIMS
existed halt century during al which period
this Questionable measure has until received
the favorable consideration of Congress i IS scarce
IL probable # the claim has been regarded as OBJ
l1atory upon the Government or constituting an
equitable demand upon the Treasury that taose
who were contcr!poraneous with the events "hlch
gave 70 H. should not long since nave coe justice
The Treasury hu- often been in condition to enable
the Government 10 do without Inconvenience. II these
claims had been considered Just MY Jefferson VINO
was fuly cornizan of the early Discussions between
the Governments of the United states ana France out
OF which the claims IN his annual Message IN lsO-
adyerted 10 the large surplus then il the Treasury and
il. probable accumulation, and inquired whether It
should lie unuroductivc in the public vaults and get
these claims though then before Congress were hot re
cognized or paid since that time the public debt OF the
Revolution and OF the War % l-l2 has been eNtnguisb-
ed and al several periods since the Treasury has been
in possession of large surpluse' over the demands
upon it. ,,.-.st-,
lsrs and 10. want of proper objects 10 which to apply H.
II directed by Congress 10 be deposited win the
States.
During the extended course OF time, embracing peri
DDS eninen;lv favorable for satisfying all Just demands
unon the Government the claims embraced in this bill
me. with favor in Congress beyond reports OF Com
mttees in one other branch lhese circumstances
alone are calculated strong doubts respect 10
these claims more especially oil the information ne
cesss.y TO a correct judgment concerning then has been
long before the public. These doubts are strengthened
in my mind by the examination have been enabled 20
i've he transactions IN which they originated.
The bill assumes that the United states nave become
liable in these ancient transaction 20 make repararons
10 the claimants for injuries committed oy France
Nothing was obtained Tor the claimants by negotiation,
and the bill assumes that the Government: has become
responsible them for the expressions OF France.
have not beer able TO satisfy myself of the correctness
OF this assumption. thai the Government has become
in any vav responsible tor these claims. The limited
time allotted before your adjournment precude5 the
possibility OF reiteratng the facts and arguments By
which III preceding Con-resses These CLAIMS maze oeen
successfully resisted.
THE PRESENT Is 4 PERIOD PECULIARLY IN
FAVORABLE FOR THE SATISFACTION OF CLAIMS
OF 50 LARGE AN AMOUNT, and to say the least OF
them OF 20 doubtful character. There IS no surplus
in the Treasury a public debt OF several millions oil
dollars has Beer created within the LAST few years
ARE ENGAGED IL 4 FOREIGN WAR UNCERTAIN
N IT'S DURATION AND INVOLVING HEAVY EX
PENDlTCRES to prosecute which Congress mas al rs
present Session authorized farther loan so that Z; Ell
feet me Government should this bill become 3 la"
borrows money and increases the public deei 70 pay
these c!gIns.
Its true rha, By tho provisions OF The bill payments are
directed 10 De made Land scrip instead OF money but
the eiec; upon the Treasury will be the same he
public land. constitute oil The sources u public rev
enue and II these claims DC paid IN Land scrip i viii
from. lhe date OF Is issue 10 grea; extent cut CT from
the Treasury he annual income from The sales OF The
Public Lands because payments !o- lands sold br The
Government may be expected 10 D. made II scrip UNI!
IL all redeemed
Ii these claims are just they ought 10 be paid IN rou
ev and not II any thing less vslusble The oil pro
yides that they shall be paid in Land scrip whereby
they are made in lac, 5e mortgage upon The Pub
lie Lands II the tnor-sege. zoo, aeld N
great part i not wholly by nonresicents OF the states
IN which the lands lie who may secu-e these lands
the amount OF several millions OF and taen De
rland exorbi,an- prices from the citizens OF the Stses
who may desire purchase them Tor settlement or they