New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-08-06
NETWORK TRIBUNE.
The French spoIiations BIZ.


Washington. Aug. 4, 5 p. NJ
The passage of the bill making partial indemnity
10 sufferers by French Spoliations on Commerce
prior to the Louisiana Treaty of 1903 sends nope
and gladness to many long desolate heart Kun
dreds OF widows and superannuated merchah's-
many Of whom were pecuniarily ruined by the ROB-
berries for which some restitution IS no" proposed 10
be nade-with thousands of the children and heirs
OF such--will receive an nstalment of long-deayed
justice in consequence of the triumph OF today
Tho merits of the case arc in nutshell The
unprincipled and lawless Government Of the
French Republic confscaed a number OF American
vessels and cargoes without shadow OF right
Our Government strenuousy demanded redress.
The Louisiana Treaty followed, wherein we bought
Louisiana and agreed to satisfy these claims as a
part of the consideration. The demand on France
was now satisfied or rather changed into dc
mand on our own Government That demand has
been pressed aud evadod for the last forty-threc
yaars-hithcrt0 without effect. It's Justice has
6een often set forth in Messages, Reports OF Com
lnittces &c but thas never been convenient 10 pay
the money. At last the weary and suffering claim.
ants have consented to take part in Land when
they should have the whole in Money -Four Mill.
ions Of acres of Public Lands which would proba
blv bring Two Three Millions in cash. is al! they
are TO receive for just Public Debt now right
eously equal to Twenty Millions Of Dollars. Yet
we are People ever ready TO rush into War for
our National Honor.
This payment in Land is the bad feature OF the
business It is paltry, boggarly on the part OF the
Government The Nation owes honest debt,
and ought to pay it as an honest mud solvent man
would co, not like some penniless tmmblcrlsg'nG
bankrupt, BY turning out some sort Of brush fence
worth part OF it and demanding receipt for pay
men, in full. If the money is not honestly due,
nothing should be paid fit as due, 1t should be paid
maniuly. Paying in Land will be the same thing
in the end to the Government az paying IN Money
though not half so valuable TO the creditors Then
we have the Public Lands cheapened by the re-
duced irregular rates at which the needy claimants
will sell their lands or Scrip and new element
Of Land Speculation will be evolved. | wish an
honest thing could once be done under this Govern
ment in ali honest way, without interninable com
promises and shutting.
lhavo witnessed many disreputabe scenes in
the House, but the resistance made today TO the
passage Of this bill could hardly be paralleed. The
bulk OF the Loco.Foco Members especially those
from the West with majority Of those from our
own State and the South, exhausted every device
TO destroy the bill. BY moving humbug amend
ments calling the Yeas and Nays dividing the
House. &c. &c. For nearly four hours this game
was played with che most desperate energy The
House was brought TO vote in Committee twice
or thrice on each section Of the bill AT last it was
got out of Committec and ordered to a third read
ing exactly as it came from the Senate-93 to 60
Then came the final struggle. to adjourn, lay on
the table, &c. bat the final vote was pressed for
and the bill rAssED-Yeas l04; Nays 81. Then a
motion to reconsider was made and voted down.
making all fast. No approximations OF a Veto II C