New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-08-03
NEW-YORK TRIBUNE.
Testimony of Experience.

The following testimony OF MATTHEW L. DAVIS,
long connected with the Cus;om-House in this City. We
find in his correspondence with the National lntei-
gsncer The statements OF Il well qualified 10
speak such topic ought be regarded By those who
control our Legislation.
German merchant by the Of, had repeat
edy entered goods al this Custom House by fraudulent
invoices the verify OF which he had sworn AT length
he discovered As he suspected the discov
err he called upon at my house and stated that ne
should probably have difficulty with the Collector,
in which could render him essential service
remarked wthou, permitting him 10 proceed, that was
.Governen officer ind would report al he SAID 10 the
Collector.
He continued Five six thousand dollars is no object
10 me- and knovsyou will not betrey the confidence
repose in you. again stopped him, stating that II he
persisted should order him out OF my house He said
nothing more except urging that ne oath rds only
Cu.oHouS oath - Immediately going 10 the Custom
House reported to Mr.. Curtis, the Collector the con.
yersaon verbatim as could reco!lecti IT, The
man arrested gave bail, and away.
now repeat; abandon the specific duties and at least
one half your invoices viii be fraudulent, and sworn 10
because they nothing bm Custom House odths.'
FRENCH sPoLlArIoS BILL.-This bill now be-
fore the House provides that satisfaction shall be
made to an amount not exceeding five millions OF
dollars 10 such citizens Of the United States or to
their legal representatives, as had valid claims to
indemnity upon the French Government, arising
out of illegal captures, detentions forcibe seizures,
illegal condcmnations and conscaons, committed prior
10 the ratification of the Convention between the United
States md the French Republic concluded the Both
day of September 1900 and which have been already
either paid stipulated to be paid For the purpose OF
certanngthe full amount and validity OF said claims three
Commissioners TO be appointed by the President by
and with the advice and consent of the Senate. who
shall meet the City of Washington before the
first OF October and within the space OF two ycurs
from the tune OF their first meeting shall receive, exam
inc mud decide upon the amount and validity OF all the
claims included within tho description above mentioned
These Commissioners 10 be governed in their dec
ions by the principles OF justice the law of nations and
the former treaties between the United States and France
II is made the duty OF the Secretary OF State 10 pro-
cure within the shortest time after the passage OF this
act through the American Minister at Paris other
wise al such evidence and documents relative to said
caims can he obtained from abroad which together
parnen OF State, which may be filed in the said de-
partment, may be used before said Commissioners by
the claimants interested therein.
The awards OF all such claims may be admitted aud
adjusted 10 amount not exceeding five millions oil dol
lars be paid pro and the Commissioners act
ing upon this principle shall ascertain and FIX the amount
10 be paid upon each award
The appropriated il to be in full discharge of all
coins for compensation for the class OF provided
for in the act and claim memorial is to be re
ceiyed by the Commissioners unless accompanied by
release and discharge OF the United States from all other
and further compensation than he she, or they may be
entitled 10 receive under the provisions oi the act.
The 10 hc appropriated to pay expenses and rcim
bursc the claimants Is $4,000