The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-01-21

PRINCE OF ORANGES JEWELS. - Singular
Application to Congress. 1t has already been
stated, in our Congress report, that on the 10th
inst, in the Senate, Mr.. Clay presented the petit
ton of William A. Seeey, praying Congress to
interfere in his behalf to effect the recovery Of
$4,000 due him by the government of Holland
L ne circumstances of the claim were stated to
be, that in September, 1929, the palace of William
Pr' nee Of Orange, and Of the Princess, his wife,
SIT uated near Brussels, burglariously entered
a. ad robbed Of all the royal plate, diadems insignia
diamonds, crown jewels, and other rich and spen-
did articles Of value in all amounting in value, as
was said by the Charge Of the Netherlands, then
IN this country, to probably million of dollars
The police Of all Europe invoked to discover
the robbers, but in vain. The government of the
Netherlands sent to all the nations Of the world a
particular description OF the articles lost, with
request that custom house officers and others might
be on the lookout for them
On the Sth November following, the government
oil the Netherlands authorized its ministers and
agents to offer reward of fifty thousand forms.
Ihls was done. 1t appeared that one Constant
Polar was the robber, and that after taking the
articles he found it impossible to do ANYTHING with
them, and had buried them. In 1881 he took up
with ewd woman and her child, and with them
dug up large portion Of the articles, slowed them
away, and, foot, left Brussels and entered
France. Here they disposed of a portion of them,
and, with the residue placed in hollow cane, a
hollow umbrella-stick, and hollow toy for child
reached America, and passed the CUSTOM house
without detection. They put up at respectable
| French boarding house in New York, where at
! that time dwelt one John Rowmage Frenchman.
howmage soon got on terms OF intimacy with the
woman, and inveigled her out of the secret. Che
valier Huggins, the Charge from the Netherlands,
and the petitioner, became aPprsed of these facts,
and, after the most extraordinary efforts during
period OF three years, the petitioner succeeded in
recovering the whole Of the lost jewels
During the time between the loss and the arrival
OF the rogue in this country, the interest in the loss
1 had become considerably heightened from the ru-
mors, and afterwards the direct charge, that the
/ prince. was his own robber. The royal family
consequently, were more deeply interested in the
recovery, and inducements of the most extravagant
were held forward for the recovery OF the stolen
| goods SO great this feeling that ChevaeI
| Hugglns declared that the intrinsic value Of the
articles was considered as nothing in comparison
| to the stain upon the character Of the Prince
| Alter the conviction OF Poar and his execution
instead Of the reward promised, the petitioner was
offered a small token, which he Indignantly re.
fused. Since that time he has never received any
thing from Holland
1t was known that the United States having as
sumed debt by the city of Washington to Holland
have now early to pay interest and nstalment oil
the same, and it had been suggest to Mr.. Seely Il
| apply TO Congress, and ask them as they hold tn,
| Hledus Oh indemnity IN their hands, TO withhold
| from Holland an amount Of the debt due her suffi
cient to compensate him for his services. In tn,
| papers which petitioner presented with his me
| mortal, he gave what were believed to be prece
dents for the action which he proposed.
Mr.. Clay said he was aware that the general rul,
| was, that when citizen of the United States con
I tracts with foreign Government, he shall rely
upon the good faith of that Government for its full
| flment. 1t was thought, however that there were
| exceptions TO this general rule, of which thi.
/ appeared to be As the Committee on Finance
had charge of the bill making appropriation out o
which the petitioner asks relief, he moved a refer
| enca to that committee.
Mr. King contended that there was no prophet,
in the course suggested by the memorial. Thi,
petitioner had contracted with the Prince of Orange
for certain services, and it was now proposed tha
| money should be taken from the pockets of the
private citizens Of Holland, to withhold money.
which we have contracted in good faith to pay
them, and which they expect to receive in goot
iaith-to pay debt due by the Prince of Orange
the Government of Holland, if you please, to pri
vate individual.
Mr. Clay said the Senator had stated the genera
rule without doubt. But this was an exception
The proposition was to pay it out OF debt due i
part, at least, to the Government Of Holland, and
was as proper to attach the debt due Holland, i
this country, under the circumstances as TO attac
any other property Of any foreign creditor.
| Ihe reference to the Committee OF Finance wa
ordered.