The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-22

Tne E1encn Cemnercc In CaN60rnlas
Translated from the Sournsl du Havrs, Feb z1l
We have not been the last TO demeustrsto the
complete iiegsiity OF the proceedings to wards ear
shpowners by Mr.. Collier, Custom House Cst
pretended contraventions Of the laws of the Amer-
can custom house. We have proved. by positive
facts, and formal texts, that the seizure made on
this circumstance was not justified, and insisted
that legitimate compensation should be granted
10 cur commerce.
This compensation is too long to come, but We
hope that the active Steps taken by our minister at
Washington, which have been met with come i'm
portrait results, will he very soon crowned with
complete success We ground this hope upon the
following letter, addressed to commercial house
of Bordeaux, by Mr.. Siiu Bots lie Comte, Minister
Of France to The United States. which makes
known the exact point where stands this AFFAIR."
WAsuiNoros, January 9, 1851.
received tho letter which you did the honor to
write to me, and the object OF which Is to request ms
TO- claim ss.,Sst .ns o. tSs
Custom House Collector OF San Francisco, ON board
one OF your vessels and sold in accordance with bis
orders had not awaited your communicates 60
represent to this government the injustice which tbs
commerce Of your NATION had met with AZ the hands OF
March 1850. I urged that the brandiss imported In
Of twelve bottles had been In tho French
TO the fiscal regulation ports the Union
could be known In France ard insisted then upc the
egsty OF the sails made before any tribunal had de-
cidsd upon the validity OF the cenfscation.
The Minister Of Finances, acknowledging that my
claims were founded IN juetcs, apprizsd me, . few
days since that the value Of the brsndes seized and
sold should be returned to the parties intsrssd
their claiming the Same through the agency OF the
Court OF Lousiara.
Without awaiting the arrival OF the claims spoken Of
to the Secretary insisted that the rspara
tion should not be confined to restitution OF .
sum equivalent to the proe Of the SALE but that u
should be done at the price OF the place Ut the date VI
the eeizure. I, moreover insisted that indemnify
should compensate the injury suffered oy CON.
by the illegal sails Of the brandies seized and
the arbitrary detention OF tbs vessels containing the
same
The Minister of Finances has not as yet replied Ia
these just claims but knowing that his intentions
opposed to them, and wishing avoid final decision
honor the Seoretar5 Of State, to be kind enough 70
enable me, by means OF ofcial notification Of the
intentions OF his cole the Minister of Finances to
enter into formal discussion on this aubjsct rais
discussion will begin a. shall receive the
swer speak Of sad can assure you cir that shall
never abandon either your own rights or those Of
your fellow countrymen, whose interests may have
been injured - yours have been.
The reasoning contsined In your letter Will oonstl
tute for the first elements OF this discus sion.
The revocation OF Mr. Cotier, collector Of customs
at Gam Francisco and author Of the spoliations Of
which the French commerce has been the victim, IL
acknowledgment of these rights, But shall not
testimony, and shall do all In my power to obtain .
material compensation.
remain my dear Sir yours
SAIN B0I3.LE COMrE Minister of France
The commercial houses OF Havre, which have
the same interests in that question, w be grateful
TO the minis ter of France, at WashiHgtoa, for Tho
active and perseverant s0icitude with which he
is animated for the defence of the rights Of his fel
lOW-country men.