The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-02-04
CONGRESSIONAL.
SEE Eoi Or Il. suIrH,
or CONNECTICUT,

n he Frend SpoiIlioa CLAIMS dsiiUsred in the Senate
of The Uniisd States, Jln1lry 10 and II, 1851.
The bill ito provide for the ascerainmeni and satisac
,ion of claim. of American ciizens for spoalions
ed by the French prior 10 the 3ls July, 1901 being
""N MI SMITH addressed the Senate as follows:
Mr. President: The question comprised in this bill is,
whether his government Is not under equitable oblga
ZION 10 make some indemnify 10 those of citizens who
suffered by the spoaou o lie French anterior the ra
6c,ion ilhe convention ol 3h September $500 II were
10 consult my feelings, should be prepared 10 refer
this question to the Judgment and vote OF the Senate with
oa single remark on my part The subject has been SO
long before Congress, has been so often and thorough
y examined reports Submitted IRON lime to time in The
Senate and House OF Repre- s-nlayes and has also been
frequently and ably discussed this floor and in tho
other wing of the Capitol that would be presumptuous
for me to expect that could add much of fact or argument
10 what has already been offered The subject But,
there are honorable members of this body who ha
not hitherto participated in the deliberations of either
branch OF Congress on the question before and the
essential facts OF the msy not be fresh In the seco
lection of other honorable members, ie Or esentaon Of
the important features Of the may not be with
out ls use, and will perhaps, be expected at my hands
The Senate hardly fail to be struck with The unex
anped ocrasrinaon which has occurred in making
disposition OF this subject was fret introduced to the
notice and consideration OF Congress- by Mr. Giles of
Virginia the 5th Of February, lS03. when he presented
memorial in the House from merchants OF me city OF
BALTIMORE praying indemnity for the cause and reason
specified in this bill From that day to this they have
been appealing the national Legislature for redress but
they have hitherto appealed in vain 1t has, therefore,
been pending here nearly half century, and furnishes
by far the most striking illustration which has occurred
in the history of the country of the truth OF the
that delay is denial of Justice
During the first part OF this long period, the subject
seems not TO have been well understood in Congress
Many of the papers material to its eucdation remained
in the public archives, unpublished and unknown. On
the 5h day OF March, 1884, the Senate passed resolu
ton requesting the President lay all these papers be-
fore that body On the 26,h day of March, 1926 Mr..
Clay then Secretary OF State made report in conormi-
ty with the resolution, which contained many papers that
had before appeared and which threw flood OF g hit
the subject Mr. Clays report printed, and
sttues document 1922 LIST l9h Congress, being
octave volume OF $40 pages.
Thus collection OF papers produced decisive effect in
favor OF the claimants Every committee, whether of the
Senate or HOUSE. who have examined the subject since
they were published, have unhestatingiy TO the
conclusion that the claims valid and the obligation OF
the government full and complete
The following is list Of The reports made to the SEN
ate since the let session of the 10Th Congress