The daily union., 1852-05-08
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF MR.. FELCH,
OF MICHIGAN.

\, "A, FJend Spoiiation Bill delivered in the Senate
y Of he Uaiisd States april l2h and l4th. 1852.
Mr. President II must be apparent 10 every one that
nan could scarcely propose 10 himself thankless
more hopeless task than to attempt opposition TO this bill
sw days since the honorable senator from Iowa. Mr.
nopar Ia expressing his strong yet Intellectual opposi-
oo another declared IL useless
s lis passage 10 oppose the claims for the French
saoialons He appealed to this standard OF hope
sssness in opposition 10 measures here proposed And
Il, senator who has to-day urged me passage Of .h,s
enough in the Senate in its favor 10 its passage
DO mol doubt il sir; do doubt that, notwilhs,a1d
ina ali opposition which can be made TO il, lis triumph
hse is as certain as the DEGREES Of late.
Yet sir there some considerations which induce
me 10 regard my duty TO solicit the attention OF the
Senate 10 remarks on the merits of these claims
Notwithstanding they may be nnneresting and seem un-
WarapabIy 10 tax your patience This indeed no new
subject Ii has long been before the Senate, and great
names have been appealed to for the purpose OF showing
hs men OF influence, OF character and have
heretofore given their sanction to the justice OF these
The honorable senator who reported The bill now
before us [Mr BRADBURYl has this morning mentioned
some OF these in proof OF the rights oil the claimants.
But let me remind the Senate that there also men OF
high character of extensive information, of great ability
and Of unsued honesty who have always been in op-
position 10 this bill Ii has heretofore been thoroughly
discussed in this Senate chamber by such as Wright
and Benton, McDufe and Dix. and by others, once
worthy members Of this body. in strong terms OF disaP
probation and opposition l. is comfort 70 know that
footsteps of men luslrious and so judicous. With
such men ia advance, am cheered on in my course with
consciousness that The views entertain are correct and
the conclusion which arrive just Nevertheless, the
task OF opposing this bill becomes more difficult on that
very account ,4sattE fry ~ lt..jatT VI. Vi
The merits Of the claims are to be sought and found
only n the voumnous public documents relating TO the
subject and in the history OF the times, and in the
o Congress. g ass.e =.
Here is one single volume. published some sixteen
years since, which comprises nothing but documents in
aIoti TIT ma ha aful nd
nation OF everything necessary TO the understanding OF
the subject require much time, and involve great diff
Guilty and ironble. These eminent men 10 whom have
referred have devoted themselves TO this examination
they have exercised skill in logic and ability nves-
igaon which cannot bring TO the subject; they have
discussed the subject so thoroughly 10 leave no facts
for another 10 deveop-no arguments Tor another TO
present. ssf tl4 e.rr -f4'
Notwithstanding all these discouragements do not feel
liberty to give mere silent vote. 1t was my fortune
10 be appointed member OF The select committee TO whom
the matter was referred The senator from Indiana, Mr.
BnoHTl-not now here in his pace-and myself were
ioand TO be in minority on the final action o that
niitee Upon consultaton we duty OF one OF
US 10 present the facts and which shall JUS
hy the conclusion TO which we have come that the bill
ought not 10 become law. We disagreed in the
casion 10 which the majority OF the committee arrived
We could not assent, after the most careful examna-
ton 10 the justice OF these claims on the public treasury
and we deemed il duty present to the Senate the
considerations which justify our results. regret that
e from Indiana, who could far ably than
uyse discuss this matter, is unavoidably absent II
mains only for me, as well as may to present sach
hos and arguments as occur to me in support OF the
Rws Of the minority Of the committee. f.-
What are the claims before usl They originated in
the time OF the general war in Europe. They claims
for injuries committed upon American commerce by
France IRON the year 1893 the treaty which made
in September, 1900, and finally ratified in 1901 This
was the period when war was raging throughout Europe,
involving only France and Great Britain, but most OF
the other governments which had naval forces the
ocean or vessels engaged in commercial pursuits The
depedatlons We're continued through period OF
years. which may be regarded the most troublesome
and turbulent IN modern times, slgnalized by maritime
warfare endangerng the commerce oil all neutral nations
II embraced period Of time when American commerce
in It's infancy and American vessels upon the
comparatively few. The flag OF the United States
had but just been unfured TO the breeze and ships
but Just begun 10 attract the attention OF the older
tons ln their earliest efforts the merchants
and our sailors acquired an enviable reputation for
sy industry, daring perseverance,. and hardy vigor,
These soon marked the new ocean as one destined
to compete with the most successful OF those who had
long occupied that ked OF labor
The belgerent position OF other maritime nations
opened inviting theatre 10 energies Our position
ia reference them secured TO merchant vessels
carrying trade OF almost unlimited extent Business al
extended itself the ships increased in
number our shpowners active. and their business
ucratve The evils OF the state oil national warfare
caused frequent instances o depredaons to shipping
and OF injury to the trade but the hazards OF the bege
rents and the dangers OF The ocean were more than CON-
ensa,ed by the rich returns of the business, and
merchants became wealthy Knowing the hazards they
knew also the best means OF avoiding them, and esii
mated IN advance the rich returns winch success would
bring 70 their Golfers. Alter all its hazards and misfor
tunes, was period OF successful commerce No time
IN our history has been more Compare II with a
od hileen or twenty years later, when our sbpyards
were deserted and our ships rotng at the wharves IL
was IN ruth, with all its dangers and its individual
losses, time oil great general success in the interest OF
navigation, and one which may be looked upon as pc
nod when America, then young and almost unknown on
me highway OF nations, asserted her position mari
hme power and distinguished herself BY her energy, ac
uviiy, and success.
within which the alleged injuries to commercial inter-
uh were committed, France passed through events
and changes which have happened N no other ma.
bon within the same length OF time The period from
he 2tlb OF july 1893, to the same month IN l7gi,
was the time known as hs reign Of terror. From Oc-
ooe 1898, to November 1893, the Directory Ia govern
ment OF hve members) held the power OF the nation.
from that period until after the convention OF 1900, Boz
haare the supreme ruler OF the nation First Con.
sui hwas period in that country marked by iurbu.
snee and revolutions such as the world has seen.
me hst treaty OF alliance between the United States
and France, entered into on the sixth OF Febru.
ssy, IT'S, embraces the provisions and guarantees
between the two nations. By il France guarantees
70 The United States liberty, sovereignty, and inde-
pendence, absolute and unlimited, well in matters OF
government and also their possessions and
e additions conquesls that might be made from Great
nilain during the then pending war between the Two
countries And the United States guaranty TO France
he present possessions OF the OF France IN Amer
@ as we'll as those il may acquire by the future treaty
OF peace The next treaty the treaty OF amity and
commerce. and bears the date as The omer. There
are several articles OF that treaty which have been refer
fsd TO in the various discussions which have taken place
upon this subject sH -
The nth article provides, That il shall be lawful for
lhe of either party. and prvatee TO carry
lne ships and goods taken from Their enemies whithef
soever they will without payment of any duties TO the
the duatra pr nj ther