The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-18

The following synopsis OF the report presented 10 The
Senate by Mr. Bradbury chairman OF the select commit
Tee 10 whom referred the memorials praying Tor IN
demny for French spoiaons prior TO the year $780, Is
published al the request OF several gentlemen who
interested in the decision OF Congress upon that subject
The propositions are stated in clear and forcible man
ner and il sustained by the facts present stronger case
for the action OF Congress than we had supposed TO
exist.
After an attentive consideration OF the important subject
submitted 10 them. the COMMITTEE believe the following
positions 10 be established by unquesonable evidence
l. Previous TO the ratification OF the convention oil
September 80 1s00 numerous American citizens had Just
demands against the government Of France for property
of The value OF several millions Of dollars, seized and
conhscaed under authority OF that government IN VIOLA
lion OF treaties and national law for which France was
bound TO make indemnity to the sufferers.
2. These demands recognised and insisted upon
by our government TO be Just
O. Their Justice was acknowledged by France, who
professed her readiness to make Indemnity and al the
time preferred claims OF her against the United
States
Our government undertook the prosecution Of these
demands invited the sufferers to forward their evidence,
should be adopted foL their relief
s. Our government in the ratification OF the conyen-
ton OF September 49, 1900 cancelled these demands and
in distinct forever released and discharged France
from all claim therefor.
8. Our government obtained for this release renun-
citation by France Of claims OF national character which
she preferred against the United States for which our
negotiators had offered large sums OF money, and the
offers had been repeatedly rejected by the Freach author
tiles. .
The claims of France which were thus purchased with
the private claims OF our citizens rested as was urged
on treaty obligations.
By the treaty Of alliance OF February 9, IT'S, the Uni
ted States guaranteed to France, from that date forever
the then existing possessions OF the crown OF France In
America as well those might acquire by the future
treaty OF peace, in consideration OF the invaluable guar
anita hu IN nj
regnty and independence. This treaty had never been
violated by France; and she had expended many millions
Of dollars in the war it brought upon her. The obliga
,ions resting upon the United States were great and EN-
barassng, many Of the possessions thus guaranteed
to France forever had been conquered by the arms Of
Great Britain, and the residue exposed TO such con-
quest.
By the treaty q(fmity and commerce Of the same date
ships owar and prizes OF the other party and to exclude
those OF her enemies and this stipulation so essential tc
France in her contest with England had been violated
she alleged by Jays treaty. and practice under it.
Without noticing in this brief analysis. other provisions
OF these treaties which also subjects OF controversy
the consular convention OF 1885, 1t is sufficient to say
that France claimed damages Tor the OF the
treaties, and recognition OF their continued existence
II is thus that immunity was purchased from ma
tioaat claims OF most embarrassing character by thu
private claims OF our citizens II was the appropriation
OF private property for the public use Tor which, IN TIL
opinion OF the committee, just compensation should b.
| made
These claims have SO often been the subject of eabo
rate report that the committee do not deem i necessary
60 into detail OF the facts and arguments that constitute
the basis which they rest and they would refer to thu
annexed report from the pen Of that distinguished states
man and jurst, Edward Livingston. document pre-
senting fair and just view OF the subject
They annex, also, schedule OF the reports that hav'
been made from time to time by committees OF the Senate
and House of Representatives on this subject. Thu
claimants believe that will reject such accumu
aton of authority these twenty.eght favorable re
ports afford. unless thorough personal examination
shall leave the conviction that the results Of these numer
Gus Investigations, as well the opinions of Madison
Marshall, and Monroe, are founded in error.