The daily union., 1852-04-14
CONGRESSIONAL.
DEFERRED DEBATE.
MONDAY. APRIL ls, 1852.
sENArH.
FRENCH spoLIATIoss.

MONDAY, APRIL ~, 1852.
sENArH.
FRENCH spoLrArIoss.
The Senate proceeded, as ia committee oi the whole, to
,oasidsr The bill provide for the ascerainment and
ifaclion OF claims Of American citizens for spoations
som@ilted by the French prior 10 July 81, 1901. s
Ws BRADBURY. 4 thank the Senate for this ex-
son OF their Willingness 10 consider this bill at the
psssnt time and, as the best reurnI make for this
oar,ssy will say, that the subject has been so often
Ssrnssed and is or ought 10 be well understood / am
willing to submit il to the action OF the Senate without
d,ainipg senator's by any extended remarks from
sssie votes rather than speeches. The claimants,
shutting large number OF our citizens, have for half
century been making application TO Congress for redress
without being able, except three four occasions
obtain direct vote upon the subject O their application
visions OF the bill
twill be sufficient to say that il contempates the ap-
paoriaton Of an amodnt exceeding 81, 900 600, in
Xii satisfaction Of the claims Of citizens for the spo
ions referred TO- Ii provides for the appointment OF
hoard OF commissioners. whose duty shall be to ascer.
tain the validity and amount OF the demands OF the sew
sra claimants it conemplaes the appropriation of the
5000 900 future time; and further provides that the
claimants shall receive pro rata dividend, ~ case the
aggregate Of their claims exceed the amount OF $5Oo0
400 and that they shall file, with their respective claims
release declaring that the dividend they may receive
shall be full discharge II s my purpose in order to
secure faithful execution OF the commission, to offer an
additional section to the BILL providing for the appoint
ment of an attorney the bcard whose duty shall be
10 resist all unjust claims and protect the interests of the
United States and OF the fund that may be appropriated
10 carry the bill into effect Having said thus much,
propose to submit the bill for the action of the Senate
prefer to let the twenyeght favorable reports that have
been made by committees OF Congress advocate its justice
prefe to let MARSHALL Madison Monroe, Livingston,
and other distinguished OF that day. who
Guanted and identified with the facts ont OF which the
claims arose, speak in their behalf If they are not
heard, nothing that can say will be likely TO receive
attention.
Perhaps, in frankness / ought to state the position
upon which the claims are placed. We contend
Isl, That previous the ratification Of the convention of
September 80, lso0 numerous American citizens had just
demands the government of France for proper of
the value OF several millions of dollars seized and cons
Gated under authority of thar government, in violation OF
treaties aud national law, for which France bound
make indemnity 10 the sufferers.
ID These demands were recognised and Insisted upon
by our government asJua
3D. Their justice was acknowledged by France, who pro-
sed her readiness 10 make indemnity, aud al the same
preferred claims Of her against the United States
Ah Oar government undertook the prosecution Of these
and pledged the pubc faith that proper shou
be adopted Tor their relief.
ton Of Sep,embsr 3o isoO cancelled these demands and
in distinct em forever released and discharged France
cth Our government obtained for this release renun.
citation by France Of claims Of national character which
gotators had offered lags sums money and the off rs
bad been repeatedly rejected by the French authorities
These The positions upon which we res, the bill,
and am willing 10 leave here. believe that the facts
us sufficiently understood 10 rest the claims without
inhel exposition OF them, Ii there is nothing urged
ulast them, shall willingly leave the matter here if
lyhing is urged. shall desire opportunity 10 make
only brief reply 10 such points as may be- pressed.
where silence might lead 10 msappehenson, but not 10
60 into an elaborate discussion of the subject.
Mr. UNDERWOOD. | have voted heretofore for this
BILL and expect 10 vote for It again But there is one
part OF il wish 10 have amended. Ii states that this
stock is 10 be payable at any time within twenty years,
the pleasure OF The government ! want to strike out
that limitation OF twenty years. and leave this stock TO be
paid al any tune, at the pleasure OF the government.
Mr; BRADBURY accept the amendment, and hope
il will be adopted.
Mr. UNDERWOOD. | see no reason why we should
hamper the government in its operation. therefore
move to amend the seventh section OF the thirteenth line
BY striking out the words oenty years FROM and have
TO read al any time after the date OF the termination
oi said commission"
Mr.. HALE. would also suggest 10 the senator who
has this bill in charge, Mr.. BRADBURY,l that, il this
amendment is made it will be necessary 10 amend the bill
IN another particular This sock will be worth nothing
as an investment il it is TO be redeemable at any time
without any notice being given think there should be
Mr. UNDERWOOD. Say sir months, then.
Mr. BRADBURY. Let ii be twelve months
MIR HALE. II think il would be better TO have il twelve
Mr UNDERWOOD. Well, let il be twelve months,
then.
The PRESIDENT The question must be first taken
upon the amendment OF the senator from Kentucky [Mr
UkDERwooDl
The question being then taken upon the motion 10
strike out the words tDsny years FROM" in the thr.
tenth line Of the seventh section, il was agreed to.
Nr HALE. | now move v add al the end Of the
seventh section the words upon treipe months no.
hcer
The question being taken upon the amendment, it was
Mr. BRADBURY. now offer the amendment which
propose to come in at the end OF the bill as separate
secion-the 18th section:
"Asd at rhr enaeted, That an attorney to the said
board be appointed by the President by and with The adj
vice and consent Of the Senate, whose duty il shall be 10
resist all uulust Claims and protect the interest OF the ni
d States and the fund that be appropriated carry
THIS bill Into execution and, this end, he shall have
power to e1amne wiiDcsses, and cause testimony to be
nken, and have the testimony before the com.
mission Tor hs puIposs o. examining ~ and right to be
iormance OF his duty as attorney and shall be entitled
The same compensation A. one ofthc com issoners"
TIE question being then taken, the amendment was
agreed to.
Mr.. ADAMS ! move to lay this bill upon the table
ywy OF a,es vote. OF course no one will vote for
Aa VINO u IN iavor OF the bill But il majority OF the
nHe are determined not TO pass this bill, think il is
Useless 70 De Offering amendments 10 it, IL it is not laid
upon tnc table, should like TO have rome amepdme nts
nsae 20 ~ myself. But, in order to have test vote,
move % lay itupon the table.
MI, MI, BRADBURY. | would inform the senator from
gsssppi Mr. ADAxs1 that the senator from Michigan
le fELcH] has prepared himself, and is now ready TO
give ms views upon this bill
MT ADAMS. Then withdraw my notion
,.nnH nohLAND. | move TO amend the bill in the
sh section by striking OF the fourth and fifth lines
e words 10 an amount not exceeding five millions OF
sif BADGER. How will Il read then
wi WhLLER That will leave II unlimited, and may
MAKE iorty hfty, or even hundred millions OF dol
Mr., B0RLAND The object Of the amendment is TO
uhe oul The limitation OF five millions OF dollars which
snow contained in the bill
y seems TO me that those who contend, as the advo-
sates oil this bill do coniend--I am not one of them