Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-02-05
French Spoliations.

french Sp01aClons.
For the benefit of any of our readers who
are interested in claims for French spolations.
prior to the year 1900. we copy the following
report npon thatsubject, made to the Senate
on the 18th alt. by Mr.. J. W. Bradbury.
The Committee report
That after an attentive consideration of
the Important subject submitted to them,
they believe the following positions to be es-
lablished by unquestionable evidence:
y /. Previous to the ratification of the Con.
venion of Sept. Both, 1900 numerous Amer
lean citizens had just demands against the
government Of France, for property Of the
value Of several millions of dollars, seized
and confscated under the authority of that
government, in violation of Treaties and Ma
tionai law, Tor which France was bound to
make indemnity to the sufferers.
2. These demands were recognized and
insisted upon by our government to be just.
3. Their justice pas acknowledged by
France, who professed her readiness 10 make
indemnify; and at the same time, preferred
claims other own against the United States.
a. Our government undertook the prose-
cution Of these demands-invited the suffer-
ers TO forward their evidence, and pledged
the public faith. that proper proceedings
should be adopted for their relief
2. In the ratification of The Convention
of Sept. 80, 1900, our Government cancelled
these demands and in distinct terms, for
ever released and discharged France from all
claims therefor.
6. Our government obtained for this re.
lease, remuneration by France of claims of
a National character, which she preferred
against the United States, and for which our
neeociators had offered large sums of money
which had been repeatedly rejected by the
French authorities.
The claims Of France, which were thus
purchased with the private claims of our cit
ize1s, rested, as was urged, on Treaty slipu-
laIons. s.t
By the Treaty Of Alliance of Feb'y 9th,
ITS, the United States guaranteed 10 France
from that date forerer, the then existing pos
sessions OF the Crown of France in America,
as well as those it might acquire by the flu
tire treaty OF peace, in consideration of the
invaluable guaranty by France to the United
States of their Liberty, Sovereignty and In
dependence. This Treaty had never been
violated by France; and she had expended
many millions in the war it brought upon
her. The obligations resting upon tho Unit
ed States were great and embarrassing; as
many of the possessions, thus guaranteed 10
France forever, had been conquered by the
arms OF Great Britain, and the residue were
exposed TO such conquest.
by the Treaty of An,ity and Commerce Of
the same date, each party stipulated to make
its ports an asylum for the slips of war and
prizes of the other parry, and 10 exclude
those of her enemies; and this stipulation,
SO essential TO France, in her contest with
England, had been violated, as she alleged,
by jays Treaty aud our practice under it.
Without noticing in this brief analysis, 9th.
er provisions of these Treaties which were
also subjects of controversy; or the Consul
lar Convention Of 1878, it is sufficient TO say
that France claimed damages, for the nom
fiulflment of the treaties, and recognition
OF their continued existence.
1t is thus seen that immunity was pur-
chased from National claims of most en-
barrassing character, by the priUate claims OF
our citizens. 1t was the appropriation oil
IN The opinion of the Committee, Just COM
pensation should be made.
These claims have so often been the sub
Jeel VI efdboidtc IcpoIlS, tldt tue committee
do not deem It necessary TO 20 into a detail
OF the facts and arguments, that constitute
the basis on which thew rest and they
would refer to the annexed Report from the
pen of that distinguished statesman and
jurlsI, Edward Livingston, as a document
presenting fair and just view of the subject
They annex also schedule of the Reports
that have been made from time TO time b,
Cnrnp,i,tooS, r., &c
of Representatives on this subject. The
claimants believe that no one will reject
such an accumulation of authority as these
twenty-eight favorable Reports afford, I'M
less thorough personal examination shall
leave The conviction, that the result of these
numerous investigations, as well as the opln-
ions OF Madison, Marshall and Monroe arc
founded in error.