Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-17
FRENCH CLAIMS,

The letter copied below being shown to us, we
gladly avail ourselves Of permission to publish It,
1t is written by venerable gentleman OF the So
ciety of Friends, of high responsibility to another
gentlemen, native of Nantucket, elected to the
PRESENT Congress from far distant State, We omit
naaes from motives of delicacy The schedule ap
pended to is only of portion of the claims from
Nantucket The letter (not written for publications.
pressns the merits of the case in cogent manner.
NAsrucKsr, II NJ. a. 1853
EsTERMaD FRIEND Thy valued communication Of the
10Th ultimo relative French Spolations has been
gladly received and fully the anticpatioas and
hopes entertained by the sufferers universally expressed
by them first learning of thy election member of
Congress, that portion Of thy attention would be direct
ed to for the payment and satisfaction Of
these just and righteous claims the Government
| OF the United States.
When look back through vista of fifty years and
contemplate the energetic and enterprisng mel who were
the immediate sufferers who assisted tT their in
usnce and votes in forming and estabishinghe excel
lent Constitution Of the United States which provides
that the citizen shall be protected in his fe liberty and
property and that private property shall not be taken
for public without just compensation; thatthey gave
their for Washington carry those ost prin
|
to foster the infant OF our concrcs 10 found
nucleus build up that marine which has stain
cd sush stupendous proportions to establish nursery
| for seamen who subsequently have shed an sfugent
halo around the stars and stripes Of the United States
which has asonshed the world; and, in view OF this
picture, to these vainly imploring that
Government they had themselves established for simple
justice; them desparingly dropping into the tomb
successfully supported in their last dnys Of poverty by the
cold hands of public and private charity-and still
daily Of the original sufferers, who once
in auent circumstances, totering under the weight
of years. borne down. under abect poverty, the
of the grave whose hearts would still with gratitude
could they but receive moiey of that justly due them
in view of this state of things, confess that my heart
absolutely sckens at the prospect and the query nvo
untary arises What benefit has Government been to
them 1t has taken their property for public purposes,
rendering them poor indeed using it for the reeasement
Of the country from onerous obligations and heavy
sponsibtes, converting it to the of the nation and
refusing any the slightest remuneration, while at the
time admitting the justice of the claim The whole
of these claims $50 far Nantucket is concerned) SO
far am informed, in the hands of the orgi-
nal sufferers the children and heirs of such have
passed away With the exception of such have been
assigned in payment of debts, do know Of single
dollar of the claims having been bought on speculation
Shoudst thou by thy influence be instrumental in pass
ing bill for the liquidation Of these claims thou would
receive and be justly entitled to- the lasting gratitude Of
hundreds of poor individuals in this place who still
looking with anxious gaze to the action of Congress at
the next session.
Enclosed send thee such information of the several
captures from this place could readily put my hand
rejoice that thou intends making visit, when
much more precise information can be impaired
take the liberty Of enclosing the speech Of Hon JOHN
CLAYTON which gives the most perfect and exact his
tory Of the claims with which am acquainted.
/ Thy assured friend,