Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-03-11
CONGRESSIONAL.
rHE CLAIMS FOR FRENCH sPoLIATIoNs
In SENATE-FEBauARY 8, 1854.

The Senate having under consideration the bill to pro-
vide for the ascertanment and satisfaction Of claims of
American citizens for poations committed by the French
prior to the 3lst day of July, 1901
Mr.. PETIT said: Mr. President, propose to vote
for this BILL win briefly state to the Senate my reasons
for that vote may be msnformed to the historical
facts of the case but if am not conceive of no
bill which commends itself with greater force Of justice
to the Senate and the country than this
will say to the Senator from Iowa that will not,
however, oppose his homestead BILL but will endeavor
be coaborer in that great measure There will, there
FORE be Senator in the body who will vote for both
these measures believing them to be Incompatible
but to be demanded by the highest considerations of pub
lie and private benefit.
Mr.. President if understand the history Of the mat
ter is briefly this without reference dates particu
larry: During the revolutionary we were weak and
needed assistance We at that time applied to the power
full monarch Of France to become our ally We made
with France treaty offensive and defensive. We stpu
lated that she should furnish with money and to
aid US in struggle and stipulated to return like
equivalent to her. We agreed also, protect her in the
continued and perpetual possession of her West India
Islands Our ceased, and came to final glorious,
and advantageous termination not by the prowess
of than by the assistance of the French
Government. As said, made an alliance, offensive
and defensive with France and stipulated to defend
her against her enemies and particularly against Great
Britain and especially to protect her in the continuance
Of the possession Of her West India Islands Our diff
Guilty passed away; hers ON, and she In vain APP
pealed 20 doycrnment to forward and render
that service which had stipulated to render in return
Il
any assistance The condition Of country was such
that we could not do it, We had neither the men,
the money the to carry out our stipulation with
her We had therefore, like bankrupt creditor to say
"You have got bond, but cannot perform its
dtons" Such understand to have been precisely the
i condition of things
i France, then incsnsed by unwillingness ina
bity-unwlingness she called ii, for her magnani
nifty would probably have induced her to pardon if
had been able show her clearly that unable to
perform it. and she would have been an INDUCING credi
tor but believing that perfdiously and meany
refusing perform part of the contract for which
we had received valuable Observation-Disclosures,
indirectly if not directly her cruisers, her privateers
and men-of-war to commit depredatons on our COM
MERGE They did commit innumerabe depredations
our commerce. against which we protested. But when
protested, they replied, in substance, You are
perfdous nation you justly liable to these reprisals
you have not performed your engagements with us, and
We are now driven to extremity ofwar when you
ally, to whom, in times gone by, we rendered good SER
vice. and liberated you from the bondage of Great Britain
nov refuse to perform your part and we will seek our
inoemnity and redress in what way we can" These
spatons took place upon our merchant commerce. and
went on for years and years.
Then applied to France, it business and
duty to do; for hold thnt it is the duty Of every
Government apply for redress for any injury wrong
done It's citizens in the lawful pursuit Of at
: hone or abroad. When peace again restored we
saio to France Here bill particulars you have
captured seized and destroyed when at peace
with you and nil Europe, vessel and vessel u, with
the cargoes and they have been condemned we there
foredemand of you indemnity for these acts France
substantially sad she did not pretend to deny that the
allegations but that she did not know the citizens
but only the Government of the United States she had
nothing to do with the citizens, but only the Government
of this country And she said to the Government We
have set-o against you here is your bond in which
you stipulated to return services for those which
rendered you you stipulated to defend our West India
possessions but you have not done and we have lost
them consequence Of your failure to perform that s
puation we will therefore not pay your citizens; we
were justified in these acts they were the only means
which had of getting redress for the
Of your plighted faith" ~
After various attempts at negotiation, after the matter
had talked at Paris and at Washington repeat
edy and again and again brought to the consideration
the two Governments it finally settled that these
claims should be mutually merged; that they should be
mutually abandoned that Frances in consideration of
abandoning and releasing her from her liability to cit
zens these spoatons committed against the laws OF
war and in consideration Of longer mporuning her
to pa them would release from the performance OF
our engagements entered into in treaty with her dur
ing the Revolutionary war; for mutual defence and pro-
j lection That, understand, is the case precisely.
voted for this bill years ago in the other House
then gave it thorough examination than have
now given it. What have stated is from general
recollection having documents particular dates be-
fore but the substance of my remarks will found to
literally true, and to compor entirely with history
Now, sir the next question is in what condition does
this place us We the sovereigns of the individuals
of this country, their guardians, you prefer that
term have appropriated the debts due wards the
people of the United States to quidate own debts
mat Is as m0ou an as Can give VI
guardian is indebted to A. and is indebted to the ward
The guardian goes and tells him, sir you money
to my ward That is precisely what told France:
stYou citizens, whose interests are bound to
protect" In the which | have put the guardian
says A. demand that you shall pay this bond in a
Of my ward that you shall pay him for the tres
pass you have committed the violation Of his rights
says, 81 win not do it; you the guardian, it is
true but here is your bond and according to it you
me much. Now why not settle this matter with me,
and go back to your house and settle with ward
as you cant You this amount, and more. Then
eel this debt receipt for what your ward and
will receipt to you what you me, and then you may
60 and settle with your ward as you please"
Well, sir 1t is not only mutually stipulated SO to do
ii is actually carried out and is DONE The guardian
gives full receipt and discharge; that is nothing
less than your release of the debt and nothing
less than you have done by your treaty with France
You have exonerated absolved and discharged and
leased France from these liabilities long and long ago.
more than half century ago; long that those to
whom the debts first DUE and justly DUE as hold
have long SINCE almost without exception, been swept
the face Of earth and gone to their long homes
q ment for their just dues.
Well sir the debt is released; the guardian releases
and takes release in return for what is due from him.
In what condition in law in equity, and much more, in
MORALS does place the guardian ask you, il he can
90 home to his ward and tell him. Sir, true have re-
leased this bond had the power to do and discharg
ed your debtor A. but will not pay you myself Sir,
your private life would not such man be scorned and
hooted from any community! Sir, feel precisely in
that situation here While clothed with authority
or power any where fer the public interest will at least
be honest in the Of those who sent here
would feel that honor and honesty required me to be
u in individual transactions Sir desire to represent