Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1855-02-15
HeRAL o OF THE TIMES.
THURSDAY Feb 18th, 1885.
THE FRENCH sPOLIATION BILL.


BY the French prior to the lhrty-frsl day
81 July, one thousand eight hun
drtd and one, has passed both branches of
congress -
he ii enacted by The senate and house of
representatives ofhe United States Of Amer.
tea in congress assembled, That satisfaction
shall be made, as hereinafter provided, to
IN amount not exceeding five millions of
dollars, to such citizens of the United
States, or to their legal representatives, a.
had valid claims to indemnity upon the
French government, arising out Of illegal
captures, detentions, forcble seizures, il.
legal condemnaion., and contiscations, com.
mitted prior to the ratification of the con.
vention betweea the United States and the
French republic, concluded OF the thirticth
day Of September, one thousand eight hun
dred, the ratifcalons of which were ex-
changed on the thirty-frs day of July fol-
lowing: Prorided, that the provisions Of
shis act shall not extend to such claims as
are stipulated for and embraced in the con-
vention between the United States and the
French republic, concluded on the thirtie,h
day of April, one thousand eight hundred
and throe, and for the liquidation and pay
ment whereof provision is made in the said
convention; nor to such claims as were al
lowed and paid, in whole or in part, under
the provisions Of the treaty between the
United States and Spain, concluded on the
twenty-second day Of February, one thou
sand eight hundred and nineteen nor to
such claims a. were allowed in whole or
in part, under the provisions of the treaty
between tho United States and France,
concluded on the fourth day of July, ono
thousand eight hundred and thiriy-one:
And provided, also, That in all cases of
transtss or assignment, no claimant shall
be entitled to receive an amount beyond
the consideration paid, and interest thereon,
provided tho same do not exceed the amount
TO which he would be entitled if such as
signee were the original holder.
Src. 2. And be il further enacted, That
for the purpose of carrying into effect the
provisions Of this act, and to ascertain the
full amount and validity of said claims, three
commissioners shall be appointed by the
President, by and with :he advice and con-
sent of the senate, who shall meet at the
city Of Washington, on or bfore the first
Monday in October next, and, within the
space of two years from the time of their
first meeting, shall receive, examin., and
decide upon the amount and validity Of all
Claims included within the description above
mentioned; and the secretary Of state is re-
quired forthwith after the passage OF this
act, to give notice OF said meeting, to be
published in three newspapers in WASH
ington, and ir such other parers as he may
think proper. The said commissioners
shall take an oath or affirmation. 10 be EN-
tered OH the record Of their proceedings,
for the faithful and dligent performance OF
their duties and III case of the death or
resignation any such commissioner, his
place may be supplied by appointment as
aforesaid, or by the President during the
recess of the senate, of another commits
sioncr in his stead. The said commits
sioners shall be authorized TO hear and ex-
anime all questions relative to tho said
claims, and to receive all suitable tcstimo-
ny, OH oath or affirmation, and all other
proper evidence and documents concerning
the same; and the rules for the decision Of
said commissioners shall be the principles
of Justice, the law Of nations, and The for
mer treaties between the United States and
France, to wit: the treaty of amy and
commerce of the sixth of February, one
thousand seven hundred and scvcnty-eight
the treaty Of alliance Of tho sans date, and
the consular convention OF the fourteenth
of November, one thousand seven hundred
and ciphty-eight. Their decisions shall be
in writing, and filed with their secretary,
and the individuals interested therein shall,
on demand, have a copy thereof; and the
promulgaion of the decisions Of said CON-
missioners shall be in public. The said
commissioners shall not, at any one time
after the first day OF December next,adjourn
for longer period than ten days, without
the consent Of the President Of the United
States, in writsng, first had and obtained.
Sec. 3. And be ii further enacted, That
the said commissioners shall be, and they
are hereby authorized to make all needful
rules and regulations, net contravening the
laws of the landor the provisions Of this
act, for carrying their said commission into
full and complete effect.
SEC. 4. And be il further endcted, That
, it shall 10 The duty OF the SECRETARY Of state
TO procure, within the sbortest time after
tho passage. of this act through the Amsri.
can minister at Paris, OF otherwise, all such
evidence, aud documents, relating to said
claims, as can be obtained from abroad
which, together with tho like evidence and
documents on file in the department Of
state, or which may be filed in the said de-
partment, may be used before said commits
sionsrs by the claimants interested therein;
but the same shall not be removed from the
hles Of said comm issionefs.
Sse. o. AID D, IL further enacted, That