The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-01-27
CLAIMS AGAINST FOREIGN GOVERN
MENTS.


The following statement of the substance o
a communication made to the Senate by thu
President, on Thursday last, shows how made
quate was the proposition of Mr.. Mason, com
mented on in our last, to public exgences
He proposed to confer upon the President the
right Of making war upon Mexico and the
Central American States in order to compel a
speedy payment of American claims when in
point of fact those claims are utterly insignif
cant, in comparison with those which are with
held from our aggrieved fellow-citizens by the
great Powers of Europe. Should not Mr.. Ma
son amend his bill, so as to confer upon the
President general war-making power
Thursday the President sent to the Senate, in
compliance with resolution of that body, a
document showing the condition of our unset
tied claims against foreign Governments, to-
gether with those which have been adjusted.
By hasty glance at the paper, it appears that
Captain William Webster presents bill against
Great Britain for over $6,500,000, for loss in
demnity, for lands purchased from the chief Of
New Zealand and of which he was dispossess-
ed by English officers.
Claims are also urged by other parties against
lildL OONcTHucuJ lOI dOuc W lawful
commerce by the seizure and sale of vessels
Russia.-Ag ainst this Government there are
two cases one for $4,000 and the other for
S385O0O, preferred by J. W. Perkins, of Mas
sachusetts, charging violation Of a contract
for arms furnished during the Crimean war.
France, too, has unsettled claims. She has
rejected several, including that of the owners
of the ship America, for loss and damage sus-
tanned in 1889, for violating the blockade of
Buenos Ayres, and property thereby destroyed.
Robert A. Parish rendered a bill for
$4,000, 900 francs in fulflment of verbal
agreement entered into by Mr.. Fould and the
Minister Of Finance, and confirmed by the En-
peror, to pay him this amount upon the demon
stration of the existence of gold mines similar
to those of California, and accessible to the
French army, as soon as the French flag can
be raised in token of sovereignty in any part of
the territory indicated. He alleges this per-
Torrance, and hence seeks for pay.
Spain.-There is a long account against her.
Two claims involve nearly 81 100000 for an
alleged violation Of contracts, and formidable
list is preferred from loss of vessels by capture.
John s. Thrasher, of Cuba notoriety, whose
case was involved in political questions, claims
S35O,000, while there are eighty cases for loss
es and damage caused by the repeal of the Gu
ban ordinance of 1874, admitting provisions
and lumber free Of duty from the United States.
Mexico.-There is list against her of large
settled or unsettled claims.
Belgium has settled her accounts for losses OF
property at Antwerp BY the bombardment.
There were twenty-one such cases.
Holland and Denmark have not yet made
satisfaction.
Prussia is asked to make an explanation for
the arrest aud illusage of a naturalized citizen,
who returned to his native country, and was
held liable for military duty, due before his emf
grafton. This is one of number of similar
cases.
Austria has little to answer for.
Rome comes Rext. n. B. Campbell COM
plains of being turned out of Civita Vecchia in
an insulting manner, and falsely accused of
forging a visa to his passport. The matter has
been referred to our Minister.
Turkey.-From this Government, John Reeves
claims for loss and damage sustained by an al
legged non-fulilment Of contract for building
vessels of war at Constantinople AS to the
Dixon outrage at Jaffa, reparaton is promised.
Greece.-There is nothing against this Gov
eminent. She has paid Jonas W. King for the
loss and damage sustained by imprisonment
and exile.
Naples and Sardinia have small accounts to
settle.
China. = There is long and heavy list
against her, on account Of damages and losses
for shipping principally.
The Fejee Islanders have, through COM
mission, arranged for spoliations and thefts, but
it is not yet ascertained that the awards have
been paid,