Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1859-02-23
The French sooilations Bills.


The French Sooilations Bills.
ltwas stated. few days ago, BY the telc.
graphic correspondents of the public press, that
il was probable that this bill, on its coming in.
to the House, from the Senate, would be taken
up nt once, and, under the operation of the pre-.
vious question, would be at once passed. But
we see that |, has been referred to the Commii.
tee Of the Whole. We still hope that cue.
cossiul attempt may be made 10 carry It
through both the committee and the House,
Without new debate upon il in either.
And why should moi such an attempt sue.
ccedi Surely, this bill, which hns so many
times been referred to able committees, so Of.
ten iayorably reported upon, and so often pass.
ed in ,he House of Representatives, after the
ampiest debate, can need no farther discussion
there. There are no facts in the case that are
not nready patent to the world no arguments
in opposition that have not been often confuIed;
and no reasons in its favor that have not been
made good, BY the cearesl minds and the aolest
advocates in the country. Why, then, should
I not become law, without more ado 7
Surely at time when millions are conh-
demily demanded Of Congress for the further
anre of schemes that may be denominated,
without invidiousness, r-obematical at the
very least, the comparatively small sum Of
FIVE millions Of dollars may be reasonably
GRATED Ger the payment Of an often rdniatea
and clearly proved debt due on the part OF the
Government to long suffering and long waiting
individuals.
What can constitute just demand upon
the Government. if the holders Of these claims
are not fully justified in making one "a! When,
in the revolutionary times that proyerbially
dried mems sonIs,' the aid of Franc was
successfully invoked BY the struggling colonies
TO rid them of the calling yoke they would
f,in throw of, stipulation was made with our
allv, in IT'S TO the effect that she might carry
her prizes of war into our ports and there dis.
pose of them aud that she should be guoran.
iced the continuance of her possessions in the
West Indies.
Indenendence being attained, the first PTesI.
dent issued his proclamation of neutrality as
between France and England, between which
powers there was war; and what had been
agreed on between us and France could no
longer BE- done. Of course, our ally was nat
uraIly offended, our Minister was dismissed.
Under the British orders in council, our ships
trnding with France were made liable to se'z'
ure and, to contravene :hese orders Bona
parte issued decree that pro sions in the
ships of neurals were to be held liable to selz.
ure. Both these DEGREES were in violation OF
our rights MS neutral power; and, (as estima-
ted by the Newturyport Herald, and believed
correcty,) the result was the spoliation oil
American vessels to the number of some two
thousand. The ground upon which France
unrsued this course was avowedlv that OF ne.
cessity, while assurances were held out that
the owners Of the pnperty thus seizad should
be remunerated. What our coemporary, just
quoted, SAYS in relation to this matter, we can
endorse, moving what we do
of the hardships endured by some OF the orig
inal claimants and their descendants and rep
rcsenlatives. Says the Herald:
"From this date, 1913 10 1900, we stood in
o state Of partial war with France, and no one
doubls thai the owners OF the vessels robbed
had good claim for in ennity; but at the
latter date new treaty was made restoring
amity, in which we were released from The ob.
ioa ions of the previous treaty, and our Gov.
ernment agreed 10 fo.ego all claims OF our
merchants for their losses. Virtually the claims
were sacrificed for the good of the country,
and IN tue malnte'laBCt U! pencF ""u ''|'e""'
ed prosperity. large advantages were gained
The claimants, then, and very Justly, we think,
assumed the eround that as their claims bad
been sacrificed for the public benefit. the public
should make them good-ihat the Govern.
ment having cut them off from payment by
France, did thereby assume them for them
selves"
Can there be any question on this point 3
Edward Livingston, OF Louisiana, Crawford,
of Georgia, Lowndps, of South Carolina, Clay,
of Kentucky, Webster, of Massachusetts,
CLAYTON, of Delaware, Buchanan, Of Penns-
vania, and many other eminent men Of the
South and North, the East and West. have all
supported the reports made in favor of these
Just claims, in the Senate and the House Of
Representatives. George Washington and
Chief Justice Marshall were of the opinion
that they should be paid. Fifteen bills for
their payment have been reported at different
times, and several Of them have passed SUCCESS
fully thrdneh both Houses Of Congress. and
they woald long ago have been paid. and IN all
honor and justice they should have been, had
not the Psssisisntisl veto been inferpnsed. :,
President Polk would rot allow tbs b'll 20
become esw. On soch grounds as shsse IS =
ts-ars< z si1irs ssd ncs osss pa.