The Portland daily press., 1882-12-07
FRENCH sPoLIATIoN CLAIMS.
An Appeal Mads to Congress.

The enclosed letter, has been sent to each
Senator and Representative in Congress:
Dear Strata a Getting of defendants of
American citizens who suffered by French
spoliations on American commerce. nrior to
July 31st, 1901, and whose claims upon France
were surrendered to her and assumed by the
United States in consideration of the release
OF the United States from obligations under
treaties between those two nations, held in
New York, October 18th, 1882, the undersigned
were appointed committee to urge upon Con-
eress the early passage of Senate Bill 1865, and
House Bill 1885, both favorably reported at
the last session and now upon the respective
calendars, by which the Court of Claims is au-
thoriZed to hear and decide upon such claims.
and to report thereon to Congress for its final
action
We are aware that the long standing of these
claims has been adduced as an argument
against their validity, but we would call your
attention to the fact that Chief Justice Mar
shall, James Madison. Henry Clay, Edward
Livingston, Daniel Webster Edward Everett.
John j. CritteBdea, Caleb Gushing, John NJ.
Clayton, Charles Sumner, and great number
Of other distinguished statesmen examined the
Character OF these claims and urged their pay
ment by the Government of the United States.
About one thousand claimants residing in
different states from Maine to Texas, and
from New York to California, descendants of
original sufferers have ia the present year sent
petitions to the House of Representatives on
this subject. Such petitions state the residen
ces OF the claimants, with the names of the
claimants, with the names of the original suf-
ferers and their relationship to the several pe-
tlGloners and are upon the files of the House.
Tho reference of this subject to the Court of
Claims has been for the first time proposed in
the present Congress, and it seems simple JUS
tics that these claimants should at least have
their day in Court.
We believe that you will regard this appeal
with favor It is made on behalf of the de-
scendants of original sufferers, many of whom
are In very narrow circumstances, and feel
that their Government has long enjoyed
without compensating them, the benefits and
advantages which have accrued from the sur
render OF their rights for the public veal.
We therefore make this earnest request that
you VIII give an opportunity for a judicial
hearing of these claims so long deferred, the
Justice of which touches closely the honor and
integrity OF our Government, aud to this end
we ask that you will give your acti Q influence
and vote Tor the early consideration and pas
sage of the bill referring this whole matter to
the Court of Claims.
We are, very respectfully yours,
William Gray; Boston, Mass; Charles Francis
Adams, Jr., Quincy, Mass; Johl N. A. Girls
pont, Brooklyn, N Y; William Goddard,
Providence, r. L.; Wolcott Gibbs, Newport,
Il. l.; Henry II. Ladd, Portsmouth, N. H;
L. Slater Tredlek, Portsmouth, N. H.; Hem
ry Pratt Mexican, Philadelphia, Penn;
Charles 2. Bayard, Philadelphia, Penn:
Robert Seton, d. D., Jersey City, N. j.;
A. B. Gnigon. Richmond, Va; Hannah P.
B. Hayes, Lewiston, Me-; George E. B.
jackson, Portland, Me-, Ssmuel D. Stoney,
Charleston, S. c.; Robert Wilson, Charles
ton, s. C Howard Munnikhusep, Balti-
more, Md.