The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-03-05
The French spoilation Claims.
CHAIRMAN CURTAIN ON THE EVIDENCE
WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE OBTAINED
ABROAD.


CHAIRMAN CURTAIN ON THE EVIDENCE
WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE OBTAINED
ABROAD.
AS not few of our patrons are inter-
ested, either directly or indirectly in the
French Spoilation Claims, we reproduce
the following interview, with Gov. Curtin,
who. as Chairman of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, has been the recipient of
hundreds of letters inquiring about the
claims. Regarding the evidence relating
to those which will have to be secured
abroad. Gov. Curtin said:
There is no doubt that there is great
deal of important evidence abroad in rela-
ton to these cases-lmpOrtant not only
to the establishment of honest claims, but
very important also to the United States
in suppressing claims which are not valid
and adducing others in which more may
be asked than is due. A bill IS now pend
ing before Congress which trust and be-
lieve will become a law, authorizing the
appointment Of a commissioner on the
part Of the Government to make inveSti-
cations as to this evidence and to obtain
as much of it us is practicable for the use
alike of the Government and of claimants.
/ 1t is intended that the Commissioner shall
visit Paris, Madrid and the various French
and Spanish dependencies where prize
courts were located to which the vessels
were carried 10y the French privateers.
The Governor suggested that it would
| be premature to name commissioner I'M
til tile law had been enacted, but added
at is most important and delicate trust.
| None more so has ever been committed to
a single commissioner by our Government
and he will be q gentleman of high charac-
ter and distinguished ability with exper-
fence in the legal profession and familiar
ity with the language, which will enable
him efficiently to discharge the duties en-
| trusted to him.
''Governor, the questions as to these
claims have been referred to the Court.
DO you regard Congress as bound by this
action.
Congress has referred to the Court the
entertainment of the questions of law and
fact in relation to these claims. and in my
judgment, Congress will not fail to pay
those claims which are found to be due,
and which have been considered and re-
ported by the Court of Claims. They will
probable come back in patches of cases and
he provided for annually, so that the
amount will not be heavy in any one year.
] should be glad if the descendants of the
original claimants would understand this
view of it and not trifie away their inher-
itance by either selling their claims or by
agreeing to pay enormous prices for their
prosecution. | am astOnished to learn
that in some instances claim agents are
asking these people as much as One-third
Such charges are wholly unreasonable.
The parties should be patient and await
| the action of the Government. which is
very cautious and prudent, and the Court
of Claims will adopt proper rules by which
it can be approached, and such as will
| facilitate honest claimants, and at the
same time. fully protect the Government
against fraudulent ones. This court is an
important and essential adjunct in
the administration of justice between
the Government and the citizen, and
both may well confide in the justice and
correctness of its final decisions. Until
its action is had Congress has nothing fur
| ther to do in relation to these claims. |
have many inquiries made of me in relation
to the rights of different descendants, but
| the provision of the law which meets this
subject is a most excellent one. An adj
ministration must be taken out upon the
estate Of the original claimant at his last
domicile, and the case is prosecuted by
! him and IN his name before the Court of
Claims, and when the award is made the
amount recovered is distributed between
the descendants of the original claimant by
the Court at his last domicile and in ac-
cordance with the laws therefor of his own
state