The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-02
Old Trelleb Debts
uncIe Sam in no haste
C Paw SroIlatIcii claims.


Washington, April 1.-The item of ST.
043,11T for the payment of the French
spohation, carried in the nmnibus claims
bill by the last congress, has caused ex-
element among the numerous heirs,
nearly all of whom never knew just for
what the United States was indebted TO
them many millions of dollars. 1t is the
second installment toward the liquidation
of some of the oldest debt of the United
States, the original claim of which aggre-
gated $50 0OO,o0o.
The largest claimants for the money ap-
propriated art the heirs of James Wilson
and his son, David Wilson, captains and
shipowners at aItimore during the Revo-
ton. Many Of their ships were captured
by the French. both in French ports and
on the high seas, and for more than a cen
fury every generation of their heirs has
fought tenaciously for their rights. enlist
ing such great lawyers as Edward Everett,
Caleb Gushing, Daniel Webster and
Charles Sumner in their behalf
Mrs. Sarah E. Waddell spent her life in
presenting her case before the govern
ment, and on her dying bed urged her
sons and daughters to continue the fight
Her heirs now living are Charles NJ.
Waddell, William A. Wadden, SeabrooB
Waddell, Virginia c. now the wife Ct
Charles X. Innes, and Grace G., married
to Charles F. Newton of altimore Other
heirs are Mr.. Goodspeed Of Jersey city,
and William Wilson of Yonkers. These ex-
pect to be paid in part from the money
just appropriated but Will continue me
fight for the balance, which they claim TO
be between s500Q,0O0 and 5000. OOO And
the heirs are wealthy and seem to care
little for the money. but say that the
United States should pay its just debts,
for which favorable reports were made as
far back as 1902. They hold. too, that their
loss was caused by the refusal of the
United States to observe the terms OF the
treaty of IT'S. made by enjamin Franklin.
especially as the payment OF their CLAIMS
was urged by Washington, Alexander
Hamilton and Chief Justice Marshall
The treaty in question made II possible
for the United States 10 gain its indepen-
dence By it France agreed to furnish
money and troops to aid in CARRYING on the
war For this the United States promised
to guarantee to France her possessions in
America. 1t is said that it cost France
$2S0006,0O0, and thousands of lives to full
fill her compact. The aid came al the
most critical period of the evolution. and
enabled the Americans to succeed before
Yorktown, and gain her recognition of
independence by England A few years
after this war broke out between Great
Britain and the French republic. without
Washington being a bic to aid tho French
except by his famous proclamation of ueu-
trality. America being poor the French
took it in good part, but when later many
of the French possessions were captured
by the English. and the Washington gov
eminent entered into a treaty with Great
Britain, the French commanded all their
cruisers and privateers to prey upon
American commerce.
In a short time sos American vessels
were captured. and the two nations were
on the brink of war The American navy
vessel in sight and congress was called
to take measures for offense and defense.
The matter was settled in 1890. bu con-
vention which agreed that each country
was to pay the claims of its own citizens.
After waiting for nearly a century, dur
ing which time bills for the relief of the
claimants have repeatedly been reported
and twice have passed both houses p
court Of settlement was established. Presi-
dent Arthur approved bill sending the
claims to that court for judicial determine
ton. 1t reported favorably, and in 1891
congress, with the approval of President
Harrison, made the first appropriation Of
H,$O4.O00 to pay the individual cases
favorably adjudicated In spite of the fact
that Chief Justice Marshall held that lie
claims should be paid, President C!eve-
land vetoed the bill to pay creditors of
the government who had waited 100 years
for their money.
The original claim of $4,000. 900 has been
cut down by the court of claims to e.
100000 1t will take the court several
years to try al 1.-The remaining cases. Tins
spreading the appropriations yet 70 be
made through several congresses.