The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-02
THE SPOLIATI0N
CLAIMS AGAIN.
4 Large Appropriation for Some Of the
Claims Allowed.
SOME OF The MANY CLAIMANTS.
HOW tho Claim Arosc-An Honest obs
legation which Clay and Webster
Declared was Just Many Nir-
ginians Interested.

WASHINGTON. April 1.-Spcc.2l-ln
, recent issue OF The Times the passage
D, the omnibus claims bin was noted. IN
this bin was included large appropfl-
alton for the payment of somc-not ALL
OF tho French spolation claims. Many
Of the heirs Of these latter claimants
and consequently the benenciarics Of the
act. reside "a virginia and the CarOlnas.
owing 10 the lapse OF time since the
claims arose. the heirs are widely scat
tered and IL IS impossible TO secure thcr
addresses. The list witch VIII be lo"hd
a. the end Of this article Is correct as
Ear as q. goes, tho information having
been furnished by Mr.. y. J. Pickett VINO
with Mcssrs. ". T. ). Curtis ana II. VI.
Earle. successor Of the late w. E. Earle
has represented many OK the heirs III the
Court OF Claims.
AS many are not familiar with the his
tory OF the famous spoliauon claims
brie2 sketch will doubtless be OF interest
VOW THE CLAIMS AROSE.
In the year 117s. at the most critical
period of the Revolution, France entcre d
into certain treaties with the United
States. 10y which she undertook 70 iuF-
nish money and troops 10 aid us IN carry
ing on our struggle for independence.
in return the United states agreed to
guoarantce forever 10 France her pos
sessions in the West indies, ard 90 make
common cause with her. ana TO aid Ter
with men. money ard supplies IN the
event OF future wars with Great 1911 ain.
That France din make good her promises
is a matter OF history.
Ia 1898 war broke out between the
French Republic and Great Britain. and
the United States not bens in position
TO actively aid France. President wash
ington issued his famous proclamation
OF neutrality. and Chief Justice jay ne
eotiatoC a Commercial Treaty with Great
Britain AT this France took onense.
and put into commission horde OF priVa-
teers 10 prey upon American commerce
Vessels and cargoes were seized and con-
fscated upon fimsy preteXts and losses
were inflicted upon our mercantile ma
rine. which awakened indignaHt protests.
The authorities Of the United States
government. recognizing the vital i'm
portance OF our commerce 10 The welfare
OF the nation. encouraged our merchants
throughout the country to continue their
foreign trade. assuring them that the gov
eminent would assert their claims against
France and procure for them full in
demnity for all losses which they might
sustain. in pursuance ct this promise,
Mr.. jefferson and Mr.. Pickering persist
emily pressed upon France the claims Of
our citizens for redress on account Of
these outrages They defended the ac-
tions Of the United states aud denounced
the depredations Of the French as on
posed 20 existing treaties and to the law
Of nations. The French authorities. I'm
spirit OF compromise. expressed their
willingness To- enter into negotiations
for the adjustment OF all existing differ
ences between the two nations An en-
bassy Of distinguished citizens was ac-
cordingly sent 10 Paris, charged with two
duties TO wit;
BECAME LIABLE.
First-To obtain for our citizens. VIII"
had sustained losses. the indemnitics 70
which they were entitled.
Sccond-To obtain from France q re-
lease Of the heavy obligations of guaranty
and sucCor by which the United States
were still. as a nation. bound under thu
treaty Of l1lS.
The French pienipotcntiares could not
and did not dispute nor deny the justice
OF these claims for indemnitios. They re-,
fused, however 20 surrender the benehv
secured 20 France by the terms of eX-
listing treaties. At one time II was feared
that negotiations would prove fruit.ess
But at length an accommodation was
bUFcltut ana ile convention or mo was
concluded. which provided. on the one
hand. for the REIMBURSEMENT by the
United States OF an claims against
France for indemnity 20 citizens of the
United States, and on the other the re-
lease by France 10 the United States OF
ell obligations under existing treaties
The advantages reaped by the United
States from this release were incalcu.
liable. She was freed once for all from
those 'entangling alliances" with Euro
peaR powers which she had 50 much cause
10 dread and was left unfettcred 10 pur-
sue the path Of independence and pros.
perity For this priceless concession. tho
consideration, and the sole consideration,
which passed 60 France. was the re-
linquishment by the United States OF che
just demands of their citizens against
France. These demands were appro-
p1ated and used by the government OF
the United States 10 secure a great
public and national benefit. Private pro-
perty was taken for public use. on moral
and constitutional grounds alike. there
fore the United States became liable
70 pay for what they had taken and bJ
The use OF which they had rcaped re-
cults OF such inestinahle value.
SOME OF THE CLAIMANTS.
Among the notable Americans who
have. IN the long struggle TO secure tine
payment Of the iust debt. declared rbo
business OF the claims have been Henry
Clay Daniel Webster Chief Justice Mar
shan. John c. Calhoun. BENJAMIN Wat
lins Leigh, William G. Preston and many
others
Among the claimants who reside in
Maryland Virginia. North and south car
Dina and whose claims will be paid when
proper steps are taken 10 collect the
money. are the following. II IS impossible
TO secure exact addresses.
Mary r Withcrby surviving executrix
Of Charles Cleveland, on brig. Alert.
t7s2.2l.
Esther 8 buchanan. administrators
representing Smith and Buchanan. on
snip. Jane sl.6eo2l; on ship. Patapsco.
sE0s.
Robert Carter Smith. administrators &c
representing Samuel Smith. on ship. lame
b, S2i. on ship. Patapsco. S4Ge9g,
William Donnci administrator. Sc Of
John Donnel on ship. Patapsco. s8.C59sQ
George w. Brown. administrator of
James A. Buchanan. ship. Patapsco
;s.e09sa
Cumberland y Houlns. administrator
&c. of John lohins. On ship. Patapsco
r.eoO
George ". Williams administrator OF
Samuel Williams, on brig Eleanor $l.5S3,-
10
Charles J Bonaparte administrator OF
Benjamin Williams. on brig. Eleanor.
a. sss59
David Stewart. administrator OF Francis
Johonnei. surviving partner OF Francis
Johonnet & Co, on brig, Eleanor
t5.72SfS.
John Merven Carrere and David stew