The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-03
was strongly in their favor. Twenty
three claims we've presented for consid-
GRAFTON, aggregating 81 ,2S9, OOS.7T, The
Committee on Judiciary reports:

tIulloIl, Sit-oOtVVo'''
Committee on Judiciary reports:
Requiring evidence on the question OF value
Involved In the British claims. counsel for the
United States depended on the American sealers'
whose expert testimony. when requested was
given, though their own vessels had been seized
and their property taken from them By the United
States. In like manner as the British subjects
These AnercaH sealers organized themselves TO
ind testimony for their Government In reducing
the British claims to legitimate volume, and also
TO physically protect themselves and the witnesses
among them from the personal violence which
was often threatened and from the assaults that
were made by the sympathizers with the British
claimants.
BY the testimony OF these Americans, counsel
for the United States were able to reduce the British
claims from 81, 30, oos. n down to SteS,4S4.27 pHn-
cipal and interest. thus saving TO the United States
Ss2b,SH.so."
or the part played in these proceed
ings by Captain MCLEAN the senior
counsel for the United States, Don NJ.
DICKINSON, before the commission made
this statement:
Conspicuous among the Americans was Captain
ALEXANDER MCLEAN. He owned . half interest
in two shlps seized by the United States, for which
Great Britain demanded Indemnity. His W
a British subject. had sworn before the Paris tH-
bunal that he was the sole owner. The registry
OF the ships did not disclose Captain McLEAN's
interest. Under the stIpulations nothing could De
awarded 10 him, an American. But q full award
10 the two ships would have benefited him TO tho
extent OF his equities in them. Under the circum-
stances, this brave and honest man made oath
before the commission TO his part ownership. when
by silent assent TO the perndy OF hs partner no
would have benefited himself.
Not only did Captain MCLEAN lose by his truth
fulness. but his activity In behalf Of the United
States subjected him 10 many unpleasant expert
ences and personal risk at the hands Of the British
| claimants and their friends In Victoria. Surely
such q MAINLAND his oountrymen. the American
sealers, who Joined. defended and sustained him
not only deserves the co consideration OF his Gov
eminent, but has earned the praise Of the PsalmiSt
Riyen 10 him who sweareth 70 his own hurt. and
chang eth not"
As the commission could consider only
| the claims Of British subjects, and no
tribunal was ever authorized to examine
| the claims Of the Americans who suffered
through the activities of the Govern
ment, Captain MCLEAN and his fellows
have never received any indemnity
from our Government, although those
who suffered through the operations Of
Russia have received compensation from
that nation. Mr.. DICKINSON said further
Of them:
" BY coming forward and supporting the position
taken by their country in regard 10 the protection
OF seals. every man Of them sacrificed himself by
clearly praiseworthy and patriotic conduct. They
aided their country at Victoria in exposing the
frauds and abating eItravagant values in the
British claims. Their service was Invaluable.
They had TO conquer personal safety for the wit
nesses OF the United States in Victoria by aggressive
lighting for IL on the streets. l, as OF counsel.
vouch for II that It was owing 70 them that many
British claims were entirely thrown out and the
nnal award was about one third OF the aggreEa ate
amount claimed"
The bill now before the House would
allow these good citizens and honest
men to 60 into a United States court
with their claims, and permit the court
to consider them on the evidence pre-
scented. 1t is not a great favor that is
asked in their behalf. They want
nothing more than what Russia did for
their fellow sealers and what their own
Government did for the British. Simple
justice requires the granting Of their
request, and in allowing them their day
in court Congress will only be giving a
square deal to men who have shown
conclusively that they deserve it.