The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-03-07
French Spoliation Claims.

time and time again, have quite
UNIQUE history, which seems to be
unfamiliar to most people. The trou-
BILE that lead up to them began as
far back as 1898, at the beginning
of the second term of Washington as
President of the United States. In
that wear M. Genet, Minister OF the
French Republic to the United States,
arrived at Charleston, and, taking
advantage of the feeling of the peo-
ple of the United States in favor OF
France, which had just thrown on
the Bourbon yoke, and was batting
with England and other countries TO
establish the French Republic, en-
deavored to excite them to hostile
acts against Great Britain.
He issued commissions to vessels
of war for fitting out privateers to
sail from the ports Of the United
States to cruise against the enemies
of France. Upon this, President
Washington issued his famous proc
lamation of neutrality. NJ. Genet
disregarded the proclamation of the
President, and persisted in MS
course, with threats of an, appeal from
the President to the people. For this
violation Of international law, Pres
ident Washington demanded his re-
call. M. Genet's commission was
withdrawn, and M. Fauchet was ap-
pointed Minister of France to this
country in his stead. In January,
1875, he was succeeded as Minister
from France by NJ. Adet.
The object Of Adet's mission
seems to have been to embroil the
United States with the European
powers with which France was en-
gagged in war. He brought with him
a flag of the French Republic, which
he presented to President Washing
ton, accompanying the presentation
with an address which was doubtless
intended more fo- the public than the
executive ear. A suitable response
to this artful address imposed a diff
ficult and delicate duty on President
Washington, who, az all times, proved
himself fully equal to the require
ments of the occasion. No one SYM
pathized more than. he did with the
French in their struggles, but his
duty to his own country demanded
that he maintain a: neutral position.
In his reply to the address there
was the fullest assurance Of the pro-
foundest sympathy for France, but
not the slightest intimation Of pur-
pose to render the United States a
party to the war then going on in
Europe. Washington's reply, so
timely and pendant, checked the de-
signs Of M. Adet of alternating the
people from confidence in Washing
ton, by representing his cause as pro-
ceeding from want of sympathy for
France in her struggle. Mr.. Adet
afterwards behaved worse than M.
Genet had done. He issued an ad-
dress to the people of the United
States charging the Federal admin
istration with 6 breach Of faith to
their former allies, the French. His
effort availed nothing, as the people
believed in the President.
On March 4, 1877, John Adams
succeeded Washington as President.
The relations existing between
France and the United States were
now becoming not only complicated
but decidedly unfriendly. The con-
duct of M. Adet had led to a sus-
pension of diplomatic intercourse be-
tween the two Republics. France had
issued orders quite injurious to the
commerce of the United States. The
course pursued by the revolutionary
government of France towards all
nations was so violent and offensive,
that the observance Of a strict neu-
trality, in the opinion Of President
Adams, seemed to be impossible with
a due regard to the interest of the
United States.
Congress was called in extra ses-
sion and active preparations for war
with France was at once begun.
Washington was called to the head of
the army and our little navy was put
in commission. No declaration of
actual war was made either by
France or the United States against
the other, although for some time,
state of quasi war existed on the
high seas, and several engagements
took place between their ships of
war. France had also seized some OF
our merchant ships, and this is
where the claims against France
originated. About this time great
changes took place in France. The
Directory had been overthrown and
Napoleon Bonaparte was first con-
sui.
Commissioners sent over by Pres
ident Adams was most favorably re.
ceived by Napoleon and articles of
treaty were agreed upon, which were.
afterwards ratified and confirmed by
both governments. On March q,
1901, Thomas Jefferson succeeded
John Adams as President. In 1902
he received information Of the ces-
sion of Louisiana to France by Spain,
in a secret treaty in 1900. He i'm
mediately instituted a commission to
treat with France for the free nav