reason assigned for its postponement is foreign to the merits of the claim. I had expected no less from the justice of His Majesty's Government. But this new delay is as vexatious as unexpected; and the grounds on which it is placed appear altogether untenable. It will appear, by my Letter of the 22d April, 1817, to his Excellency the Duke of Richelieu, that the magnitude of the claims made upon France by Subjects of European Powers, was the reason alleged, at that time, for postponing, to a more favourable moment the discussion of the American claims in question. The Government of The United States, from the most friendly motives, though with great reluctance, acquiesced so far in that delay, as to have abstained from pressing again the subject, until the European claims had been arranged, in a satisfactory manner. I made, at that time, as will appear by my Letter to the Duke of Richelieu, of the 3d April, 1818, an unavailing effort to obtain a simultaneous and definitive arrangement of the American claims, as most consistent both with common justice and sound policy. And now, when the original cause of the postponement has ceased to exist, when the prosperous situation of the Finances of France leaves no ground for the primitive objection, a new cause of delay is sought in circumstances of a subsequent date, and which are wholly unconnected with the subject in question. The consideration of the American claims was adjourned on a presumed plea of temporary inability, or inconvenience, early in 1817; and the commercial difficulties, which it is the object of the negotiation pending at Washington to arrange, did not arise till the year 1819. That the question of indemnity ought not to be made to depend upon the fate of that negotiation, is equally evident. An arrangement, which will restore to the Navigation of America and France, those advantages now enjoyed, to the exclusion of both, by Foreign Vessels, and which will have a tendency to extend the commercial and friendly relations between the two Countries, is undoubtedly a most desirable object, and of the highest importance. But it is, after all, a question not of right, but of policy. Either of the same two Governments may, on that subject, take an erroneous determination; but each of them, should they not, unfortunately, be able to agree on that point, has, ultimately, the right to make its own commercial regulations, exposing itself, without doubt, to countervailing measures, but without giving thereby any just ground of complaint, or disturbing, in other respects, the harmony subsisting between the two Nations. In fact, that state of things exists, to a much greater extent, between France and many European Powers, particularly with Great Britain. The commerce between America and France, and which may be estimated to amount in value to about 80,000,000 of francs a year, may still be carried on in Foreign Vessels, or through indirect channels. Neither Country has prohibited the importation of the products of the soil or industry of the other. The only question under discussion, and on which they may happen not to agree, is that of the Navigation, that is to say, of the freight of the articles of exchange, which may, in the whole, be worth about 3,000,000 a year. But, from the respective prohibitions existing in France and England, it is not merely the navigation, but the commerce itself between the two Countries, which is so nearly annihilated as not to exceed 12 or 15 millions a year. It has, certainly, in this case, never been suggested, that, because each Government follows in that respect, its own views, other questions of right or general policy should, on that account, be suspended; that because a Treaty of Commerce may appear injurious to either of them, the other would, for that reason, be justified in refusing to do justice in other respects. The question of the indemnity claimed by the United States from France, is one not merely of policy, but of right. It will again revert, and with the same force, in case there should be no arrangement of the commercial difficulties. The foundation on which the demand rests cannot be affected by that result. France must still acknowledge or deny the justice of the claim. She is bound, in the first case, to grant the indemnity, in the other, to adduce satisfactory reasons for her denial. I must beg leave to observe, that the object of these reclamations cannot be, and is not, considered by the Government of the United States, as only affecting the interest of private individuals, but as an important subject of publick concern. It is not for private contracts voluntarily entered into, or other claims of a similar nature; it is for numerous spoliations, committed not only contrary to every principle of common justice, but in violation of the acknowledged Law of Nations, and of positive Treaty-stipulations; it is for the most flagrant and continued infraction of their rights, as a Neutral and Independent Nation, that The United States demand, that, at least, a satisfactory indemnity should be made to her Citizens for the losses thus suffered. The whole series of their public acts, at home and abroad, when those outrageous proceedings took place, and the peculiar circumstances (arising from simultaneous aggressions on the part of England,) which alone prevented a resort to war, are facts of such notoriety, as to render it difficult to conceive, how the subject can be viewed as of an inferior importance, and as only affecting private interests. If any further proof was required, in that respect, the Xth Article of the Treaty of the 16th March, 1810, between France and Holland, might be quoted. Certain American cargoes, which make part of our reclamations, were, by that Treaty, put at the disposal of France, "in order," according to the said Article, "that the same may be dealt with according to circumstances, and to the political relations between France and the United States." See Page 493. Not knowing to what reclamations, by Subjects of France against The United States, your Excellency alludes, I can only observe, that if there are any, respecting which a stipulation should be deemed necessary, it must, of course, be understood, that every such stipulation will, in every respect, be reciprocal, and embrace on both sides, all reclamations of a similar nature, and for the same period of time. I request your Excellency to accept, &c. H. E. Viscount Montmorency. ALBERT GALLATIN. [See the conclusion of these Papers, Vol. 1822, 1823, page 1061.] DOCUMENTS concerning the Claims of American Citizens upon France, referred to in the preceding Correspondence. 1800 to 1812. LIST. Page. No. 1. Convention between France and The United States... Paris 2. Treaty between The United States and France. Paris 3. Decree of the Emperor Napoleon... .30th Sept. 1800 463 30th April 1803 465 Berlin .... 21st Nov. 1806 466 London . 7th Jan. 1807 468 4. Order in Council 5. Orders in Council...... 6. Decree of the Emperor Napoleon.. 7. Orders in Council ..... 8. Decree of the Emperor Napoleon..... 9. Act of Congress of The United States. 10. Decree of the Emperor Napoleon.... 11. Act of Congress of The United States.. 12. Order in Council...... .... 15. Treaty between France and Holland... 18. Circular to the Collectors of the Customs of 19. The French Minister of Justice to the President of the Tribunal of Prizes..... 20. The French Minister of Finance to the Di. 21. Act of Congress of The United States.. 25. Declaration of the British Government.. 27. Order in Council.. . (1.)—Convention between France and The United States. ART. XII. It shall be lawful ART. XII. Les Citoyens des deux Nations pourront conduire leurs vaisseaux et marchandises (en exceptant toujours la contrebande) de tout Port quelconque, dans un autre Port appartenant à un Ennemi de l'autre Nation; ils pourront naviguer et commercer en toute liberté et sécurité, avec leurs navires et marchandises, dans les Pays, Ports et Places des Ennemis des deux Parties ou de l'une ou de l'autre Partie, saus obstacles et sans entraves, et non seulement passer directement des Places et Ports de l'ennemi susmentionnés, dans les Ports et Places neutres, mais encore de toute Place appartenant à un Ennemi dans toute autre Place appartenant à un Ennemi, qu'elle soit ou ne soit pas soumise à la même jurisdiction, à moins que ces Places ou Ports ne soyent réellement bloqués, assiégés ou investis. for the Citizens of either Country to sail with their Ships and merchandize (contraband goods always excepted) from any Port whatever, to any Port of the Enemy of the other, and to sail and trade with their Ships and merchandize, with perfect security and liberty, from the Countries, Ports, and Places of those who are Enemies of both or of either Party, without any opposition or disturbance whatsoever, and to pass not only directly from the Places and Ports of the Enemy aforementioned, to Neutral Ports and Places, but also from one place belonging to an Enemy, to another place belonging to an Enemy, whether they be under the jurisdiction of the same Power, or under the several; unless such Ports or Places shall be actually blockaded, besieged, or invested. And whereas it frequently happens, that Vessels sail for a Port or Place belonging to an Enemy, without knowing that the same is either besieged, blockaded, or invested, it is agreed, that every Vessel so circumstanced may be turned away from such Port or Place; but she shall not be detained, nor any part of her Cargo, if not contraband, be confiscated, unless, after notice of such blockade or investment, she shall again attempt to enter; but she shall be permitted to go to any other Port or Place she shall think proper. Nor shall any Vessel of either, that may have entered into such Et dans le cas, comme il arrive souvent, où les vaisseaux feraient voile pour une Place ou un Port appartenant à un Ennemi, ignorant qu'ils sont bloqués, assiégés ou investis, il est convenu que tout navire qui se trouvera dans une pareille circonstance, sera détourné de cette Place ou Port, sans qu'on puisse le retenir ni confisquer aucune partie de sa cargaison (à moins qu'elle ne soit de contrebande, ou qu'il ne soit prouvé que le dit navire, après avoir été averti du blocus ou de l'investissement, a voulu rentrer dans ce même Port;) mais il lui sera permis d'aller dans tout autre Expired 31st July, 1809. Port or Place before the same was actually besieged, blockaded, or invested by the other, be restrained from quitting such Place with her Cargo, nor if found therein after the reduction and surrender of such Place, shall such Vessel or her Cargo be liable to confiscation, but they shall be restored to the Owners thereof. XIII. In order to regulate what shall be deemed contraband of war, there shall be comprised under that denomination, gunpowder, saltpetre, petards, match, ball, bombs, grenades, carcasses, pikes, halberds, swords, belts, pistols, holsters, cavalry saddles and furniture, cannon, mortars, their carriages and beds, and generally all kinds of arms, ammunition of war, and instruments fit for the use of Troops; all the above articles, whenever they are destined to the Port of an Enemy, are hereby declared to be contraband, and just objects of confiscation; but the Vessel in which they are laden, and the residue of the Cargo, shall be considered free, and not in any manner infected by the prohibited goods, whether belonging to the same or a different Owner. XIV. It is hereby stipulated that free Ships shall give a freedom to goods, and that every thing shall be deemed to be free and exempt which shall be found on board the Ships belonging to the Citizens of either of the Con Port ou Place qu'il jugera convenable. Aucun navire de l'une ou de l'autre Nation, entré dans un Port ou Place avant qu'ils ayent été réellement bloqués, assiégés ou investis par l'autre, ne pourra être empêché de sortir avec sa cargaison: s'il s'y trouve, lorsque la dite Place sera rendue, le navire et sa cargaison ne pourrout être confisqués, mais seront remis aux propriétaires. XIII. Pour régler ce qu'on entendra par contrebande de guerre, seront compris sous cette dénomination la poudre, le salpêtre, les pétards, mêches, balles, boulets, bombes, grenades, carcasses, piques, hallebardes, épées, ceinturons, pistolets, fourreaux, selles de cavalerie, harnais, canons, mortiers avec leurs affuts, et généralement toutes armes et munitions de guerre et utensiles à l'usage des Troupes. Tous les articles cidessus, toutes les fois qu'ils seront destinés pour le Port d'un Ennemi, sont déclarés de contrebande et justement soumis à la confiscation. Mais le bâtiment sur lequel ils étaient chargés, ainsi que le reste de la cargaison, seront regardés comme libres, et ne pourront en aucune manière être viciés par les marchandises de contrebande, soit qu'ils appartiennent à un même ou à différens propriétaires. XIV. Il est stipulé par le présent Traité que les bâtimens libres assureront également la liberté des marchandises, et qu'on jugera libres toutes les choses qui se trouveront à bord des navires appartenant aux Citoyens d'une |