Phenix Gazette

FRENCH SPOLIATIONS.

From the Philadelphia Aurora and Franklin Gaz. Jan 20.

The meeting of the merchants interested in French spoliations, on Tuesday evening, was certainly one of the largest that has been witnessed for many years in this city on any occasion, and was conducted with an extraordinary degree of unanimity and solemnity. Among those present, were the various classes of sufferers. The Antwerp claimants, and those whose vessels and cargoes were captured, or rather faithlessly seized at the very entrance of St. Sebastians and other ports, by boats sent off for the very express purpose, were very numerous. There were also to be seen many who had immense sums extorted from them, amounting in some cases to more than half the value of their property, in order to procure an acquittal from the condemnation which had been held over them in terrorem for months or years. Many also were there, who, urged by secret emissaries to compromise, under the sanction of the court, were compelled to give up one half or two thirds, to preserve the remainder; and last, though not least in numbers, were seen those who lost both ships and cargoes by condemnation, after passing through the forms of a sham trial, and paying enormous charges besides. Some few were present, whose property was finally acquitted; but, in these instances, the expenses and long detention absorbed nearly every thing. As no occasion has ever occurred in our commercial annals of more diversified injustice and extortion, than our claims upon France exhibit, so is it one, in which the best diplomatic talents of our country are required to effect the great pacific object which this meeting appears to have had in view. Such men as ALBERT GALLATIN and RUFUS KING, the latter of whom, now in London, is near the probable scene of negociation, would, in our humble opinion, apart from all considerations of party, be most happily conjoined in such a mission as is here suggested. Great experience and weight of character seem indeed essential requisites in an extraordinary and special embassy, and without it a fair experiment could not be made.