Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

ALEXANDRIA, December 19

FRENCH SPOLIATIONS.

To the Editor of the Columbian Mirror

SIR,

IN a former paper I communicated to you a list of the number of vessels and cargoes seized by French cruisers and condemned in their ports with the value of the same. On a more accurate investigation, I find I was deficient in the number; and I am warranted in asserting, that the value, instead of three, is little short of four hundred thousand dollars—to correct this however, is not my motive or troubling you at present.

It is, sir to suggest to my fellow sufferers, through the medium of your paper, the propriety of calling a general meeting; its object to be, the appointment of a committee to collect and arrange all the documents relative to these losses; For certainly it will be much better effected collectively, than individually; this committee may be ordered to procure at the general expense further proof, where such may appear wanting, and moreover be instructed to prepare a memorial to Congress grounded on the evidence before them, and to correspond with the Secretary of State, as circumstances may require.

It is well known, and a fact not to be controverted, that the mercantile body of the Union have been and now are, the firmest supporters of the laws and government of the United States; that they have been the immediate source from whence has been drawn the revenue that ought "to provide for the common defence, and promote the general welfare." If any man denies or even doubts this, let him look to the reports of the Secretary of the Treasury on the receipts and expenditures of the United States, or let me ask him from whence was the Treasury supplied, which paid for a tedious and expensive Indian war, or suppressed a still more dangerous insurrection, * which threatened the very existence of the government? Was it not from commerce? If these facts then bespeak its importance to the general welfare, and this useful class of citizens have been prohibited by law from the natural right of self defence in protecting their property from lawless violence and in consequence thereof have suffered by the ruthless hands of the French plunderers; on what principle can the Federal government deny their claim to compensation. Will it not be more honorable to suppose, that sound policy as well as the immutable principle of Justice, will dictate the expediency of a well timed retribution to the sufferers? Under this impression, I strongly recommend a general meeting as a preparatory step, or whatever may happen connected with this business.

Sir,
Your most obt. Servant,
A SUFFERER

*: By French Spoliations,..
Insurrection in Pennsylvania; 94