6 War 96-81 No. 212. 53D CONGRESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MIS. Doc. } HISTORY AND DIGEST OF THE J.1.G. Law Library INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATIONS TO WHICH THE UNITED STATES TOGETHER WITH APPENDICES CONTAINING THE TREATIES RELATING TO SUCH BY JOHN BASSETT MOORE, Hamilton Fish Professor of International Law and Diplomacy, Columbia University, Extradition and Interstate Rendition, of American Notes on the Conflict of Laws, etc. IN SIX VOLUMES. VOLUME II. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1898. SPANISH SPOLIATIONS: COMMISSION UNDER ARTI- In his message to Congress of December 5, ations. Washington said: "The vexations and spoliation understood to have been committed on our vessels and commerce by the cruisers and officers of some of the belligerent Powers appear to require attention. The proof of these, however, not having been brought forward, the descriptions of citizens supposed to have suffered were notified that, on furnishing them to the Executive, due measures would be taken to obtain redress of the past, and more effectual provisions against the future. Should such documents be furnished, proper representations will be made thereon, with a just reliance on a redress proportioned to the exigency of the case."1 In a report to the President of March 2, 1794, Edmund Randolph, then Secretary of State, referring to this passage, said that when he came into the Department of State he found a large volume of complaints, which the notification to persons to send in their proofs had called forth, in relation to attacks on the commerce of the United States by the British, French, Spanish, and Dutch. Against the Spaniards, said Randolph, the outrages of privateers are urged." The cases of complaint against the British were 32; against the French, 26; against the Spanish, 10; against the Dutch, 1.2 France de clared war against Spain March 16, 1793. Spain issued a counter declaration March 23, in which it was stated that the two countries had really been at war since February 26, on Am. State Papers, For. Rel. I. 141, 142. 2 Id. 423, 424, 461. 991 |