French Spoliation Claims (Hazard Diary 059)

My father had forty thousand dollars of acknowledged “French Claims” for account of spoliation at sea when French men of war and privateers captured vessels at sea, during a war that was raging between France and Great Britain; the French being so short of funds that the government therefore permitted, at least winked at.

These claims were placed in hands for collection, of a friend of his, a highly distinguished and most honorable man, and a citizen of Boston, Mass.  Mr. Russell having died, these papers were sought for by Executor of Mr. Russell, but they could not be found.

It was therefore supposed that these claims were worthless, until it appeared that the United States Government had assumed the payment of these claims, but have not yet paid them, though there have been [many] years past, though constantly petitioned to do so; especially by members of families who have become poor, but thus far, in vain.  

Jos. P. Hazard, Sept.  10th, 1889

Transcribed by Jessica Wilson