INDEMNIFICATIONS.
The justice of these ought to be admitted by Great Britain,
whenever the claim is founded on violations of our rights
as they may be recognized in any new arrangement or understanding
between the parties. But in cases, of which there
are many examples, where the claim is supported by principles
which she never contested, the British Government ought to
have too much respect for its professions and its reputation,
to hesitate at concurring in a provision analogous to that
heretofore adopted.
It is not satisfactory to allege that in all such cases, redress
may be obtained in the ordinary course of judicial proceedings.
If this were true, there would be sound policy as well as
true equity and economy in transferring the complaints from
partial tribunals occupied with a great mass of other cases,
to a joint tribunal exclusively charged with this special trust.
But it is not true that redress is attainable in the ordinary
course of justice, and under the actual constitution and rules
of the tribunals which administer it in cases of captures.
Of this, the facts within your knowledge and particularly
some which have been lately transmitted to Mr. Monroe are
ample and striking proofs; and will doubtless derive from
the manner of your presenting them, all the force with which
they can appeal to the sentiments and principles which ought
to guide the policy of an enlightened nation.
I have the honor to be, &c.
