294            JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS           [Feb. 9,

1800, by which renunciation those sufferers were not only
forever debarred the mediation of their own Government, but
lost all claim, in every form, against France, for the wrongs
that had been inflicted on them; and, whereas, although it
was the privilege of the United States thus to avail herself of
the means which the grievances of her citizens afforded to re-
lease the Union from a corresponding liability for indemnifi-
cation, but above all, from the treaty obligation referred to,
which, if continued, would have entangled this country in all
the wars to which France was a party, yet it became the con-
sequent duty of the United States to assume the satisfaction
of those claims of her citizens which she so used, as the rich
consideration to France for an inestimable benefit conferred on
this country. And whereas, any other view would be repug-
nant to the sacred duty of protection which bound the United
States, and under which she undertook to vindicate those de-
mands of her citizens and to enforce their redness, and would
imply a right in the Government of the Union to avail itself of
the misfortunes of a portion of her citizens to accomplish a
national good at the sacrifice of individual interests, entitled
to her care and confided to her as their necessary and only
guardian; and whereas, citizens of Maryland, sufferers to a
large extent, have asked this indemnification from the Con-
gress of the United States, as a debt thus devolved upon the
United States; and from various quarters of the Union the
same appeals are made to Congress for this manifest but long
deferred justice. Therefore, be it resolved by the General
Assembly of Maryland, that the Senators and Representatives'
from this State in Congress be, and they are hereby requested
to promote the granting of prompt and full indemnification
to said claimants. And be it further resolved, that the Gov-
ernor be, and is hereby requested to transmit to our Senators
and Representatives in Congress a copy of these resolutions.

And Whereas, after the long interval elapsed since this
General Assembly so declared and resolved, and said injured
claimants, very many of whom are citizens of Maryland, are
still found soliciting justice from the United States.

And Whereas, measures to obtain that justice are now pro-
posed in the Congress of the United States; therefore,

Be it resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, that
we do now re-affirm the views, and renew earnestly and re-
spectfully the solicitations of the aforesaid Resolutions and
Preamble passed in the year eighteen hundred and thirty-
six, and trust that the enactments now proposed in Congress
may be adopted, and that the indemnification so long delayed
and so often sought may be now promptly afforded to the suf-
ferers.

And be it resolved that the Governor be and he is hereby