French Spoliation Claims

Claims of two classes:(1) claims of American citizens arising out of depredations by French naval forces against American ships between 1793 and 1798, used by the United States government as an offset against claims of France against the United States in effecting a treaty with France, thereby becoming claims against the United States, some of which remain unpaid to this day, particularly claims held by insurance companies under the right of subrogation; (2) claims growing out of French seizure and confiscation of American ships and cargoes under a series of decrees issued by Napoleon, finally settled for about sixty cents on the dollar of the total award of damages made by a special commission.