Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-08-02
TIE MISSION TO RUSSIA.

TIC Ocildtc OF the. OnliCu OlateS, we nave
olready stated, have rejected the nominate
an of Mr. GALLATIN as one of of the Mini .
sters to Russia. This circumstance appears
to us to call for a few remarks in making
which, though we have no intention to wound
the feelings of any individual, we shall speak
with that plainness and freedom which be-
Comes the occasion.
Three causes must have operated, Jointly
or separately, on the minds of those gentle
men who voted against confirming the nomi-
nation. The avowed objection, ard Of course
the most plausible and important one. is.
that Mr.(IallatiD, whilst holding the ofice
of Secretary of the Treasury, and without
resignngir, was appointed a Minister to
Russia Had Mr.. G. continued ak the same
time TO receive the salaries or perform the
duties attached TO both Offices, the objection
would perhaps have been conciusivc--cer-
tainly very cogent. But, during the absence
OF MIR. G.. en- this Mission. which was ex
pec,ed TO be as temporary rs it was sudden,
the duties ct ais Office were performed by
others, and the salary received. by no one
The President, doubtless willing to avail
himself Of Mr.. Sallaiie's particular qnalifi-
cation for arranging advantageouslv for the
United States the details of a commercisi
treaty, selected him as enc of the mission,
without depriving the United States of his
future services in public station of the
highest Importance, which he had allied hi
therto vi Il sa much advantage to the nation
and credit to his own ability and integrity.
On this ground it was, that the nomination
was rejected ; on this ground, we say, be-
cause we are convinced that 1T least one
vote III the Senate was Influenced by this re-
hHed jealousy OF plurality OF uiiice--and one
vote changed would have turned the scale.
Our readers viii judge whether the >objec
tion was not more ingenious than solid, and
whether It ought to have been sufficient TO
outweigh some more import ant consderati
ons which obviously present themselves,
and to which we shall presently adver'.
A second motive Hay be supposed to have
had operation ON the minds Of some mem
bers. separately or in connection with the
first. in our determining their decision -
That is per.ano!y hostility. Ws know, and
every one knows who has taken the trouble
TO notice the current Of events for six or
eight years past, that Albert Gallatin has
been violently hated by some men. for what
reason we never could divine and they alone
car tell. We cannot but beiies that he is
hated, because envied, by some for his vir-
tues and transcendent talents, which they
fancy have given him an influence with his
fellow-citizens which they can never hope
20 attain. and which they thersfo labor to
DESTROY. He has failed TO win the esteem
ofothers, because his firm and unbending
Republican spirit would never stoop to fat
ter the follies of foibles, or consult the ca
prics, or would be dictators in the discharge
OF his Official functions.
tleis n man wte without sustaining him
self on any other prop than conscious reosi-
tu6e OF intention and integrity OF soul, has RI
sen superior 70 the most cnvenGmed and
deadly assaults from anonymous pamphle-
tecrs, urged on by all the personal and poll
ticnl influence of individuals of prominent
standing in the nation. lie has alike sustain
ed unhurt the Injuries inflicted by the indis
Greet partially of ofiicious friends, and the
pertnacious attacks or misguided and delu-
ded enemies. Such man, whose charac
ter we are proud during his absence to VIM
dcatc, however his individual feelings may
be wounded, can sustain no injury at home
or abroad, from The hostility which has been
exhibited to him on this occasion. The
world will a..vibute 20 It's true cause this
persecution. The Senate of the u. States
ought to be and undoubtedly is, the most
august and elevated body in the world but
even in that body faction may obtain mo
mentary triumph, by avaiIing itself of the
hone st prejudices of the soundest and most
undertaking politicians in the nation.
The third and last motive which may
have been supposed to have operated on
this occasion, is. political hostility. This
was fair objection and had right to liz
fiuence those who belorg to the Federal
Party. We cannot help thinking, however,
that political Jealousy might have keen rec
mitted ON snoccasion like this, where the re
lection of ore member might hazard the sue
cess of Mission, the only object of which
was 10 procure an honorable peace, for
which that Party are anxious to be consider
ed as exclusively solicitous.
So much for the causes of the rejection
sf Mr.. Gallatin's nomination. We viii add
few words only on the state in which it
leaves the Embassy. We predicate these
remarks, the reader will observe, on the
idea that Great Britain will accept tie Me-
diation of the Emperor of Russia. This we
are inclined to believe, notwithstanding the
unnannerly violence OF the London Courier
(he leading ministerial print) On this coca.
cinn--because, the Language OF that print
frequently ontruns that of the Ministry, and
Il is oroyerbiai for its retractioBs on the subs
iect of American affairs. A remark made
In Parliament by Mr.. Vansittart. the pre-
sent Chancellor Of the British Exchequer,
fmp,r.iEg a disposition 10 accede to the
Mediation, has more weight on our minds
than ali the rant and passion Of all the 5lus-
tering journalists in that country. We be-
Ieve the Mediation will be accepted; il VIC
have no better ground for the relief, we will
a. least believe what we wish.
Tie negoeanon will have commenced,
ling before The decision of the Senate on
This nomination can reach Russia. If likely
40 arrive ct IN amicable termination, it will
have progressed 90 far, under the auspices
Of Messrs. Galatin, Adams and Bayaid,