Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-11-23

,ressiens, Other considerations COZ.
currisg to render it'aduisable atthis
,eriod to make a correspondent APP
,ointment,- &c. &C. The term in.
sormation,' relates exclusively to
facts. 1t is often called for by re-
solution. The term considerations
relates exclusively to opinions. They
are never intentionally called for
from the President by resolution,
On account offs evident indecorum.
The Senate being thus lcftStO itself
with, this diplomatic puzzle to
unrayel, commenced the perplexing
duty by endeavsring to ascertain.
what considerations, other than de.
sire to reciprosate diplomatic civil
lities with Sweden, could. at this
period, have in duced the President,
to nominate minister pienip6tentiary
on the part Of the U. States in ex.
change for a minister resident Oh
the part 6fSweden.
With such information, l as pos
sessed, after the best reflections ]
could bestov< upon tho subject, es-
sentially enlightened too by the .iu-
dicious reflections of other members
Of the Senate, ! could conceive Of
no considerations, which did not re
late to one of tho following ohejeets.
Either the interposition Of the good
Offices of Sweden to obtain peace
with Great Britain, % auxiliary to
the Russian mediation. was thus to
be solicited on the part off. States:
or the personal accommodation OF
Mr.. Russell was thus to be consult
ed !; it being known. that he was un-
willing to accept the appointment Of
minister resident.-Would either Of
these considerations justify this d.
plomatic eccen' risity in our foreign
Intercourse Tie first Of these con-
sideratiens gave to the transaction q
character deeply interesting to the
nation in many points of view. The
second, was of subordinate imp0r-
lance. 1t either presented a gene
raj change upon a point Of policy
held sacred by the government frnm
its commencement. to wit: not to ex-
tend political connections in Europe,
nor multiply diplomatic agencies
there, especially with the minor
powers, or, some special and great
object OF a temporary nature, to be
effected at this period. The first
Of these subjects suggests so many
delicate considerations towards the
minor powers IF Europe, that il will
be passed over with only few gene
raj remarks. The unfortunate geo.
graphical position Of the few remain.
ing powers of this description, in the
neighborhood Of the great powers on
the continent Of Europe. and the,
weakness Of the one, compared 10
the strength of the other, ncressari-
ly subjects the one, without the
smallest impntation upon the govern
meat, at all times, in some degree to
the influence Of the other !. Of course,
il is impossible in the nature Of things
that permanent, distinct. and indie
pendent political connection. can be
established between the IT,. Staies*
and any one Of these minor powers.
A political agent at any one of them
therefore, would have nothing to do,
and it is generally found, that one
placed abroad with nothing to do,
will find business for himself, by do.
ing mischief. At least it furnishes
him with an inducement to do 80, AS
he will readily conclude. that bis
place will not he Of long continuance,
without something to do. Instead
Of general change in this point of
policy, therefore, its propristy is
sanctioned, by beth experience and
reflection.
If then tho object WIS ola tempo
rary character, and consisted in the
policy of soliciting the Interpretation
ofSwsden. as auxiliary to the medi.
alton Of Russia, for the purpose Of
obtaining peace with Great Britain.
1t becomes question deeply inter-
esting to tue power and dignity Of
the United States to determine, whe-
Their on the 9th day of July last,
that policy ought to have been a.
dopted by the United States-that
IA commercial connection has for
long time e.risted bet1ceea the United
States and S,cedkn. This has no re-
lafion to political connection. 1t
Is s,lperintended by consuis, 1cho are
comnserciaL and not political agents.