Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-04-14

sion for Two years and four months, he received Tie sum
of Sl0. The committee are of opinion that under
these cucunstanceS, an allowance ouaht 10 be made,
at least equal 10 the average contingent expenditure of
other American Ministers 20 the same Government,
which is the bass of their estnatG.n the subloncd
statement.
Rem 3-IntereSt on OUTFIT &c.
This par; OF the claim is deemed by majority of the
committee nadissble, partly because it in,inated
TO Mr. Monroe. as he states, at the time he APP
pointed, that outfit would be allowed, and partly
because during portion OF the time for which interest
Is claimed the Government was somewhat in advance
with HIM The committee do not insist that interest
ought to be charged upon advances made to public
Ministers by way of Offset against interest other
claims which may be made by them, but, from the pc
culiariy of the present case this circumstance has
been considered as entitled TO weight eGlit-
able adjustment OF this claim.
Rrm 4-.qmotmt yaid (6y de,nuYagc, Sc.
This sum paid by MIR. Monroe stated, (See the
rccepL The committee being satisfied of the truth Of
the facts upon which this Is claimed, recommend
it proper 10 be allowed
Hcra 5coatingeat expenses Of he Mission 10 Great
Britain.
1t may be observed, in reference this item as we'll
as that for contingent expenses iii France that MIR
Monroe had not preserved the proper vouchers 10 us
~ lis admission by :hc rules of settlement in the De-
partment; he therefore claimed an allowance canal TO
that made at former period Mr.. King whose known
accuracy, added TO the circumstance of long station
airy residence, enabled him, as MIR. Monroe supposed
to supervise his expenditure with systematic at
! tenton. In deciding upon this item, the committee
have adopted the rule by which they propose TO
FIX the allowance for contingent expenses in France
VIZ tue average ct the allow 10 all our Minis
! teTe to the same Government.
Rea 6Ron,uacrGtion for erty7orcYi,9,. cr,eoSes in
Cured by detention ia IIasrlGnd Sc
1t appears that Mr. Monroe had been for some time
resident Minister in England, and, having concluded TO
return home, he had received permission and made his
arrangements for that purpose These facts are stated
by hrn' and are corroborated by the correspondence
subsequently in which frequent allusion is made 10 his
purpose OF returning home, (sec the communication
from the Secretary of State to the committee marked
!" and the correspondence referred toy It ia general
y admitted that public Niiniste Sin England cannot
without rigid economy, and very general seclusion
rom society, support family upon the salary allowed
by our law; if So it must be evident that temporary
residence liable 10 various expenses beyond that of
more permanent ono, would necessarily expose him To
an expenditure greater than the of his salary:
thc circumstances under which Mr.. Monroe was thus
detained, were beyond his control unless ne had disre
@arCd the solemn obligation of duty TO his country and
us Government These circumstances we're LIST The
seizure OF american vessels engaged in the colonial
carrying trade Cd Tie special mission with Mr. Pink
ney in 1905, which continued til 1907; and Cd The
attack on the Chcsapcakc
These important events rendered il impossible for
Nh Monroe, consistently with his duty TO carry into
effect his purpose Of retiring from the nssion while at
INC same Tune the expectation that the causes of his
detention would soon cease prevented him from chan
gh ms very expensive plan OF renting and hiring upon
Monroe subjected by reason of The orders of ;b
Government, and under circumstances not within his
CONTROL TO an expense considerably greater than the
amount o. ms salary, the only question that presented
itself to the committee was whether the Government
onght TO insist upon his sustaining the loss or whether
some remuneration ought TO be allowed II is unoues
uonabIy wise policy in our Government TO give mo-
dcrae salaries to public officers but il is incomratio
"lt that pulley 10 require them 10 devote their time
and talents 20 the public scr ice without
9uch Poicy IN oar country, where there so few
men o independent fortunes, would exclude from pub
nc employment great number of persons at least as
competent as tie few who able 10 serve tho ,ubEc
Tor the mere honor of Office The committee are
therefore, satisfied that considerations Of policy no less
''al justice require that some allowance should DC
made under this item. With view TO ascertain the
probable amount ofthc extraordinary expense then in
CURED by Mr. Monroe they addressed an inquiry 70
Hir Rush, late Minister to Great Britain whose resi-
daneo for several years in that country il was expected
would enable him 10 give The information they desired
'r kusiis letter III answer to this INQUIRY marked C.
contains very minnie statement of the relative eXpen
seS OF iFng' AT dcrent periods of engagements in We
stations OF public Minister in London which has satis
ned the coinlnee that the allowance claimed By Mr.
Monroe viii not mere than rcuneratc him for this ex
Uaotdinary expense In coming 10 This conclusion
the committee have rot been uDnindfu of the inlu
ence Of their decision precedent, asnuch as the
case IS peculiar one, and stated By Mr.. Monroe
himself has no precedent among the allowances here
toore made to public Minister'S This fact, however
shows t!'t such case Is rot likely to become an in
j.
that when 4 public Minister abroad shall determine
upon returning home, where the views Of the Go
vernnen may require his recall il will seldom happcn
hat upon the Of his intended departure after he
mad made all his arrangements for that purpose, the
public interest would demand such detention at such
increased expense and for long time as TO REQUIRE
an additional co'nPcnsaton but, where a case of this
nature shall occur ii will be for the proper authorities
under view of all the circumstances TO decide upon
as justice and policy may demand. Ii can scarcely
be doubued that ii would generally be better econo
n.y. such case TO dctain Minister at the place
than to send new ono with the additional expense of
an oniH, Who might perhaps be less conycrsant with
me important subjects conded 10 him, than one who
had been for some Sine engaged in their dscussion-
beheF, therefore, tie allowance proposed be consi
dcred IN the character OF PRECEDENT or as measure
OF justice, It seems not less incumbent upon the Co
vernmcEi 10 grant tiic remuneration.
ihe Only remaining subject for consideration is the
claim Of interest. TIE committee forbcar To 90 into
an examination Of tic arguments which have often
been advanced 10 sustain oppose hc payment of in
Ieres' ~ '"a government upon claims where there was
10 specific contract TO t!at clccs.
Ii VIII sefcc 90 observe, that dis Government has