Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-12-29


The following are copies of letters which have
passed between Mr.. Livingston, now a Represen-
tative in Congress from Louisiana, and the Empe.
ror Of Russia: G.Naf. Int
Copy ofa letter to the Emperor of the Rtssios
SIRE /: Hsving understood. in the course Of the
last year, that the Commission instituted in tn.
year 1904 for framing code of civil and criminal
law for the Empire Of the Russias, had not ye,
finished the great work entrusted to them, 1 took
the liberty OF addressing to bis Excellency the
Baron de TUYALL the plan aRd specimens of
criminal code prepared for ofthe United States
which requested him 10 offer to the iilustrious
and lamented predecessors of your Imperial Males
~. In the letter which accompanied it, my mo-
tives for submitting my report to the notice of his
| Imperial Majesty were thus expressed Z" The
| work whichth great PETER projected, and which
for century has occupied the attention of his sue
cessors, is one, in which not only Russia, but the
whole civilized world, has an interest. However
civil or religious institutions may vary, whatever
| changes may be required by different forms of
government, different habits diversity of nat
ural causes, there are certain great, eternal, and
| Interchangeable principles of justice, which yield tn
| no control, the same in all climates, and ac-
cord with every religion; which superior to
| every habit, and should dictate the edict of the
Monarch well the statutes of the Republic.
The enlightened views of his Imperial Majesty have
directed that these principles should form the basis
| of the great work which is calcsted to perpetua,e
his name, by ;he fares, Of all his many titles, to
the grsti,ude of his People. Ju.linian.was pro-
| found politician; conqce; or, s. the absolute mas
ter of mighty Empire: Bat his victories are
forgotten, his conquests lost, his race is ex-
tinct, and his Empire long since subver,ed; yet
his laws, after the lapse of fifteen centuries, gov
| ern the greater part of the civilized world, and he
| is known and remembered only by the benefits
which his legislation has conferred on mankind.
4 he a eo,Io of l,iu r.
executed according to the plan he has presented,
will enti,le him to higher place in the esteem OF
the present generation and the gratitude of poser-
ty; he will have created, where the Roman Lesis-
la,or only copied and collated. Justinian found
his empire governed by the same law; his only labor
was TO revise and digest it. Alexander has an
hundred different systems 10 compare, thou
sand conflicting customs to amalgamate or recon-
eile; and, proportioned to the difficulty, will be
the fame and utility of his work. When promul-
gated, II will become the common property OF
all nations, and trust that my will be enrich
ed with maxims of jurisprudence drawn from tina,
abundant source. Considering all isnprovemen in
civil and criminal Legislation the common pro,
perty of all nations, each should contribu to
its perfection, and therefore pray your Excellen-
cy to render acceptable to his Imperial Majesty the
small tribute that is offered in the plan and exit. cts
which accompany this letter. Should they con-
tain any thing to induce his Imperial Majesty &c
believe that the work, when completed, will af
ford any aid TO the laLors Of his Commission, il
shall be furnished soon it comes from the
> press"
The two irs codes, referred to in the preceding
letter, having been since completed have request
ed our Minister, Mr.. Middleton, 10 offer them &c
your Imperial Majesty, under the conviction that
succeeding to the virtues the liberal policy, and
enlarged views, as well 10 the Empire, of A,
lexander, your Majesty will not abandon the re.
form he wa- prosecuting; and that perhaps some
thing may be found in the pages which | respect
fully present that may be useful in is prosecution
With the greatest respect, have Tie honor 10 be
your Imperial Alaiesiy's most ob't serv't
EDW. LIVINGSTON.