Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-20
MONDAY. NOVEMBER 20, 1896.
REMARKS
PRINTED AND ruHLIsuED,
DAILY,

kEMARhS
On the Claims Of MIR Monroe (referred to in his 'sMe-
mor,' published in the National lntelligencer Off
yember Is, 1926
[Continuedl
Such are the claims Of MIR. Monroe and the
ground on which they rest, and 1t is not per-
ceived on what sound principle they, or either
ofthem, can be rejected, with the interest on
each, from the time thatit becomes due I'll
paid. IL injustice was done to him, oy with
holding the money TO which he was entitled, In
any instance, no good cause can be assigned
for refusing 10 render justice to him at the
time. Was any allowance made TO him, in
other instances, in his missions, or was more
expended by him, in any branch of his services,
than was expended in like service by others?
Nothing of the kind can be alleged with truth.
No accommodations was afforded to him in any
instance, which was not afforded TO every other
Minister. and Ike utmost economy was practis-
ed by him throughout his several missions,
which was practicable. He claims only to be
put on a footing with others, under circum-
stances which exposed him 10 greater expenses
than they, and in the instances, in which dit
ference was made to his prejudice, simply by
the payment Of the money, which, on that prin-
ciple, was due, with interest on 1t from the time
il became due till paid. He does not ask an
indemnity for losses sustained by the withhold
ing the money from him in the way of damages,
however just the claim might be; what that
would amount to, has not been stated, but IL
may De shown that il would be great Nor has
he asked compound interest, which he has been
compelled to pay himself.
AS to the period at-whch the interest should
commence on well founded claims, that seems
to be too obvious, and is too well established in
transactions between individuals in private life,
4
come due, if due at all? Where was he at the
time, and on what account did it become due?
Each item speaks for itself. Those of the first
mission became due for the contingencies, an
nually, and for his detention in France during
the winter, when he could not leave the coun-
try, at the time he sailed, which was on the
goth of April, 1897. Those Of the second mis-.
sion. on the outfit withheld, from the time OF
his appointment till paid, or allowed. On the
payment Of MIR. Hicks, for the passage engaged
for him and his family in vessel in which
they did not sail, from the date of the payment
made 10 him. For the contingencies in Eng
land, and expenses incurred by his detention al
ter his return from Spain, annually for the one,
and on the termination OF his mission IN the o.
Their; though l am inclined to think that 1t
should be annually in both. a those periods,
the money claimed was expended by him, and
was borrowed and is still due; on which he has
paid an interest, simple and compound, for a
great part Of the sum, through Tie whole inter-
vening space To FIX the commencement OF
The interest allowed 10 him to later periods,
would not be- 10 render TO him Justice, especial
iy after so long delay He was i'll France, or
England, when the money was expended, and
he could not meet the expenses, nor get home,
without borrowing it, nor borrow without pay
ing the interest on it,
Such claims should not be settled by the or
binary rules which apply to transactions at
home, because The situation Of the party is diff
ferent, and In circumstances OF peculiar interest
TO the country as well as 10 the individual. The
character Of our Republic, which is looked at
with jealousy, by the monarchs OF Europe, is
connected not only with the official conduct OF
the minister, but with every inciden. attending
him while there. For the errors, and even the
vices, of the ministers Of each other, liberal al
lowances are made, but no such indulgence is
shown TO us. He must support the rank Of the
station while at their respective courts, and I'M
iii his retirement from their countries, or his
nation will be degraded. Simplicity at home,
even among the most wealthy Of our citizens,
is commendable. The spirit of our govern
ment requires it, But in our intercourse with
foreign Powers, in the grade in qaestion, some
accommodation, with the usages of each, in
their respective countries, is necessary. To
depart from it is deemed contempt, and cannot
fail to be productive of injury. The burden Of
these charges fell with great force on Mr.. Mon
roe in his last mission. A minister to a single
Power may, after establishing himself, retire
from society if he chooses, and, supporting a
decent appearance when forced into it, NAV sus-
tain his credit. But one who is minister at the
same time 10 three of the principal Powers of
Europe, and who moves from one to the other,
is always in the circle Of those who compose
the court Of each, and exposed, in consequence,
andy necessity,io the greatest expense posi-
BILE.
The act of Limitation has been urged as an
objection 10 these claims, but Can il be plead a,
!. gainst person who has been almost the whole
of his time in the service of his country, and a
large portion of il when not abroad, in stations
which rendered it impossible for him to touch
the subject! Can the act of limitation ever be
P'ead oy the Government in its own favor, TO
'usu'y reiassl to repair an injury done by it.