Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-04-10

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This mart of the claim is deemed by ma
iority of the committee inadmissible, partly be-
cause il was irtimated to Mr.. Monroe, as he
states, at the time he vas appointed, that no
outfit ould 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 polio Ministers, oy way Oh
offset against interest on olner Chains "i II,
may be made by them, but, from the Peeuiiat'
ity of the present case, this circumstance. mas
been considered as entitled 10 some weight 4"
an equitable adjustment Of this claim.
lem 4-amount paid for demurage, &c
This sum was paid by Mr.. Monroe, as sta
ted. Csee the receipt) The committee being
s,,;s6ed of the truth of the facts upon which
this sum is claimed, recommend II as proper
to be allowed
lien, 5-Contingem expenses Of the Mission to
Great Britain.
II may be observed, in reference to this item
as well as that for contingent: expenses ipFrance
that Mr.. Monroe had noTpreserved the proper
vouchers to justify its admission by the rules
of settlement in the Department; he therefore
claimed an allowance equal to that made at
former period 10 Mr.. King, whose known &C.
curacy, added to the circumstance OF long
stationary residence, enabled him, as Mr. Mon
roe supposed, to supervise his expenditure
with more systematic attention. In. deciding
upon this item, the committee have adopted the
same rule by which they propose 20 fix the al
lowance for contingent expenses In France, VIZ
the average of the amount allowed to all our
Ministers IN The same Government.
Item 6-Remaneration for extraordinary e1pences
incurred By detention in England, &c.
1t appears that MIR. Monroe had been tor
some time resident Minister in England, and,
having concluded to return home, he had re-
ceived permission, and made his arrangements
for that purpose. These facts stated by
him, and are corroborated by the correspon-
dence subsequently, in which frequent alluslon
is made to his purpose Of returning home, (see
the communica alton from the Secretary OF State
to the committee marked F, and the correspon-
dence referred toy 1t is generally admitted
that public Minister in England cannot, with
out rigid economy, and very general seclusion
from society, support family upon the salary
allowed by our law; if SO, it must be evident,
that a temporary residence, liable to various ex-
penses beyond that Of a more permanent one,
would necessarily expose him 10 an expenditure
greater than the amount of his salary; the cir
cumstances under which Mr. Monroe was thus
detained, were beyond his control, unless he
had disregarded the solemn obligation OF duty
10 his country and its Government. These cir
cumstances were lst. The seizure OF American
vessels engaged in the colonial carrying trade
I'd. The special mission with MIR. Pinkney III
so6, which continued till 1907; and Sd. The
attack on the Chesapeake.
These important events rendered II impossI-
bic for Mr.. Monroe, consistently with his duty,
to carry into effect his purpose OF retiring from
the mission; while, at the same time, the eX-
ectation that the causes Of his detention
would soon cease, prevented him from chang
ing his very expensive plan OF renting and hir.
ing upon short engagements. Being FULLY per
uaded that Mr.. Monroe was subjected, by
reason Of the orders of the Government, and
under circumstances not within his control, to
an expense considerably greater than the a
mount of his salary, the only question that pre-
,ented itself to the committee was, whether the
Government, ought to insist upon his sustain
ne the loss, or whether some remuneration
ought to be allowed. 1t is unques,ionably a
wise policy in our Government 10 give moder-
are salaries TO public officers, but it is incom-
Datible with that policy to require them to de-
vote their time and talents TO the public SER
vice, without compensation: Such policy IN
o,Ir country, where there are so few men OF in
dependent fortunes, would exclude from public
employment grea! number OF persons, at least
as competent as the few who are able TO serve
the public for the mere honor of office. The
are, therefore, satisfied that oonsid-
erations Of policy, no less Than justice, require
that some allowance should be made under this
item. With view to ascertain the probable
amount Of the extraordinary expense then in-
CURED by Mr.. Monroe, they addressed an IN
quiry to Mr.. Rush, late Minister to Great
Britain, whose residence for several years IN
that country it was expected would enable
him to give the information they desired. Mr..
Rush's letter in answer TO this inquiry, mark
ed & contains very minute statement OF the
relative expenses OF living, at different periods
Of engagements in the stations OF public Min
lster in London, which has satisfied the COM
mittee that the allowance claimed by Mr. Mon
roc, will not more than remunerate HIM tor
this extraordinary expense. In coming 10 this
conclusion, the committee have not been un-
mindful of the influence of their decision as a
nrecedent, inaSmuch as the case is peculiar
one. and. as stated by Mr.. Monroe himself, has
no precedent among the allowances heretofore
made to public Minister'S, This fact, however
shows that such case is not likely to become