Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-01-18
From the Democratic Press.

from me OeWOCfuuC fICSS'
Among the efforts of the opposition, TO assai
the administrator of the general government,
an attack has recently been made in conse.
quence Of the allowance, by the President, Of
the accounts of John A. King, esq. late ChGrg:
dA0aies at the Court OF ST. James, which is
said to be an extravaganr, as we'll as unauthor
ised, waste Of public treasure.
An explanation Of the circumstances Of this
case is due to the Executive, and to the com.
| munity.
Mr.. King, on the departure Of his father, the
late Minister ofthe United States to Great Bri
tain, having been regularly presented as the re-
ore sentative Of the United States, became, &C.
cording 10 the established and uniform 2rac.
,ice of nations, the charge da6aires of the U.
| nIted States to that government; entered upon
the duties, assumed the responsibilities OF the
high trust, and remained in those relations, IN.
| til the arrival Of Mr.. Galatin, which event very
soon followed his appointment. On his return
| to the United States, he claimed, and was al
| lowed "the out fit" Of diplomatic agent OF his
| rank.
All who have knowledge of subjects Of this
kind, will at once affirm the justice Of such
provision in favor Of the official representative
| Of a nation, upon whom such duties devolve up.
on the departure Of the minister TO whom he
has succeeded. He enters al once upon the
functions and business Of his predecessor-his
relations to the government, at which he isac-
credited, are Of the highest importance and the
| most respectable station he must assume
in society, necessarily involves expenditures to
very serious amount-his intercourse with
the members of the corps diplomatiqus, the obi
cations Of hospitality 10 them and 10 his coun.
trymen, call upon him, from the moment ofhis
appointment, to expend considerable sum on
his establishment.
Iii to NEE, such irresistible and accus,om.
ed demands that the allowance, under the name
Of san outfit" is always made; and the dura-
tion Of his Office, unless it may have been origi-
nally limited 10 a certain period, ought to have
nothing to do with its amount. Uncertain as
to the length Of time be should continue in the
situation, as it depended upon the arrival Of Mr.
Ga!Iatih, who might be delayed by duties or
accident, il is more than probable that very
heavy expenditures were incurred by Mr.. King
at the earliest period Of his Office. There is,
therefore, manifest justice in the provision
which is made for such case.
But why should the allowance to Mr.. King,
if it is unreasonable, which is denied be imput.
ed as fault to the President. II is in strict
conformity with the practice Of our govern.
ment under the administration Of Mr.. Monroe,
and thus, from established rules, and frequep.
precedent, Mr.. King had right 10 claim and
insist upon the benefit Of the practice.
| II the case had been new one, we may ven
lure to suppose that different rule or mod.
i6cation Of the rule might have been adopted,
although we do not consider it called for. The
expenses actually incurred by the Charge daf
fapes upon his appointment, or consequent toit,
nigh. have constituted the items, by which the
amount Of the recompense would have been de.
termined. 1t is.said. aud we believe truly, that
claims Of the Charge d'Affairs at Stockholm
were presented for the consideration of the
Cabinet Ministers Of President Monroe, and it
was under the rule adopted on that occasion
that the accounts Of Mr.. King were allowed:--
Mr. adams then Secretary Of State, objected to
the outfit TO Mr.. Hughes, but his opinion ,cas orer
ruled.
Upon entering upon the duties of his Office
Mr.. Adams found the practice Of government
which authorised the claim of Mr. King in full
force and operation, and he Justly deemed him.
self bound by it,