Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-07-14
THE AMBASSADOR TO FRANCE.

f''F' = oE ~ IN u
Gentfemen-fNhe appointment of Mr.. Rives as Am
bassador to France. has struck me- will no, say
with s~urprize, forI have for some wears fortified nv
nerves against the access of that teeliug-but as so
singular an event, under the circumstances, that ! am
under the necessity of seeking n solution of the ruZ-
Zie from yon genfleneD of ,ke Press, who not only
know every thing, but rs Paddy would add, more too.
hat Is not less remarkable than the appointment
Itself, Is the universal concurrence among Greek and
Trojan, in its fitness and proprietv. All other ap-
polntIncnts, important or unimPortant made by the
present powers, have been scanned with some sever
ity. and defended with a go the whole devotion; that
OF MIR. RIves alone, seems to have been considered
unexceptionabIe by the NAL contents. and Wanted as
snPerexceHent and redeeming, by the advocates of
the AdmiDistr ton. This difference appears TO me
unaccountable.
/ speak from my personal knowledge of Mr. Riyes.
for have known him long and well; / speak from
my knowledge of the estimation in which he is and
was held, by the greatest men that Virginia has rails
ed-when | affirm that his appointment as Minister
Plenipotentiary TO France, and the general and fiat
terlng acqulescence m thc righteousness Of the selec-
ton. considering the temper of the times, and every
I thing else, one AMONG the most remarkable incidents Of
the dav.
] would not do Mr.. Rivcs the ininsfice, or incur the
suspicion of ins!ncerify which would Justly lie arainst
me-, It l did, of denying him talent. He NAV even
have ample talent in The abstract. for conducting the
important pending negotiations with Francc-nepo-
tiafions complicated, and involving an immense prop
erty-That Is not the point from which the aspect of
the case strikes me as singular-it is that so many
others, more able, more experienced, supposed to
stand equally well in the sunshine OF favor, should
have been set aside for him.
Mr.. Rives' public career has been a verv short one,
FOR indeed he Is a very young man, and the most
youthiulo OF Ministers Plgnipotentiary. lie came in
to the House OF Delegates about 1875 I think. and
remained there until bc went to CONGRESS in I823
oT o., ! really forget which. Were } to saw that he
was not disting in the House of Deleyotcs 7
should do him injustice. He 1eqs distisruished-
distinguished far regular attention to his duties. groot
courtesy Of manner, and for the part be took on two
important occasioDs-the attempt to stay EXECUTIONS.
about the year 1919, and on the controversy with
kentucky Ills speeches on both occasions, display
cd Research. and capacity for arranrnmenf and reae
onlng. 1t is certainly true that the fypre no mad
on thoSe Two occasions was highly crediiabIo IN On
young Il man; but it is quite ms true. that HE 1irbt
was tbat OF the moon, reflected from a higher and
more original source. II was calculated to enh, nce
his reputation for talent, that be sfood ap,ono 81
younger mon IN the Virginia Legislature Of thai d.
asiho Sierra Moreno stands IN The country to wI,nso
Vicln'ty ms 3oihg-aIone rs 10 any promise of en-.
lnence. Ills elevation was cOmprfed. not f-o,, tLo
comparative height Of nciphborinT aud rivs limo rnov Wv
tains, but frotn the fiat surface around he bsSe IT,
ls sure 10 deceive MS, when we ofof,n, r. 49,
by ITS single aid; without bringing the relations IF
things TO n commo standard Of nImeasurowo,s
There wa- in The time Mr.. Rives was in the L.co;s
azure had been for many years before, and contin-
ued to- be for some years after, n SINGULAR Acer,b
OF JUNIOR talent IN that body; and with the ev.
c"ptlon Of the session Of 1871. and ono ~ t,a
n dearth Cf senior talent. The e,o,o IS
mugs was iayoTnbie Tor any young man gifted with
TIE slightest superiority TO make a favorable imDres.
sion.
Mir Rives got to Congress without dificuItv and
wi'nenf opposition. His career there. resembles in
az respects, that which he pursrcd in the House Of
Delegates: a stradv attention 10 fhedmics of tho Re.
prsSen awe, compIaIsance Of deporfnIeut towards
al teNcept ] bpi"vc those whose coun,o,ance he
-9dged would not advance ins i~utcrestsl and occasion
n.y. y ride IN the way IF a speech. on State Rirbfs. /
with the exception of ono OF two very credi.a5le lis.