Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-07-14
THE AMBASSADOR TO FRANCE.
To THE EnIrnns


GenHemen-The appointment of Mr.. Rives as Am.
hassador to France, has struck me- will not saw
with surprize for have for some wears fortified nv
nerves against the access of that teeing-bnt so
singular event. under the crcumst ances that am
under the necessity of seeking "A solution Of puz
Ze nom you genuleTHen or the Press. who not only
know every hing hut ns Paddy would add, more too
What is not less remarkable than the appointment
itself is the universal among Greek and
Trojan, IN it's fitness and proprety. All other ap-
pontments, important or uDimportnnt made by the
present powers, have been scanned with some sever
ity, and defended with a 90 the whole devotion; that
of MI RIves alone, seems TO have been considered
uneXceptonable by the NAL conents. and Wanted "a
supercxcellent and redeemDg. by the advocates of
the AdmIDstr ton. This difference appears to me
unaccountable.
Ispeak from my personal knowledge of Mr. Rives
for have known him long and well; | speak from
my knowledge of the estimation in which he ia and
held, by he greatest men that Virginia has rais
ed-when affirm that his appointment as Minister
Pleupotentiary to France and the general and fiat
tering acqnescence tho righteousness of the seec-
ton, considering the temper of the times md everv
thing else, one among the most remarkable incidents Of
the day.
! would not do Mr.. Rvrs fhe Injustice or incur the
suspicion of insIncerIty which would Justly lie aranst
me, if did of denying him intent He may even
have ample talent in ne abstract. for conducting the
important pending negotiations with Francc-neg
tiatons compiled ed. and Involving immense prop
erty-That is not the point from which the aspect of
the strikes me singuar--it is that so MANY
others, able, more experienced. supposed 10
stand equally well in the sunshine Of favor should
have been set aside f.. him.
Mr.. Rives public cureor mas been verv short ono
| for indeed nc is n very Young man. and the most
youthful Of Ministers Plenipotentary. He came i'll,
to the House Of Delegates about 18l6 I think. md
/ remained there until be went to Congress IN 1923.
or p, really forget which Were 10 saw TINT bo
was not distinguished in the House of DELEGATES
should do him injustice. lie ,ons disfinOuishsd-
distinguished for regular attenicD 20 his duties greo,
courtesy of manner, and fr the part be- took on two
important OCcasions-tbe atempt 10 sfav oxecnt,rs
about the year 1919, and on the controversy with
Kentucky HIS speeches on both occasions disnav
ed research and CHpncty Tor arrangement and reeS
onIng VI Is certainly true that the figure he made
on @ose TWO occasions was highly credtabe 10 go
young man; but II is quite az true that his li,b
was that Of the moon, reflected from n bigber snd
more original source. II was calculated to enhance
his reputation for talent, that HI stood anono The
younger men IN the Virginia Legislature Of that dav
as tire Sierra NoTcna stands in the couutrv In ,,b
vicinity hcis golng-slone az TO any promise Of ON
inence. His elevation was computed not from the
comparative height Of neighboring and rivalnp noun
tains, but from the fiat surface around the base THO
eye ~ sure 10 deceive rs, when attempt 10 Judge
ny Hs single aid without bringing the relations of
things 10 common standard Of admeasurerne,,
There wa IN the time Mr.. Rives was in the Leois-
iature, had been for many years before and coniin
ueo 10 be Tor some year, after, singular dearth
OF junior talent in that body; and with the ey
cepnon of the session Of 1917, and one or two
individuals, dearth Of senior talent The state of
things was favorable for any young man aified with
the slightest suPerioriy,to make afovoTabe impress
sion. 'P'''
Mr. Rlves cot TO Congress without d;a3cnl,v and
without opposition. HIS CAREER there rcse,nRles h.
aH respects, tba which he pursued in the House OF
Delegates; steady attention 70 tho dtdis of tho no
presen aiive, eopplaisanee Of depoua,ent towards
all (eXcept / believe thnse whoee couuter,ncc L /
Judged would NOT advance ms utcrestsl and
ally, ride IN the way Of a speech on State Riob,s
WIN i've exception OF one or two very credtablc dis