Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-01-15

which the Antocrat exercises; aud 1t Is we'll
known also that he pretends feel great friend
shin for the United States. Ii is duty to cul-
tiyate this feeling We know our situation Is
delicate as regards the European Powers. What
is to be done? How are we to improve our con-
ditions Not by confding our affairs to persons
who have no hs her qualifications, than th: they
are gentlemen of Virginia. We want somebody
at the Court of Russia 10 hold intercourse with
the Autocrat-to meet him face to face, not
on Bonded knee-to be there on The spot, anu
honestly communicate our honest wishes. we
do not wish Minister who is to he continually
an absentee. He intended no disrespecttul re-
Elections on the gentleman, but we want man
who can talk to the Autocrat in reference to the
mutual interests of the two countries. Such
one do we want at the Court of Russia. The
gentleman from Virginia tells Us that MIR. Ran
dolph has done great services 20 the country, that
he is distinguished for hi. talents and 81 FORTH
Well let that pass But It vas not merely be-
cause person had figured well on the floor Of
Congress, that he is TO be selected as minister.
We want man who can do the business of the
country-who can present himself before the
Emperor, and tell him what we deem 10 be the
suitable relations between us. Is it merely be-
cause MIR. Randolph has in certain fashion dis
tinguished himself on the foot of Congress, that
he has been selected as minister? He Mr. Nj. J
believed that he understood the character OF MIR.
Randol phi as well as any man; and valued his
talents about as high as any one; but here Is a
plain matter OF business; and we want a man
who will be on the spot, aud stand by our inter-
ests, and look the emperor in the face. He un-
derstood that the gentleman was IN delicate health
and could not stand the rough winter OF Mus
cOvite climate. Well. we want some one who
can; and not minister who is obliged to retreat
from the inclenency of Russian atmosphere,
to the more congenial climate Of France, and to
leave the interests which have been entrusted to
him in the hands of a secretary. Something so
this effect had been stated to us in the newspa-
pers as we'll as in the Message. Mr.. NJ. then
referred to the clamor which was raised when
Mr. Rufus King was sent to England by the
late administration, because his state Ut health
was such as to render it impossible for him to
remain; vet we are now called on to vote SAL
ary for minister who mas merely made his bow
at Court and staid ten DAYS, and then left the bu-
slness of his mission to Secretary: and we are
told that the purposes Of his mission were sue
cessfulv fulfilled while he remained there. Ii
all that is required to be done, can be as well
done BY the secretary. as by the minister, let
the minister remain in the United States, in the
city of Washington, and let him do all by cor
respondence with the Secretary at st. Petersburg
Let the plenipo stay here, and comm unicate
with his secretary there. No doubt if the En-.
peror can have his objects accomplished, he will
be satisfied with the minister we have sent him;
but we want one who will remain on the spot
If (he repeatedly secretary be sufficient to trans
act the business, let the plenipo remain at home.
and the secretary reside at the Court of Russia.
Mr. Burgess followed. and was succeeded by
Mr.. ]. S. Barbour, Mr.. Wayne, Mr.. Coke, and
MIR. Chiffon.
The last named gentleman, on obtaining the
floor, moved that the House do now adjourn.
which was carried in the afirmatve-Ayes 40,
The House then adjourned.