Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-02-23

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Am not correct in saying that this fab
rc was wrought in the Department OF
State. Who but Mr.. Secretary Van
Buren, would have devised such mission,
or selected such a man to fill it, or caus-
ed such u printed paper TO be sent to this
House? We are told by it that our long
established Legation to Russia has been
totally changed; and that, in place Of a
permanently resident minister at that
court, regardless Of the public service, IA
mission has been invented to suit the tai
ents, the health, habits, and disposition
of the distinguished individual for whom
it was designed BY the very terms OF
this mission, this individual is required
to repair to Russia, but is authorized to
leave that court, and that empire, when
ever his health (and of that he alone is
the judge may require it. Who but the
Machiavclian politician at the head OF
the State Department would have adYis-
ed the President to such a mission, or
dared to place on document, prepared
to be sent to this House, such state
mcnt of its commcncemt II, progress,
and present condition. In what part OF
the constitution, or the laws Of the lnl-
ted States, or of the usages Of this gov
ernment, does he find any thing in sup
port of the measure? 1t will not be haz-
arding very much to say, this House
was never, before this time called upon
to pay such a salary for such services.
This distinguished Minister to Russia
is John Randolph. How does he un-
derstand the terms on which he agreed
to embark on this mission? The course
of conduct, pursued by him since his de-
parture may give US some knowledge on
this point'
We are left in nearly utter darkness
by the Department of State concerning
all the movements of this Minister; for
the Message merely tells us that he has
already taken benefit under the sinccure
clause in his charter of legation. lie
has left the Court of our illustrous friend
the Autocrat Of all the Russias, but
when, or for what other region? Here
the Secretary is cautiously silent. The
Chairman of the Committee on Foreign
Relations has been equally so. Can any
gentleman Of this committee either in
doctrinate us into this great my ystcry OF
State, or give US the light Of a single fact
concerning the voyages and travels OF
this Minister of ours; and let us know
whether he is now moving or stationary
Where is John Rsndolph? Where is
our Ambassador, for whose public servi-
ces Mr.. Van Buren, is calling upon US
to provide salary? We are told he is
not where he was sent; and that he had
permission to 90 thence when and with
or he might choose; but whether he is
in pursuit of health, now basliing in the
sunshine of Naples, or, for like purpose
traversing "thc fog wrapt island of Brit
ian," we are lcl, to learn from the same
authentic documents from which the
Chairman of the Committee on Foreign
Relations seems to have taken advice
rumor, and the public papers. These
have "talkcd Of his whereabouts" and
though, without giving daily bulletins OF
his health, habits, or motions; yet their
right to speak, and our right to hear,
cannot be questioned, when those who
know and could tell us the whole truth,
perscverc in safe and cautions silence.
If we arc left by the Secretary, with
out knowledge Of his movements or local
tiles, we are equally uninstructed by him
concerning the health of this Ambassa-
dor. We are merely told that he has
already availed himself of his right, by
the terms of his commission, to abandon
the public service. In what state OF
health was he then, is he now; or prob
ably will he be, at any future time? For
lcgislaing ON this subject, in what u-
mlnous condition this prescicnt Sccrcta-
ry has placed this House? We have an e.
qually distinct view OF the past, the pres
sent, and the future. Does any gentle
man of this Committee possess the power
TO tell us whether John Randolph might
now, or ever can be required, by the
terms ofhis legation, to return to the Court
Of Russia; Is not this salary intended
to be given to him for the distinguished
services already rendered at that Court
If his health continue TO require it, he
has, we are told, the right to choose his
place Of residence. What arc, what
have been his own opinions, concerning
that health. You have all seen him walk
into this House, and out of it, and must
know his own opinions concerning his
own health' We have often heard him
pronounce his chronic complaint, ga
church yard cough" In winter, che
should not live over corn planting," in
seed time, che should die before harvest. "
lie has for years been travelling from
Newly ork to Liverpool, from England
to France; from America to Europe, s.
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