Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-01-18


conduc, aud situation of hIr. Randolph, He spoke
of the motion a covert attack the President.
Mr. S,anberry reminded the House of the causes
of complaint which had been urged against the late
Admins, ration. We had heard much Mt that peri
od of tuctive journeys, and this topic drew forth
abundant vitupcration from the opponents of that
Administration. Was he (Mr. ST. correct in sta
ting that this gentleman mad not resided mt tho Cour,
of Russia? Was he correct in stating that he would
not reside thee' 1t was wsl known tina he could not
reside IN that Climate IN the winter indeed any
other season The residence of Mr.. Randolph there
fore. must be deemed constructive residence fit
was necessary to have minister at Russu it. mf1s,
be necessary that he should reside there to attend to
our interests IL was inslnuated that by his w1ntion
! he had made covert blows at the President
| He asked if it was aiming covert blow to
make the President adhere to the prin
ciples which brought him into power. He
was sure that IT he honorable gentleman himself
were now on this floor, he would take the same
course which he himself had now TAKEN under SINH
lar circumstances; for he had often listened with de-
light to that individual when complaining of similar
abuses under former Administration
Mr. Archer then rose and stated that had he been
in his seat when this motion yesterday made he
should have been prepared to make the explsnation
| which he felt himself now bound 10 submit to the
| House; and which would probably be ed from
him, account of the situation which he occupied in
this House. What he asked the real purport Of
this motion! 1t was to suspend the whole Of orr
| diplomatic relations with Russia; and that this
House, to whom that particular function has not been
confided. should take IL itself suy in this col
lateral and indirect mode, that there shorld be a.
interruption Of our diplomatic relations with the first
| mower in the world, power which has given greater
demonstrations of regard the United States than
any other nation, could not for moment be justified
by any precedent or sound principle. He could not
therefore, be expected 10 furnish argument against
proposition standing such ground 4. he ha sta
| ted
MI. 4. then proceeded to tskc view OF The vart-
Gus imputatons which had bera east against Mr.
Randolph, and the Presidsn, i,- k1- this nnnoint
| I'M ho Dph'i II
the distinguished talcats ~ SIR Randolph; his dis
tingushed services, and his eSpeciai claim on the
Administration, in consequence of MS being Vir-
ginian. and member of the party BY which the pre-
sent Administration had been placed in powor He
considered the selection Of individual 10 fill n din
lomatlc station TO be entirely at the discretion of the
EXecutive and If even this were question for the
House. THIS he deemed 70 be improper time for
its discussion He inquired if the House ounht To
take up io7tiug inputatons. from the public news
papers, and on this information found IFS determine
ton that should have No further Diploma
tic relations with the Court Of Russia lie sun
posed that even if the Executive had made a mis-
take III fhe selection OF this ndividua it not one
or that character which mcrited all the mputation
which mad been cast upon him. a public servant
distinguished for his grea: talents and LONG services
had voluntarily retired from public life and surren
! dered his seat in his House; and could any act be
more honorable than the rewardnr of such n ro,n
IN such situation, by one who came in to power bv
| the vote of that party to which this gentlemen be
longed? Nothing, he affirmed. could be more nronar
than that the President should seize the opportunity
! of giving to the gentleman what he had no, as,e6
but what he emneutly deserved. Was it a selec
ton unworthy of the President? Was it not one
which the dominant party in this country had ripht
to excep-what the individual himself had right
TO expect, although he had not asked for II,
Hefurtner stated thatit had been in,puteS agains,
thei President that Mr.. Randolph had been Sc
acted, because he would have nothinp to do at the
tons there to be executed. He (STr a was in a
situation to speak knowingly on this subject: and he
could assure the House that business of great ,nor
lance to the United States has been confded to our
minister. lie had therefore, not only sometime to
do, but something of great Importance al,iIono6 he
deemed it to be but justice to Mr.. Randolph TO say
that 1t was not of character to demand his inne
date action. True, like I'll other duties of our
public iuHctionares the sooner his duties were ut
tended 10 the better. But the business committed
to Mr.. Randolph could not suffer detrment from de-
lay.
1t had also boon mado ground of charge. that
the minister had assumed the privilege to exercise
n discretion as to the direction of his time and the
situations of his residence. lie replied to this that
Mr.. Randolph had only used privilege which was
freely accorded to him by the Executive before no
went out and which was due to the delicarv IF bs
constitution and the precarious state of his health
1t had been supposed, and the motion was predi-
Gated ON the supPosition, that Mr. Randolph would
not return to Russia. He was now enabled to in
form the uouse that it was the expectation of tba
government and the intention of Mr. Randolnb
himself, that he would return to Russia dur;nr tho
ensuing ne was also authorized from an in
spection of correspondence to declare that both
Count Nesse'rode the present, and Prince: Iieven
the late minister of Foreign Affairs in Russia bo Il
expressed great satisfaction at the appointment of
Mr.. Randolph -
Mr. Mallary stated that thore were some rreat
considerations connected with this question which
demanded notice lie not disposed to speak of
the gentleman as a gentleman from Virpinin He
thought there were higher considerations to be view
ed, We wen know the influence which the Auto
crat exercises; and it is we'll known also that ho
pretends to feel great friendship for the United Sates
1t s our duty to cultivate this feeling We know
our situation IS delicate regards the European
Powers What is to be doue1 How are we to inn
prove our condition. Not by confdnp our affairs To
persons who have no higher qualifications than thai
they are gentlemen of Virginia We want some
body at the Court of Russia to hold intercourse
with the Authenticate meet him face to face not nm
Bonded knee-to be there on the spot and honestIv
TO communicate our honest wishes we do not
wish minister who is 10 be continually absentee
tie intended no disrcspecful reflection on the pen
teman, but we want who can talk to the |
Autocrat in reference u the mutual interests ofthe
two countries Such do we wont nj the Court
OF RIsla The gentleman from Virginia tells us that
Mr. Kandop pin has done great services TO the country
that he IL distinguished for his talents and so forth
wen, let that pHss But it not merely because |
person had figured well on the floor of Congress-