Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1831-03-16

of a quantum nsruit, aud tell US Mr. Randolph is
entitled to receive It, and we are bound to make the
Russia for which he deserves to have this compen.
sstion.. What services was il intended he should
perform, what in fact did he performs; what, in SO
short q time, could be perform! We are told by the
honorable Chairman Of the Committee on Foreign
Relations, (Mr Archery and no man ever doubts his
caudor and correctness. that Mr. Randolph did not
perform what he was sent out to do. However
meritorious that might hs when done, he surely
does not deserve any compensation for not dong II.
How did this gentleman represent, when presented
at that Court, the form and body of our national
character by his appearance, his manners, conversa-
ton, and intercourse With the Imperial Family, the
Court, and Foreign Ministers, then and there repre-
senting the various sovereignties of Europe and Asian
l could give the history OF this ten days, this, which
VIII, IN our Russian Diplomacy, be called the lime
OF isandolph; I could give it from the most authen-
TIC testimonials; no: from rumor. but from the voice
of honorable intelligent men, who being there at the
time, have since returned to this county, and from
letters with which the Russian correspondence Of
our Atlantic cities has been crowded All these
speak but one language, express but one feeling
the irrepressible feeling Of wounded and mortified
patriotism. All these, instead of finding meri, in
this mans diplomatic achievements, look on them
with unutterable anguish, and leave no consolation
under the gibes and jeerings Of foreign nations. but
the memory of the past, when the dignifed charac-
!sr OF our hepu9lie was represented IN Europe by
FRANKLIN Jay, Adams, Livingston, Jefferson, and
pinkney. Nothing, sir, but national pride has with
holden this narrative from the ear of the world; Tor
VINO would give a tongue to obloquy against his
own country, I will, in silence, pass over the do
ings Of this gentleman's ten days OF ~diplomacy; nor
would | have alluded to them, did not hs friends
draw on these very doings as a fund of merit, emit
thing HIM to this compensation. The doings of ten
days! What sir, could he do in tina, time; Why,
IN that time the disciples of the Russian taylor could
scarcely have reduced the rigid outline Of this man
into the exterior of diplomacy. He performed SER
vices, tor his country in that brief period. Cesar.
with the Eagle wing Of pursuit; and the lion strength
OF conquest, overrun Bythinia, and subdued the son
Of the great Mithridates in q few wreks-rhis con-
qneror might, IN the confidence Of friendship. VEN
Rome, "ceni, ridi, rici." Should our Russia En-
voy write the history of his ten DAYS, he mirh;.
without poetry, place ell. for which he eau have
any claim on his country. in as few. and almost the
same words: reni, ridf. dbiu, would ill up the whole
0,1ntum neruit Of his mission.
II 1t be commended that this gentleman is entitled
to u pro rata compensation for the time spent in going
to Russia, and while there, as freight is apportionsd
and paid, when = cargo is. by casualty, transported a
part only OF the voyage, I ana ready to agree that
TINS Alone IS the ground On which any thing can
De claimed. This however, will fail. if the Mis-.
sion be, in its inception, contra jus geu,ium;
and therefore void. IT there be any part of this
mission sound and legal: If this gentleman has be.
Iieved he was, in good faith in the public service, in
the name OF justice lie, linn be paid for all that time,
although nothing was effected beneficial to the Nation.
On this ground I am ready to support, though | can
not move to make my modification Of the motion On.
der consideration.
Last Of all, I come TO inquire, whether this salary
80 " c buSy tnIS mlSStOn, and the conduct Of
the Minister under It, may be especially beneficial to
the Secretary OF State. Was this gentleman sppoin.
ted with any view. or expectation that he could rem
der diplomatic services ut the Court of RUSSIA Sure
~ not. For in the FIRST place, the performance of
such services required his residence at the Russian
Court. This is evident from the M uc of those scr,
wees. as may be seen from reading the ordinary in.
strucEons Of all resident Minister'S: Lyman's Diniona.
cy, vol. ], page IS, 10. IL,
among the most important general duties of Min
lister of the United States in foreign countries, is that
of tran uniting to his government accurate information
Of the policy and views Of the government to wh;cL,
he is accredited, and Of the character and vicis,itudes
OF Its important relations with other European bowers
10 acquire this information, and particularly to dis.
criminate between that which is authentic. and thu,
which IS spurious. req, Tres steady and impartial obs
servatlon, q free though cautious correspondence with
the other Ministers of the United States abroad. and
friendly, social relations with the members Of the din.
tomato body at the same court.
"fn your correspondence with this Department. he.
sides the current general and the particular politics
OF the country. where you are to reside, you will be
mindful. SO far as you may hnd it convenient, to col.
rect and transmit information Of every kind, relating
10 the government, finances, commerce, arts. sciences
and condition OF the nation, winch is no, already
KNOWN and may be made useful to our own country;
books OF travels, containing statistical, or other infor.
NATION OF statistical importance, historical works, no,
before IN circulation, authentic maps, published by au.
'nori,y OF the state. or distinguished by extraordinary
reputation, and publications of new aud useful discoy.
eries-wilI always be acceptable acquisitions to this
department..
"Among the ordinary functions of an American
N' VI Ewing passports 4 Tie
citizens OF the United States who apply for them.
fhry sometimes receive applications for such pass
ports from the subjects OF other countries, but as these
are not regularly valid, they should be granted only
under special circumstances, as may sometimes occur
IN the case OF foreigners, coming to the u. States"
DO not these labors require residence a, the Cour,
Of bis Imperial Majesty Look into the published
diplomatic correspondence Of your former ministers
What treasures OF informs,ionl Wha, monuments of
Ability, labor aud diligence!
! Tvs gentleman could not re side M the Russ;ap r,,.
its'. Neither his heahh, his constitution, his age. nor
the climate, would permit such residence.-hs well
mYht tne secretary have plueked up one Of his pat.
rimonisi oaks, and transptanted i, on the banks a the
Neva, with any expectation tina, il might take root
,bere' and live and flourish in the summer heats and
vibter storms Of Russia.
SO utterly out Of the question was all expectation OF
public service from the appointment Of this gentle.
man, that although Il mus, have been known that such
service could not be rendered without residence, vet
ne received full permission to leave the court snd
Empire OF Russia, and reside wherever he might
choose TO reside. 90
Dir. Randolph was, Of all men, the last which q
wise and JudIcious policy would have selected TO 70
present the InteTestG Of our natlon M m. Dn..,a,