Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-05-24

a 1
who had been sent Sir, said Mr.. A. am inca
pable of making such reflection, because the
person alluded to is in his grave. That is OF II
self SUI fficient to seal my lips forever in silence
respecting him in this House. twas not to the
Individual sent, that my remarks were intended
70 amply; nor shall refer to him now, with any
design of passing censure upon his conduct
Sir, he is far beyond the reach of my censure,
or that of any other human being. But men
toned that case, in which the conduct Of this
administration had been justly subject to cen
sure. do not speak merely OF the appointment
Of that individual; refer to the whole course
preceding his appointment; and mention 1t
only as one instance out OF many OF similar
kind.
The same gentleman from Georgia MIR.
WAYNE) has undertaken, as a sort OF apology
for what he seemed to admit to have been NOT
very defensible, to bring before the House the
important purposes which had been effected by
the diplomacy of the present administration; as
if the ministers had rendered services which,
from their great importance, amply compensa-
ted for shortness Of their stay abroad. Under
this head the gentleman adduced certain trea-
ties which had been made, and negotiations
which had been successfully carried through.
Sir, admit, that if all the negotiations to
which the honorable gentleman alluded had
been concluded as successfully and honorably
as he says they have been, it might better have
answered the objection that, although absent
but month or two, they had been paid for
year. But is that any answer at all! Is 1t any
reason why Ministers should 60 and return in
single year? and should get double and treble
the compensation allowed them by law? This
| is the case to which the gentleman from Geor-
| gia should have directed his attention Sir, this
reminds me ofan anecdote Of Frederick the Sc
cond, King of Prussia. He had appointed a
certain Judge, who turned out to be unfaithful
in his Office. Complaints multiplying against
his numerous malversations, the King sent for
him, and inquired into the case. The Judge APP
peared in his own vindication, and was going
on to tell long story in his defence; when the
King stopped him short in the midst of it, eX-
claiming STOP stop! have heard enough; the
fault is not in you, but in me, for appointing
such knave." / do not find so much fault with
the Minister who leaves the court to which he
was sent, and visits all the watering places in
Europe, and on his return home pockets his sal
airy; the blame rests not so much on him, as on
| the administration who permits such things
What sayis that the practice which has arisen,
ought not to be suffered to continue. Every
foreign minister should be confined to the place
and the duties Of his mission.
| AS to the achievements of these gentlemen
| there was much panegyrlc, and particularly IN
| reference to the arrangement made with Great
Britain on the subject of the West India trade.
This, sir, is a subject which l purposely pass
rather than by me; it is subject concerning
which there has beenemuch controversy, and
| great difference of opinion. could wish that
much of the angry disputation to which it has
| given rise, were forever forgotten may say
| of it
e Incedo per ignes suppostos
g Cineri doo"
| Sir, wish the gentleman had not brought up
| this subject How must it apply2 What will be
sI,1,10 l. f1,ra flo
man in another Hall of this building, who must
be Immediately and personally affected by any
| remarks on this subject2 And will | say any
| thing in reference to that gentleman any where
| but in his own presence2 No. sir And is there
not another gentleman now in the Department
| of State, whose character is deeply implicated?
| And shall go into any observations on his con-
duct when he is not present to answer? will
| not. But, sir if we are to Judge of these mar
vellous negotiations by their Effects l should
| send the gentleman from Georgia to that por-
| ton Of the Union more Immediately affected by
| their results, and let him ask of them what they
| think of the matter | therefore pass over this
topic entirely. l wish to say nothing about it
| Not that my objection to discussing it has any
reference to myself on that score | have none
whatever. My objection has respect to individ
| uals not here. | will not cenSure any man in
| this House in a manner which would not were
| he personally present
The gentleman from Georgia. in answering
my objections to the short duration Of certain
missions abroad, alluded, by way of retort, to
an unfortunate appointment made by the Ad-
ministration preceding the present, in which
case the individual appointed happened to fall
sick and to die, and on that account did not re-
main seven years, or three years, at his post
Does case like that justify us to appropriate,
from year to year, for a Minister at foreign
Court, when we have no Minister there? The
case referred to has happened, butnot in the way
the gentleman had stated it. 1t is true that the
eminent individual was appointed, nor does this
nation contain greater statesman, nor one who
has rendered to his country more important ser
vices; and it is true that he was prevented by
illness from continuing abroad. But does this
justify an Administration in appointing a man,
with liberty beforehand, to go where he pleases,
instead of remaining at his post2 The gentle
man will not pretend it does.
But further. In that very case, although the
gentleman stated that he imputed no blame to
the Administration for the appointment, and on
lyibrought it forward by way ofprecedent butt if
the gentleman will go back beyond the last four
years, q will not say what that gentleman him
self said on the subject,) but if he will take the
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