Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-04-28
From he Baltimo,e American. ]

TIE STATE DEPARTMENTAL Report
from The Judiciary Committee of The House o.
Representatives has appeared, recommending
ZONE changes in The interior organization vi The
Stale Department Among The documents &C
companying The report is a letter from MIR. Sc
cretary Buchanan, stating clearly and iorcibly
the reasons for The proposed changes.
The bushes. OF The Stale Department has in
creased very largely. In 1918 The employees in
that office, including the Secretary himself
amounted 10 eleven persons, when our missions
abroad were but seven, and our consulates sixty
seven; al present there are fifteen persons en-
ployed including also The Secretary, while our
iurejyn missions are twenty-lhree in number, and
our consuales one hundred and seventy Here
is exhibited an increase OF SO per cent IN the
number of employees, while our missions abroad
have increased 236 per cent, and our consulates
1873 per cent.
The minging OF our foreign relations with The
domestic functions pertaining TO The Slate Depart
ment is founded on no Just principle OF affinity
.ha! we can perceive. IL there were special
Home Department tur the latter and distinct
office for the consideration Of foreign affairs,
hath branches of the public service could be at
tended 10 with more convenience and efficiency.
In such case The Home Department might include
MANY matters of statistics relating 10 internal
trade and the progress of domestic industry, some
Vt which By singular accident or arrangement
are embraced in the annual report oil the Patent
Office.
MIR. Buchanan has in view separation OF the
duties now devolving on The State Department; and
as step towards still greater distinctness OF or
papiZaion we hope his recommendations, as en-
bodied in the Report OF the Committee will be car
ried into effect before The adjournment OF Con-
ercss. We quote from Mr.. Bucbanan's letter the
following very juticious observations:
al The chiei clerk be converted into an assis-
tant secretary, 10 he appointed by The President,
by and with The advice and consent OF The Senate,
authorised by law under The general supervision
Of The Secretary 10 transact all the business OF the
cpartmeni, except that which is OF purely diplo-
matte character. The salary Of this officer The
Secretary would propose 10 fix at S3,OGO
"Let provision be made for The employment OF
three additional clerks in The diplomatic branch.
These clerks ought 10 be men OF intellect and in
formation competent 10 prepare despatch upon
any subject arising in The ordinary course OF bust
ness. and involving only principles which have
been clearly settled by The action Of our Govern
nent. Their first duty would be 10 devote them
selves 10 a careful perusal and study OF all The
correspondence from the beginning, between this
Government and the foreign governments with
which their duties may be connected, 80 that they
might be able always, without delay, 10 furnish
10 the head OF the Department any Information or
documents which he may require They ought To
be qualified 10 examine The acls and the principles
involved in the private claims OF Citizens Of the
United States upon foreign governments, on
which The agency Of the Department is 50 often
invoked No claim ought ever 10 be presented
10 foreign government, in the name othe nation,
until il shall have undergone a careful scru-
Tiny, and the department shall have asceriained
that il presents al least clear prma facac case Of
Justice This is due alike 10 our national charac-
Ter, and 10 the cause of justice For the want OF
an adequate force TO make such examinations, IL
has been 100 often the practice TO transmit these
prvale claims 10 our legations abroad, wiIhoutdue
consideration, 10 be there advocated and urged.
The tendency Of this practice has been 10 per-
rlex and embarIass our diplomatic agents; 10 in
yo!ve Them in useless and Irritating controversies
with those 70 whom they are accredited; 10 excite
prejudice and illleeling against our citizens, and
10 endanger The character OF our country Tor TAR
dealing with The nations OF the world.
1T is believed that persons al all competent 10
The discharge Of these important duties could mol
be procured Tor less salary Than 1000 dollars. In
divdnas, Of such a character, could mol be ndu.
ced 10 abandon private pursuits in whIchl hey may
lie engaged for smaller compensation"
LOOK OUT FOR COUNTERFElTS.-
A new counterfeit not desbrbed in the Deteetors,
on lie Exchange Bank Of Virginia. OF The demo
minalion Of five dollars was attempted 10 De
passed at Cumberland, Nd a day or Two since.