Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-05-20
CONGRESSIONAL DOCUMENT.
DIPLOMATIC INTERCOURSE WITH FOREIGN
NATIONS.


Inc oomt'ee on oeign Affairs, 10 whom was relefed
the following resolution Resolved That the Committee Sn
Foreign Affairs be instructed inquire and report to this
House the exPedency Of abolshng the present missions
by Charges Aaes to Sardinia and Naples, and substitute
ing therefor together with the mission lately recommended by
the President to the Papa Saies full mission by Minister
Penpotentary Ambassador to Italy, with Secretaries of
Legation to reside at Rome Turin and Naples having had
the under consideration, respectfully report
That the resolution proposes an inquiry into the expe
dency Of making important changes the diplomatic
intercourse Of the United States with foreign nations they
have thought proper to bring the whole system under their
revision and TO recommend such notifications they hope
will render that branch Of the public service still more eff
Gent
The present political system Of the world recognises all
tons as related to each other and among them
intercourse which tends to break down the barriers which
parae them, and to unite them into great commonwealth
This Intercourse is of the highest imporanccit diuses
throughout communities widely separated by geographical dis
tances and differing in laws interests and pursuits know
ledge OF each other and brings them under the restraining
influence of universal public law Embassies estab-
hed in early times between independent States the pro-
gess Of civilization has multiplied them to such degree that
they regarded indispensable part Of the modern po
lical system. n.
Ambassadors are the ministers Of of their most
important functions prevent the Of
Residing within foreign State, having the Govern
ment, and being fully informed of the progress Of public af
fairs at home, they able render essential service pre-
is the duty of ambassador watch interests and
guard the honor of his nations negotiate treaties
that they observed to keep his Government informed Of
the condition of public affairs in the State where he resides
to spread knowledge OF the character and of his
country DO whatever he may add its prosperity
and goy and to grant such protection and assistance to his
counymen in their travels pursuits, they may require
The constitution of the United States makes provision for
the appointment and reception Of ambassadors and other pub
lie minister's and has been the policy Of our Government
extend diplomatic with the several ndepen
dent Powers Of the globe. The pocy,is one. This
part of political system is maintained comparatively
little expense Other branches Of the Government require
millions to maintain them, while the whole list Of foreign
MISSIONS including every Incidental expense, but about
two hundred thousand dollars per II true they are
too poorly paid even for our unosenaous system Repre-
sening our country throughout the world, they dfuse
knowledge Of its resources and Of the fee and happy nstu
tons under which we live.
II is believed that modification Of system may be
made by which its efficiency will be greatly increased I'm
der the present organization represented by Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Penipotentary in Great Britain
Russia France, Spain Prussia, Brazil and until recently
had Minister OF the grade in Austria and in Mexico
while we,send to Turkey Minister resident China Com
missioner, TO Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal, Sardinia Ma
pies, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Chill Peru, New Gre
NADIA, and Venezuela, Charge dAfares.
II is believed by the committee that Envoy Exraordna-
ny and Minister Penipotntiay should be Austria
Minister of the first class Of inferior grade
der but little service to The country from the social position
which he must of necessity occupy
The importance of Turkey and Of China, in the opinion
Of the committee, also make proper to send Minister Of
high grade to each of those Governments.
Ii important elevae the grade OF subordinate mis-
sons for they present organized their efficiency is
greatly impaired Diplomatic grades well regu-
lated that they assign the Minister who fills them, only
his public but his social rank and TO that extent affect his
usefulness The Congress Of Vienna entered upon their de-
beraions under circumstances which made it necessary
adopt rules for the regulation Of the intercourse between the
Independent Powers Of the world. The great commissions
which had shaken Europe left in state Of such confusion
that il essential its future repose only
suc its political establishments but provide against future
Of disturbance Until about the Of the
sixteenth century there but two classes Of Ministers
known the charged with the public interests Of the State
and called Ambassadors the other termed Agents who were
depued take Of the private affairs Of prince. The
practice Of sending Ministers 10 reside permanently the
friendly sovereign adopted with the view Of avoiding the
inconvenience OF sending occasionally personal representa-
tive OF the Sovereign who would OF require great state
and large outlay Of public money. Those who
times employed take charge II the public interests
called Aares distinguish them from agents
who sent 70 look after the personal Affairs Of the
reign found convenient too occasions Of ceremo
n.y. TO send Enjoys who at the of the egh
tenth century, acquired intermediate rank between Am.
basad and Ministers residing in the foreign country The
Congress OF Vienna, meeting under circumstances which
brought, The subject before thcm divided the diplomatic corps
into three casses-A ambassadors Enjoys and Ministers ac
credited the Sovereign and that Of Charges dAaes ac
credited TO the Minister OF Foreign Affairs
At the Congress OF Aixa-Chapee where the FIVE Powers
assembled in lss found necessary recognise In
ermedisie grade between ENJOYS and Charges 1Aaires
and the rank Of Ministers resident established They
accredited the sovereign, and thus enjoy higher rank
than Charges fAhaires who simply accredited The
Minister Of Foreign Affairs Il s important keep this
distinction in view.
II has been well stated by learned writer that there hut
real distinction between diplomatic agents the class
being accredited TO the Sovereign himself and the other his
Minister Of Foreign Affairs. He adds that when Minister
is authorized directly with the Sovereign to whom he
is sent be rises 10 the highest rank, and called an Am
bassador.
The diplomatic agents ofhe United States are divided into
three classes-Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipo.
Tertiary, Ministers resident, and Charges dAfares.
II Is believed BY the committee that the last class that Of
Charges dAfsires may 10 great be aboished-si-
ply providing for their employment in the
Of Minister Of the higher grade very properly stated
10 report from this committee, by lis late chairman, (Mr
CaARLEs J. IseEHsoLL,) 'thst the faculty Of diplomatic
usefulness, by representative power, in proportion 10 the
grade Of The mission" This perfectly well understood at
Rome The Nunco Of DE Pope by the rule adopted a, the
Congress Of Vienna, takes rank with Ambassadors and
approaching the advantage which the high grade OF dplo
matte agent confs the Pon Is represented by Minister
who unes tho double character OF secular and
power.
For very obvious reason Minister who represents HE
country Charge d. fahes must he comparatively nef-
Gent He s accredited TO The Minister Of Foreign Aaes,
holds all his intercourse with him. and communicate with
The Sovereign only through him Nor has he the influence
with the representatives Of other Powers which he would other
wise possess wanting that rok which, in diplomatic crces
essential consideration n Il believed then