The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-10-09
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
rUEsDAY MoRNINa. ocroBER ., Zee.



B.nslas Dsplemasy o. mr. Cl.yssn. state
% Legations abroad.
We doubt II, during the period Of our existence as
nation, the affairs OF government both at home and
abroad such state Of arrangement disorder
and confusion In every department OF the government
the genius of confusion and disorder seems to have ruled
with more or less potency and success but in the De-
parmen OF State its sway TO have been supreme
Mr. Clayton has exhibited the greatest want Of tact and
the mos, downright bungling Of any Of the weak and
inefficient cabinent ministers with whom he is associ-
stsd. At home we have had but one continued
and startling series Of errors. Mistakes and blundes.
which ca be attributed 10 nothing but the inexperience
and neicency Of himself and his compeers Of the cab
net; and abroad, he have been no more sue
cessful. We venture to sayand we have no doubt the
facts win abundanty sustain the assertionthat our for
eign legations have never before been in such state OF
disorder confusion and absolute arrangement and dlap
dalton as that in which they In order to show
to the country that such is the fact propose to take
brief review Of the present condition Of our missions
abroad.
We begin with Russia. at present the most potent and
influential state in Europe. What the condition Of our
mission at this important court We Aacs none at all
We have neither minister, charge dsires nor secretary
OF legation. The mission has been in fact broken up.
and the FIRST and most powerful republic Of the world d
without minister representative Of any kind the
government OF the most potent despotsm of the world
Both the minister and secretary OF legation St Peters
burg were removed the Goth OF March last and no
body has yet been appointed to fill their places And
none be appointed in reach the Of
their services before next spring. the navigation of the
Baltic will be closed before minister go from this
country to ST. Petersburg. Thus shall be without
Representative the court Of the Emperor Nicholas for
whole year least and that year the most important
to the Of liberty and the fate of republican freedom
that has occurred during the last half century.
Now, why has not this important mission been filled
Why have mol had representative at the court OF ST.
Petersburg during the period Of the great events that
have shaken the European world to its centre Can the
cabinet, and particularly Mr. Clayton, give any ex.
the American people for this gross neglect of their
important and vital interests
But this is moi ALL We have no consul at St. Peters.
burg. The present incumbent. we understand, is an
invalid, unable to Withstand the rgors Of a Russian
climate and is seeking health as we are informed
in more congenia latitudes and the vice consul is
German merchant, who has never been in the United
States. and aDth him the archives of the legation at St.
Petersburg deposited We are informed that already
in consequence Of this objectionable neglect OF American
interests in Russia, American citizens have been NAL
treated by Russian officials, without the means of obtain
ing redress and also informed that the Russian
government throws every embarrassment in the way of
the ingress Of American citizens into Russian territory
and they otherwise ilreated by the Russian author
tiles We again ask, Why have the rights and interests
Of citizens travelling sojourning in Russia been
so culpsbly neglected by Mr. Clayton'
And what ID the present condition Of our legation al
Londoni II s in the hands Of a and inexperienced
youth and when Mr. Lawrence arrives. it will not
Be in much better hands, for be has not the education
or qualifications for mission OF that grade and import
ance man of rare talents and splendid accomplish.
ments and an experienced and able secretary OF legation
were removed to- make room for Mr.. Lawrence and his
secretary both or whom without either talents or
experience of more than an ordinary kind. And yet
we are 10 have the most important discussions with the
court Of ST. discussions involving peace and war
That mission has been filed but far able and eff
cient diplomacy is concerned is badly off as though
il Were not filed at all.
And what is the condition Of our legation at Paris !
For months minister has regarded himself as re.
moved. and has waited merely Tor the arrival Of his
successor, in order 10 deliver to him the archives
Of the legation. Mr. Rush is indeed still at Paris
but in what capacity Not as the accredited minis
ter, but the mere iocm fenens, awaiting his success.
He is not in condition aid very efficiently his
government his countrymen who may need his care
and attention And what is the predcament of his sue
cessori He is known to be offensive TO the French gov
eminent. and he may not be received At any rate the
REGENTS events here, touching the quarrel Of Mr. Clayton
and NJ Poussin may lead to the dismissal OF Mr. Rives
by the government Of France. In the most favorable
point Of view, the mission may be regarded as in state
Of paralysis, far any efficient discharge OF its duties
and functions concerned
We are also destitute Of consul at Paris The reno
val of Mr. Walsh deprves citizens and merchants
visiting Paris Of the aid OF that officer When his sue.
cessor will be appointed no one can tell In short, our
legation at Paris may, at the present tme be regarded as
nulty. And, unfortunately. Mr.. Claytons blunders
have exposed the danger Of war; or at least the in
terrupon Of diplomatic and perhaps commercial inter.
course.
But this is not all. What further evidence do we
Of the truth Of Chancellor Oxenstiern's remark to
his son .Go and see with what lille wisdom tho world
is governed" Yet we have other testimonies in the
characters Of the two gentlemen who have been depuied
to the highest missions in Europe. The cabinet has
again sent MIR. Rives to Paris. who left sting behind
him in the wound be inflicted, upon his last mission,
which will render him unpopular and unacceptable to the
Fr.nrh liz receution. indeed In n mauer of dooht