The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-06-29
NUMBER al.

srnc tons to the diplomatic gents of the Uni
: led States IN Foreign Countries, will meet tn
appreciation of all persons The present ad
minstration is resolved to bring back The gov
ernment to The honesty, simplicity and frugal
'y OF true republicanism. The abuses whic,
have been multiplying in the management o
The duties OF our officials abroad, it is determin.
cd TO correct The remedy will be applied
frarlessly, thoroughly and effectively.
INSTRUCTIONS TO OUR REpREsEN.
TATIvEs ABROAD.
(ClRcyLARl
DFsARTMENr OF STATE. J.
WAsHisGroN, JUNE /, 1858 (
In addition to the "Persona instructions r.
the Diplomatic Agents Of the United States in
Foreign Countries, the following are hereafte,
to be observed
In performing the ceremonies upon the occa
SION OF ms reception, the representative of the
United States will conform, as far as is consist.
ent with just sense of his devotion to republi
can institutions, to the customs Of the countr v
wherein he Is to reside, and with the rules pre-
scnbed for representatives of his rank; but the
department would encourage, as far as practi :
cable, without impairing his usefulness to his
country, his appearance at court in the simple
dress OF an American citizen. Should there he
cases where this cannot be done, owing 10 the
character ofthe foreign government, without
detrlInent to the public interest, the nearest ap
Proach to it, compatible with the due perform
ance OF his duties, is earnestly recommended.
ihe simplicity OF our usages and the tone of
leeiing amehg our people are much more in ac-
cordance with the example oe Our first and most
distinguished representative at a royal court
than the practice which has since prevailed -
1t Is to be regretted that there was ever any
departure in this respect from the example Of
Dr. Franklin. History has recorded and COM
mended this example, SO congenal to the spirit
OF our political Institutions The Department
Is desirous of removing all obstacles to return
to the simple and unoste rtatious course which
~Gs deemed SO proper and was 90 msch approv-
ed in the earliest days Of the republic. It is
our purpose TO cultivate the most amicable tela-
ttohs with all countries, and this we believe can
De enectua!ly done without requiring our diplo-
matte agents abroad to depart in This respect
from what is suited to the general sentiments Of
our fellow Citizens at home. All instructions in
regard to what is called diplomatic uniform or
court-dreGs, being wthd rawn, each of our re o.
resentatives in other countries will be left to req
ulate this matter according to his own sense Of
and with due respect to the views
of his government as herein expressed.
1t Is desirable that the Minister or Charge d.
Aftaires should establish the legation in az cen.
tfal position as may be convenient Of the me-
tfoPolis, near the government to which he is
sent. 1t will be his duty to see that il ia kent
open every day, except SUNDAYS and fete davs.
from nine o'clock in the forenoon until three
o clock in the afternoon. The secretary attach |
ed to it, if there be one, must perform in person
all the services which properly devolve upon
him, except In case Of sickness or leave Of alb |
sence In such cases it is en- joined upon the !
to appoint an American citizen to re. |
present him, fit can be done. There is an OBJ. |
vious inproPrety in devolving upon foreign
er the duties which belong to the secretary
1t is necessary to be thus specific in these in. !
structions, for it has frequently occurred, Of
latter years, that secretaries of legation have,
80 this Department is informed, employed clerks |
whose allegiance was foreign, to copy despatch.
es and do other official duties which pertained to
themselves. This practice, which it is feared, |
is upon the increase, is so obviously wrong, that
The President is resolved to cause it to be dis |
continued. The correspondence between the !
government and the legations OF the United |
States, must be guarded with ;he utmost secre- |
cy, even as relates to our own citizens To |
submit it TO the examination of foreigner will |
be regarded as an ndscretion in the offender,
demanding immediate deprivation of Office -
The first duty OF a subject is considered to be |
fidelity to his sovereign. Foreign clerks may |
be justly regarded as unsafe depositcries Of the |
secrets of our diplomacy in the legation where
they are employed. The possibility that rev
rlatlon OF our secret state papers may occur in
this manner, is sufficient TO excite fears on the
subject, and require the stric,est observation. |
Ministers of the United States and Charges
Atfaires are TT qnested to authenticate by their
own signatures, with the seal of the legation,
the passports OF American citizens, and not
permit secretaries to perform this duty when |
they themselves are at their posts
w L. MARCY