The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-13

wa. based upon principle. Our support Of his
administration will be governed by the same
feeling, and we trust it may be in our power TO
continue IL.
Is Mr.. BUCHANAN Conc TO ENGIAND?-We
have various rumOrs about Mr.. Buchanan's in
tentions for the future. The general impress
sion amongst his friends is that unless some
change should take place in his present feel
ings he will decline going to England, and re-
tire to the quiet of his residence, in the vicinity
of Lancaster. This determination, it is said
has been induced by difference Of opinion be-
tween himself and Mr.. Marcy. We know not
how far the rivalry between the houses Of York
and Lancaster may have affected the case; but
many reasons can be imagined why gentle
man. occupying SO large and distinguished a
position before the public as Mr.. Buchanan
does should now Decline under all the circum-
stances Of the case, proceeding to a foreign
country, under the auspices of the State Depart
ment. The instructions and directions recently
issued by the department for the guidance of
diplomatic agents, are not, it will be remem-
bered, confined to strai ghtening out consuls,
and regulating the material which those highly
ornamental but hitherto somewhat useless,
functionaries, shall have their breeches made Of.
They go farther, and read lecture, and pre-
scribe rules for the government of the ministers
Also These gentlemen are told. that for the
future they must open their Office at a particu-
lar time they must employ only particular
class of persons; they must rise all the pass
ports themselves and above oil, they must
not presume to stir abroad without first asking
and obtaining leare Of absence from the State
Department.
Now, we take it that the position of fall
minister for the United States. to represent
this government at foreign court, is a some
what distinguished one, and that it ought to
command the services of our most prominent
citizens. We regard the position of minister to
any of the first European powers as at least
equal in dignity to that of a cabinet officer. In
the case OF Mr. Buchanan. it will not be pre-
tended that any more distinguished politician
or more accomplished gentleman holds seat in
the cabinet, and yet it is expected that he will
place himself in the position of q funky to the
State Department doing ell the mere clerical
duties of the legation under pain Of disobeying
the circular instructions and humbly asking
Mr.. Marcy, in case he should decide to visit
Paris, for permission TO do so. The thing is on
its face ridiculous, If not insulting. and we can
readily imagine Mr.. Buchanans disinclination
TO accept office. if such humliatng conditions
arc annexed.
II is scarcely probable there can be any Sc
rious misunderstanding as to who should have
the adjustment of the fl sherry and reciprocity
question between England and the United
States. Mr.. Buchanan is too old diplomatist
not to be aware that an adjustment of those
questions will bring but very few laurels They
viii be arranged, in the end, by compromise
Of some description or other, and in any event,
will not come up to public expectation.
But with the Central American question the
case is very different; and if the disposition of
the matter is not to he entrusted to Mr.. Bu-
chanan, then ii is highly probable he will not con-
sent TO be mere man OF straw, sent to England
as an ornamental appendage of Queen Victoria's
court. The whole difficulty in Central America
has arisen in consequence Of English interf,
renee. Remove, that and no difficulty remains
with the government there. II ia but proper
and right that MIR Buchanan should be entrust-
cd with this question. and without interference
Of any description from any quarter.
We trust, however, that he will yet be IN
duced TO proceed on his mission. As one OF the
ablest American statesmen, the country desires
the benefit OF his talents. In the present condi-
ton OF our foreign affairs it is Of no little conse-
quenee we should bercpresented abroad by men
Of character, in whom the country has conf
dence and at the same time they should not
he expected to sacrifice their personal respect.
or their just rights, for the mere whiai Of the
department in Washington.
TnE Arriving AND STARTING poIETs or rae
LIVERPOOL STEABERs-As the system Of reckon
ing from dock to dock is open to several
objections. we would suggest that particular
points be jointly fixed upon by both the Collins
and Cuuard lines from which to date Oh their
arrival and departure from New York and