Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-06-29
IA {3II| kitnnl.. l.e.s.of an Am1 r n

cftfZen. SnOuiu tnere De cases WueTe tnis
cannot be done, owing to the character of the
foreign government, with,t detriment to the
public interest,the nearest approach to it com.
patible with the due performance of his du-
ties is recommended. Tie simplicity of our
usages and the tone of feeling among our peo.
pie is much more in accordance with the ex-
ample of our first andNmost distinguished
representative at a royal court than the prac-
tice which has since prevailed. 1t is to be re-
GREETED that there was ever departure IN this
respect from the example of DR.. Franklin
History has recorded and commended this ex.
ample, so congenial to the spirit of our polit-
cal institutions. The department is desirous
of removing all obstacles to return to the sim,
pie and unostent a.ious course which was deem.
ed so proper and was SO much approved in the
earliest days of the republic. 1t is our pur
pose to cultiv ate the most amicable relations
with all countries, and this we believe, can be
effectually done without requiring our diplo
matte agents abroad to depart in this respec.
| from what is suited to the general sentiments
of our fellow citizens at home. All instruc
tions in regard to what is called diplomatic
uniform or court dress, being withiraw eacl
of our representatives in other countries vii
be left to regulate this matter according to hi
own sense of propriety and with due respec
to the views of his government as herein ex
pressed.
1t is desirable thatthe minister or charg
d affairs should establish the legation in a
central position as nay be convenient OF th
metropolis, near :he government to which h
is sent. 1t will be his duty to see that it j
kept open every day Except Sundays and fet
days, from o'clock il the forenoon until o
clock in the afternoon. The Secretary attache
toit, if there be one, must perforHA in perso
all the services which properly (elye upo
him, except ins eassa "A \sickI leavs<
absence. 10 suelk sssss n 5r
minister q aPpelnk "a
represcns kisGg " sss,sa 2If
obvious impropricsy II u
egner the duties which bsloe tfstarJ
1t is pecessary TO s. Skss ~ ess y
structions; for it has frequentIy ~ fed ,og ~
ter years, that secretaries Of legal have. .
this department is informed, emmoyed clerk
whose allegiance was foreign, to copy des
patches and do other official duties which PEI
tanned to themselves. This practice which
is feared is upon the increase, is so obviousl
wrong, that the President is resolved to cans
it to he discontinued The correspondence bc
tween the government and the legations OF tn
United States must be guarded with the u'
most secrecy even as relates to our own cit
zens. To submit it to the examination of
foreigner will be regarded as an indiScretio
in the offender, demanding immediate dcpr
walton Of office, The first duty Of subie'
! is considered to be fidelity to his sovereign .
Foreign clerks may justly be regarded as VI
safe depositaries of the secrets of our diplom;
cy in the legation where they are employed
The possibility that revelation of our secrt
state papers may occur in this manner, is sufi
cient to excite fears on the subject, and requii
the strict observance Of the above instruction
Ministers of the United States and charge
daffares requested to authenticate by the
own signatures, with TIE seal Of the Legation
, the passports Of American citizens, and NJ
permit secretaries to perform his duty whe
they themselves are at their posts.
, NJ l.. MARCY.