Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-01-28
DEATH OF Nh. BODISCO.


On motion by Mr. GWIN, the Senate proceeded to the
consideration of Executive business, and after
time spent therein, the doors were opened; when
Mr.. MASON rose and said Mr.. President, discharge
melancholy duty in announcing to the Senate that the
Hon. ALEXANDER DE BoDIsCo, the Minister Of Russia to
this Government departed this fe ut his residence in
this District on Monday last and am informed that his
funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon, at three
o'clock. This eminent gentleman, Mr.. President
known TO all Of officially, and presume, to most Of
personally; and we knew him. while always devoted
TO the interests and the honor Of his country have
adorned the society in which he moved by exemplary
and vrtuous life.
He the Oldest member of the diplomatic corps at
Washington having resided here, the Minister Of his
Government for seventeen years and by matrimo
nal alliance in our country he had drawn around him
large and cherished circle of family connexions 1t
my fortune my good fortune, to have known him well
for many years. to have been in the habitua inter
change with him of those kind courteses Of society which
smooth while they adorn varied paths of life. By
his amented death his Government has lest Jealous AID
faithful Minister and his surviving family and connexions
ateconate and devoted husband parent and friend.
Knowing that-as mark Of respect to the occasion,
well to the memory Of the deceased Mnster-Senators
will desire to be present at the funeral offer to the Sem
ate the following resolution:
1t being made known tie Senate that the Hon Aexan-
der de Bodsco, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Penpo
tertiary Of Russia the United States departed this life
his residence in this District Monday last and that his
funeral will take place tomorrow, il is .
Resoca As mark Of respect the Government of the
deceased Minister amity with the United States, and
further to his and virtues and enable SEN
ators attend his funeral that when the Senate
day it will adjourn to meet Thursday next ,.. r
Mr.. GWIN. l hope that resolution will not pass,
though am perfectly willing that motion should be
made to adjourn till Thursday next, with the under
standing that we may show our respect as individual
members of society, but not Senator's to foreign Min
lister. If Congress djourns the death of foreign
Minister it will be establishing precedent for will be
the first time that such resolution has gone the
public records endorse every thing that the Senator
from Virginia has said with regard to Mr. Bodisco, but
think had better simply pass resolution that when
the Senate adjourns it be to Thursday next.
Mr.. MASON. stated, before offered the resolution,
that did upon consultation with and with the approba
ton of several Senators who older experienced
and wiser than am confess form in has
been offered met my entire appreciation The minister Of
foreign court is the representative Of the sovereignty of
his country and is accredited the Governmental which
he is sent SUCH and it follows consequence, that
he is the guest Of the nation he has perfect immunity
of his person and his property and he is recognised and
treated as the immediate representative of the sovereign
who has sent him. He is the guest Of the nation.
see therefore, that have gone further than the
srctest propriety would require in what is proposed
ard if be the first instanceand am informed that it
is and have made search to ascertain the fact
in which Minister of foreign Government in amity
with us has died at the seat of Government while
the Congress of the United States sitting should be
graed for to set that example of respect to foreign
sovereignties. =.'
Mr.. BUTLER am reconciled to vote for that reso-
~
think it is very good think Mr.. Bodisco and
all other ambassadors occupy official relation to this
body Primarily Of course all negotiations conduct
ed between the Ministers and the President of the United
States but know that their communications come to
this body and we thus, in measure associated
with the Ministers from abroad. In that point of view
can see proprietyin passing the resolution.
Mr.. HAMLlN. 1t seems to me that the resolution
draws the line of distinction precisely where it should be
drawn 1t provides that the Senate shall adjourn over
allowing Senator's in their individual capacity, to attend
the funeral if they fit 1t does not bind the Senate
and does propose that the Senate shall attend the m
neral body 1t seems to me that the line of distinc
ton drawn in the resolution is precisely where it should
be drawn. .,.@' .. ...s
Mr.. CASS. l regret very much that there should be
any opposition to the adoption of the resolution 1t seems
to to be very unexceptonable. This gentleman
here ambassador from of the highest Powers in
Europe, and he died in the midst of US. Nothing be
more proper, under the circumstances ms mark of re-
spect for his Government than to give Senators the
portunity of attending his funeral The Senator from
Maine has just observed that that is the very purpose
which we adjourn, that We, as individuals, may attend
the funeral mark of respect like the resolution.
1t mark of respect that will be appreciated in Russia
and should be very happy to have it passed.
Mr. GWIN. do not object to resolution to adjourn
till Thursday but wish know if there has
been such resolution placed upon the records of this
body? object to making the resolution SO formal. am
willing to vote that when adjourn it shall be to meet
Thursday next, under the circumstances, that Sem
aors may have opportunity of attending the funeral
if they wish to do so. That form will be better shall
vote against the resolution in its present form, but will
vote for motion to ourn till Thursday, with the
understanding that is to give Senators opportunity
to attend the funeral. IL"
Mr. SHIELDS. agree in some respects with the SEN
ator from California should be very much gratifed
the Senate adjourn but will ask my honorable
friend from Virginia reconsider the latter part of the
resolution. 1t reads thus Resolved, mark of re-
spect the Government the deceased Minister think
that perhaps under existing circumstances in the pre-
aspect Of the world that might well be omitted
In amity with the United States" That is true And
in further respect to his memory and virtues have
objection to that And to enable Senators to attend
his funeral" That is very proper But should think
that something in this form would, the whole be
better It being made known to the Senate that the
Hon. Alexander de Bodisco, Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Penipotentiary &C., has departed this life,
therefore, to enable Senators to attend his funeral
solved that when the Senate adjourn to-day it be
Thursday next because if the course proposed
be pursued in relation to this deceased minister it would
be necessary to pursue in relation to all ministers and
all representatives, matter how insignificant feeble
their Government might be. apprehend there Is in
stance Of legislative assembly taking this in
lation to the death Of minister. know o. l
should be very much gratifed however, to hear from my
honorable friend from Michigan (Mr. CAss,) from my
honorable friend from Massachusetts, (Mr EvERRTT,)
who better acquainted with the diplomatic courteses
of Governments, as to the custom in such cases.
Mr.. MASON. l would suggest to the honorable Senn-
tor from Illinois that he knows very we'll that it impos
sibe reconcile all shades of opinion in the language of
resolution of this kind
Mr.. SHIELDS, viii the Senator permit me to ask
whether it would not be better simply the
fact of the DEATH and thereupon adjourn? think that
would be amply sufficient
Mr.. MASON. submit that the expression Of respect
for his Government is term that is appropriate while
ate apnity yUif N tho