Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-07-07
From the New York Journal of Commerce.
The Russian Envoy

Ii is stated that the Count Alexander de Me-
dem, who some time since received the appoint
ment Of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plen-
potentary of the Emperor of Russia near the
Cabinet Of Washington, has been compelled to
retire defnitively from the public service on ac-
count of i'll health, and il is thought not unlikely
that the present Russian Charge, Mr. De Stoecke,
may succeed to the vacant post of minister. This
gentleman is much respected at Washington, and
his promotion would no doubt tend TO alay the
regret which the diplomatic corps there will ex-
perience, at the disappointment of their expecta-
tons based upon the reputation for distinguished
ability and elevated character earned by the
Count de Modem during protracted diplomatic
career. The Count Modem is member Of one
of the Oldest families Of Courland-thosc which
date from the epoch of the Teutonc Order The
last reigning Duchess Of Courland was a Countess
of Modem, aunt of the Ambassador; so that in
respect of social position, the Count belongs to an
elevated category. He enjoys the reputation of
an amiable, courteous, perfectly loyal and frank
gentleman. A prolonged residence in the East
has made quiet dignity second nature with the
Count de Modem, which, however, one would be
much deceived in confounding with GOODNESS or
hauteur. For foreigner, he speaks very good
English.
Count Modem, after having been employed for
many years in the Mission of Russia at Constan-
tinople, was appointed Consul General in EQypt,
and sojourned there till 1910, during tho period
Wnen Mehcmet All was at the summit of his
power. That old and able Osmanli entertained
a particular prediction for the Russian repre-
sentative, who, talking Turkish remarkably well,
discussed affairs with him, without the nterven-
.tion, often very embarrassing TO Orientals, of in
terpreters. The Count also took a prominent
part at Alexandra, during the crisis Of lS39-40,
and il was then that he acquired a reputation in
Russian diplomacy that has never since been dis
puted. Soon afterwards he was sent as Minister
to PERSIA post very important for Russia
whose duties he discharged for -four years to the
entire satisfaction Of the Emperor. After four
teen years residence in the East; the Count de-
manded his recall; and as there was then no post
vacant in Europe which suited him, being espe-
caly addicted TO travel he solicited that of Rio,
although It's Importance, for Russia, Is quite
secondary. So in 1851, awaiting himself Of a
years leave Of absence from his post, he travelled
all over America, and in his progress visited
Washington. His actual nomination to the Rus
sian Legation at Washington was hailed as open
ing to his diplomatic capacity a larger sphere,
and i was considered, also, that Russia had not
yet been represented in the United States in so
distinguished a manner. But the expectations
based upon these considerations are defeated by
his necessary retirement. The eldest brother of
the Count has been Russian Minister at Vienna,
and was regarded throughout Europe as one of
the ablost dpomatists Of his time.