Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1856-04-25

We noticed in February last, tho passage
by the Senate of a bill allowing Hon Geo. p.
Marsh $1,000 year for judicial services per-
formed by him during his mission to Turkey.
Since then bill has been reported in the
Senate, by the Committee on Foreign Rcla-
tions, making an allowance of $4,000 as a
compensation for Mr.. Marsh's services on tie
special mission to Greece in lSj2-3, the re-
suit Of which mission, as our readers doubt
less remember was the remission Of the un-
just sentence passed upon DR.. King, and full
pccuniary compensation at the hands Of the
Greek Government for the seizure Of his lands.
This bill was called up on the 9th inst. by Mr..
Foot who iorcibly urged the .ustness Of the
claim. lie showed that tho time spent by Mr..
Marsh at Athens and in the preparation orthe
reports, lacked but month OF full year, adm
that these labors were not only intense and
cxhausting, but required unusual qualiiica
tions-as they involved a careful study Of
the titles of Greek law, and the thorough
examination Of an enormous mass of manu-
script records and documents in the language
ofHe country. In these investigations the
services Of translator could be Of little or
no service, from the nature Of the case and
it must be considered as most fortunate that
our government had in Mr.. Marsh, an agent
who was fully fitted FOR so peculiar a service.
American ministers capable of unravellng
Greek titles and at home in the intricacies of
Greek manuscripts, are not very abundant.
We quote from Mr.. Foot's remarks.
OF the character and value Of those abors of Mr..
Marsh, Of the ability and learning and research dis
played in his reports and CORE spuudcure need
speak. They speak for themselves and more forc-
bly, than any can speak for theto. | only ak
you to examine and read them for yourselves Mr.
Webster. Mr.. Everett and Mr.. Marcy, of the state
Department have all been plea sed t. "bcar cheerful
testimony to the Importance and peculiar character
Of the duties imposed upon him in his special Iui,
sion to Greece, and 10 the fidelity and ability with
which they were periormed''
Mr. Precedent, let me add that this special mis-
sion tn Greece was never sought by Mr.. Marsh; but
he did not feel himself at liberty t. decline the in
structions Of his Government. Tho .ulGllmcnt Of
these instructions has cost him many months aG
we're labor, as this volume which hold in my hand,
containing bis reports and spondcnce will
abundantly testify, and has cost him ncpnsiIer-
able pecunary loss, for neither Of which has he
been compensated.
lie now only asks that his services shall receive
the same consideration 50 universally accorded TO
other diplomatic agents in like circumstances.
The principle has been SO long established, that it
seems hardly to require discussion and / have en-
tered into these details only because stated in
the outset, of the misrepresentation SO iudustr-
ously circulated to the prejudice of Mr.. Marsh, and
of his claim in respect to the time anil labor which
lie bestowed upon the duties of this mission. 1t
an important and delicate trust and per-
formed with signal ability and success. The
which he directed to Investigate and to al Just
was, in all its aspects, Of peculiar c1mplcXity
and difficulty. It, full and thorough Investigation
required not only an intimate knowledge of the mo.
dern Greek language and Of the Constitution and
laws, and jurisprudence of the country, bat it
quirCd also an unfnchng lirnnoss and perseverance
against all the obstacles which blind bigotry or
wild anaticism could throw in his way. These quail
iGcatons MIR. Marsh, in an eminent de- gree brought
to the task and undertake to say here that, in
the whole range of American scholars, and states.
men, and diplOmat!ts, no better selection could
have been made for that service lie reformed it
to the acceptance Of his Government ami to the
honor and praise of the American people. Il re-
mains now to be seen whether he is e be turned
away without an appropriate reward from the doors
Of the American Congress.
The bill, on Mr. Foot's motion, was laid
upon the table for the time being.