The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-10-27
OUR MISSIONS ABROAD-THEIR USE
LESSNESS FOR THE PROTECTION
OF AMERICAN INTERESTS.


TURIN, September q, 1859.
To the Editor Of the National Era:
The uselessness Of wasting the public money
to maintain sinecure missions abroad is once
more illustrated in the following narrative.
A gentleman, travelling through Europe,
having been especially requested by one OF
the great New England manufacturers to pro-
pose to the Piedmontese Government the in
PRODUCTION into Piedmont of some useful Amer
lean improvement, he, upon his arrival at this
capital, applied to our Legation for the neces-
sary information and facilities required in sim
liar cases.
The bell is rung the gentIeman's card is re-
eeiyed by the acting Secretary, who informs
him that the Minister resident is absent on an
excursion.
Gent. How long before the Minister gets
back2
Sec. About month but if you wish your
passport vised, will attend to it.
Gent Don't need wise, but would like to
see him on business.
Sec. l can act for him what is it?
The gentleman communicates the object of
his visit to the Secretary, who sanctions II lciti
his high appreciation, and suggests that the
matter be placed before the King.
Gent. 1t is exactly what want to do, and
will thank You for an introduction to some OF
his Ministers, to whom l may explain the
thing.
Sec. Have You any letter for the American
Minister from his friends, Mr.. Floyd or Mr..
Mason?
Gent. No, sir.
Sec. If you had any letters from the above
gentlemen; or some other personal friend, ]
could go with you to the Piedmontese Minister
of War.
Gent. was unaware that American citizens
needed letters from their friends at home to our
representatives abroad, before these would rem
der them the services pertaining to their Of
fees. Good day. sir.
The Secretary made several bows, expressing
his regrets that the gentleman had not brought
a letter of Recommendation, which would have
secured their good Offices in the matter, and
ended the catalogue of excuses by renewed
offer to wise the passport; TO all which the gen
tleman made no reply, but quilted the premises
The foregoing may be relied on to be cor.
rect statement of facts. Since, then, our rep
resentative at Turin IS not the general protector
of American interests there, but according to
bis Secretary's statement, the protector of 0nlt
ms rfrends; nfay'b permitted to ask, what
in the name Of God do we keep mission there
lOtj dt TIC DNOetC Gust " SIO,OUU OF SZU,UUU
per annum? Is it for watching the policy Of
the Sandman Kingdom, and for sending us the
weekly report of Italian proceedings and news
at the enormous postage Of 1000 or $1,000 (
But the newspapers furnish all that more quick
ly, and at no cost.
Or is it for controlling the destinies of Italy
Neither our position nor our policy permits
other interference there than the mere expires
sion of our sympathy and this is so well mani
tested by the American press, that a mission
for that purpose becomes altogether unneces
sary.
Respecting vises, and thousands of Amer
can travellers can attest that they are alway,
granted by the agents of all Government,
| through whose dominions the traveller wishe,
to pass, acithom any need Of the american rise
which only serves to exact one dollar per head
unnecessarily
1t must be remembered that the material in
terests of the United States in Europe are com
Derctdl, not political; and that, for the protec
ton of these interests, ConsulS, not Ministers
are the proper officers to be appointed. These
exist already; and where the treaty stipulation.
require that Consuls should communicate with
the local Government through a diplomatic
agent diplomatic powers may be conferred or
one Consul In each country, for the sole objec
! Of being the means, for himself and his col
! leagues, of direct intercourse 1cih that Gorern
1nent The adoption of this system would be-
| highly favorable 70 the commercial interests O
the United States, and would save to the treas
ury the utterly unnecessary expenditure annu
ally incurred for the support of sinecure dip,o
matte missions IN Europe. LYNX.