H. OF R.]

Minister to Russia.

[FEB. 7, 1831.

should have made any allusion, in a debate of this charac-saries of another character-if, in defending our friends, ter, to the memory of the late representative from !llinois. we are obliged to turn indignantly upon some paltry trader It was roughly obtruded upon us, sir, and I must be par- in low calumnies with a "lash of scorpions," or crush the doned for noticing the subject in any manner. I little vampyre with a storm of invective--the apology is then, thought there was any friend of the late administration | sir, not due to the offender, but to ourselves. bold enough to revive our recollections of that gentle- In our skirmishes and excursive wars here, sir, we canman's melancholy fate. I concur entirely with the gen- not choose our adversary, nor in our sports select our tleman from Rhode Island in his just tribute to his game. The gentleman from Rhode Island appears to have memory. He was among the most promising members of been particularly fortunate as a sportsman. He has winged this House-a gentleman of talents and ambition--beloved "imperial eagles, towering falcons, cock sparrows, and by his friends, and admired by his Constituents. In an evil mousing owls"--ay, and old mousers, too, sir. But, Mr. hour he was tempted to violate his obligations to the State Speaker, we may sometimes start other game--we may, he represented, and in this House gave the vote of that in our skirmishes here, encounter some magnanimous adState to the late President of the United States. He ap-versary-brave and generous as the valiant hound--the pealed to the tribuna! he had offended, but a judgment leader of the pack--one who yelps and pursues most was rendered against him. From that hour his hopes wi- loudly and fiercely when the game is- at a distance. thered, his spirits drooped-his ambition was destroyed-Were it near, sir--were the noble stag once to turn his he fell a much regretted victim to the late Presidential meteor eye upon his hunters with his magnificent antlers election. It became our duty, in the progress of our in-erect and threatening--“Tray, Blanch, and Sweetheart," vestigations in the Committee on Retrenchment, to probe would whine and skulk--and even the leader of the pack, the mysteries of the various departments of Governinent,ay, sir, even old Jowler would growl and sneak away. and to disclose many glaring abuses of the public confi- We may be obliged also to contend with some of a dence. We discovered, sir, that a practice had grown more respectable family; though, perhaps, not more disup of disbursing moneys without appropriations--of liqui- tinguished for courage or magnanimity. We may meet dating accounts without law--in short, that each depart- with some gentlemen of peculiar patriotism and refined ment had its little legislation of its own, without the au- political morality. He may have been, as a partisan, notorithority, co-operation, or knowledge of Congress. Amongous for his vituperations against Jefferson and Madisonthe disclosures, there was one of an extraordinary cha- he may be distinguished as the calumniator of every proracter. It was discovered that, while the late administra-minent member of a party uniformly devoted to republican tion had not the courage to confer on the representative principles of Government, and of every man in any manof Illinois an office corresponding to his talents, and to the ner distinguished for his civil or military services. Our station he ind occupied in our public councils--while they antagonist may be some partisan patriot, notorious for his dared not, for a manifest cause, send his name, coupled hostility to our constitution in 1798--to our laws in 1807— with an office, to the Senate of the United States, they to our country in the war of 1812. Perhaps, sir, he may had resorted to the miserable subterfuge of giving that be an outcast of some ancient and forlorn hope, of some gentleman a secret and poor employment, under a vain party publicly accused, upon high and distinguished hope that this singular transaction would remain forever authority, of plotting treason against the Union in our wrapt in diplomatic mystery. The committee ascertained, late war. And, sir, it may be the peculiar misfortune of to their surprise, and to the astonishment of the whole such an adversary--while his honorable associates repel nation, that a fictitious mission to Cuba had been created, the charge with proud indignation--it may be his sad desand that the late representative from Illinois had received tiny to be lashed to the car of his accuser. All the dignity his outfit from the secret service fund. I had not supposed, of the man may be sunk in the sycophancy of the parasite. sir, that there was one friend of the late administration He may not only crouch beneath the lash, but, like a so indiscreet or daring as to remind the nation of this dark poor slave, bend his head upon the footstool of his distinand mysterious affair. We have much reason, sir, to con-guished accuser, hug his chains, and breathe out vows of gratulate our country on the able and successful services eternal allegiance and fidelity.

of the present administration; but it most especially de- The gentleman from Rhode Island has witnessed an inserves the approbation of all for the frankness of its pro-teresting age, and has chronicled many revolutions in the ceedings, its faithful adherence to our laws, and its courage political world. He may yet live to see some such poor and firmness in encountering and arresting every violation wreck of humanity appearing again in public life-regeof the constitution. We have none of these abuses now, nerated, recoined, and restamped-fresh from the great sir--no disbursement of the public money without the express sanction of law--no Executive legislation--no diplomatic mystery.

national republican mint. But, sir, whenever and wher ever he may appear, he will be, as he has always has been, the unrelenting foe of every man at all respected for The course of this debate, Mr. Speaker, has made it moral dignity, or distinguished for patriotism. To such my duty to notice some lighter matters. I have no desire, an antagonist, the past can afford no consolation-the sir, to appear in this House in the character of a satirist, future no hope--he who looks back on the wreck of his with my bow and quiver. Mine is the humble ambition political fortunes and his withered hopes, with the bitter to be classed with its useful members. In my view, the glance of despair, can look forward only with a malignant monuments constructed here by reason and judgment, eye--flushed with revenge. The history of his country are far more solid and durable than all the splendid but affords him no consolation, save in the recollection of that more perishable draperies of the imagiration. But, what- memorable hour of our national calamities--the hour of ever may be our taste or ambition, sir, whoever appears his triumph and the patriot's despair-when with a treahere, must be armed at all points, and must expect to sonable oy he saw the flashes of our burning villages in encounter antagonists of every character. We are some-the North--the fires of Hampton and Havre de Gracetimes called upon to engage in a gentlemanly tournament the blaze of our capitol--when with treacherous exultawith men of principle, honor, and talent; but, sir, in such tion he welcomed the arrival of an invading and veteran a generous war, however keen our weapons, we leave no army on our Southern frontier.

stain upon the blade. If, in a sudden impulse, or by an The hopeless politician turns back with unnatural deungraceful thrust, we should wound our generous adver-light to that awful crisis in our national affairs, when sary, it is not only a duty, but a pleasure, to make the every American forgot the little animositics of party, and "umende honorable." But if, Mr. Speaker, we are some-yielded to the sublimer impulses of patriotism; when cur times driven to the hard necessity of encountering adver-bark was amidst the breakers, and the sea run mountains

FEB. 8, 1831.1

Minister to Russia.

[H. or R.

high; when some of the crew mutinied, and all hope seem- every principle of honor, and all the graces of gentlemanly ed to be lost! The treacherous mutineer, sir, the unhappy decorum-it may run wild in this House, flourishing its victim of despair and revenge, finds sweet consolation in scalping knife, hurling its tomahawk, and scattering its traducing that patriotic and gallant crew, who stood by poisoned arrows with malignant and savage ferocity-it the helm, and breasted and weathered the storm. But, sir, may shock our modesty, by comparing itself to the noble the sullen and desparing alien to his country's honor en- bird of Jove-it may insult the patriotism of the House, joys his sublimest revenge in bitterly calumniating the by associating itself with the venerated form of the imvenerable and gallant chief who ruled in the storm of bat-mortal Washington-nay, sir, it may violate all decency tle, and redeemed our lost hopes--who extinguished these and morality, and blaspheme our religion, by impiously unhallowed fires upon our land, and washed out the dis- assuming the holy and sublime mantle of the prophet Elihonorable stains upon our soil, with the blood of its in- jah! I trust, sir, that age, in this degenerate form, has vaders. The gloomy and desponding victim of despair, never appeared among us-I hope no such original will brooding over his withered hopes, can never pardon our ever disgrace this House-I trust it is "but fancy's Chief Magistrate for destroying all his unholy and ambi-sketch." Should, however, such a calamity ever befall tious plans, by closing the calamitous scenes of war in aus, I am sure the gentleman from Rhode Island will conblaze of victory. cur with me that it would be sacrilege--it would be an insult to venerable age, to reverence or to spare "the chartered libertine."

If it were not, Mr. Speaker, too great an indignity to the honorable members of this House, I might concur with the gentleman from Rhode Island, in supposing it possible Mr. Speaker, my task is finished. I engaged in this that we may encounter on this floor some member, whose debate from a hard necessity; but, sir, it is a duty I shall only title to respect would be the certificate we all enjoy never shrink from, when called upon to discharge the of the confidence of our constituents. We might, perhaps, obligations of friendship. I have only to regret the abbe obliged to engage with some gentleman remarkable sence of the gentlemen calumniated, who would have for his modesty, self-respect, and gentlemanly retinement. defended themselves with infinitely greater ability. I now Perchance, some disciplined orator, who may rise in this resign, sir, most cheerfully resign, all the honors of the House, with all the pomp and magnificence of a Demos-ring, all the vulgar triumphs of the fancy, to those who thenes--with his little library scattered around him--habitually indulge that exalted ambition. When humble threatening us with a speech of admirable dimensions. ambition, sir, is driven by a hard but imperious necessity But, with all this parade, he may yet, sir, disappoint him- to "quit the even tenor of its way," to grapple with a self, and relieve the apprehensions of his audience, by Cribb or a Molineux, the severity of the punishment should sinking, exhausted, and broken down, under the exces-correspond to the enormity of the sacrifice. In rebuking sive weight of an enormous exordium. To young modesty calumny, sir, to the best of my poor ability, I have not and talent this would be a calamity; but, sir, it is nothing ruffled a feather of the imperial eagle, "towering in his to your veteran rhetorician. Like the amphibious and pride of place." No, sir; withered be the arm that would skilful navigators of the pearl fishery, though they may harm the bold bird that sports and revels in the purple sink in one latitude, they rise in another, full freighted cloud of war, and lights, with a triumphant wing, on the with all the treasures of the deep. So, sir, with your standard of victory. No, sir; the arrow was aimed at an veteran speech-maker--this ill-fated exordium may, after ill-omened follower of the camp at the sable bird that some four, five, or six weeks' severe labor, appear in all hovers over and lights upon the field, when the battle is the amplitude of a pamphlet, corrected and revised by the lost and won, and claws in the graves of the brave for its author. And, sir, it might happen that this same pam- dreadful food. The vulture winged, the true sportsman phlet may contain a deliberate, calumnious, and malicious pursues such game no further; he leaves his victim to rot libel upon some prominent member of this House--per-upon the plain, to the kind care of its dusky mourners, haps, my honorable and distinguished friend from South with none to chaunt its requiem but myriads of cawing Carolina. And, sir, we might find a gentleman of such crows and croaking ravens. refined delicacy, and of so nice a sense of manly honor, as to convey to my honorable friend a copy of this same pamphlet, with its malicious libel, through the medium of the post office, with the most respectful compliments of the author! Now, sir, I should regret to imagine it possible that this dignified assembly should ever be disgraced by the presence of any such refined calumniator. Should Mr. BOULDIN presented the petition of inhabitants of it, however, ever happen, I am sure the gentleman from the county of Buckingham, in the State of Virginia, prayRhode Island would lament with me to see my honorable ing that the aid of the General Government may be exfriend from South Carolina driven to the hard necessity of tended to the American Colonization Society, either by a grappling with the miserable author of such an exordium, grant of money, or by employing a part of the naval force pamphlet, and calumny. in transmitting emigrants to the colony in Africa. ReferMINISTER TO RUSSIA.

Mr. ALEXANDER then rose to address the House, but gave way for a motion to adjourn; and then The House adjourned.

red.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8.

But, Mr. Speaker, our most painful duty in these our parliamentary wars is to encounter age. Not, sir, the venerable sage who appears among us to instruct us with The House having resumed the consideration of Mr. his counsels and his experience; to improve our manners, STANBERY'S motion to strike from the general appropriaby setting us a gentle and bland example of parliamentary tion bill the appropriation for the salary of the minister to courtesy; to win our esteem and to command our respect Russia,

and admiration, by a deportment majestic and dignified. Mr. ALEXANDER rose, and said he had but a few reNo, sir; age, in that venerated form, can never be en-marks to submit upon the subject now before the House. countered but with feelings of profound reverence and He could wish that he had none; but to be silent at this respect--the heart leaps to do it homage. But, sir, it time, would be criminal indeed. Much which has been may be our humiliating duty to encounter it in another brought into this discussion, he should pass over as unand a less dignified form. It may appear among us, sir, worthy of notice.

with its certificate stamped upon its forehead, of forty He regretted that the gentleman from Rhode Island, years' hard service in the Old Bailey--it may triumphantly [Mr. Buners,] after having commenced and continued a unrol its diploma from the renowned college of St. Giles'-- most virulent attack upon the administration, and the genmay rush upon us, reckless of every rule of propriety, tleman who had been appointed minister to Russia, should VOL. VII. --40

it

H. OF R.]

Minister to Russia.

[FEB. 8, 1831.

have absented himself this day from the House, without which I take upon myself here to say, from authority not waiting to see whether any thing could be said in their to be questioned, are without any foundation in truth to defence. If, as stated by him, there has been a depar- sustain them. His reception was such as became the chature from the original question under consideration, Mr. racter of a gentleman, and the dignity of the Government A. knew of no one more chargeable for that departure which he represented, and, upon taking leave, the best than the honorable gentleman himself. feeling and understanding subsisted between him and the official minister.

Ridicule, sir, in the hands of an ingenious and dexterous debater, when argument fails, is, we all know, one of the most powerful weapons that can be used for popular effect; and the gentleman understands perfectly well the part that he is playing, if he be content to suffer in that estimation which this House and the nation must entertain for his representative character. I can congratulate the gen tleman upon the aid which he has received in other quarters of the House, from those who may well deserve to rank as his noble compeers in this unholy crusade against fair fame and character.

It was not without some degree of mortification, Mr. A. confessed, that he had witnessed the course which this debate had taken, and been prosecuted on the part of certain gentlemen. He did not mean to follow them in that tirade of coarse abuse, vilification, and ridicule, which they had thought proper to indulge in, leaving them to enjoy the full benefit of such pantomimes as have been exhibited upon the boards; but he should treat the subject in general as it deserved, seriously, and place it upon that ground where it ought properly to rest. The gentleman from Rhode Island [Mr. B.] has furnished me with admonitory counsel upon this subject, of which I shall claim advantage, when he said, in allusion to another gen- Gentlemen have said much of constructive journeys and tleman in this debate, [Mr. CAMBRELENG,] that it was the constructive residences, and so did Tristram Shandy say place, and not the man, which gave character to the sen- much of noses of "radical heat and radical moisture," timents uttered upon this floor, and which required them which may be as well understood by some one in this deto be noticed. But for this cons deration, the gentle- bate; and there is just about the same difference between man should have passed by me "as the idle wind which I the case in point, and what they would have one believe respect not. is a constructive journey, as there was in point of size Mr. A. could but lament that the gentleman should between the nose of Tristram and the famous Slawkenhave availed himself of this opportunity to give vent to bergiur. Gentlemen seem rather sensitive upon this subthat "testy humor" for which he is so remarkable, at an ject-all is not well with them, I fear. It may be, should age when he may be said to be looking to another world, the bill which has passed this House regulating the milewhere the wicked cease from trouble, and the weary age of members of Congress fail to become a law, they are at rest;" and I concur with my colleague, [Mr. COKE,] will have an account to render nearer home of a construc that it would have been far more becoming, had he ob- tive journey-a journey performed upon the periphery of served that christian virtue, in rather forgiving than re- a circle, instead of the diagonal of a parallelogram; and, viling the frailties and infirmities of a fellow-mortal. It like the bird when alarmed for the safety of its own brood, is true, sir, the gentleman has disclaimed saying any thing seek to decoy the enemy in pursuit of other game. Corinjurious to the reputation of the minister abroad, who poral Trim, sir, after taking his position on the floor, with has been made the subject of his sarcasm; for he well his body squared well to the front, according to the line knew that was beyond the reach of calumny, or the venom of a vindictive and malignant spirit; while, at the same time, he has portrayed him in such colors, that none can mistake-applied to him the most opprobrious terms which a distempered imagination could suggest, calculated to affect his standing at home and abroad, and to impair the confidence of the people in the power that appointed him. What, sir, is a picture, a painting, a caricature, less a libel or slander, in the eye of the law, because it happens not to be printed or spoken? And docs the gentleman mean Mr. A. said he had no asperity of feeling; no antipathies to purge himself of the contempt, in his legislative capa- to indulge in against any one, either in this House or out city, by saying there was no evil intent expressed? I shall of it. He did not wish to war against the living, much not admit the plea, but hold him responsible to the law, less the dead, the aged, or the infirm! But he hoped he as it is written; for, sir, permit me here to say, that there should be pardoned for attempting to rescue the reputa is nothing which tends so much to injure the character of tion of an absent gentleman from the fangs as it were of our country with foreign nations, as the scurrilous publi- vipers, who were as "hungry as death, and unrelenting as cations and vile aspersions with which the public presses the grave."

of science, at an angle of eighty-five and a half degrees, always began reading, "with the most persuasive angle of incidence," his sermon to my uncle Toby, by first saying, for we trust we have a good conscience.".

There is no meeting gentlemen upon a theatre of this sort, unless one descends to an arena, and do there contend with menBorn to rex a State, With wrangling talents, formed for foul de bate.'

teem, unless it be persons high in official stations at home After the explanation that was given by my colleague, and abroad, who malign and disparage the Chief Magis- [Mr. ARCHER,] who entered early upon this debate, I had trate of the Union. The design and effect of the philip-hoped that the question raised by the mover would have pic which we have heard, cannot be misunderstood. It been decided at once by the House. If he supposed in is intended to destroy, if possible, the usefulness of the this way to assail the reputation of the minister, or through minister, in accomplishing the objects of his mission. Else him, under color of friendship, the administration, which why these extracts, taken from the speeches said to have must share in some degree the responsibility of the misbeen delivered by him some years since, and read by the sion, he has wholly failed of his purpose. And after the gentleman from Rhode Island, [Mr. B.] unless with the manifestation which the gentleman gave on a former ocview to prejudice him and the administration at the court casion of the kind of friendship he bore to it, none will to which he has been sent? Even admitting all that he is envy him a distinction which he may claim exclusively his represented as saying respecting the Russian dynasty, it own. What, sir, are we to be told, and the nation, toc, is a matter of history known to the public, and about which and that upon the authority of the President of the United he had a right to speak. States, that we have no minister to the court of St. PetersThe gentleman has been pleased to allude to the recep-burg, when it is well known, that a gentleman was regu tion and conduct of the minister at the court of St. Peters-larly nominated at the last session of Congress, and con burg, in such a way as to have associated himself with the firmed, if not unanimously, without even a division by the miserable slangs and vile slanders fabricated and circu- Senate? The gentleman from Georgia [Mr. WARNE lated by certain presses for party and political purposes, has well distinguished between the ineral and political

FEB. 8, 1831.]

=

Minister to Russia.

[H. OF R

effect which such a declaration going forth to the public Mr. A. desired to know how came the diplomatic term should have, when accompanied with the peculiar circum-in use, which says, that such a person is appointed minister stances of the case in question.

near the court of Russ a, of England, or the United States, But, says the gentleman from Rhode Island, [Mr. B.] if it does not imply an occasional absence, or residence in it is the illegality of the measure to which we object. a foreign territory, or not immediately at the seat of GoAnd when was he ever known to raise his voice against vernment. Would the British minister be less so, if he the illegality or unconstitutionality of any measure before? were accredited by this Government, and resided in CaI hold it not proper in this House now to disapprove the nada or Texas, than he is now at the city of Washington? mission as an act of original creation, by withholding the I apprehend not. The mere circumstances of residence, appropriation necessary to carry it into execution. The I therefore consider as a matter of arrangement between objection, if valid at all, should have been urged at the the respective sovereigns and their ministers as to the most time of the appointment, and not when a moral obligation convenient and best mode of conducting the negotiation. has arisen on the part of this House to carry into effect the There is so little in this point, that I shall not bestow upon Executive will. In this way, you may control and coun-it any further consideration. teract the most important function of the Executive branch, The President has fairly and properly stated the subject which was intended to be separate and distinct from the to this House and the nation; he has informed us that our Legislative Department. I shall not pretend to say that relations with Russia are upon the most friendly and stable it would not be the duty of this House to interpose its foundation, and not likely to be disturbed; that our minisauthority, and prevent an improper or mischievous mis-ter, shortly after his arrival there, was compelled, in consion, such as the Panama; but then the exertion of power sequence of the bad state of his health, to seek a more should go directly to the mission itself, and not to any per- genial climate, with a view to its re-establishment, intisonal objection which we may have to the minister; that mating, at the same time, that there was no danger of our is a matter belonging exclusively to the Executive will. interests suffering in that quarter, as the necessary commuThe gentleman has also failed in his analogy, by compar-nication could be kept up through the secretary of legaing this with the case of Mr. Cook, who was appointed tion, who was left there. Even this young man has not by the late administration, at a time when he was physi- been permitted to escape the vituperation of the gentlecally and mentally unable to undertake any business, to go man from Rhode Island, [Mr. Bunges.] He has been to Cuba-for what, nobody knew-merely touched there- represented as having nothing but youth and his surname pocketed a sum of the secret-service money of the Go-to recommend him to public notice. I shall not pretend vernment to what amount, I believe, was never ascer-to speak of his merits, as they are better known to the tained-went home, and died. representatives from Philadelphia, the place of his resiThe gentleman from Rhode Island [Mr. BURGES] has,dence, who are more able to vindicate them than I am. however, wisely discovered that this mission is contrary have, however, always understood that he is a young gento the laws of nations, and, therefore, void; and how does tleman in good standing and most exemplary deportment. he prove it? By attempting to show, with a kind of spe- It is true, he has not had much knowledge or experience cious reasoning, that the minister has divested himself of in the world; yet, with a few exceptions, it is generally his rights and privileges, in taking up his residence for a the case of those most usually appointed. Since the gentletime in a country beyond the control of the Government man has taken upon himself to draw a comparison between to which he has been sent, when there is not a single au- youth and old age, I hope to be pardoned, since he has thority in the whole code, respecting the character of espoused the last, for advocating the first, in the language ministers, going to sustain the position. The argument of an illustrious individual on another occasion: which has been presented to the House, might with much "Whether youth can be imputed to any man as a remore propriety have been addressed to the Emperor of proach, I will not assume the province of determining; Russia, to prevent his accrediting the minister, if there be but surely age may become justly contemptible, if the any force in it. But, unfortunately for the gentleman, the opportunities which it brings have passed away without Emperor disagrees with him in his view of the law of na-improvement, and vice appears to prevail when the pastions, and has not only received and accredited the minis-sions should have subsided. He who, after having seen ter, but permitted him to retire to another kingdom and the consequences of a thousand errors, continues still to carry on his negotiation. The same rights, immunities, vilify, and whose age has only added obstinacy to maligand independence, which belong to the character of min-nity, is surely the object of either abhorrence or contempt, isters travelling to and from one court to another, and deserves not that his grey head should secure him through the dominions of different sovereigns, still follow from insults.

I

him; and it will be time enough, when these are violated, "Much more is he to be abhorred, who, as he has adto consider the question which has been raised in this de-vanced in age, has receded from virtue, and becomes bate. If, however, the law of nations should prove inade-more wicked with less temptation; who prostitutes himself quate for this purpose, the minister, with the aid of the for a reward which he never can hope to enjoy, and municipal authorities, wherever he may be, will be able to spends the remains of his life in the ruin of his country." take care of himself; and, if not, I can assure the gentleman, he will never ask protection at his hands; for that would be, as the law has it, commitlere agnum lupo.

But after all, said Mr. A., is this an affair of such moment as to justify the vindictive feeling which the gentleman has thought proper to bring into this debate? Is it The gentleman is equally unfortunate in the authorities not usual, during the absence of the minister, to entrust adduced to prove that the commission of the minister is the business to a chargé, or even a secretary of legation, at an end. The object for which he was sent abroad has as I think was the case of our late minister, Mr. not been accomplished; neither has he been recalled, nor King, who, at the time of his appointment, it was well sent home, or any where else, except with the permission known, could not conduct a laborious and complicated of his own Government, the court of Russia, and his own negotiation, from the delicacy of his health, and was perfree will. The term elsewhere, as used, and upon which mitted to sojourn through England, with the hope of its the gentleman mainly relies his argument, can only mean recovery? Yet, sir, did any one ever think of denying to when sent to some other court, by order of his Govern-him a salary necessary for his support, and created ment, for a different purpose. The events then not hap- by every moral consideration? Was not Mr. Barlow pening, which terminate his mission by the law of nations, allowed to leave France and go into a foreign country he may be said still to be invested with all the rights and for the benefit of his health, where he died? The same immunities which originally belonged to him. privilege has been enjoyed by our late minister, (Mr.

H. OF R.]

Minister to Russia.

[FEB. 8, 1831.

Brown,) as stated by the honorable gentleman from New his country to enter upon this new and untried scene. York, [Mr. CAMBRELENG;] and where then was this new-And yet, sir, we are gravely asked where are the monuborn zeal which has so suddenly sprung up on the part of ments of his genius, the fabrics of his workmanship, certain gentlemen, in behalf of the people?-this resist- which entitle him to this distinction? As well might genance to the encroachments of power, which, for the first tlemen ask Virginia for her jewels, and they would receive time, has ever shown itself in the gentleman from Rhode the same answer in reference to him that was given by Island? [Mr. BURGES.] It was as silent as the grave! But the mother of the Gracchi. From the honorable manner because it happens to be the distinguished gentleman, in which the offer was made, his patriotism, yes, sir, his whom envy, malice, and detraction have sought in vain patriotism, did not permit him to decline a service so ha to destroy, and hailing as he does from Virginia, are these denunciations and "vials of wrath" poured out upon his devoted and unoffending head! They have been met by my colleagues, and the honorable gentleman from Georgia, [Mr. WAYNE,] in such a style and manner, that I shall not attempt to emulate them; and the assailants, scoffers, and deriders, have been thrown back, covered with shame and confusion.

zardous to himself personally, if he could be at all useful to his country; and with promptness, although Congress failed to provide him with the necessary outfit, did he repair upon his own resources to fulfil the expectations of his Government.

It was, sir, no Russian winter, so much to be appre hended to his constitution, which he had to meet, but a tropical sun, as fatal to his health at the period of his ar As to what the gentleman has been pleased to allege as rival, as if he had been landed at New Orleans on the banks fraudulent diplomacy in the Secretary of State--machina- of the Mississippi; and for this visitation of Providence, tions on the part of the administration, in attempting to is he to be denied a compensation which never could have bribe the State of Virginia, and the gentleman upon whom been a consideration with him for accepting the appoint the mission was conferred, I shall say nothing further ment? No one who knows him will ever believe that he than to state that this House and the nation, knowing the would "sell the mighty space of his large honors, for so person who makes the charge, and that it exists in his own much trash as may be grasped thus." imagination, unsupported by any evidence whatever, will put it down to its proper account.

Sir, said Mr. A., it is not the first time that I have witnessed an attempt in this House to injure the well-earned reputation of the gentleman abroad, when the distance of three thousand miles separated him from his assailant, and then, as now, with perhaps scarce a hope of being again able to return to his own native shores! Providence, however, was pleased to spare his life, and he met the attack, and has placed that matter where his honor and integrity rest perfectly secure. How it is on the other side,

let the seal of Hermes disclose.

But, sir, it is not necessary for me to stand here as his eulogist. His fame is written upon every page of his country's history, and is as lasting as his own native hills. Those gentlemen who preceded me in this debate, have done full justice to his merits, and I could only follow in their wake, without the hope of adding one wreath to the chaplet that decorates his brow. I shall, however, say, amidst all the billingsgate abuse, vile contumely, and back wounding calumny, which strikes the whitest virtue," he stands like the aged oak of the forest, unscath ed, glorying in his height, conscious of a well-spent life in his country's cause, and knowing that he still lives in the hearts and affections of his fellow-citizens, whom he has served faithfully, honestly, and independently, for the last thirty years, and none, the vilest recreant, dare enter there to rob him of his good name.

Now, sir, neither the distinguished gentleman, nor the State which claims him as a citizen, ever sought the honor which this appointment confers. Neither has ever been found bowing to the subserviency of Executive power, or truckling at the footstool of a foreign throne; and the Mr. PEARCE, of Rhode Island, next rose. In the few insinuation which has been thrown out, is worthy only the remarks which I intend to submit to the House, said Mr. character of the servile sycophant, who knows how to P., it will not be my object to consider the question as one minister to the will of Executive patronage, and wor- confined to Mr. Randolph, or any other individual, but to ship at the shrine of idolatry. Virginia owes allegiance all persons whose cases may come within certain rules to no administration, further than it may choose to respect which the Government of the United States ought to esthe rights of the citizens, and the principles of the con- tablish and enforce. This debate would have been curstitution. She stands towards this as she has done to all tailed if the gentlemen who had preceded me had confined others, approving where she can, and condemning where their remarks to the real subject of dispute. Mr. Van she must. So long as it acts faithfully to the people and Buren is not now on trial, nor is the President of the the constitution, she will give it a just and honest support. United States, but the question is one which will admit of Often has she discarded her political favorites when they discussion under any administration; if not now settled, have departed from the faith, and received them back may be hereafter presented, and may again be the fruitful only when they have turned from the error of their ways. source of contention and discord. Of all species of leHow was this appointment made? It was given in con- gislation, that to my mind is the most odious which relates sideration of the distinguished public services of the to individuals, or the particular cases of individuals. Being honorable gentleman who had retired to repose from the unwilling also to travel out of the road, and anxious to turmoils and strife of the political world, with no wish or bring this debate to a close, I will also confine myself to expectation of being again called upon to mingle in them. the only information which we have received, and on At a time when he had performed, as he supposed, the which we can well rely, so far as the question presented last duty he owed to his fellow-citizens, those constituents for our consideration is involved. What is that informa whom the gentleman from Rhode Island [Mr. BURGES] tion, and from what source does it come? From the Presi has so sneeringly alluded to, when he remarked that he dent of the United States in his first communication made had once heard him (Mr. Randolph) say in this House, to Congress this session. This comes to us in an official "they were such as no man ever had before," and he form, under the impress of our Executive; it is all that [Mr. BURGES] believed it. Yes, sir; I shall tell the gen- we have received officially, and all that we can with pro tleman they are such as he will never have the honor to priety refer to. Let us refer to this information. The serve. As I was about to say, when he had discharged President of the United States, after informing us that the last act of his political life to his constituents, in the our relations with Russia are of the most stable character, convention which recently revised their State constitution, and respect for that empire, and confidence in its friendwhere the powers of his mind, and his sagacity as a states- ship towards the United States, have been so long enterman, claimed for him a pre-eminent distinction among tained on our part, and so carefully cherished by the prethose with whom he was associated, was he required by sent Emperor and his illustrious predecessor, as to liave