H. OF R.] Minister to Russia. [FER. 8, 1831. Webster's speech throughout is an effort to prove that "It would be unfortunate, indeed, continues Mr. W., we were constitutionally bound to appropriate the salaries if our line of constitutional action were to vibrate backof public ministers; that we had nothing to do with the ward and forward, according to our opinions of persons, establishment of missions, nor with the appointment of swerving this way to-day, from undue attachment, and ministers, nor with their instructions. Thus, sir, I have the other way to-morrow, from distrust or dislike. This shown the gentleman from Rhode Island "where the com- may sometimes happen from the weakness of our virtues, petency of this House to move such a debate was ques or the excitement of our passions, but I trust it will not tioned," and that "it was by the friends of the last admin- be coolly recommended to us as the rightful course of istration." That is not all, sir; for he, too, sustained the public conduct.” doctrine throughout then, (however obnoxious it may appear now,) by his vote, and by his aid to that mission, in every stage, and through all its ramifications. "The weakness of our virtues, or the excitement of our passions." Sir, upon which horn of the dilemma does the gentleman hang? Is it the result of weak virtue' cr Sir, how much more appropriate would the arguments would it not be more charitable to suppose that "excited of the learned gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Web- passion" had caused this extraordinary change? However, ster) have been to the question at present before us? sir, with his virtues or his passions I have nothing to doTheir force and reasoning, if it applied to the establish- but yet I have not done with the gentleman. ment of the mission to Panama, how much more eminent- Sir, let us run out the gentleman's doctrine, and see ly does it apply in this case? The present is a mission where it would necessarily carry him. "We," said he, of long standing. Those acquainted with the diploma-"are the keepers of the people's money; we should keep tic history of the country will recollect that it originated a watchful eye over their interests, and should only pay with Mr. Jefferson. He nominated Mr. Short, who was for services actually rendered." "How long," asked the rejected by the Senate. Mr. J. Q. Adams was subse- gentleman, "was Mr. Randolph at St. Petersburg? Pay quently nominated by Mr. Madison, and was our first min-him for that time—in justice he can demand no more." ister at the court of St. Petersburg, and a diplomatic Now, sir, if we adopt this as the rule of our action to intercourse has been kept up ever since between the two graduate the pay according to services actually rendered, Governments. But it has been this ordinary kind of inter- the rule must operate upon every officer of the Govern course recognised by the laws of nations, and practised on ment. We cannot pay the judges of the Supreme Court by the civilized world. until we inquire whether they have discharged all the Not so, sir, with the Panama mission. Although the duties assigned to them. If our venerable Chief Justice friends of that measure labored hard to confound it with should be sick, or prevented arriving here to sit upon the the usual diplomatic relations betwen friendly Powers; Supreme Court Bench, by such a snow storm as we have and although the persons nominated were denominated just witnessed, why, the gentleman's doctrine is, to with"ministers," yet they were the representatives of this na-hold his salary. The President, the heads of depart tion sent to a " Congress of nations," which was by pre-ments, nay, sir, our Senators and Representatives in Convious conventional arrangement, by treaties signed and gress, we ourselves, must apply the rule to ourselves, and ratified, to convene at the isthmus of Panama; and the make it operate here too. What has been the situation topics for consideration and adjustment were all arranged of the gentleman himself during the present session He and specifically set forth by the South American repub- was unable to attend to his duties here, by sickness, for lics, in the treaties before alluded to. Our ministers then some time. The people of Rhode Island elected him, not (more properly representatives, and deputies they were to be sick, but to attend to their interests on this floor. called in South America) would have necessarily been The gentleman has not done it; and why? Because his compelled to take part in those subjects; and, by taking health would not permit him. And can any man here be part, it was feared by many of us that we might be com- so devoid of self-respect, so lost to every feeling and prin mitted, as a nation, to enter into any arrangement which a ciple of a gentleman, as to move, in his place, that, in majority of those nations might have decided on. There the settlement of the accounts of Mr. BURGES, he should fore, the representatives of the people here had a right--not be allowed pay for those days he failed to attend the nay, it was their bounden duty-to stay, if they could, a House on account of sickness?" Would not such a moproject so novel, so dangerous, and fraught with unknown tion, sir, disgrace any man? consequences. But, says the gentleman, Mr. Randolph was not fitYet the gentleman from Rhode Island, [Mr. BURGES,] was by no means a suitable person to fill the mission, and with a knowledge of all those facts, swallowed down that the President ought not to have selected him, &c.; and, mission, appropriations and all, which cost the Govern- therefore, he should not be paid. The answer to this is ment near a hundred thousand dollars, but now has be- sir, that that is a mere matter of opinion; and the op come so fastidious with regard to the "people's rights," nion which the American people, which Europe and pos &c., that the regular salary allowed by law to our foreign terity will entertain of Mr. Randolph as a gentleman, a ministers completely choaks him. Sir, I cannot say that statesman, and an orator, will be perfectly uninfluenced this is "straining at a guat and swallowing a camel," but by any thing said, or to be said, in this House, by all that I do think it is swallowing a camel and then straining at a family of orators who select their moment for attack when guat. Sir, why is all this? Is it because Mr. Adams re- he is three thousand miles off. It is matter of opinion, commended the one, and General Jackson the other? If and it may be of jaundiced opinion. As well might I say so, let me read another paragraph or two from the speech the gentleman from Rhode Island was not fit for a repreof Mr. Webster, which, no doubt, that gentleman con- sentative in Congress, and that the good people of Rhode siders high authority: Island and Providence Plantations did themselves wrong "The confidence which is due from us to the Executive, to elect him, and, therefore, he should not be paid. But and from the Executive to us, is not personal, but official what would the answer be? "You, sir, have no right to and constitutional, says Mr. W. It has nothing to do with think any thing about it; the constitution has given us the individual likings or dislikings, but results from that divi- right to judge of that matter, and we will elect whom we sion of power among departments, and those limitations please. The responsibility rests on us, not on you. on the authority of each, which belong to the nature and This would be the response of the people of Rhode Island: and it would be the true response. It is also equally true, that the constitution has placed the appointing power in the hands of the President and the Senate, and from them we cannot take it if we would. It is no argument to say frame of our Government." Sir, has the course of the gentleman from Rhode Island been influenced by "individual likings or dislikings" But a little further, sir: FEB. 8, 1831.] Minister to Russia. [H. of R. that they have not done their duty, or have acted impro-travelled. It was in defence of those outfits, salaries, and perly in the discharge of their duty, because they are not constructive journeys, which the member alluded to was accountable to us; for, like ourselves, they are the agents speaking; and that member was no other than the honorof the people, and responsible alone to them; and should they violate the high trust committed to them, (as in the case of the last administration,) the people will remedy the evil. Sir, the propositions of the gentleman are so absurd, and so palpably untenable, as to almost require an apology for any argument designed to refute them; for they stand refuted on their very face. The object of the discussion, sir, cannot be mistaken. It is vainly hoped that, by this course of abuse and vituperation, they will get up a popular excitement against General Jackson; and they have pounced upon the appointment of Mr. Randolph, because he is unfortunately sick in a distant land, and they wish to hold the President responsible for the misfortunes of Mr. Randolph, because, say they, his health had been bad for a series of years, &c. able gentleman himself, [Mr. BURGES,] who appears so horror struck at the idea of our minister at the court of St. Petersburg living for one day out of that "royal city.” What does he say in defence of Mr. Adams, or rather as an excuse for the large amount of money which Mr. A. received in one year? "Let it be remembered, said Mr. BURGES, (I will not read all, sir,) that Mr. Adams continued to be minister to Russia, and to discharge the duties of that station the whole time of his mission to Ghent, to form a treaty of peace with Grea. Britain. His mission to Russia continued after the conclusion of the treaty of Ghent," &c. I ask you now, sir, to look at his speech in defence of Mr. Adams, and his exorbitant charges for his services, and his speech charging Mr. Randolph with the high Now, sir, if the notions of the friend and partisan of the crime of sickness, which he says should prevent Mr. Rangentleman from Rhode Island [Mr. MALLARY] are to be dolph from charging the Government with his salary, aladopted, and men selected for their proximity in strength ready fixed and regulated by law. To bring the charge to the horse or the ox, then I grant you that the President home upon Mr. R., he found it necessary to state, in his was wrong. It would have been better, sir, to have taken place upon this floor, and upon his responsibility as a some Green Mountain Vermonter, a sheriff of Vermont, member, "that, hitherto, our relations with Russia had or a Rhode Island whaleman, who could have harpooned been cherished and sustained by a minister residing at the a king, or the "great Autocrat of all the Russias himself," court, within the royal city," &c. &c. Yet, to acquit Mr. and bring him to. But, sir, if political virtue, political Adams, his statements are precisely the reverse. Mr. information, political integrity, sagacious mind, towering and unequalled intellect, with rich stores of learning, such as no other man is heir to, of great moral worth, and high chivalry of feeling; in short, if the possession of every attribute which dignifies and ennobles men, should be the distinguishing characteristics by which we are to judge of men's fitness for such elevated stations, then I ask, sir, where was that individual to be found more eminently qualified than John Randolph, of Roanoke? Not on this continent, sir, and Andrew Jackson knew it, and the unanimous voice of the Senate approved the selection. Adams, he says, while upon the peace mission at Ghent, continued to discharge the duties of minister to Russia. Sir, look at the two cases. While the whole continent of Europe was convulsed with war, while the mighty genius of Napoleon was holding the crowned heads of that hemisphere at bay, while the dearest interests of our country were at stake, and rested, in a great degree, upon the energy of our ministers at Ghent, and upon a faithful discharge of their duties, and when all the faculties of their minds must have been devoted to the treaty of peace, then under consideration; yet, under all these circumstances, But let us pursue the gentleman's speech a little further: Mr. Adams was able, and did, says the gentleman, To show the great impropriety of Mr. Randolph's leaving continue to discharge the duties of minister to Russia." the "royal city of St. Petersburg," the gentleman has Now, Mr. Speaker, I ask if, under all those circumstances, found it necessary to state to this House, that "our rela- Mr. Adams could discharge the duties of that station; tions with Russia have hitherto been cherished and sus- whether it is not much more fair to presume that Mr. tained by a minister plenipotentiary residing near that Randolph (although unwell, and at London) can conAt that court, in the royal city of St. Petersburg, tinue to discharge the duties of minister to Russia?" The and within the political and social circle of the Emperor conclusion is irresistible; and I might here pause to ask, himself, the high dignitaries of his Government, and the di- sir, how the gentleman could possibly shield himself plomatic envoys of all the nations of Europe, and many of from this gross, this palpable inconsistency. Perhaps, sir, those of Asia." The gentleman was not satisfied with the behind the ramparts of a "bald head and grey locks." diplomatic term "near," but emphatically says, "at" the Be it so. Is any one here ignorant that Mr. R., with that court, within the royal city of St. Petersburg, &c. elevation of character which has always distinguished him, court. 66 The frailties, Mr. Speaker, incident to poor humanity, left the United States without an outfit, refusing to re(of which I feel that I have my full share,) are frequently ceive any thing which was not regularly and specifically pled in bar of errors committed when no better excuse appropriated to his compensation, and that he is actually can be offered. This may be pled, sir, by the gentleman in Europe on his own resources? This single fact, so from Rhode Island, [Mr. BURGES,] for that part of his characteristic of that gentleman, stands as a set-off to this speech which I have just read, when I have shown him whole debate, the only reference to which, in time to from authority which he cannot doubt, which he dare not come, will be for the sake of this great fact, which his doubt, that that statement had no foundation in fact, and friends could not otherwise have placed in that full view that the gentleman knew it. before the American people, which its disinterestedness, and sacred regard to specific appropriations, so richly deserves. Now, sir, for the authority. I beg leave to read you from a speech delivered in the House of Representatives by a member from Rhode Island, on the 15th February, The gentleman from Rhode Island has also taken it 1827, Gales & Seaton's Register of Debates, vol. 3, page upon himself to state that the last annual message of the 1197, in favor of allowing Mr. Poinsett, our then minister President was the production of cabinet ministers, and at Mexico, an outfit of $9,000 for travelling a distance of that no member of this House could, without hazard of nine miles, from the city of Mexico to Tacubaya. This his reputation, say that he believed the President compos was the immediate subject under discussion, but the di- ed one sentence of it." Will he say, also, that he did not plomatic expenditures of the Government had been inves- fight his own battles? that his victories were gained, not tigated, and Mr. Adams had been placed in bold relief, as by him, but by others for him? The gentleman, no doubt, having received different outfits in the same year, while Mr. Speaker, considers himself very high authority in cases receiving an annual salary of $9,000, and also of this kind; but, sir, hazardous as it may appear to the charged for constructive journeys which he had never gentleman, I here take the liberty of saying that I believe he was H. OF R.] Minister to Russia. [FER. 8, 1831. Sir, since the inventive genius of man first developed itself-since the days in which the mighty genius of the great Grecian poet invented the machinery of poets, and brought gods in alliance with mortals--never has such an invention as this of Mr. Van Buren's been heard of. -not only one, but every sentence of the message was com- Buren with having made. The part of the message re posed by Andrew Jackson. I mean by that, sir, that all lating to the mission to Russia, the gentleman says, is a the great and leading principles contained in that docu-"fabric wrought in the State Department, and that Mr. ment were the suggestions of the President's own mind. Van Buren had invented that mission to suit the talents, There is no doubt that his cabinet ministers were consult- &c. of John Randolph." ed; and in any thing which it became necessary to say, which had immediate connexion with either of their departments, the head of that department would, of course, be consulted, and their views and wishes attended to, and treated with the deference and respect due to them. This he might do, and be as much the author of his message as What, sir! invented a mission that had been invented of his victories. But what has this to do with the question more than twenty years ago, and, in accordance with the before us? Nothing, sir. And it only proves the design original invention, diplomatic intercourse regularly kept of getting up this debate. It was not, sir, to prevent the up between the Governments ever since! Well may this appropriation of the money, but to get an opportunity of be called the age of mechanics, when such inventions as letting off some of their yellow bile upon the administra- these are brought forth. If Archimedes had had whereon tion; hoping, perhaps, to get up a popular excitement to set his fulcrum, he could not have surpassed this inwhich would injure the President in his next election. vention of the Secretary of State: and if Mr. Van Buren And the modus operandi of the gentleman is, to plunder could only get a model of his own invention, and deposite from General Jackson his hard-earned fame; to steal from it, according to our patent laws, in the Patent Office, he him the civic honors he is winning for himself, and with would certainly be entitled to a patent right for the most those honors to deck the brow of Mr. Van Buren. And, novel and extraordinary invention ever heard of by man. to do this, he turns tail on himself, and contradicts all the Sir, I shall push on now to a duty, which is a painful one, doctrines of the Panama and Tacubaya school. Yes, sir, but one made necessary by the course and object of this while he denounces the Secretary of State as a Machiavel, debate. I remarked before, sir, that it was impossible to he makes him the author of all the President's messages, disguise the aim and object of the opposition, who have and particularly his last, which has been pronounced by provoked this unnecessary and unexpected discussion. the American people to be one of the most able State is, sir, to induce the people to believe that General Jackpapers delivered to Congress since the commencement son and his friends are regardless of their rights, and of the Government. But that may be the reason of the recklessly squandering their money; and they have taken attack on the message. The people like it; therefore occasion to remark upon expenditures of the last ad some hate it. ministration, which were denounced as highly improper But, sir, the purity and integrity of Gen. Jackson's by the republican party then in Congress, whose objec character is so well known and established with the tions have been subsequently sustained by the American American people, that the gentleman is aware he is invul people. Sir, as the people, in their high elective capa nerable in that part; and the greatest effort of the gentle- city, had pronounced judgment upon the last administraman has been to make him a fool, an automaton in the tion, and consigned the men then in power to the shades hands of a "Machiavelian" politician, who moves him at of retirement, I think it would have been better for their will. Sir, I do not hesitate to pronounce that more in- friends to have suffered them and their acts to have re justice has been done to General Jackson, with regard to mained undisturbed. But, sir, as they have challenged a the dictation of his various communications to Congress, parallel case to this of Mr. Randolph, I will show it them. than to any great man that our country has produced; I commence, sir, by naming the much-talked-of and and it is the result of two causes, operating with equal far-famed, but abortive, Panama mission, which cost the force, to blast the fame of that noble, generous, good, Government something like one hundred thousand dol and great man. One of those causes results from the lars. The particulars and merits of that mission it is not course pursued by the Adams and Clay party during the now necessary to mention or discuss. But there were last Presidential election. The abuse and slanders pour- some circumstances connected with the movements of one ed forth against him by his enemies, will be recollected of the ministers and the secretary of legation, which I by all. Nothing that villany could suggest, or baseness deem it proper to bring to the recollection of gentlemen execute, but what was said and done to ruin the standing who supported that mission, but who deem the appoint and character of General Jackson. He could neither ment of and movements of Mr. Randolph so reprehensible. read, write, nor spell, said the party; and although so The nominations of Mr. Anderson, Mr. Sergeant, and many proofs have been given of his superior intellect and Mr. Rochester, were confirmed by the Senate on the 15th learning, yet it would not do for the gentleman from March, 1826. Mr. Anderson, who was our then minister Rhode Island to recognise it as the production of General at Bogota, left that place, under his new orders, for Pa Jackson; for that would be giving the lie direct to his party, nama, and had to wait till he died in the pestilential swamp and to what he has, no doubt, said himself. Therefore, of Carthagena, while his colleagues were electioneering which is his. it is, that they will allow nothing to General Jackson the United States. He was, nevertheless, paid, or his representatives were paid, an outfit of $9,000: (I have the The other cause I alluded to is, that certain of the authority of the gentleman from Rhode Island for saying friends, or pretended friends, of General Jackson, are so:) and he stated it in his speech made in favor of Mr. looking forward to their own elevation, and will willingly Poinsett's receiving another outfit, who was appointed the take all the credit of General Jackson's acts, and of his successor to Mr. Anderson. It will be recollected, sir, administration, if it will aid their future prospects. His that the Congress of nations adjourned from Panama to fame or himself are nothing to them, unless they can be meet at Tacubaya, a place about nine miles distant from advanced by him or his fame. And thus, sir, is this great the city of Mexico, where Mr. Poinsett then was, as cur man, honest himself, confiding in his nature, about to be destroyed by those causes operating in conjunction. His character, sir, is the property of this nation, sacred to the American people, and "must be preserved." The gentleman from Rhode Island amused me by a discovery which he has made, and which has only been excelled by an "invention" which he charges Mr. Van minister, and the gentleman [Mr. BURGES] advocated his receiving an outfit of $9,000 for travelling that distance, while he was receiving his salary of $9,000 per annum, and which he never travelled; for the vagrant Congress was never found, nor ever sat in any town, village, or parish, whatever. It was not thought expedient by Mr. Adams and Mr. FEB. 8, 1831.] Minister to Russia. [H. of R. Clay, to order Mr. Sergeant and Mr. Rochester to repair The secret mission of the late Mr. Cook to the island to Panama, as originally designed, but kept them at home of Cuba was remarked upon by the gentleman from for other purposes. The distinguished gentleman who Rhode Island, but for what purpose, I am unable to see. occupies this chair (pointing to the seat of Judge Hemp- It certainly could not be to benefit Mr. Clay; for that was hill, of Philadelphia) resigned his seat on this floor after an act of the last administration, which could not be dethe close of the first session of the nineteenth Congress. A fended, unless it was upon the ground that something was successor, of course, had to be elected. The administra due and probably promised to Mr. Cook for having given tion, as was their custom, started a candidate, and Mr. the vote of Illinois to Mr. Adams; and that that secret and Sergeant was the man. The gubernatorial election came furtive mission was given in discharge of the obligation. on in the same year in the great State of New York, and And though this may be a very satisfactory reason to the Mr. Rochester was started there. gentleman from Rhode Island, I doubt whether it would be so to the American people. Certain it is, Mr. Cook got the money; certain it is, he went home, via the Havana, scarcely touching there, and was in Illinois in May, having left New York in April.. Thus, we see, sir, that those two gentlemen, who had been nominated and ratified by the Senate as minister and secretary of legation to Panama, were kept at home, and were the administration candidates before the people, while Mr. Anderson was exposed to yellow fever and black vomit, in Carthagena, where he had been recklessly ordered, and cruelly left to die! The other member from Rhode Island [Mr. PEARCE] brought up the subject of J. H. Pleasants, and places Mr. Randolph's return to London as a complete set-off to But what is the most extraordinary of all this novel pro- that transaction. In the first place, sir, I have never been ceeding is, that Mr. Rochester should have been paid his satisfied that the special agency of Mr. P. was necessary salary as secretary of legation to Panama, while he re-as bearer of despatches to Buenos Ayres. But, if the immained at home, canvassing for the office of Governor, portance of the despatches demanded such agency, Mr. against that truly great and lamented man, De Witt Clin-P. is said not to have performed his duty, and, therefore, ton. I say truly great, sir, for if we were now asked to point out his equal, whither should we turn our eyes to find him? ought not to be paid. Mr. Randolph certainly did arrive at St. Petersburg, and we know not how much business he may have performed, or how important that business was to the interests of this country; time will no doubt develop all. But Mr. Pleasants never did arrive at Buenos Ayres, but gave the despatches with which he was charged, to a sea captain, who, I have understood, delivered them; and he, Mr. Pleasants, went to England, and was paid for it. That is briefly, I believe, sir, the amount of that matter. But there is another fact connected with this transaction, not very reputable to Mr. Clay, to be sure, but one which I shall here notice. When it was discovered that Mr. Clay had paid Mr. Rochester his salary, not for attending the legation at Panama, but for running against Mr. Clinton in New York, a certain committee of this House thought it their duty to inquire of Mr. Clay the reasons why he paid Mr. Rochester. And if reasons had When Mr. King left London, he left his son, who was been as plenty as blackberries, Mr. Clay would have done his secretary, in charge of the business of this Governmuch better not to have given one; but a reason was call- ment, for which Mr. Adams paid him an outfit of four ed for, and a reason was given. What was it, sir? Why, thousand five hundred dollars, in direct violation of the it was, said Mr. C., that Mr. Rochester resigned a high law regulating the salaries and outfits of our foreign judicial office, (judge of the circuit,) for the purpose of ministers, and also paid him the salary of a chargé des afaccepting the appointment conferred on him by the Go-faires for the time he remained after the departure of his vernment, and that he waited the orders of the Govern- father. But the worst is, that some of the rascally demoment to sail, &c.; but as the Government did not think crats have had the impudence to say that this outfit to proper to order him to Panama, it was no fault of Mr. R.'s; Mr. King, and the nineteen hundred dollars to Mr. Plea-, and as he had been deprived of his salary as judge, Mr.sants, were given to secure the influence of two presses, Clay thought it but fair that he should be paid his salary as &c. But those subjects, Mr. Speaker, have been suffisecretary. Sir, I quote from memory, and therefore do ciently discussed heretofore, and I pass them by. not pretend to give the precise words of Mr. Clay, but I I have, said, sir, that I have believed that General Jackgive the substance. His letter, however, is on record, son was the author of his messages, and that his cabinet and, if he is misrepresented, his friends can correct me. ministers were only consulted with regard to matters imBut, sir, the fact turned out to be, that Mr. Rochester mediately connected with their respective departments. had resigned his judgeship some months before the ap- Sir, I will venture to say further, that, when the time arpointment had been conferred on him, and in his letter of rives, which I have no doubt will arrive, that all the imresignation says expressly, that his bad health compelled portant political writings of Andrew Jackson will be pubhim to resign, and that he was unable to discharge the fished, his messages, originally written by himself, and in duties of his office. Yet, Mr. Clay said, he resigned his his own handwriting, will be pronounced by the American judicial station to accept the office conferred by the Go-people better than those which have undergone a cabinet vernment, when the fact was, that he had resigned months scrutiny, where any suggestions of his cabinet ministers before, because he was unable to discharge the duties of have been substituted in place of the original. judge. Sir, those are facts which cannot be denied: I leave the comment to others. I say this, sir, because we have abundant evidences of the energy and superiority of his writings, in those proTo conclude, with regard to those gentlemen, sir, they ductions which are indisputable. He has written in the were both beaten; and shortly after their defeat they set wilderness, without the aid of books or counsellors; he sail in the United States' ship Hornet, to find this celebrat- has written from the field of battle, where the paper bore ed Congress of nations, which they never did find, and the impress of a hand darkened by the smoke from his which I predicted would be the case, in a speech made cannon and small arms. In some instances, however, he upon this floor during the last session of the nineteenth may have omitted to cross a "t or dot an i," which would, Congress; and that emboldens me, sir, to make another no doubt, shock the grammatical correctness of the genprediction for the satisfaction of those who vainly hope, by tleman from Rhode Island, but the honest yeomanry of such efforts as these, to break down the present adminis- the country know him, know his services and his worth, tration, and that is, sir, if it should please God to permit and wili sustain him. Andrew Jackson to live, the people of the United States will re-elect him to the Presidency, and gentlemen may make their calculations accordingly, In conclusion, sir, I will ask leave to refer to one or two cases where ministers have heretofore left courts to which they were sent. Mr. Jefferson left Paris during H. OF R.] Minister to Russia. [FEB. 8, 1851. his residence there as our minister, and made a tour of not one member, even from a rotten borough, could be France, or a considerable part of it; his travel was in- found, who would not think his independency violated and duced by an injury received in one of his visits; his ab-insulted by the demand. No British minister would dare sence was from February till June. to hold such language towards a member of Parliament, The late Governor Eustis, of Massachusetts, spent the who had made a motion similar to that which I submitted, last winter of his mission to Holland in a small island in as has been applied to me in the course of this debate. the South of France, (the island of Hieres, in the Medi- A gentleman from New York [Mr. CAMBRELENG] called terranean.) This he did on account of his ill health, and it a disgraceful motion. I allude not to any thing con was no doubt permitted to do so by the Government--tained in the written speech of that gentleman, the proMr. Adams was our then Secretary of State, and must duction of three weeks' hard labor, and which was deli have given the permission; but no reduction of his pay vered yesterday with such graceful gesticulation, and so was asked for. There are many other instances, sir, but much theatrical emotion. The expressions to which I alI believe they have been generally referred to by gentle-lude, were used by the gentleman in his first speech, when men who have preceded me in this debate. Sir, I have, this business was fresh before the House. The gentleperhaps, trespassed longer than I should have done, and, man nods assent. I did not misunderstand him. This lan with these remarks, will submit the question. guage, too, was used by a gentleman who represents himMr. STANBERY next rose. Before the vote shall be self to be the intimate personal and political friend and taken on the question now pending, said Mr. S., I wish confidential adviser of the Secretary of State. As the Se to say a few words in answer to the charges made against cretary of State is not entitled to a seat on this floor, and me for bringing this business to the notice of the House. is deprived of an opportunity of an immediate vindication, I made the motion for striking out the salary for the Rus-when his conduct is called in question, perhaps it may be sian minister, without previous concert or consultation right and fair to hear him by his deputy. A charge from with any of the political parties into which this House is so high a source, of so grave a character, as that of subdivided. I acted on my own responsibility as a member mitting a "disgraceful" motion to this House, calls upon of this House-as an unconnected individual, who has no-me for a defence. I am desirous of humbly showing, by thing to hope or fear, either from the present administra-precedents, that a member of this House has a right to tion, or from any administration which may succeed it. submit any motion calculated to prevent an extravagant The facts which I stated as the foundation of the mo- expenditure of the public money; and that such a motion tion, have not been contradicted or denied. Mr. Ran- has not heretofore been deemed disgraceful. In my dolph was appointed our minister to Russia, and, before search for precedents, I have found many instances where he accepted the appointment, the Secretary of State sti- members of this House have had the hardihood to ques pulated with him that he should not be compelled to dis- tion the propriety of the acts of the Executive. The in charge the duties of the appointment. Mr. Randolph,dustry of the gentleman from North Carolina, [Mr. CAR after spending a few days at St. Petersburg, left the Rus-soN,] who has just taken his seat, has furnished the House sian empire, and is now either in England, France, or with some cases which occurred during the administration Italy, attending to his own business, or following his own of Mr. Adams. Although that gentleman had not that amusements, and in a situation where it is impossible for object in view in citing those precedents, I conceive that him to attend to the duties of his office. His absence is they furnish me with an excuse for submitting this motion; not temporary; but the probability is, nay, it is almost cer- they prove that the party with whom I then acted, and tain, that it will be permanent. And we, the Congress of whom I will still follow, in all measures not inconsistent the United States, with a full knowledge of all these with our professions, when out of power, pursued the things, are called upon by the Secretary of State-[Mr. same course which is now condemned in me. I lament CARSON here intimated that it was by the President]that any measure of the present administration has been No, sir, by the Secretary of State, for it is all his work, so bad as to compel its friends to justify it by the very and he shall not avoid his proper responsibility by skulk- worst acts of its predecessors. This task must have been ing behind the popular name of the Chief Magistrate. peculiarly humiliating to the honorable gentleman from We are called upon by the Secretary of State to appropri- North Carolina, who took so conspicuous a part in pros ate nine thousand dollars to pay the annual salary of this trating the late administration, for the very measures which imaginary, this constructive Russian minister. Sir, if we he now relies upon as precedents to justify an abuse com make the appropriation without some restriction, we will mitted by the present administration. The precedent on sanction a greater abuse than a British minister, with a which I shall principally rely, and which furnishes me with subservient and hired Parliament at his heels, would dare the most ample vindication, occurred in the British House openly to practise. I am aware that, in England, indivi- of Commons, in 1817. It is the motion made in the House duals receive large sums of the people's money, without of Commons, by Mr. Lambton, relative to the late Mr. rendering any public service. Even there, these abuses Canning's embassy to Lisbon. The case has been men are hid from the common eye by some kind of decent co- tioned by the gentleman from Rhode Island, [Mr. PEARCE,] vering. Let a British minister avow openly in the House who addressed the House this day. I will give a more ac of Commons that he had appointed an ambassador to Rus- curate statement of it, from the book which is now beitre sia, and, at the same time, stipulated and agreed with the me, and which contains an authentic account of the proambassador that he might reside at London; let me fur-ceedings which took place, in the House of Commons, on the suppose that the ambassador had resided in London, that occasion. [Mr. S. here read from Mr. Therry's Mein pursuance of the bargain; and that, under such circum-moir of the Life of Canning, as follows:] stances, the British minister should find it necessary to ap- Mr. Lambton this day brought forward the motion of ply to the House of Commons to make an appropriation which he had given notice, respecting Mr. Canning's m to pay the ambassador, as though he had resided at St. bassy to Lisbon. In bringing forward this motion, he Petersburg, and fulfilled all the duties of the appoint- disclaimed any intention of attack upon the right honer ment to make the case more like the one before us, letable gentleman, (Mr. Canning,) whose name was prom me further suppose that the relations between the two nently connected with the transaction to which it referred. Powers were such as to render the constant residence of It was not the conduct of an individual that he arra gnedi the ambassador at St. Petersburg necessary for the inte- but the charge which he had to prefer, was against his rest of Great Britain--I say, sir, let a British minister, in Majesty's ministers, of delinquency, by which, in his the case which I have supposed, apply to Parliament to opinion, they had subjected themselves to an impeach approve of his conduct, and I will venture to assert that ment, (if that was not obsolete proceeding,) on a charge |