The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
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THURSDAY, NOVR 21. |
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 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
THURSDAY, NOVR 21.
A report was made by a Committee to whom had been referred
several previous reports & propositions relative to the salaries of
foreign Ministers, delivering it as the opinion of the Committee
that the Salaries allowed to Ministers Plenipoty. to wit £2500
Sterlg. would not admit of reduction; but that the saly allowed
to Secretaries of legations, to wit £1000. Sterlg, ought to be reduced
to £500. This Committee consisted of Mr. Duane, Mr.
Izard & Mr. Madison the last of whom disagreed to the opinion
of his colleagues as to the reduction of the £2500 allowed to
Mrs. Plenipoy.
Agst. a reduction it was argued that not only justice, but the dignity
of the U. S. required a liberal allowance to foreign servants;
that gentlemen who had experienced the expence of living in
Europe did not think that a less sum would be sufficient for a
Decent style; and that in the instance of Mr. A. Lee, the expences
claimed by him & allowed by Congress exceeded the fixed
salary in question.
In favor of a reduction were urged the poverty of the U. S.,
the simplicity of Republican Governments, the inconsistency of
splendid allowances to Ministers whose chief duty lay in displaying
the wants of their Constituents and soliciting a supply of
them; and, above all, the policy of reconciling the army to the
economical arrangements inposed on them, by extending the
reform to every other Department.
The result of this discussion was a reference of the Report to
another Committee, consisting of Mr. Williamson, Mr. Osgood &
Mr. Carrol.
A motion was made by Mr. Howel, 2ded. by Mr. Arnold, recommending
to the several States to settle with & satisfy at the
charge of the U. S. all such temporary corps as had been raised
by them respectively with the approbation of Congress. The
repugnance which appeared in Congress to go into so extensive
& important a measure at this time, led the mover to withdraw it.
A motion was made by Mr. Madison seconded by Mr. Jones,
"That the Secy of F. Affairs be authorized to communicate to
Forn. Ministers who may reside near Congress, all such articles of
Intelligence recd. by Congress as he shall judge fit & that he have
like authority with respect to acts & Resolutions passed by Congress;
reporting nevertheless the communications which, in all
such cases he shall have made."
It was objected by some that such a Resolution was unnecessary,
the Secy. being already possessed of the authority; it was
contended by others that he ought previously to such communication,
to report his intention to do so; others again were of opinion
that it was unnecessary to report at all.
The motion was suggested by casual information from the
Secy, that he had not com̃unicated to the French Minister the reappointment
of Mr. Jefferson, no act of Congress having empowered
or instructed him to do so.
The motion was committed to Mr. Williamson Mr. Madison
& Mr. Peters.
| The writings of James Madison, | |