Globalization of the United States, 1789-1861

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Murray, Eustace Clare Grenville. Embassies and Foreign Courts: A History of Diplomacy. London; New York: G. Routledge and Co., 1855.

Eustace Clare Grenville Murray. Embassies and Foreign Courts: A History of Diplomacy. London and New York: G. Routledge and Co., 1855. pp. 32-33.

Jointly published in London and New York, this broad diplomatic history reflected an increasing international partnership between Britain and the United States.

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It may be laid down as a fundamental rule, that in the present state of the world the true interests of every power are best consulted by the constant employment of an accredited agent in every foreign country. No part of the public money is employed at more precious interest than that which is expended in the fitting and liberal salaries of such agents. Their purpose and utility is not only to watch carefully over the designs of foreign governments, and to take especial heed that no plans are adopted likely to be prejudicial to their own country, or her allies. They are not only essential to the becoming despatch of international business; and the conclusion of treaties and alliances; but it is meet that they should render it their special business to make themselves completely masters of every important detail in the foreign or domestic relations of the nations to which they are sent. They should diligently endeavour to acquire such knowledge as may enable them to furnish useful information in time of war, and thereby save both blood and treasure; as well as that which may qualify them from time to time to point out to us how we may best serve our mutual interests by administering to the wants, and receiving from the superfluities, of our neighbours in time of peace. For the world has been so contrived by Almighty God, that we must all be dependent, the one upon the other; that no nation shall be endowed with everything, but that all shall possess something to them peculiar; or that each shall be able to produce more than they need of some desirable thing, by the exchange of which they may make up for their deficiencies in others. It is here, therefore, that a close and intimate knowledge of the true wants and productions of a foreign country may be held so eminently necessary in a diplomatic envoy; and if such knowledge were made public property by the regular printing of his despatches, it might be the soundest source of information upon which extending commerce could base her many operations. For information such as is received by merchants and private persons is often inaccurate, and obtained from doubtful sources. It is sometimes also purposely false, whereas the official despatches of a public servant might receive implicit credence in most cases, and in all grave attention. The publication of such despatches would be also of incalculable benefit — at least to all nations under constitutional government, because they would then be able to ascertain if their servants in foreign countries served them well and ably, while the general condemnation might be brought more readily to bear upon them where they did not. An incompetent person could no longer be entrusted with the most serious interests of the world, and we should hear of the errors or misconduct of an envoy in time to prevent their producing a national disaster. Another of the most serious duties of an ambassador is to watch over the safety of his fellow-countrymen, and to give them all lawful aid and assistance in their business abroad. He is morally bound at least to show them all courtesy and kindness, and it is his imperative duty so to do. He is bound to protect their persons and property by every means within his power, unless they have committed offences against the law. He is a registrar, arbitrator, administrator of the goods of intestates. He is authorised to perform the marriage ceremony, and to worship with his co-religionists after the custom of his own country.