Having once determined upon the purpose it is necessary to be instructed in all that is requisite for its attainment—this examination reduces itself to the choice of ideas to be employed, to the order to be followed in their connexion, and to the general style which it is proper to adopt. Let us now examine the first of these objects, that is, the choice of thoughts: We have seen that, in politics, primum mobile of persuasion is interest: an experienced negotiator will never neglect this allurement; he will make it the most important part of his writings, and in all matters, between nation and nation, he will prefer it even to matters of right and to judicial proofs; but in leaning towards motives of interest, it should be skilfully done. If he should appear to be better acquainted with the interests of a nation, than it does itself, he would render, himself obnoxious he would also be suspected, if he exhibited too much warmth, in causing them to feel it. In order to acquire this solidity, which does not fear either criticism or refutation, the author should, as much as possible, be richer in ideas than in words: those ideas should be true, just, luminous and necessary, have a direct bearing upon, and should support the subject. In endeavoring to uphold himself by a false or doubtful principle, or even one which is foreign to the object, the author is exposed to the danger of seeing the edifice destroyed which he wished to sustain, and of giving a great advantage to his adversary. None but unobjectionable proofs should be relied on. Facts are proved by authori ties, rights by titles, principles by arguments, practical maxims by the benefits which result from them, and by the disadvantages which they avoid. If the obstinacy, or bad faith of our adversaries, reduces us to the necessity of carrying our proofs to the most rigorous demonstration, recourse may be had to syllogisms, provided we divest them of dryness and of pedantry. In adhering to these decisive means, partial proofs, similitudes and analogy should not be neglected; these means, however feeble, when taken separately, receive great strength from being united. Quotations may be used in all writings designed to establish or destroy any contested point, but they should be employed only when apropos. Their abuse would be considered as ridiculous affectation of erudition; if it is intended to refute facts, principles or maxims, it should be done by proofs, directly to the contrary. It should never be forgotten, that generalities, declamation, and invective prove nothing: they serve as weapons to weakness and passion. After having chosen his ideas, the author should devote himself to their developement. Every subject of composition consists of its principal and detailed parts, but all are not of the same importance, nor do they excite the same interest-the developement then consists in the art of presenting successively, and to their proper extent, all the ideas which the subject and end united require. In a word, the integrality of the subject, to say of it in a few words, all that should be said, and no more, is the secret of a good developement. The integrality of the subject, supposes that none of the interesting parts should be omitted: whether they relate to demands to be made, grievances to be exposed, proofs to be established, pretensions to be overcome, news to be transmitted. It is Becessary to embrace at a single view, the whole of the subject, and to admit nothing which might enlighten or support it. The dangerous consequences of such omissions in political matters are evident; an inutile prolixity would however be a great fault in political composition; although certain memorials may be susceptible of greater display, they do not the less require a character of precision. Minute and superfluous details, unnecessary repetitions, and ideas foreign from the subject, should be avoided. A just proportion should be given to the developement of the ideas advanced, according to their degrees of utility. But it is not enough, not to say that which ought not to be said: it is necessary also that the expresssions should be made in few words, uniting brevity with precision. Circumlocution, epithets, high sounding words, numerous periods, indiscreet ornaments, and common place rhetoric, are positively discarded from writings, where the subject is grave and important, and when all should be directed to one particular end. Prolixity exhibits a mind embarrassed and diffused, or a false sense which sacrifices improperly the main object to its accessaries; it casts a merited ridicule upon the work,disgusts the reader,prevents the progress of matters by diverting the attention. In a word, in place of a verbose and eloquent display, in matters of business, a plain, precise and concise style is required: the abuse of this brevity destroys the clearness and gives to it an affected air; besides it easily leads to a haughty and imperious tone. It is proper, according to the circumstances, to soften this variety of expression by rendering the style more connected and sustained. The developement of which we have just spoken supposes necessarily an order which leads to the unity of the subject. The greater part of diplomatic writing, and particularly that of letters, compli ments, and official notes, having but a circumscribed object, do not require this strictness, these details of plan and the chain of divisions which is found in works of greater extent; it is sufficient that the matter should be neatly divided under general heads, and that these parts should be placed respectively, according to their mutual connexions. III. of Proprieties [Convenances.] Until now, we have spoken of the general character of style, which is applicable to every species of diplomatic composition; but this would be to know only a little of proprieties; if the agent thought he had fulfilled his duty by simply respecting these conditions, and if he did not vary his tone, according to circumstances. The times, manners, nature of the relations, the kind of writing, the importance of the business, &c. point out to the true politician the variety of tone, which he should use. According to these circumstances, the style should evince a character of superiority, of deference and even of respect, of force, vehemence, firmness, friendship or of indifference, of confidence, or of reserve. Thus he will approach more or less to the forms of oratory, or will remain nearer to those simply of discussion. In order to give to style this valuable quality, which results from its just conformity to circumstances, it is necessary to possess a sure and practical tact or judge. ment, to be constantly master of one's self, and of his passions, be acquainted with the value of the terms which are employed, and the means of varying the style; and, in fine it is necessary to know the particular forms, which custom has introduced and which pertain to matters of ceremony. e TABLE of the Negotiators, showing where their Names are affixed to the Treaties. Adams, John, vol. i, pages 59, Ellsworth, Oliver, i. 105 189, 192, 230, 241 302, 350 283, 308, 319, 330, 332 283 bam) i. 260, 266 Jay, John, i. 230, 241, 260 Castlereagh, ii. 151, 152, 168, Lira, Juan A., ii. 231 181, 186, 200, Cathcart, J. L., i. 514 Cathcart, ii. 151, 183 Cevallos Pedro, i, 414 D'Alberg, ii. 181 Livingston, R. R. i. 114, 118,124 Mendez, P. Briceno, ii. 233 B. Caiquam, ii. 206 Engerstroem, Count de, i. 207 Neuville, Hyde de, i. 130, 132 **For the NAMES of Diplomatic Agents, in the the five last pages of the Index to the SECOND Volume. Nesselrode, i. 294, 304, 446, 546. ii. 171, 178, 181, 183, 188 Polignac, ii. 155, 7, 177, 178 Rives, Wm. C., i. 528 Silveira, A. de Gama, ii. 183 Stewart, Chas, ii. 151,181, 183 VanLynden, W.H.,i.159,167 Velasco, J.M. de, ii. 237 Wetterstedt G. Count de, i. 223 William Fred.K. of Prus. ii. 177 |