356 DIPLOMACY 



the nineteenth; but the practice of sending and receiving ambassa- 

 dors or diplomatic representatives has existed among nations from 

 the earliest recorded history. The ancient Egyptians are known to 

 have frequently observed the practice; early biblical history con- 

 tains references to the custom; it was quite common among the 

 Greek states, and observed by Rome both during the Republic and 

 the Empire. 



But in all these cases and during the early period of modern Euro- 

 pean nations, embassies or missions were only used on special or 

 extraordinary occasions, and were of a temporary character. Not 

 until late in the fifteenth century did the diplomatic service become 

 permanent in its character and the governments establish resident 

 embassies or missions. This stage of organized growth was reached, 

 however, a century and a half before Grotius began the task of giving 

 shape and authority to international law. Still, the rights and duties 

 of diplomatic representatives were at that period imperfectly defined. 

 This is seen in the accounts of the great congresses or conferences, 

 following the long wars of the European powers - - those of West- 

 phalia, Ryswick, and Utrecht; and the controversies then developed 

 over the rank or relative standing of the respective ambassadors had 

 a marked influence in fixing more accurately their status, but not 

 until the Congress of Vienna in 1815 did the grade of the members 

 of the diplomatic corps become authoritatively established. 



It is a matter of some interest or curiosity in this connection to 

 recall the fact that the question has been mooted, both in Europe 

 and America, whether, in the existing conditions of the world, the 

 diplomatic system is necessary and its utility justifies its expense. It 

 is claimed that with the present development in steam communica- 

 tion, the rapid transmission of intelligence by electricity, and the 

 general diffusion of news by the press, diplomatic negotiations might 

 readily be carried on directly between the foreign offices of the vari- 

 ous governments, that the interests of citizens and subjects might 

 be attended to by consuls, and that on extraordinary occasions the 

 business might be intrusted to special temporary missions. With 

 many the diplomatic service is regarded as a purely ornamental 

 branch of government and its maintenance a useless expenditure 

 of public money. 



This subject was, some years ago, considered by a special committee 

 of the Parliament of Great Britain. Lord Palmerston, the Prime 

 Minister, and the best informed and most experienced statesman of 

 his day in international affairs, was examined. John Bright put to 

 him the question, "Whether it would not be practicable to transact 

 the ordinary business by means of written communications between 

 the two foreign offices, and when anything arose requiring particular 

 attention to have a special mission of some member of the Cabinet? " 



