CHAPTEE L 



HINTS FOR REFORMS IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE 



IN view of a connection with the diplomatic service 

 of the United States begun nearly fifty years ago 

 and resumed at various posts and periods since, I have 

 frequently been asked for my opinion of it, as compared 

 with that of other nations, and also what measures I 

 would suggest for its improvement. Hitherto this ques 

 tion has somewhat embarrassed me: answering it fully 

 might have seemed to involve a plea for my own interests ; 

 so that, while I have pointed out, in public lectures and 

 in letters to men of influence, sundry improvements, I 

 have not hitherto thought it best to go fully into the 

 subject. 



But what I now say will not see the light until my dip 

 lomatic career is finished forever, and I may claim to 

 speak now for what seems to me the good of the service 

 and of the country. I shall make neither personal com 

 plaint of the past nor personal plea for the future. As 

 to the past, my experience showed me years ago what 

 I had to expect if I continued in the service insufficient 

 salary, unfit quarters, inadequate means of discharging 

 my duties, and many other difficulties which ought not to 

 have existed, but which I knew to exist when I took office, 

 and of which I have therefore no right to complain. As 

 to the future, I can speak all the more clearly and ear 

 nestly because even my enemies, if I have any, must con 

 fess that nothing which is now to be done can inure to 

 my personal benefit. 



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