Mr. SUMNER. The Senator says it is an old affair. It never was in this Chamber until the last night of the last session. It was care fully considered then, and by a vote of 2 to one was adopted after a debate of more than an hour, during which it was thoroughly canvassed. Every possible objection was brought against it, and I am satisfied that never was a question of that character discussed in the Chamber with regard to which there was so large a proportion of the Senate that were perfectly united in favor of it. I do not wish at this late hour now to go into any minute explanation of it. I am not here as an advocate of anybody:I am here in the discharge of the public duty confided to me by the Senate. 1 ie etition relating to this case was presented by the Senfrom Kansas [Mr. POMEROY] and referred to the committee with which I am connected. It has been considered by them at this session; it was very carefully considered at the last session; and the case is precisely this: in 1857 the charge dafiaires of the U.S. returned home, and acting under instructions from Washingtou. he selected a citizen then in Brussels and who for some time had been acting as an unpaid attache, and devolved upon him the duties of the legation. This gentleman finding himself unexpectedly acting charge daffnirea representing the country, rented the house vacated by the retiring minister; he occupied it all the time he was there. He was presented to the Belgian Government as minister. He was recognized as such on our side of the water by Mr. Marcy and bv General Cass and was so addressed. Band by the char 6 dafihires, who had returned ome, resigned, l;eavinga Ositive vacancy there. which was filled from he datementioned in the proposition I have sent to the Chair by Mr. Clark. During this time he was addressed as charge daffaires by the Government; and though there was no important negotiation devolved upon him, and I0not know that there was any very very important business transacted by him, he was there on the spot residing as the representative of his country, incurring very consider able exuses on that account, living in a way in which he would not otherwise have lived. For that he never was paid.