Mr. WADE. The one to whom I refer particularly is Mr. Harvey, representing this country at the court of Portugal. Perhaps I ought not to state anything about this, but all he said on the subject is of a public character, and it is not derogatory to any gentleman to communi cate it to the public Mr. Harvey disclaims all desire for an increase of salar. In this country we do not stand much upon the different grades or positions which diplo matic agents possess; they are altogether arti ficial; I think as little of them, perhaps, as anybody else; but in Europe it is different; they judge of mens importance frequently according to their name or grade or standing. Long custom there has made distinctions between the various grades of these officers. In the public law, the different order and dignity of the various grades of diplomatic agents is perfectly well understood and always has been. If a nation sees fit to be represented there by a minister of an inferior grade, it labors under an apparent disadvantage; he is not considered by his associates as being on anequal footing with those of them that are of the rst rank. A minister of the 1st rank may, for instance, go into the presence of the emperor, or king, or highest Officerof the State an communicate with him directly, where, by the eti quette of the nation, a minister of an inferior grade would not be permitted to do so, but would have to communicate with some subor dinate officer. Now, when we are entitled to consider our selves nmong the 1st nations of the earth in point of population, of influence, of respecta bility, and in every point of view, I thin it is a modesty that works to our disadvantage for us to refuse to send agents abroad with titles which will, in the estimation of those to whom we send them, place us upon a position ashigh as other nations. I am informed that by this course we detract from our influence abroad, and I should expect that would be the case, because foreign nations are not apt to rate a people much higher than they see fit to rate themselves. This amendment will cost us nothing. It is simply conferring a rank which is considered important abroad, although it is not deemed important among us, because we do not stand so much on this kind of etiquette as they do in Europe. As they do regard it of consequence, and as it is just as easy for us to give the highest title as the lowest, wh should we not do it? It will give us an a vantage abroad, and put us on a footing with other countries represented by the highest grades of diplomats. If we do not rate ourselves equal to them, we shall not be rated so by the cus toms of those nations. That is al there is about it. I do not think it needs an elaborate argument. I think it is a.very cheap way of obtainin the influence we on ht to have if we send dip omatic agents abroa at all. Herelet me say that if I could have my own way about it I never would have a resident minister abroad. I would abolish the whole of them. I do not think they are of any kind of importance to us. I do not think the do any good in our relations with europe. T are may be barbarous nations with which we have communication where a resident minister all the time may be of some service; but with those nations of Europe with whom we are in constant communication, having treaties well understood with each other, there is no more need for and no more importance to he at tached to a resident minister than there is to have such agents sent by these States to each other. Now, if a diflicu ty springs up between this country and a European nation, we hardly ever settle that controversy by means of our minister there; we generally send a special agent to do that special business, and that is the way we ought to do the whole of it and rid ourselves of the entire incumbrance of this whole matter. But if we will have ministers abroad, let us have them of the 1st class; let us rate ourselves as we really are, on a standing and dignity with any nation of the earth. Let us do it unless we will abolish them, and if you will go that way with me I should like it much the best. That is all I have to say about it. It is a cheap way of rating ourselves as we ought to be rated and that to our advantage.