Since the principal purpose in sending ambassadors is to secure peace by
cultivating friendly relations with other governments, it is evidently
wise before making an appointment to any country to learn whether the
person whom it is expected to send is acceptable to that country.
Accordingly it is customary before making the appointment public to make
the nomination privately to the foreign government and to express the
hope that it will be found acceptable. Even the nominee knows nothing of
it, and is thus saved the pain of rejection in case that should occur.
If there is no personal objection to the nominee, and if there is no
doubt that his country possesses full sovereignty and is therefore
entitled to send ambassadors, his government is notified of the fact
that he is acceptable; but should there be any objection to him—and
sometimes very trifling ones will suffice—his government is notified
that he is _persona non grata_ (not an agreeable person), and it
proceeds to make other nominations. Not only has the foreign government
the right to reject a nominee but also to demand his recall at any time
if there is any well grounded dissatisfaction with him. One American
ambassador was recalled because complaint was made about his bad
manners.