The native American., 1840-05-30
UNITED STATES CONsULS.


UNITED STATES CONsULs.
The rapidly increasing commerce of the United
States suggests the importance of attracting pub
lie attention to the character and condition of
Consuls, and other foreign Agents, whose official
relations connect them in AL eminent degree with
the prosperity and reputation of our country.
We are glad to perceive tina. this subject is be-
ginning to excite the notice of even few promi-
nent men; and we trust the day is not far distant
whe politicians will be converted into states
men, so that the true policy of our Government
may be, not only understood, but felt, both at
home and abroad. The Consuls of the United
States ought to receive an adequate compensation
for their services, and every one Of them should
be american citizens: At present only very
small number obtain Gn regular wayl sufficient
to enable them to sustain the dignity of the Office;
while many of those functionares are foreigners
out and out, having never been this side OF the
Atlantic, and being imperfectly acquainted with
our institutions and language, if not ignorant of
them altogether.
Is it not preposterous i'll the extreme to con6de
the honor Of our country and the interests of its
citizens to the subjects of Foreign Powers 3
making official agents of those who dare not ac-
knowledge allegiance to the Government in whose
name they profess to act! Look at possible
example: An American merchantmen sailing up
the Mediterranean happens to be wrecked upon
the dominions of the Emperor of Austria. For
the purpose of protecting his cargo from illegal
plunder, the Captain goes to the nearest Consul Of
the United States. AS he approaches the town
he halls with Joy the loved banner Of his country,
proudly floating over the Consulate but when
he enters the anticipated sanctuary, he finds no
feNoac-citizen to whom he can relate the story Of
his disasters his application for aid, perhaps
for redress of injuries already received, must be
made, through doubtful Interpreter, to a foreign
er, whose sympathies are naturally with his fel-
lo,v-subj bjecis--wth the very people who may
have combined to rob the captain of his property,
and prove, By their euer ready oaths, that the
complainant is well known pirate!
Such a case might occur-although we do not
make the supposit on as very probable one;
neither do we impute improper conduct to any of
those foreign subjects to whom we have unwisely
COmmlLleQ tle CuSlOuy VI tHc iCuCldl nag Dus
we object in toto to the principle of enhusting
even the least portion of the national interests to
any except American citizens.
Many persons, born and educated in the land of
Washington, entertain views of policy very diff
ferent from such appear to us indispensable
duties and there those among US who evil
denly lament that by the accident of birth they
are the sons Of an ungenal soil. We deplore,
with .hem that their nativity was not cast where
their hearts now are, upon some other continent
and we regret for their sakes and our own also,
that they are not all far abroad, sin their appro-
pirate spheres respectively: some, admirng the
gorgeous pageantry Of imbecile monarchs, others,
engaged in useful labor among the perpetually de-
graded serfs Of despotism, and the greater part
distributed among Oriental Harems, as suitable
represent tatives Of the neuler gender.
We remember, right well, the abuse heaped
upon the Executive by similar worthless some
five or six years ago, when native American, of
distinguished erudition and great ability, was ap-
ponted Consul at Rome. Most bitter and vehe-
ment were their denuncia,ions of the President
for setting aside the gentlemanly, but superannu-
ated and incompetent Italian, who had long pos
sessed the Office. A quiet individual, taking ad-
vantage of pause in the exciting conversation OF
that occasion, enquired, What General com
manded the army Of the South during the dark
est period Of the war Of Independence!' = Some
one replied with unexpected enshasasm) 1.-the
favorite compeer Of Washington! the inaexible,
then observed, 7" our present Consul at Rome is
grandson Of the Revolutionary patriot whom
YOU have named-and as his perfect knowledge
of oil the modern languages, the purity of his