New-York daily tribune., 1845-12-20
Our Fnreign Con,uIs.

! To the Editor Of The Tribune
In Some of the extracts published in the papers
from Mr. testers work perceive that he pro-
noses as a reform that all Consus should have
salaries and be debarred from entering into trade
and one argument in support OF this is, that he will
NOT give the required information many times 10
masters of vessels relative the disposition OF their
cargoes because he may be interested in misleading
them Now case of this kind would be an excep-
ton TO the general rule unless he supposes that
I merchants are all like Lord Dexter Of the East who
sent his merchandise all over the world al hazard
without having any knowledge of the trade in which
/ he engaged. Il is true contingency may arise
which would require the aid and advice of the Con-
sui but cannot perceive tha; the merchants inter
est would be protected any better by saared
Consul than engaged in trade, Under the present
system of oppoin:ments Surely practical mer-
chant is more fitted 10 be q Commercial Agent "a
Consul is more than one OF any other profession
pr0cided 0lrayS that he be selected nth strct re-
ference 10 has abilities and character But the evil
cannot be remeded, as long as every petty Consu-
late is made the reward OF some shirtless pauper
for his devotion 10 party A the duties OF Consul
are included within the province OF an Intelligent
merchant, yet see appointments solicited and
given 10 men who have no knowledge oil mercantile
life-men from the remotest inland sections OF the
country-and when they arrive here if this should
be the most favorable point 10 embark They are not
always certain whether this should be the place or
New. Oreans,) they then write 10 the Secretary ot
State to know whether there will be an 'oatht
This know has happened here within the last year,
and am told that it is quite common with these
small appointments | know an instance OF Con-
sui being appointed Of the ports OF Yucatan,
BY that miracle Of political sagacty, John Tyler,
who, when he arrived here, penpiless, and
Captain kindly gave him his passage TO his port OF
destination, where he so surprised at his posi-
ton that he would gladly have returned, but he
could not consequently he was obliged TO resort TO
every petty expedent 10 obtain dollar TO live; and
he was the Representatives Of The Ualted States
whose dignity he maintained, by cutting from an
old glazed leather French shoe cock0de, and last.
ening the same 10 his hat could give history ot
several appointments OF this kind. bat presume that
| have extended this article as far as newspaper
/ courtesy will permit me. a MERCHANT
lgF~ Our sentiments exactly: you couldn't have
hit them better. The plan of making our Consus
salaried officers will increase the burthens of the
People, tend to increase the number OF Consus, and
depreciate the quality. 1t will be bad every wey
Now we often have the right sort of men appointed
where the emoluments are no object under the
salary system they would all be hack politicians.
Speaking of bad Consuls-do the People approve
of the Presidents forcing Tom Carr upon Morocco
as Consul at Tanger again. which post he left at
the Governments special desire No powerful
nation would have received Consul imposed on
her under threats of frigates broadside; is it just
or polite to impose on weak one