The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-11-22
For the Union.
THE CONSULAR SYSTEM OF THE UNI.
TED STATES.

TED STATES.
NEw YoRK, Nov. IA, l845.
1t was with much pleasure that many of your
readers perused an article, in late number of the
"Union,n on this subject, and it is hoped that the
coming session Of Congress- will not pass without a
thorough change being made in the present system
There are nearly one hundred United States con.
suates in different parts of The world; and the only
ones where the fees amount TO sufficient to support
the consus, are Liverpool, London, Hayre, Rio de
Janero Havana, and Matanzas. The other con-
suates principally occupied by merchants, and
all by men who look upon their Office as secondary,
and to be made Useful to their other interests. Some
have taken the office to assist their mercantile spec
ulations others hoping, from the fees, TO get v-
ing, together with salary that they may command
as clerks; and know one consul who, besides his
Office, calculates TO teach music; another who, for
many years, has been clerk in an English house;
and third who, with fair practice as physician,
hopes to support himself and family. Of all the
consuls of the United States there are but those at
the six ports above named-yes, we have but six
consus, who are able TO attend TO their duty
Among the rest, there are many intelligent men
who credit to our country, but their duties as
consua are subseryent to their mercantile interests
commission merchant in foreign country cannot
faithfully discharge the duties. For instance a cap
tain abuses sailor he dares not bring him punish
men for, being part Of the vessel and cargo,
he may, the next voyage, consign to some one else,
and thereby the consul will lose more commissions
than his fees will amount to for several years He
does not report intended frauds the revenue, for
the same reason. appeal to the Department of State
to know, if they have received from any Of our
consus any intelligence Of frauds on exports from
their consular districts to the United States and yet
one that honestly serves his government should do
so, and that alone would add immensely to our rev.
enue. A consul doing business on his own account,
can deraud the revenue, can make and swear to his
own invoices, and can bring the allpowerful inAu-
ence of his own government to assist him in his
specnations, many of which are "coniraband OF
war;" Look over the files of our claims on foreign
governments and there see what an enormous pro-
portion are claims made by consuls. ! could write
book, quoting different cases, that, when analysed,
would show how The government of the United States
has been misled and her claims paid, with but little
justice. The United States consuls are nowhere as
much respected, and have not that influence, that
the consuls of other nations enjoy; and it is de-
grading TO our feelings to find this the case in for
egn lands. Ii is very common for consuls to show
attention and civlllty to those who are consigned TO
their house. but to no others. ! write from per-
sonal knowledge, with every part Of the world cx-
cept Europe; and, with this knowledge, am respon-
sbie for the truth of my assertions; and want
words to describe my feelings Of this body who
represent our country, and who, in reality, are capa
BILE OF being Of greater service to our government
'hhn our legaons--and who, instead of advancing
The interests Of their government bend the whole
weight OF their Office to their private interestsand,
under the present system, it cannot be otherwise.
The government, will not even pay Tor quilts TO write
with, and the fees generally will not more than pay
Tor rent and stationery Most consulates far from
Inc seat of government, and questions arise fire.
yuentiy, which require some knowledge of law. The
government sends no books, and few merchants
WIN VII go TO the expense Of procuring law books.
Hhoti's Diplomatic Code is the only book furnished
u,,I al,
VIII sometimes take pity on the officer Of the gov.
eminent OF the United States, and present the co',-
suale with stray Shpmaster's Assistant. This
Us the only library TO be found in nine out of ten
consulates and all the knowledge Of our laws is
confined to these books.
Consus should he salared officers. The fees re-
ee'ved 10y all the consus will amount to over one
bundled thousand dollars, and could be divided SC
w 10 nearly pay for a regular consuar establish
ment on the system of the English government
mere should be consuls and vice consus; the first
at the larger ports and with salary of 50 500 per
year, and $500 for Office rent and expenses; and o.
ue ports before named--for Liverpool, London
ana HAVANA, 81 0OOa year would lie required tc
pay Tor eierkhire and expenses. No consul TO be
allowed to engage in any business whatsoever, or 10
pachse any profession; all fees to be RENTED TO
We Department Of State.
Vice consuls to have 81 900 year. Commercia
agents TO be allowed no salary, and allowed 10
gage IN commerce. Consus exist in many places
where they are not wanted One has recently beer
appointed for the coast Of Patagonia at a towr
Where but seven people can read and write, and
where the entire trade under all flags is not 6fiecr
thousand dollars year. One has been more wanted
Tor the island Of lchaboe.
Consuls should be instructed 10 write every three
months TO the government, giving in detail the mar
hel value Of every article Of export. Most of GU
duues are charged first Of articles, and grea
fraud " practised bv false invoices which wou,
be prevented in this way The French system is
70 have the consular department attached to tn
aegatlon, and the duties Of the Office performed b!
attaches, who are regularly advanced, and some
nmes rise as high 10 be made ministers. Thi
has ITS advantages, and French minister thus ed
Heaied has amore thorough knowledge Of the deia
:" bus duties than any else, and is therefore abb
60 be proportionably useful The general idea the
any one can be consul is very erroneous. No on
conaul FULLY nndersianda hia dnIiea or can Gllf