Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-08-05
arp coysI,,AR SYSTEM.


a short lime since. We threw out a few hints,
in favor Of reform Of this important branch OF
our Government. Our impressions have been
confirmed by reading IN article on The SUBJECT III
that excellent work, Hunts Merchants Maya
zine from which We make an Interesting extract
|, is a matter Of comment and astonl>hmenl
among foreigners that American Consuls are not
literally compensated i,I their services. There
are bnl four or five consuales which yield sutil-
Glen, income. 10 support The dignity and useful
Nag ~ Tho station Inlond MANY ol our on
suls are in such stale oi dependence that visits
from their countrymen are frequently source OF
modification they being entirely unable TO ex-
tend 10 them those little attentions, which are
paid 10 their fellow-cilizens BY Consus OF other
nations, who enjoy large salaries, and are allow
ed besides, suiticen, 10 delray all official expen-
dilures. We understand that, in some cases. The
French Consus receive from their Government
fifteen hundred dollars year, solely for The pur
pose OF procuring commercial and statistical IN
formation. From the nsufficiency Of The sup
por, OF our Consuls, they are unable 10 answer
the calls made upon them for such information
as il cannot be obtained, without considerable ex-
pense
We have already thrown oul The idea, that
Consuls should have stated salary. We are
not prepared 10 fix the amount-lhough some per-
sons Of experience argue that ii should be least
three thousand dollafs year, and an extra thou
saud for ofliccren elerk-hre stationery and post
age. Some go further, and urge tina, the Govern
Il, al. 10
wards Charges and should allow an Quilt; Tor
removal more than abscIbs the first years income.
We shall not pretend TO make any specific sug.
eeslions on this point, which will address itself TO
the wisdom and discretion OF the Executive and
Congress- There seems 10 be no doubt OF The fact,
that our Consular establishment is in such shat
tered condition, that il cannot subserve the origi
nal design, which was 10 render il one OF The most
efficient arms ofthe Government The time has
arrived when all feel, that the honor and interest
OF the country demand reorganization OF the
Consular Department. Al present. little respect
is raid 10 our laws By foreigners engaged in
American commerce; and the abuses existing in
onrnaviaa,on laws impose an obligation on Con-
gress 10 corrcc, them, BY giving salaries 10 Con-
suls and re-adjusins The Consular system
We presume that this whole matter will he
brought before The next Congress, and important
notifications suggested. To a country like ours,
so deeply engaged in agriculture and manuiac-
lures i, is Of the highest importance that our 70.
reign agents should have the power 10 represent
properly Republican Institutions, and 10 form
commercial arrangements, which will bring rich
treasures into our lap To obtain, therefore, good
and able men, who will supply their Government
with varied and useful Information, and assist in
placing our commercial affairs on the firmesl and
most prosperous footing, we should not play the
miser but should make literal allowances 10 our
foreign agents. II is far from our desire 10 in
duge the cxlravagant tastes OF our ohcers, or 10
enable them 10 vie with the iollies and luxury of
the agents of other nations but 10 extend the area
OF their usefulness, they should have means suli
Gent 10 procure all The information tending TO adj
vance the business relations OF their county,
From what we hear, we are also led 10 believe
that a revision Of our Navigation laws is essen
TALLY required This andt reform OF the Con-
sular system will give new impetus TO CON-
merce, and act most benefcially upon all The in
teresls OF the country. In this view, We hope thai
The subject will be vigorously pressed before the
next Congress; and We feel satisfied that The peo
pie, when made acquainted with The trnc state Of
the case and The indispensable reforms, will hear
lilly concur in such an increase of expenditure,
as will promote The cause Of commerce, and
spread, far and wide the report Of The blessed et-
r. e pannhl;c.n institutions
But 10 The ,mrable views OF Hunts Mer-
chants Magazine:
1--WE know of nothing more amen;able than
the policy Of our Government interference 10 our
foreign Interests. The existence Of such con-
sular system as we have is disgrace TO the ma
ton in The estimation ofihe whole world, and I'M
less better system is soon adopted we shall find
il TOO late 10 recover The ground We have LOST
We once had the monopoly Of indigo, spices,
Goldfish and India goods in the Mediterranean,
and this monopoly enriched Boston and Salem
Now this trade has passed almost entirely from
our hands. The time was when sixty and seven-
ly American vessels entered The port of Leghorn
every year-fory, the port OF Genoa Now, The
number is reduced TO half score! and more
than half these return in ballast. And We, we
doubt if The fact has yet arrested the attention of
our Government. This can all be satisfactorily
accounted for. Our Government takes no pains
IN collect commercial RI,