The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-12-22

those remote regions TOR sending them home, and they
often remain there long time in charge Of csnsuls
The money expended for the relief Of American
ut the sandwich Islsnds the Society Islands, vspsra
90, Cspe Of Good Hope Lima Pata and Talcshuano has
than three fold since the passage Of the
act o. 1870 The amount disbursed for that year
ia reurns have been received amounted to sli ass,
81. wide statement No .. attached to- this report
observed before 10 no. INTENDED to Sonvsy the
ributabs that act The extension Of whale hshe
RES with which all must he g'staed one Of les
the charge for boarding at these ports appear
to be extravagant. though possibly they may be nscss
ssry wide statement No o. attached to this report
Our consuls receive Ave per cen. compensation for
their trouble upon all these disbursements They thus
have direct interest In increasing the amount Whilst
nterfered with the discharge Of their duty yet 10 sub
mitted that they ought 70 be compensated by liked
ssary instead Of commissions for the performance Of this
service.
Some legislation ia necessary to enforce compliance
with the conditions Of the bond required to DO executed
by masters Of vessels under the section Of the act
1909 F.om all that can be learned, this bond has, In
practice become nearly dead letter Although ss.msn
with any of the provisions Of the law suits have
rarely been brought upon these bonds.
duty Of the collector suit to be Instituted
every such bond, af limited period unless, 10 the
compliance with its condition shall be exhibited by the
master 4 the vessel Some such provision Is necessary
both for the protection Of seamen from injustice and i'll
treatment and the United States from imposition
CONSULAR coaREsPoSpENoE.
The bill properly requires consus aud vice consuls to
furnish the department at stated periods such infor
nation be rendered useful to tho country and
imposes upon ii the corresponding duty OF communica
ting this information annually to Congress in digesed
form Tho secretary has already had occasion 10 state
his opinion this subject on the 10th March last in his
the inquiries Of the Committee on the Judi.
ciary OF the House, in reference to the Of
the State Department to which he respectfully
ers REPORT No 06a, Of the last session OF Congress
He enter tains not q doubt that of Information
might be procured through the agency Of properly
constituted consular sysem which would be Of great cd
vantage to the navigating commercial agricultural and
manufacturing Interests Of the country In order render
this available, 1t is indispensable that competent per
arrange and publish the information thus obtained tor
the OF Congress and the people It is impossible
that the two consular clerks in the department
should besides their duty OF corresponding with
hundred and sixty eight consus the bu
siness Of their consuates perform this additional
vice Indeed these CLERKS not sufficient for the pro-
per discharge Of the present business Of the branch
which they are employed.
CONSULAR cxRrIrIcArEs INVOICES FOREIGN GOODS.
one properly belonging to Treasury Department
convinced however that under proper regulations
consular certificates at the places Of eyportaton to oil
invoices of oreigu goods might be rendered ccient
of sscertsng their true value, and thereby pre-
venting frauds upon the revenues whilst these certi
Gates would at the time, tho honest
chant against fraudulent competition Further legisla-
since the abolition Of all specific duties under the present
tariff.
All which Is respectfully submitted by
JAMES BUCHANAN
Secretary OF State
Department of State, Dec. u, 1896