The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-11

lts the consular establishment proposed 10 be re-
modelled under The bill, will at east be SELF |
supporting one. The fees, will guaranty, will more
than deiray the expenses incurred in saarying the
eonslls. Moreover, the interests OF our own mer- |
chants would be strongly guarded against the nu-
merous impositlons which practised in foreign
countries. They may object TO the pay aent OF 81
for the certificate, but il will be money judiciously
expended inasmuch their orders for goods would
more certainly be honestly filled by manufacturers
and others Consuls, il must be recoleeted, are in
all cases 10 be American citizens and have no one
IN their Offices but American citizens; and their rec
ords are on no account TO be submitted TO the nspec
tion OF any one. Nor are they TO be permitted TO
engage either directly indirectly in trade under
heavy penalty. IL is, therefore, carefully provided
| that the transactions Of one merchant shall not be
| known TO another by which advantages may be la
ken Of the shipments which are making, as is now
| frequently the case. As nearly all shipments pass
through the hands Of commission merchants resd-
lng al the port where consul is located if he be
faithful officer he will soon detect any who may
| be disposed TO make up invoices containing under
| valuations, and the dread OF exposure will lead TO
uniformity in charges. | repeat, we have suffered
more from invoices made up with fraudulent intents
under the present tariff than Il 10 possible for
suffer under that whose operations commence on the
LIST OF December; but nevertheless, IN order TO crush
he sy stem entirely as criminal and otherwise demon
alzng IN It's character, am persuaded that Il Ia only
necessary TO have recourse to the remedy which
have suggested. IL the fee for consular attestaon
TO an invoice is considered too large lei IL be reduced
ohe-hali. Even then the proceeds, with the other
legitimate fees of the Office, will be found ample, in
my opinion, to support the new establishment with
| out the and of dollar from the treasury
word more in relation TO the new consular bill
| | have bestowed upon il much reflection, and have
| nterehanged opinions with many individuals who
have been in the service Of the government-one or
more of whom held high diplomatic places under IL
/ IN years long gone by-as 10 its provisions, and
feel warranted IN the belief that If the bill should be
| enacted into a law, as | am encouraged TO hope il
viii at the next session, shall have the per-
feet consular establishment in the world Such a
one we certainly require, because the period is not
| remote when we are to stand at the head Of COM
mercia nations! Not the least of the benefits to be
derived from the change Is the dscontlnuance, as
far as we concerned, Except for diplomatic pur-
poses) OF the interior consulates and which exam.
pie trust will be followed by other countries. The
Office will, by this means, receive additional consid
Grafton, and thereby extend its usefulness. In ils
origin, (Which occurred in Italy in the 18th centu
ry) II was intended that II should be confined TO
seaPorts merely; and subsequently other nations,
from time to time, stipulated with each other for the
privilege 10 appoint consus to reside IN the ,eapoTts
visited by their respective bottoms TO protect
more effectually their navigation and commerce,
eseryng to themselves the right to define the bounds
Of the consular district In which II situated. II
appointments continue to be made irrespective OF
seaports for location, every city and town in Amer.
lea may be hoDored by a consular dignltary, and
we shall go on TO multiply ours in other countries
until they tread upon each others toes for although
no emoluments derived, foreigners and pseudo
Americans may always be found, maybe like, anx-
ious to appear in the plumage Of the eagle A for
elgn consular Appointment will be sought by our own
citizens, certainly not for proit, and probably not
! for honor, but because it will exempt them from
militia duty, jury duty, and road duty. There is