American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-12-18

And broaden till ii shines all night
On glistening dew and glimmering stream.
CONSULAR system. A change in tho Con-
required; and we are pleased to learn, from a
letter in the New York Herald, that the sub
ject has attracted the attention of the Secretary
ofState, who has recommended sundry bene-
fetal notifications. We have noticed this
matter repeatedly, and have urged the pIopre-
ty of two changes in particular, as necessary to
insure a faithful and punctual discharge of
Consular duties, viz: the appointment of none
but American citizens, and the payment of sa-
iaries, instead Of the compensation by fees Of
Office.
The Washington correspondent o: the New
York Herald furnishes an abstract of the plan
proposed by the Secretary of State, Mr.. Buch-
anan, from which it appears, that he "recom-
mends the adoption Of a general law for the
guidance Of Consuls in all cases; prescribing
their powers and duties, and framed so COM
prehensively as to leave no part of the duty Of
= Consul TO be guessed at, as is una voidably the
case at present-such general law to repeal
all former acts treating of the powers and du-
ties of Consuls."
As we consider the suggestions made by Mr..
Buchanan of great importance to the CONNER
eial interests of the country, we copy largely
from the abstract furnished in the Herald. 1t
appears that there are at present, one hundred
and seventy seven United States Consulates in
existence.
"MT. Buchanan recommends the formation
efseventy- four consulates and ifty-6ve wee
consuates, making in all, one hundred and
twenty-nine. He remarks that the system of
vice-cOnsuates having been tried by Great But-
ain, has been found to operate admirably. He
also advises that the semi barbarous countries,
such as the Barbary States, and on the shores
Of the Levant, our consuls shall be invested
with the title ofconsul general. His reason Tor
this, is, that American consuls in those coun-
tries are often called upon to adjust serious DIFF
ferences between the masters and crews of YES
sells, to punish crimes committed by American
citizens, as we'll as 10 protect them from the in
justice of the natives that in those countries,
where rank and high sounding titles are treated
with difference and respect, the mere title of
Conbul uO0s not Cidlin Lnat COnSlOeTatlOn at the
hands Of the authorities that is indispensable to
the maintenance Of our rights, and thu honor
of our flag; and that, in consequence, our con-
Buls at the different ports OF those countries are
subjected to many serious Sights and annoyan-
ces, calculated to lower our government, whose
only representatives, they are in those places, in
the estimation of the natives, and commensu-
rately operating TO the detrment of our COM
merce, and of our national character. To such
sights and annoyances, the consuls of other ma
tions, who are clothed with the powers and IT,
Ito ofconsuls general are not subjected, enjoy
ing in this respect, an advantage of no ordlna-
ry Importance over our consuls. For all these,
and other welghty reasons, he advises the in
stitution Of the rank of consul general, which,
in addition to the advantages | have enumera-
ted, has for its further recommendation, that il
will be no additional cost to the government.
He recommends that the mode of compensa-
ton be changed. At present our consuls are
compensated with the fees of Office, in some
ports, amounting to an enormous revenue, and
in others, SO trfng, as before remarked, a;
to be entirely inconsiderable. Mr.. Buchanan
advises that consuls be paid regular salary Out
OF the Treasury. The reason for this is, thai
Under the present system, consuls are entlrel
at liberty to make, and very often do make
their office sui servent to their mercantile inte
rests. He is of opinion that consuIs should b,
prohibited by law from enga gng in mercan,il,
pursuits, thus preventing the too ireunent sac
Gca of the interest of our merchants to ur,vat
emolument Tho consul having no business q
his own TO attend TO, would not DO obliged, q