The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-06-30
CIRCULAR.
CIRCULAR.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
WASHINGTON. June 4 I953

DEPARTMENT or STATE.
Washington, June /, 1853
To COnSulS Of The United States.
II has been represented to this Department
upon authority which is deemed undoubted,
that American Consuls are in the habit of en-
ploying foreign clerks to assist in the discharge
OF consular duties This is q practice no long
er to be countenanced Where it is practical
BILE, no other than citizens of the United States
are to be hereafter entrusted with the perform
ance Of any consular act. You will accord.
iDgly, within = reasonable time after the re-
ceipt of this circular, makes the changes here
by required, and receive into your service the
consular clerks who owe allegiance to this
Government, and also carefully guard the rec
ords OF the United States, committed to your
keeping, from the perusal of aliens. Should
circumstances prevent strict compliance with
this regulation, you will at once report the fact
to this Department and explain the reasons
thereof
lnconyeniences may result from this regula-
ton to Consuls, where the English language is
not that Of the country in which the Consul is
situated but # he be not acquainted with such
language at the time of receiving the appoint
q sufficient knowledge Of it for the manage
ment OF his eiicial business. Wherever the
consulate be- most of the business will be con-
Quoted in English, and with citizens of the
United States Moreover, he will find in most
foreign counties young Americans desrous
perhaps, Of ssch employment as he could af-
ford them, and in all respects capable of per-
forming the dhties required, to his satisfaction
The President, in the performance of his du-
ties, conceives that he has no alternative, but
to manifest hs decided disapprobation of the
anti.America1 practices and tendencies which
are but too TAIpable in our consular depart
ment, Therchre many of our citizens--young
men-at hom( and abroad, who are anxious Of
acquiring knowledge of one or another of the
continental languages OF Europe-a knowledge
which, in afteI years, would be valuable to the
Government gid to the people; and it is rec
commended to bur Consuls to procure such as
sstants, confident that they will be found
equally effecttal and more Trustworthy.
The comm&ders OF our mercantile marine,
the sailors by whom it is manned, as we'll as
other citizens having business with our consul.
ates will find il more pleasant to transact il
with subordinltes who are their own country.
men, than with foreigners differing from them
as much in mfnners as language
Upon examination it is found that no returns
have been received from several of our consul.
ates and tho in some of those transmitted
there are app}rsutly Irregularities in the state
ments requirtl 70 be made semi. annually to
this Department. Ii there be but solitary fee
paid at q co3sulAte during n twelyemonth, il
must be repO&sd In future and if none be re-
reiyed, that isbt must be also reported. 10 every
instance whde ~ Official service is performed
the consul vi DO particular TO include the
amount THEREFOR in his reports to this Depart.
ment The omission to make the reports re.
CURED by intruotions, will be regarded as a
sufficient caue for removal from Office.
There is Hason to believe that abuses are
practiced to1a considerable extent in many
places, and PARTICULARLY in the south Of Europe
In the exactlh Of fees for verifcatons OF pass
ports, whichlmight be dispensed with Tn,
department b Informed that Consuls Of tn,
United State have connived at the demands
by the authorities Of certain cities in the Ital
ian States, s}d ether places where their con
sulates are Established, for consular yses in or
der to deriyd benefit from the fees consequent
therefrom. lf this be trne il is an abuse, anS
when know will be punished invariably with
instantaneo4 deprivation Of office Such pro
eedure woull b. alike dsreputsble to the Con