The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-15
Consular System OF the United states-Dutiss
Qualifications, &c

Consular System of the United states-Duties,
Qualifications, &c.
The important services which may be rem
dered to country by well qualified and
faithful consul require that their selection
should be made with great care
The English view the consular office as one
of great responsibility, requiring peculiar fit
ness il those upon whom it is bestowed. Party
considerations have but very little weight in
deciding their appointment. A consul found
qualified by experience, and whose services
have proved acceptable to the government is
seldom removed. and when retiring generally
receives an annuity or pension from the crown.
They are seldom, if ever, changed on mere
party considerations By understanding what
qualifications are deemed necessary, under
English laws, to enable MAJ properly to dis
charge the duties Of consul we shall discover
how far deficient our practice is in demanding
similar competency on the part Of consuls ap-
pointed under the government of the United
States.
Gritty, in his work on Commercial Law"
says that
for his employment, Should take care to make him
self master OF the language used by the court and
magistraty Of tie country where he resides to
converse with ease upon subjects relating to his
duties 1.-THE common people OF the port another,
he must acquire that also that he may be able to set
tie lutte differences without troubling the magi tracy
of the place for the nterposton of their authority;
such as accidents happening in the harbor, by which
ships CT one nation running foul of, and doing da-
mage to, each other.
He is 10 make himself acquainted, if he is not al
ready, with the law Of nations and treaties with the
tariil or specification Of duties articles imported
or exported, and with all the municipal ordinances
and laws.
He must take special notice Of all prohibitions to
prevent the export or import of any articles, well
on tie part oil the State wherein he resides of the
government employing him; SO that he may admo-
nish all British aects against carrying on an illicit
conn to the detriment OF the revenues, and in
violation of the laws of either; and it is his duty to
attend diligently to this part OF his office in order to
prevent smuggling, aud consequent hazard of conls-
cation, or detention of ships, and Imprisonment of
masters and mariners (Beawe's, Lex Mere, Vol. III,
p. 42)
The general regulation, designed to govern
the action of consuls in foreign ports, and pre-
scribing their duties in relation to the country
to which they are sent as well as to their pro-
lection of the citizens of Great Britain from in
suit, and its trade from illegal exactons are in
most particulars similar to the instructions
transmitted to our consuls. The English con-
sular code is more ample, and embraces some
points of interest omitted in ours.
British Consuls are regularly supplied with all
acts relating TO trade and navigation, quarantine,
slave trade suppression, immigration, &c, aud with
treaties between this and other countries, and must
OF course shape their conduct accordingly. They
are strictly forbidden from corresponding with pr-
vate parties on public matters.
The feature Of most inter est in the British
consular system, is. that they receive regular
salaries, and in most cases are prohibited from
engaging in trade In cases where the fees are
small. the difference is made up by the 60
verrment salary. 1t is seldom, if ever, the case
that any other person is chosen to act as British
consul than well known subject of the crown
Hence, throughout the world Of British com
morce there are found intelligent, loyal. and
devoted government consular agents who look
to the government for support, and not to the
commerce Of their countrymen, or 10 the rewards
ofIriyate trade They can afford to act impar-
tally in the disputes Of their own countrymen
and to look closely after tho political and fnan-
cal interests Of their government at large
giving it the earliest information Of all impor-
tant changes and events. There are few British
consuls employed at important points who are
not qualified, If necessary. to perform the duties
Of a charge d'aGaices or minister plenipoten-
tiory. They are not selected as with us. every
four years, from the ranks almost of single
profession. ard rewarded With the Office for
mere partizan services, without due regard to
,Ecir peculiar fitness for the Office
The system of allowing all the consuls of the
United Statee to engage in private trade has
resulted from The inadeqaGcy Of their fees. at
many points. to give them a support.
an English writer, speaking On this subject
seys that it Is the duty ola consul to commu-
nicate to his government the earliest intel
llgerce Of interest, and particularly that
concerning trade. However important such
information may be to others. it is clear, where
the consul depends upon private trade for sup
port, il will be hip interest to keen euch infor-