Washington sentinel., 1854-04-13
Consuls and Citizens of the United states.
For the Washington Sentinel.

For the Warrington Sentinel.
That it is useful and beneficial to have con-
suls and merchants in the various ports of the
world to protect the national and commercial
character of our country, and strengthen there
the bonds OF comfy between ourselves and the
foreigner, IS OF course, as every one knows,
proper and correct, and cannot be dispensed
with.
Though this subject has been often COM
mcnted on by many able writer's in this coun-
try, 1t has never received that attention which
its importance demands. In all parts Of
Europe it is the principal object of attention
and study how their consuls and merchants
are to be protected, and the respectable power
which the foreign consul has ought to be suff
cient to convince the United States government
and people of the truth of what am about to
state.
All these officials are men of commercial
education, and are never employed by their
governments unless they are native subjects
thereof They are sent abroad sometimes in
double capacity, both for political and CONNER
cial purposes, in vessels of war, which are al
ways at their command; and the pay they re-
ceive puts them beyond the reach of q bargain
and corruption" Treated by their respective
governments in this way, they cannot fail re.
ceiving the respect due them from others, both
in their official and civil capacity.
They are never removed from Office, except
when they are not able to defend themselves
from charges made against them, and in all
cases they are properly and correctly informed
by their respective governments OF the nature
OF such complaints, and then they are given
time to prove the falsity Of such charges.
After serving with fidelity for some years, they
retire with opd in xpha
pensions are not allowed, their children are
employed to make up the deficiency.
How is it with our consuls? They 20 to
their consulates, as they can, without pay; and
very often their emoluments do not exceed five
hundred dollars per annum, if ecen that. They
are not in safety one moment, withholding their
office; for there are generally many applicants
tor these most desirable situations, large on
smdtt, in the gift of our government. What
happens next? They are then taken in as
silent partners by the commercial houses in
the place where they reside, and thus become
dependent, instead of independent, as they
ought to be. Even then, they are not able to
keep up with the foreign consul; and, thus situ-
situated, one may imagine the rest
Inc European governments would not be at
such expenses, for their commercial agents, if
their own interests were not advanced and
benefited by so doing and one reason (the
prnclple one, too) for their sending so many
consuls and agents abroad, and particularly
where there is no regular way OF correspond
ence without first establishing these consular
stations, is to prepare the way for their re-
spective merchants and to otherwise facilitate
the iurtherance of their commercial interests.
with us this never can be until our own consu-
lar system IS changed, so as to put our consuls
on the same footing with the foreign ones, by
giving them salaries, and full power to perform
the responsible duties of their Office in a dig
nifed manner.
For this purpose and end, we need: first,
persons who are familiar with general trade;
ana, secondly, those who are acquainted with
the language, manners, and customs of the
people with whom they are to reside. And,
aoooe al, let them be American citizens; for
Wood St, runs thicker than icater-so they say.
we nave thousands of such men in this coun.
.ry, who would willingly serve, if this gov
ernment would only apply to them. And
mere mere ! beg to add, in parenthess, that very
olIen the duties Of consul are as onerous as
'n1se 2, OF diplomatic agent)
mus, until change is made and new con.
su.ar system adopted, complaints will be made
against our agents abroad-and sometimes,
perhaps, with truth-in no wise beneficial to the
respec.aDility Of the commercial interests Of the
United States, and which greatly and unjusty