Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-06-12
The Consular Question.

The following, from the Mobile Advertiser Of the 9th
inst is transferred to the Wig with the view Of bring
ing /. to TIE attention Of the Administration. If it be
true, as minated BY the Adesrlissr that an appoint
msnt by Lord Lyons is be accepted by our aut or.
tea As comforting the right to act as Conul and to
exercise all The rights and privileges of that Office,
then 1t is only necessary Tor hs LordshP" to confer
such an appointment up-n thelately removed Cousu at
this port to renstate that gentleman in all the powers
and functions Of his Office. This would be to permit
the unfeudly Representative of Government that ig.
nores US to interfere in the civil administration of or
Government, and render its acts nugatory Such an
idea is not 70 be tolerated for moment The follow
ing is the statement Of the Advertiser:
The impression prevails of doors that Mr. Grid
land has been officially recognized by the military
tbortes lbile a duly accredited Consul of H. b.
Mliestys q 9rerument and is fully installed with power
% exercise Al the functions OF tia, Office IL is needless
70 saw that the impression ID accompanied by great
deal Of natural indignation We are happy to learn on
enquiry that such Is not the fact. The simple truth Is
tbat Mr. Crdland has exhibited the authorities let
Ter from Lord Lyons - Mr.. Portz, the French Vice
Consul lately acting British Vice Consul Informing him
that he Mr. Cridland, bad been appointed II. B. Ma
isstys acting Vice ConsU az hOoie, and requesting Mr.
PORT 20 turn over the Consulate 70 the sppointee,
md % Introduce him TO the authorities At Mobile
On the presentation Of these credentials, Mr.. Cridland
aouired II there any orders from the Confederate
Government 10 the military authorities which forbid
the exercise Of bis fu ctious. The reply in the
negative But there no promise or undertaking
10 recognize bis official acts; nor we learn will this
he without express orders from Richmond, Whether
these orders are given remains 70 be seen. As Mr..
Crdland comes directly from Richmond, where be has
long resided and is well and favorab known there IS
reason 70 appreheud that he did not leave take charge
of his Office without understanding with Nj. BeDia-
min Of the STATE Department. And II that under
standing should prove TO be favorable and permi sVe,
We should not be surprised for SOald be in keeping
with the undgni6ed and Submissive course Of policy
pursued By this GoysEaiae1t in It's foreign relations
we hope however, for better things. We hope that
Ibis sasant case presents irresistible temptations 10
Our Goyernrent to take stand to show that possesses
ome serespect and assert its belief that this
il an independent Government
Mr. Cridland is appointed British Consul at this port
by Lord Lyons. lie has no commission, and of course
there no Federal exequatur 10 the case. But he is
be nevertheless an English Acting Consul he is to
exercise all the rights and privileges Of that Office He
4 10 grant protection 10 British subjects release them
from cOnserption and do al things which he might do
A Great Ban recognized our existence, in diplO-
matte relation with US and reeiprocated the privileges
,hieb she receives In other words Lord Lyons at
Wasbingto1 is trying 70 do indirectly what there is
arrant for doing directly, either IN right or Justice.
VIII our Government wink at the t1udy VIII il per-
ga in the policy Of cOnc atng and humbLng itself be-
tors the British Government IN the desperate hope Of
,ripgpg from il. good nature some crumbs of favor
md soue faint promises Of reeosninony II IL does, IL
in lake nothing but eontemPt and further outrages By
che motion