The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1870-04-28
LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES;
PASSED AT TuE
SECOND SESSION OF THE FOR.
TY-FIRsr CONGRESS,
CONVENTION
A PROCLAMATION,


WHEREAS convention defining the
rights, immunilies and privileges Of
consuls, between the Unilod States Of
America and bis Majesty the King oflhe
Belgians, was concluded aud signed By
their respective plenipOtentisrieE, al
Brussels, on the 9th day Of December,
eighteen hubdted and sixty.eight, which
convention, being in the English and
French languages, is word for word as
follows:
The President Of the United State, Of
Amerisa and his Majesty the King Of
the BelgiSns, recognizing the utility Of
defining the rights privileges and immu'
mites oil consular officers in the Two
countries. deem it itexpedient to concluded
convention for tha! purpose.
Accordingly they have named: The
President ofthe United States OF Amercs,
Henry Shelton Sanford, citizen Of The
United States. their minister residing
near his Majesty the King Of the Belgi.
ans; and his Mujssty the King otth5 Bels
gisns, the Sieur Julius Wander Sicheleu,
grand cross OF the Order Of the Dutch
Lion. &c., G. &c, Lis minister Of the
foreign affairs; who after having com.
municated to each other their full powers
found TO be 10 good aud proper form,
have agreed upon tho following articles.
Article l.
Each ofthe high contracting parties
agrees 10 receive from the other, co1sulS
general, consuIs. ,icc.consuls, and CON
sular agents, in ell its ports. cities and
places, except those where il may not
be convenient to recognize such officers,
iIstiisReservaiiau. however, shsi7dol Rps
ply.to one Of The high cOntrnctins pafties
without also applying to every other
power
ARTICLE II.
Consular officers, on the presentation
Of their commissions in the forms estab-
Iished in their respective countries shall
he furnished With The necessary sxequa.
tur FREQ of charge, ard on the exhibition
of this instrument. they shall be psrmit-
ted to enjoy The righ's, prerogsIivcs, and
immunities granted by this convention.
ARTICLE III.
Consular officers, citrz,ns of The Stale
by which they are appointed, shall be
exempt from arrest except 10 the case Of
ofFsnses which the loo al legislation qusl.
ifes as crimes, a9d Furnishes il as such;
from militia or in the natiorsI guard, OF
in the regular army, aGdfrom all taxa
ton, federal, State, OF municipal. If,
however, they are citizens Of the State
where they reside. or own property, or
engage 10 business there they shsll be
liable to the same charges Of oil kiuiS
us other citizons Of the co1utry. who
are nsrchanH or owners Of property.
Article Nv.
No Consular officer who is a citizen Of
the Stale by which be was uppoiuteI, and
who is not engaged in business, shall be
compelled to appear as q witness he.
fore the courts Of the country where he
may reside. Wh4n the testimony ofsuch
a consular officer is needed, he shall be
invited in writing 10 appear in coutt, and
if unobIs 10 do go. his testimony shall
DO requested 10 writing. or DO taken oral
", at bis dwelling or Office,
II shall bsths duty Of said couusulsr
officer to compy with this request, with
out any delay which eSn be avoided
10 all criminal caIes, contemplated by
tho sixth article Of the amendments to
the Constitution Of the United States,
whereby the right iG secured to persons
charged with crimes to obtain Witness
.ss in cout oil said consular officer shall
be demanded. with all possible regard TO
the consular dignity and 10 the duties Of
his Office. A similar treatment shall
uIso be extended to United States con-
suls in Belgium, in like cRss0.
ARTICLE v.
Consuls general. consuls. vice conSuIs,
aud consular agents may place over the
outer door Of their offices, or their dWsl.
ling houses. the arms Of their nation,
with this inscription, consulate. or vice.
consulate, or consular agency" OF the
United States, or Of Bsigium, -&c. DC.
And they may also raise the asg'Of their
country on thsir offises OF DWELLING
houses, except 10 The capital of the COun,
try, whsu there is legation there.
ARTICLE VI.
The consular Offices and dRollings
she'll be at al times inViolable. The 10.
col authorities shall not under any pre-
text, invade them. In 10 case shall they
examine or seize the papers there depos-
tied. In no case shall those .Oficss or
dwellings DO used as places of,asylum
Whop, however, consular oaiceris en-.