New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-07-28
O FFICIAL
Irn ! AND corvrnrioss
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
A PROCLAMATION nv the President of
tho Init 4 States

A PROCLAMATION by the President o
the Unite 4 States.
| WHEREAS convention defining the rights
immunities and privileges OF consuls, be
tween the United States of America and hi
Majesty the King Of the Belgians, was con
cluded and signed by their respective plen
ipotentiaries, at Brussels, ON the fifth day o.
December, eighteen hundred and sixty
eight. which convention, being IN the
English and French languages, is word fol
| word as follows:
The President of the United States Of
America and his Majesty the King OF the
BelgiaRs, recognizing the utility OF defining
the ights,.privileges and immunities of con
sular officers in the two countries, deem it
| expedient to conclude consular convention
| for that purpose.
Accordingly they have named: The Pres
ident Of the United States of America,
Henry Shelton Sanford, a citizen of the
United States, their minister resident near
his Majesty the King of the Belgians and
his Majesty the King of the Belg2ns. the
Sieur Jules Wander Stichelen, grand cross of
the Order of the Dutch Lion, etc, his min
| lister of foreign affairs; who, after having
| communicated to each other their full
| powers, found to be in good and proper
| form, have agreed upon the following arti-
| Giles:
ARTICLE I.
Each of the high contracting parties
agrees to receive from the other, consuls-
general. conscls. yice-consuls, and consular
agents, in all its ports, cities and places, eX-
to recognize such officers. This reservation,
however. shall not apply to one Of the high
contracting parties without also applying to
every other power.
ARTICLE II.
Consular officers, on the presentation of
their commissions in the forms established
in their respective countries, shall be fur
nlshed with the necessary eXequatur free
Of charge, and on the exhibition of this in
strument. they shall be permitted to enjoy
the rights. prerogatives. and immunities
granted by this convention.
ARTICLE III.
Consular officers. citizens of the State by
which they are appointed, shall be exempt
from arrest except in the case of otfenses
which the local legislation Qualities as
crimes. and Furnishes it as such; from mill
tary billetings, from service in the militia or
in the national guard, or in the regular
army, and from all taxation, federal, State.
or municipal. If, however, they are citi-
zens Of the State where they reside, or own
property. or engage in business there, they
shall be liable to the same charges of all
kinds as other citizens of the country, who
are merchants or owners Of property.
ARTICLE ".
No consular officer who is a citizen of the
State by which he was appointed. and who
Is not engaged in business. shall be com
PEELED to appear as a witness before the
courts of the country where he NAV reside.
When the testimony of such consular officer
is needed, he shall he invited in writing to
appear in court, and if unable to do So his
testimony shall be requested in writing, or
be taken orally, at his dwelling or office
1t shall be the duty of said consular Off
Ger to comply with this request, without any
delay which can be avoided.
In all criminal cases. contemplated by the
sixth article of the amendments to the con-
stitution of the United States. whereby the
right is secured to persons charged with
crimes to obtain witnesses il their favor,
the appearance in court OF said consular
officer shall be demanded, with all possible
regard 10 the consular dignity and to the
duties OF his office. A similar treatment
shall also he extended to United States con-
suls il Belgium, i'll the like cases.
ARTICLE V.
ConsulS-general. consuls, vice consuls.
and consular agents may place over the
outer door Of their offices. or their dwellin"
houses. tie arms Of their nation, with this |
consulate, or vice-consuatc
Or consular agency of the United States.
Or Of Belgium, etc. And they may also |
raise the flag OF their country on their offices
or dwelling houses. except in the capital of |
the country, when there is legation there.
ARTICLE VI.
The consular Offices and dwellings shall |
De at all times inviolablc. The local au-
hol1tles shall not, under any pretext,
invade them. In no case shall they examine
II seize the papers there deposited. In no
ase shall those offices or dwellings he used
is places Of asylum. When however. a
consular officer is engaged III other business,
lie papers relating TO the consulate shall be
Kept separate.
ARTICLE VII.
In the event of the death. incapa-
ity. or absence of consuls-general.
onsuls, vice-consuls, and consular
gents, their chancellers or secre-
aries. whose official character may
ave previously been made known to the
Department OF State at Washington or to
he minister for foreign affairs in Belgium,
nay temporarily exercise their functions
nd while thus acting they shall enjoy all
he rights. prerogatives and immunities
ranted to the incumbents.
ARTICLE VIII.
Consuls-general and consuls may, with the
pprobation of their respective govern
lents. appoint vice-consuls and consular
gents in the cities. ports and places within
heir consular jurisdiction. These officers
nay be citizens Of the United States. Of
'elgium. or other foreigners. They shall be
FINISHED with a commission by the consul
-ho appoints them and under whose orders
hey are to act. They shall enjoy the privi-
gees stipulated for consular officers in this
invention. subject to the exceptions
pecited i'll Articles III and ~.
ARTICLE TX.
Consuls-general. consuls, vice-consuls and
onsular agents. may complain to the all-
l0l1tles OF the respective countries, whether
'derai or local. judicial or local, judicial or
Xecutive. within their consular district. of
ny in1raction of the treaties and conyen-
0ns between the United States and Bel gium | {
T for the purpose of protecting the rights
nj interests of their countrvlnen. If the
Dlnplalnt should not be satisfactorily re-
ressed. the consular officers aforesaid in
le absence OF a diplomatic agent OF their
'untry. may apply directly to the govern
tent OF the country where they reside.
ARTICLE X.
Consulsgeneral. consuls yice-consulS. and
onsular agents may take at their offices. at t
ie residence Of the parties, at their private 8
,sIdence. or on board slip. the dispositions S
the captains and crews Of vessels of their @
WI country. OF passengers on board of !
lem, and OF any other citizen of their ma
on. They may also receive at their offices. t
10 tie laws and regulations of G
lelf country. all contracts between the eft t
ems OF their country and the citizens or Il
htr nlabitants OF the country where they I
side, and even all contracts between the
tier, provided they relate to property stu
ed or to business to be transacted in the
rritorv OF the nation to which said con
Tar office may belong. Copies of such pa !.