Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-03-28
OFFICIAL.

A PR0CTAN TInN

the United States of America and his Majesty
the King Of the Belgians, was concluded and
signed by their respective plenipotentiaries, at
Brussels, on che 9TH day of December, eighteen
hundred and sixty eight, which convention, be-
ing in the English and French languages, is
word for word as follows:
The President OF the United States of Ameri
ca and his Majesty the King of the Belgians
recognizing the utility of defining the rights
privileges and immunities Of consular officers
IN the two countries, deem it expedient to con-
clude consular convention for that purpose.
Accordingly they have named: The President
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
Belgians, the Sieur Jules Wander Stichelen.
grand cross of the Order of the Dutch Lion &c.
after having communicated to each other their
full powers, found TO be in good and proper
form, have agreed upon the following articles;
ARTICLE L.
Each OF the high contracting parties agree to
receive from the other, consuls- general cOnsuIs
vice consuls, and consular agents, in all its ports
be convenient to recognize such officers. This
resery alton, however, shall not apply to one OF
the high contracting parties without also APP
plying to every other power
Consular officers, on the presentation of their
commissions in the forms established in their
respective countries, shall be furnished with the
necessary exequstur free of charge, and on the
exhibition Of this instrument, they shall be per-
mitted to enjoy the rights, prerogatiyes, and
immunities granted by this convention.
ARTICLE iii.
Consular officers, citizens of the State nv
which they are appointed. shall be exempt from
arrest except in the case of offenses which the
local legislation qualities as crimes, and pun
ishes IL as such; from military billetinps. 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 citizens 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 mer-
chants or owners of property.
ARTICLE Nv.
No consular ofhcer who is q citizen of the
state by which he was appointed, and who is
appear as q witness before the courts of the
country where he may reside. When the testi-
mony OF such consular officer Is needed he
snail na pe Invited IN writing to appear in court
requested in writing, or be taken orally, at his
dwelling or ofiice.
1t shall be the duty of said consular officer to
comply with this request, without any DELAY
which can be avoided.
In all criminal cases. contemplated bv the
sixth article of the amendments to the Constitu-
ton OF the United States, whereby the right is
secured to persons charged with crimes to OH
tain witnesses in their favor, the appearance in
court of said consular officer shall be demanded.
and to the duties of his off ce A similar tseat
ment shall also be extended to the United states
consuis in Belgium, in the like cases.
ARTICLE V.
COnsuls-general, consuls, vice-consuls. and
consular agents may place over the outer dooT
of their offices, or their dwelling houses. the
arms OF their nation, with this inscription,
consulate, or vice-consulate, or consular
agency" of the United States, or of Belgium.
&e:, &c. And they may also raise the dag of
except in the capital of the country, when there
Is a legation there.
ARTICLE VI.
The consular offices and dwellings shall be at
all times inviolable. The local authorities shall
not, under any preteNt, invade them. In no
case shall they examine or seize the papers
there deposited. In no cases shall those offices
however, a consular officer is engaged in other
business, the papers relating to the consulate
shall be kept separate.
ARTICLE VII.
In the event Of the death, incapacity, or alb
sence Of consuls-general, cOnsuls, vice-consuls
and consular agents, their chancellors or secre-
viOusly been made known to the Department of
State at Washington, or to the minister OF for
eign affairs in Belgium, may temporarily exer-
d cIse their Functions nc and while thus acting they
munities granted to the incUmbents.
ARTICLE VIII.
suls-general and consuls may, with the
appreciation of their respective governments
appoint vice-consuls and consular agents in the
cities, ports, and places within their consular
jurisdiction. These officers may be citizens of
r.
eIgners. They shall be furnished with q com
mission by the consul who appoints them. and
under whose orders they are to act. They shall
enjoy the privileges stipulated for consular Of
tions specified in Articles Ill and IV.
ARTICLE TX.
Consuls-general, consuls, vice-consuls, and
ties Of the respective countries, whether federal
or local, judicial or local, judicial or executive
within their consular district, Of any infraction
Of the treaties and conventions between the
United states and Belgium or for the purpose of
protecting the rights and interests OF their coun
trymen. II the complaint should not be salts
factorily redressed, the consular officers afore-
their country, may apply directly to the govern
ment Of the country where they reside.
ARTICLE X.
C0nsuls-general, consuls, vice-cOnsuls. and
consular agents may take at their of,ices, 1t the
residence Of the parties, at their private resi-
dence, or on board ship, the dispositions Of the
Of Sosld Of 1ss1 ow
of any other citizen OF their nation. They NAV
also receive at their Offices, cOnformably to the
laws and regulations Of their country, all con-
tracts between the citizens Of their country and
the citizens or other inhabitants Of the country
where they reside, and even all contracts be-
tween the latter, provided they relate to prop
the territory Of the nation to which said con-
sular officer may belong. Copies Of such papers
and official documents Of every kind, whether
thenticated and legalized by the consuls-R gene
raj, consuls, vice-c0nsuls and consular agents
and sealed with their Official SEAL shall be
received as legal documents In courts Of Justice
throughout the United States and Belgium.
ARTICLE XII.
C0nsuls-general, consuls, vice-consuls, and
consular agents shall have exclusive charge of
the internal order Of the merchant vessels of
their nation, and shall alone take cognizance Of
differences which may arise, either ct soa or In
port, between the captains, officers, and crews,
without exceptih, particularly In reference to
the adjustment Of wages and the execution Of
contracts. Neither the federal, State, or mu-
nicipal authorities or courts in She United
States, nor any court or authority In Belgium
shall, on any pretext, interfere in these differ
ences.
AKTIcLI XII.
The respective consuls-general, consuls, vice
consus, ana consular agents may arrest the
omcers, sailors, and other persons making part
OF the crew of ships OF war or merchant vessels
of their nation who may be guilty, OF be ac-
for the purpose Of sending them on board or
Of the United States In Belgium may apply to
any Of the competent aqthorities; and the con-
suls Of Belgium in the United States may APP
ply in writing TO either the federal, State, or
municipal courts or authorities, and make Q
request In writing for the diserters, supporting
ii by the exhibition Of the register Of the vessel
and list Of the crew, or by other ofbcial docu-
ments, to show that the persons claimed belong
to the said crew.
Upon such request alone, thus supported, and
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