New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-11-06
OFFICIA L.
TREATIES AND CONVENTIONS
OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
A PROCLAMATION by the President O
the limited Sfatea !.

cluded and signed by their respective plen
ipOtentiaries. at Brussels, ON the fifth day OF
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
Belgiaas. recognizing the utility of defining
the rights. privileges and immlinities OF con
sular officers in the two countries, deem 1t
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 Belgians. the
Sie,,r jules Wander Stichelcn, 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 i'll good and proper
form, have agreed upon the following arti-
cles:
ARTICLE I.
Each Of the high contracting parties
grees to receive from the other, consrls-
general, cOnsels, vicc-cOnSuls, and consular
a gents, in all its ports. cities and places, ex-
cept those where it may not be convenient
to recognize such officers This reservation,
however. shall not apply to one of the high
ting 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
nisled with the necessary eXequatur free
of charge, and on the exhibition of this in
strument. they shall be permitted to enjoy
the rights, prerogatves. and immunitles
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 offense5
which tho local legislation qualities as
crimes, and Furnishes it as such; from mill
tary billetinSs, 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 w.
No consular officer who is a citizen of the
State by which he was appointed, and who
is not engaged i'll business, shall be COM
PEELED to appear as a witness before the
courts of the country whore he may reside.
When the testimony of such consular officer
is needed. he shall be invited in writing to
appear in court. and if unable to do so. his
testimony shall be requested i'll 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 in their favor,
the appearance in court of said consular
officer shall be demanded, with all possible
regard to the consular dignity and to the
duties of his Office similar treatment
shall also be extended to United States con-
suls i'll Belgium, in the like cases.
ARTICLE V.
Consuls-general, consuk vice consuls.
and consular agents may"place over the
outer door Of their offices. or their dwelling
houses, the arms of their nation. with this
consulate, or vice-cOnsulate.
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
be at all times invioiable. The local au
thorities shall not. under any pretext,
invade them. In no case shall they examine
or seize the papers there deposited. In no
case shall those offices or dwellings be used
nf
officer Is engaged in other business,
the papers relating to the consulate shall be
kept separate.
ARTICLE VII.
In the event of the death. incapa
city, or absence of consuls-general
consuls, vice-consuls, and consular
taries. whose official character may
have previously been made known to the
Department of State at Washington. or to
the minister for forcign affairs in Belgium
may temporarily exercise their functions
and while thus acting they shall enjoy all
the rights, prerogativeS and lmlnunlrles
granted 10 inc incumbents.
ARTICLE VIII.
Consuls- general and consuls may. with the
appreciation of their respective govern
ments, appoint vice-cOnsuls and consular
agents in the cities, ports and places within
their consular jurisdiction. These officers
may be citizens of the United States. OF
Belgium, or other foreigners. They shall be
furnished with commission by the consul
who appoints them and under whose orders
they are to act They shall enjoy the priv
cges stipulated for consular officers in this
subject to the exceptions
specified in Articles III and ".
ARTICLE TX.
Consuls general, consuls, vice-cOnsuls. and
consular agents, may complain to the au
tnorities 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 cOnven
tons between the United States and Belgium
or for the purpose of protecting the rights
and interests Of their cOuntrymen. Ii the
should not be satisfactorily re
dressed, the consular officers aforesaid. in
the absence of a diplomatic agent OF their
country, may apply directly to the govern
ment Of tho country where they reside.
ARTICLE x.
COnsuls-gcncral, cOnsuls, vice-cOnsulS, and
consular agents may take at their offices, at
the residence Of the parties, at their private
or on board ship, the dispositions
Of the captains and crews of vessels of then
own country, of passengers on board of
them, and Of any other citizen Of their ma
ton. They may also receive at their offices
conformably to the laws and regulations OF
their country, all contracts between the cit
liens of their country and the citizens OF
other inhabitants Of the country where they
reside, and even all contracts between the
latter, provided they relate to property stu
ated or to business to be transacted in the
territory al the nation to which said con
sular Office may belong. Copies Of such pa
pers and official documents of every kind
whether in the original, copies or translation
duly authenticated and legalzed by the con
suls- general, consuls, vice consuls, and con
suIar agents, and sealed with their officia
seal, shall be received as legal documents il
courts of justice throughout the United
States and Belgium.