New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-07-20
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

UNITED STATES OF AHERICA.
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A PROCLAMATION by the President Of
the United States.
WHEREAS convention defining the rights,
iInmunities and privileges of cOnssils, be-
tween the United States of America and his
Majesty the King of the Belgians, was con-
Guided and signed by their respective pien-
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 for
word as follows:
The President of the United States OF
America and his Majesty the King OF the
Belyians. recognizing the utility of defining
the rights. privileges and immunities of con
sular officers in the two countries, deem 1t
expedient to conclude consular convention
for that purpose.
Accordingly they have named: The Pres
ident of the United States of America,
Henry Shelton Sanford, 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
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-
cles:
Each of the high contracting parties
agrees to receive from the other, consuls-
general, consels, vice-cOnsuls, and consular
agents, 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
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
nished 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 offenses
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
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 citizen of the
State by which he was appointed, and who
is not engaged in business, shall he com
PEELED to appear as witness before the
courts of the country where 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 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-
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. A similar treatment
shall also be extended to United States con-
suls in Belgium, in the like cases.
ARTICLE "
Consuls-general, cOnsuls, vice cOnsuls,
and consular agents may place over the
houses, the arms Of their nation, with this
inscription, 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
Dr. dwelling-hOuses, 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 au-
thorities shall not, under any pretext,
invade them. In no case shall they examine
Dr. seize the papers there deposited. In no
,ase shall those offices or dwellings be used
rs places of asylum. When, however,
consular officer is engaged in other business,
Kept separate.
ARTICLE VII.
In the event Of the death, incapa-
,ity, or absence of consuls- general,
,onsuls, vice-consuls, and consular
agents, 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,
md while thus acting they shall enjoy all
he rights, prerogatives and immunities
granted to the incumbents.
ARTICLE VIII.
Consuls-general and cOnsuls may, with the
APPRECIATION of their respective govern
nents, appoint vice-cOnsuls and consular
agents in the cities, ports and places within
heir consular jurisdiction. These officers
nav 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
hey are to act. They shall enjoy the privi
eges stipulated for consular officers in this
subject to the exceptions
specified in Articles Ill and w.
ARTICLE TX.
COnsuls- general, cOnsuls, vice-cOnsuls, and
consular agents, may complain to the au-
hOrities OF the respective countries, whether
ederal or local, judicial or local. judicial or
executive, within their consular district, of
my infractiOn of the treaties and cOnven-
ions between the United States and Belgium
n for the purpose of protecting the rights
md interests of their countrymen. 1t the
complaint should not be satisfactorily re-
lressed the consular officers aforesaid, in
he absence of a diplomatic agent of their
country, may apply directly to the govern
nent Of the country where they reside.
ARTICLE x.
Consuls-general, cOnsuls, vice-cOnsuls, and
consular agents may take at their offices, at
he residence of the parties, at their private
residence, or on board ship, the dispositions
If the captains and crews of vessels of their
,wn country, of passengers on board of
hem, and of any other citizen of their ma
ion. They may also receive at their offices,
to the laws and regulations of
heir country, all contracts between the cit
zens of their country and the citizens or
,ther inhabitants of the country where they
'eside; and even all contracts between the
after, provided they relate to property stu
tied or to business to be transacted in the