New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-07-31
OF FICI A l..
TREATIES AND CONVENTIONS
II
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

the United States.
WHEREAS convention defining the rights,
immunities and privileges of cOnsuls, be-
tween the United States of America and his
Majesty the King of the Belgians, was con-
Guided and signed by their respective plen-
lpotentiaries, 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
Belgians. recognizing tue utility of defining
the rights, privileges and immlnities OF con
suIar officers III the two countries, deem it
eXpedient to conclude a consular convention
Tor 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
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
cles:
ARTICLE l.
Each of the high contracting parties
agrees to receive from the other, cOnsUlS-
general, cOnsels. vice-cOnsuls. and consular
agents, in all lis 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 ri.
Consular officers, on the presentation of
Their commissions in the forms esta blished
IN their respective countries, shall be fur
nlshed with the necessary eXe4uatur free
OF charge, and ON the exhibition of this in
strument, they shall be permitted to enjoy
the rights, prerogatives. and imnunities
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
III 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 citizen Of the
State by which he was appointed. and who
Is not engaged in business, shall be 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 |
f1l -aD II; Il
1t shall he 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 |
light Is secured TO persons charged with |
'rimes to obtain witnesses in their favor.
The appearance in court of said consular |
officer shall be demanded. with all possible |
'egard to the consular dignity and to the
luties of his Office. 4 similar treatment
hall also he extended 10 United States con-
uls Ii Belgium. in the like cases.
ARTICLE V.
Conspls-general consIlls. vice consuls.
md consular agents may place over the
outer door of their offices. or their dwelling
houses. the arms of their nation. with this
consulate. or yice-consulafe.
II consular agency" OF the United States
II of Belgium. etc. And they may also
aise the tiag OF their country on their offices
y dwelling houses. except in the capital of
he country, when there is Il legation there.
ARTICLE VI
The consular offices and dwellings shall
e at all times inviolable. The local all-
hOrities shall not, under any pretext.
invade them. In no case shall they examine
L seize the papers there deposited. In no
ase shall those offices or dwellings be used
5 places OF asylum. When. however. a
onsular officer is engaged in other business,
ne papers relating to the consulate shall be
ept separate.
ARTICLE VII.
In the event of the death, incapa
ity. or bsence Of consuls-general.
Dnsuls, 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
lie minister for foreign affairs in Belgium.
lay 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
DprObatiOn of their respective govern
ents. appoint vice-consuls and consular
gents in the cities. ports and places within
leir consular iursdiction These officers |
ay be citizens of the United States of
clgium. or other foreigners. They shall be
Finished with commission by the consul
no appoints them and under whose orders
ley are to act. They shall enjoy the privi- I
ges stipulated for consular officers in this
invention, subject to the exceptions
,ecitied in Articles III and ".
ARTICLE TX.
Consuls-general, cOnsuls. vice-constlls, and
'nsular agents. may complain to the au-
Orities of the respective countries. whether J
deral or local. judicial Or local, judicial or !
,ecutive, within their consular district, Of
" infractiOn of the treaties and conven- {
Dns between the United States and Belgium {
for the purpose Of protecting the rights
Id interests of their countrymen. Ii the {
mplaint should not be satisfactorily re-
'essed, the consular officers aforesaid, in |
e absence OF a diplomatic agent of their I
untry, may apply directly to the govern +
ent OF the country where they reside.
ARTICLE Y.
COnsuls-general, consuls. vice-cOnsllls. and !
nsular agents may take at their offices, at t
e residence OF the parties. at their private a
or on board ship, the dispositions S
the captains and crews of vessels OF their a
IN country, OF passengers on board of I
ell, anu VI any otucE cltlZcn OF their ma ! l
IN. They may also receive at their offices. t
to the laws and regulations of o
cir country, all contracts between the cit t.
ms OF their country and the citizens or a
her inhabitants OF the country where they L
side, and even all contracts between the
ter, provided they relate to property stu
ed or to business to be transacted in the :.
'ritory of the nation to which said con +
lar office may belong. Copies of such pa :
rs and official documents of every kind D.
lether in the original, copies or translation .
ly authenticated and legalized by the con T.
s-general, consuls vice cOnsllIs, and con n
q. MI IL -. | W