New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-07-12
CONVENTIONS AND TREATIES.
A PROCLAMATION by the President O
the United States. = %

A PROCLAMATION by the President of
Fl the United States. > q.
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-
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
En- glish and French languages, is word for
word as follows: 80 .a /.
The President of the United States of
: America and his Majesty the King of the
Belgians, recognizing the utility Of defining
the rights, privileges and immnnities OF con-
sular officers in the two countries, deem it
expedient to conclude consular convention
for that purpose r. ...-.e
Z 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: ~ 7s- q
ARTICLE l.
/ 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-
cent, those where lit 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. = Nfe
ARTICLE II.
I 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. rs lie.
+ 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 OF
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 citizen Of the
State by which he was appointed, and who
is not engaged in business, shall be CON-
PEELED to appear as a 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
o,,d if nm b1a IN 1a 60 his
| testimony shall be requested in writing, OF
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 eases, 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 A similar treatment
shall also be extended to United States con-
subs in Belgium, in the like eases. r
ARTICLE V.
Consuls-general. cOnsuls, 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
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
or 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
or seize the papers there deposited. In nc
| case shall those offices or dwellings be used
as places of asylum. When, 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, incapa
city, or absence of consuls-general
consuls, yice-consuls, and consular
agents, their chancellers or secre-
| taries, whose official character may
have previously been made known to the
;rsH 4 NV 81