The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1877-11-28
Our Foreign Isissions as Aids to
Commerce.

Not only in the large ports (says the Boston
Weekly Advertiser of Oct 25th), but throughout
the country, there is an earnest wish for the re
vival of our foreign commerce. 1t is not un-
likely that Interested schemers, taking advantage
OF this popular feeling will seek TO carry through
Congress eXtravagant steamship subsidies. 1t
seems proper time, therefore, before mourning
greater Outays, to notice with some care what
benefit if any, the country may be expected to
derive in forwarding its commerce from the sup
posed helps 1t now maintains. One of these
helps Is the consular system. The question has
sometimes been raised US 10 whether our consus
ought to be American citizens. Thomas Jeffer-
son, in his published correspondence, expresses
a preference for merchants who are citizens of
the countries where they reside, because Ameri-
cans, be says, are inclined to make national
question of every little difficulty: whereas a
native merchant would have it settled quietly
However as our consular system is self-support-
lag, 1t is not material to consider it at length
With our diplomatic service it is different.
That ia by no means selfsupporting. And as
we have little or nothing to do with the political
affairs OF foreign countries, and especially with
those OF Europe, government has all the
more right TO require useful work from lis diplo-
matte agents 10 promoting commerce. 1t is no
new thing for such agents TO give attention to
this line OF duty. Thomas Jefferson, who repre-
sented the American colonies FIVE years 10
France, and then reluctantly quilted his post to
take the Office of Secretary of State under Wash
ington, was good example of a diplomatic Off
Ger interesting himself IN the advancement Of
commerce. He made that specially and the
same almost with agriculture. He even made a
wearisome journey through northern Italy to
study the rice culture. He also Travelled through
France, visiting the homes of the labOring elias
ses, the better TO learn the condition Of the
country.
Does the law require our diplomatic officers to
do anything to promote commerce? and, if so
has the work been done? What is required Of
them 10 this respect. SO far as we know, Is the
communication Of information" in regard tc
commerce. This is required under section 49,
OF the Revised Statutes Of the United States
Again, section 208 of those statutes obIiges the
Secretary of State annually TO lay before Con
gress in his commercial report a synopsis of SC
much OF the " Information which may have
been communicated to him by diplomatic" and
consular officers during the preceding year. as be
may deem valuable for public Information
So, also, section I'll of the Revised Statutes re-
quires that he shall publish official notification:
from time to time OF all such commercial infor
nation communicated TO him by diplomatic
and consular officers, as he may deem Import
ant to the public interests" Here, then. ar,
three separate provisions of law on the duty 0
diplomatic" officers in promoting commerce
end they show plainly that Congress thought
some benefit could be derived from our mission
abroad in this regard. There may be question
however whether these provisions are suficien
to accomplish the object in view. But, befor
undertaking to settle that point, it may be wei
to inquire how the laws already in force hav
been complied with. The principal means wbie
the public have of knowing this is through tn