Information to may be given to what he shall represent on the part of his government, stating that the consul has been appointed to watch over the interests of the United States, and, by all honorable means, to maintain the harmony existing between the United States and the country to which he is sent. His official duties thus expand of necessity into a large field, because he is called upon to communicate with his own government and with that near which he resides, on matters which would otherwise devolve on a minister. 195. It is expected that consular officers in Africa. be transmitted. will make themselves acquainted with the political state of the country in which their consulates are situated, and with the relations of that country with other countries, and communicate whatever they may learn on these subjects to the Department of State. Any commercial, statistical, geographical, or other interesting information, will be very acceptable to the government of the United States, and may greatly promote the interests of American citizens, by opening new avenues for trade and commercial intercourse. Consular officers are requested to make such suggestions, from time to time, as may occur to them for the accomplishment of these objects. Piratical depredations. 196. The depredations which are occasionally committed by barbarians on some parts of the African coast demand unceasing vigilance. Consular officers will impress upon the authorities of the places where they reside, in the event of such depredations, that the United States will hold them responsible for all injuries to the persons and property of American citizens committed or tolerated within their territorial limits in violation of the established laws of civilized nations. 197. Consular officers are reminded that it is the Non-intervenpractice of this government to respect the institu- tion. tions of other countries, and its representatives abroad have on all occasions been instructed to give no countenance to persons who may wilfully violate the existing laws. Adhering strictly to this principle, consular officers will, of course, decline all official interference in cases in which the law of the land is in conflict with the demands of those who may invoke their interposition. Nevertheless, when Claims. claims are made against Mohammedans, under any local custom established among alien residents, although not in accordance with the Mohammedan laws, consular officers may employ their best exertions to bring the contending parties, by mutual agreement between themselves, to a settlement as favorable as possible for any American citizen who may be therein interested; but such claims must. never be urged by imprisonment, nor by any other coercive measures, nor must any official proceedings upon them be demanded from the authorities of the place. The special attention of the consular officers of the United States in Africa is directed to the treaty for the suppression of the African slave trade, between the United States and Great Britain, concluded April 7,1862, and to the act of Congress to carry into effect the above-mentioned treaty, approved July 11, 1862; also to the act authorizing the President to appoint diplomatic representatives to the republics of Hayti and Liberia, approved July 2, 1862.1 1 See Statutes at Large, vol. xii. CHAPTER VII. rity of ministers and consuls. DUTIES OF THE UNITED STATES CONSULS IN PERSIA AND Judicial autho- 198. It is provided by the act of June twenty-second, eighteen hundred and sixty, to carry into effect provisions of the treaties between the United States, China, Japan, Siam, Persia, and other countries, giving certain judicial powers to ministers and consuls, or other functionaries of the United States in those countries, and for other purposes, that the minister and the consuls of the United States, duly appointed to reside in each of the said countries, shall, in addition to other powers and duties imposed upon them, respectively, by the provisions of such treaties, be invested with the judicial authority described by the said act, which shall appertain to the said office of minister and consul, and be a part of the duties belonging thereto, wherein the same is allowed by treaty.1 Judicial autho rity in Persia. 199. It is provided by the twenty-eighth section of the act that the provisions of the act be, and the same are extended to Persia in respect to all suits and disputes which may arise between citizens of the United States therein; and the minister and consuls who may be appointed to reside in Persia are hereby in 1 Statutes at Large, vol. xii. pp. 72-79. See also chapter iii. of this volume. vested, in relation to the said suits and disputes, with such powers as are by this act conferred upon the minister and consuls in China. And all suits and disputes arising in Persia1 between Persian subjects Persian tribuand citizens of the United States, shall be carried be- nal. fore the Persian tribunal, to which such matters are usually referred, at the place where a consul or agent of the United States may reside, and shall be discussed and decided according to equity, in the presence of an employé of the consul or agent of the United States; and it shall be the duty of the consu- Duty of consul. lar officer to attend the trial in person, and see that justice is administered. And all suits and disputes occurring in Persia between the citizens of the United Intermediation States and the subjects of other foreign powers, shall of ministers be tried and adjudicated by the intermediation of Persia. their respective ministers or consuls, in accordance with such regulations as shall be mutually agreed upon by the minister of the United States for the time being, and the ministers of such foreign powers, respectively, which regulations shall, from time to time, be submitted to the Secretary of State of the United States. and consuls in commercial and countries. 200. It is also provided by the thirtieth section of Jurisdiction of the act that the consuls and commercial agents of the consuls and United States at islands or in countries not inhabited agents in cerby any civilized people, or recognized by any treaty tain islands with the United States, be, and the same are authorized to try, hear, and determine all cases in regard to civil rights, whether of person or property, where the real debt and damages do not exceed the sum of one thousand dollars, exclusive of costs, and upon full hearing of the allegations and evidence of both par 1 Treaty with Persia, see Statutes at Large, vol. xi. pp. 709-711. ties to give judgment according to the laws of the United States, and according to the equity and right of the matter, in the same manner as justices of the peace are now authorized and empowered where the United States have exclusive jurisdiction. And the said consuls and commercial agents, respectively, are invested with the powers conferred by the provisions of the seventh and eighth sections of the act for trial of offences or misdemeanors.1 1 Statutes at Large, vol. xii. p. 78. |