Acts in force. The following are the Acts in force with reference to the slave-trade : 5 Geo. IV. c. 113 (1824). 6 & 7 Vict. c. 98 (1843). LLOYD'S AGENCY, AND AGENCY OF STEAM PACKET COMPANIES. Consular officers are allowed to act as agents to Lloyd's and to steam navigation companies, so long as such agencies do not interfere with the due performance of their proper consular duties. Agencies not to be accepted without the sanction of the Secretary of State. No agencies, however, must be undertaken by consular officers who are restricted from trading, without previous reference to the Secretary of State. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE. Consuls prohibited from corresponding with Private Persons on Public Affairs. Consular officers are prohibited from corresponding with private persons on public affairs, and this prohibition extends to correspondence with Lloyd's or public companies. Correspondence with Local Authorities. Consular officers are not permitted to correspond direct with the supreme Government of the country in which they reside, but only with the local authorities of the place at which they are stationed. Any representation to the supreme Government must be made through the diplomatic officer accredited to the country, except in the very exceptional case where there is no diplomatic officer, in which case the consul would address the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the country in which he is stationed. ACCEPTANCE OF EMPLOYMENT OR FAVOURS FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS. Consular officers are prohibited from asking or accepting favours or employment from the Government of the country in which they reside, or from recommending friends, at home or abroad, for employment of trust or profit under such Governments. FEES. When received on account of Her Majesty's Fees received by salaried consular officers on account of her Majesty's Government must be accounted for in their quarterly account current with the Secretary of State, and an abstract of their fee cash-book must accompany the account. Annual Return to be made. On the 31st of March of each year consular officers must transmit to the Secretary of State a statement of the gross amount of all fees and remuneration received at their consulates during the preceding year. CONSULAR OFFICERS TO EXECUTE INSTRUCTIONS FROM DIPLOMATIC OFFICERS. It is the duty of consular officers to execute any instructions which they may receive from her Majesty's diplomatic representatives, if such instructions are not inconsistent or at variance with any special instructions they may have received from the Foreign Office; but if, on these grounds (in consequence of any such inconsistency or variance, and giving due consideration to the peculiar circumstances of each case), consular officers should feel doubts as to the propriety of carrying out the instructions of her Majesty's diplomatic representative, they will lay before him the grounds thereof; and if, notwithstanding, her Majesty's representative should repeat his instructions, the consular officer must obey them. In Cases of Doubt, Consuls to refer to In any doubtful cases, consular officers should refer to her Majesty's representative for advice and directions how to act, and should be guided by such advice and directions, unless instructions from the Foreign Office prescribe a different course. VICE-CONSULS, CONSULAR AGENTS, AND Appointment of Vice-Consuls. Where it should appear necessary to the superintending consul that a vice-consul should be stationed at any post within his district where hitherto there has been no British vice-consulate, or whenever a vacancy occurs, he will report the fact to the Secretary of State, showing how far British interests require such appointment, and submit the name of some British merchant of respectability for the appointment, transmitting the despatch, under flying seal, through the diplomatic officer accredited to the country. On receipt of the approval of the Secretary of State, the consul will acquaint his nominee of his appointment as vice-consul. Authority to act, and Recognition by Local Authorities. A vice-consul so appointed is provided with a letter of authority to act as vice-consul, by his superintending consul, who will take such steps as may be necessary for procuring the vice-consul's recognition by the local authorities, and furnish him with instructions as to his duties. Vice-Consuls to correspond with their Superintending Consul. Vice-consuls must address all their official correspondence to their superintending consul, who will furnish them from time to time with special instructions for their guidance. Vice-Consular Reports. Vice-consuls should transmit annually to their superintending consuls a report on the trade and commerce of their port. This should be sent as soon after the close of each year as possible, and it should comprise information in regard to the amount and character of the domestic and foreign trade and shipping, and the effects of all commercial and agricultural operations. Such vice-consular reports are required to enable the superintending consul to furnish her Majesty's Government with full particulars from every part of his district, relative to matters which, as having a general bear E |
