son of an officer belonging to it, deputed and sent for that purpose by the commander; and this officer is then to tender to the consul a passage to the vessel. In such cases the consular officer will accordingly avail himself of the proposed accommodation whenever occasion may require, both for the purpose of making the first visit to the commanding officer of the ship in question (this being a mark of courtesy due to the commission and rank he holds in the navy of the United States) and to offer any services which his official situation may enable him to render for the convenience of the ship or those belonging to it; and the consular officer will accordingly receive and execute any such commission as may be intrusted to him for these ends by the commanding officer, as far as it may be compatible with his sense of public duty.

sul general, and

465. According to the second and third, it shall Visit of a navy be the duty of the commander of any United States officer to a convessel (commanders of squadrons excepted) to visit the duty of the the consul general, and offer him a passage to the latter. ship of war, or that of the commander of a squadron to send a boat on shore, as prescribed in the first regulation, tendering to the consular officer a passage on board to the flag ship of war. The consul general and consul of the United States, where there are such officers, will, accordingly, reciprocate these attentions on the part of the commanders of the ships of war, or will pay the first honors to the commanding officers of squadrons, as the case may be; and they will of course employ their good offices, as far as it may be useful or proper on their part, to promote the interests and convenience of the service in which such vessels are engaged.

Salutes.

Presence of

466. Consuls general are entitled to a salute of nine guns, consuls to a salute of seven guns, vice consuls, consular agents, commercial agents, and vice commercial agents, to a salute of five guns; which salutes are only to be fired once during the stay of a man-ofwar; or in case of any special emergency, of which the commanding naval officer must be the judge, the salute may be repeated. On the first gun being fired, the boat which conveys the consular officer who is receiving the salute must stop, the oarsmen either lying on their oars or tossing them up. The consular officer will face the vessel firing the salute; and at the end of the salute he will raise his cap in a distinct and unmistakable manner; the boat will then proceed.

467. Consular officers will refrain from requesting, United States except through the medium of the Department of requested only State, the presence of United States vessels at the in great emer ports in their respective consular districts, unless for

vessels to be

gencies.

the protection of the lives and property of American citizens which might be endangered by delay; in such a case the consular officer will present to the commander of the vessel a statement of the facts, who will act upon his own responsibility, subject to the general or special orders he may have received from the Navy Department.,

CHAPTER XXIV.

DUTIES OF CONSULAR OFFICERS IN RESPECT TO CITIZENS

OF THE UNITED STATES.

at his post.

468. It is the duty of a consular officer (unless Presence of absent with the permission of the President) to be consular officer always at his post,' to watch over and protect, so far as he may be able, the commercial interests of his fellow-citizens, and to be ready to assist them with his advice, when asked, on all doubtful occasions.

American citi

zens.

469. In the event of any attempt being made to Duty toward injure American citizens, either in their persons or property, he will strive to uphold their rightful interests, and the privileges secured them by treaty, by due representation in the proper official quarter. He will, at the same time, be careful to conduct himself with courtesy and moderation in all his transactions with the public authorities, and upon no account to urge claims on behalf of citizens of the United States to which he may not, after a faithful examination, believe them justly entitled.

grievances.

470. If redress cannot be obtained from the local Mode of seekadministration, the consular officer will apply to the ing redress of legation of the United States, if there be one in the country where he resides; and in all cases he will transmit copies of his correspondence on the subject, with a succinct report of his proceedings, to the De1 Statutes at Large, vol. xi. p. 59.

be avoided.

partment of State, and also observe strictly the instructions which he may from time to time receive

upon the subject, either from the legation or from the Department.

Contentions to 471. Consular officers are cautioned not to engage in any contentions with the authorities of the places where they reside, but to observe on all occasions toward them a courteous but firm and dignified demeanor; and they will be careful to avoid the expression of private or excited feeling in their official communications.

Compensation

vices.

472. Consular officers are often called upon, by for notarial ser- their fellow-citizens at home, or by those temporarily residing within their consulates, to investigate titles to property, examine official records, and prepare legal or notarial papers. For compensation for such services no provision is made by law; and it cannot reasonably be expected that consular officers should perform them gratuitously. Whenever application is made to them for such purposes, they will either transact the business themselves, the rate of compensation being determined either by agreement or the custom of the place, or refer the individual making the request to a competent attorney or notary.

Consular officers authorized

to administer

473. By the twenty-fourth section of the act of August 18, 1856, the consular officer is authorized, oaths and per- whenever he shall be required, or may deem it necesform notarial sary or proper so to do, within the limits of his con

services.

sulate or commercial agency, to administer to or take from any person, an oath, affirmation, affidavit, or deposition, and also to perform any notarial act or acts, such as any notary public is required or authorized by law to do or perform within the United States. Every such oath, affirmation, affidavit, deposition,

and notarial act administered, sworn, affirmed, taken, had, or done, by or before any such officer, when certified under his hand and seal of office, is as good, valid, and effectual, and of like force and effect within the United States, to all intents and purposes, as if such oath, affirmation, affidavit, deposition, or notarial act had been administered, sworn, affirmed, taken, had, or done, by or before any other person within the United States duly authorized and competent thereto. It is further provided, that if any Penalty for person shall wilfully and corruptly commit perjury, perjury. or by any means procure any person to commit perjury in any such oath, affirmation, affidavit, or deposition, within the intent and meaning of any act of Congress now or hereafter made, such offender may be charged, proceeded against, tried, convicted, and dealt with, in any district of the United States, in the same manner, in all respects, as if such offence. had been committed in the United States before any officer duly authorized therein to administer or take such oath, affirmation, affidavit, or deposition, and shall be subject to the same punishment and disability therefor as are or shall be prescribed by any such act for such offence. Any document purporting to have affixed, impressed, or subscribed thereto or thereon, the seal and signature of the officer administering or taking the same in testimony thereof, is to be admitted in evidence without proof of any such seal or signature being genuine or of the official character of such person; and if any person shall Penalty for forforge any such seal or signature, or shall tender in gery. evidence any such document with a false or counterfeit seal or signature thereto, knowing the same to be false and counterfeit, he shall be deemed and taken