Publication of

Consular reports.

1880.

can be most effectively fostered and enlarged, and by which new branches of industry can be introduced within their districts. To this end they should from time to time advise the Department of the demand for different kinds of products and manufactured articles, and whether they are of the character which it is probable the industries of the United States can supply; and also of any products of the country in which trade with the United States may be acquired or increased, either by legislation, executive action, or by commercial enterprise. The vigilance and efforts of Consular Officers in these respects should be continuous, and as useful and valuable information is obtained, it should be communicated to the Department, to be laid before Congress or the public.

564.. By an act of Congress approved June 16, 1880, proAct of June 16, vision has been made for printing and distributing more frequently the publications by the Department of State of the Consular and other commercial reports, and for the administration of this branch of the public service in the collection, analyzation, publication, and distribution of commercial information under that Department. The act was passed in consequence of representations of the Secretary of State, and in response to the wishes of leading commercial communities, as expressed through the chambers of commerce of the principal cities, which attested the great value attached to Consular reports, and the advantages likely to follow from their early and frequent publication.

Object of reports.

Preparation of re

ports.

565..In respect to the reports which Consuls are expected to make with a view of carrying out the intention of the statute, it is observed that they should embrace all subjects which may be calculated to advance the commercial and industrial interests of the United States, and that, while no restriction is placed upon the range of subjects to be discussed, the principal end to be attained is the introduction of American trade into, and its enlargement within, the several Consular districts.

566..It is the wish of the Department, where such a course is practicable and does not detract from the general effect, that each of these special reports shall embrace only one subject, with its necessary connections, and that, while

diffuseness and repetition should be avoided as much as possible, the information given should be explicit and comprehensive, so that our merchants, manufacturers, agriculturists, exporters, and importers shall fully understand the peculiarities, wants, and requirements of the several markets, as well as the best methods of reaching the same, and that as little as possible may be left to surmise or speculation.

567.. The frequency of these proposed publications will depend altogether upon the volume and value of the reports received; and as the number of these from any one Consular Officer must depend wholly upon his ability and efficiency, and upon the field of his labors, to some extent, it is expected that reports will be transmitted to the Department as often as each official has anything of importance to communicate; but in no case less frequently than once a month.

The Department notes that, while a majority of the Consuls have done their whole duty thus far, in this regard, others have reported only at irregular intervals, while others again have remained totally silent. As there is no place where the United States is officially represented so insignificant as to be unworthy of commercial cultivation, the Department will henceforth expect reports from all its Consuls, nor will it further overlook the silence of any.

Frequency of re

ports.

ures, &c.

568.. In all Consular reports to the Department, foreign Weights, weights, measures, and currencies must be reduced to those of the United States.

569..Consular Officers at seaports are instructed to transmit quarterly a report in accordance with Form No. 120, stating the number, date of arrival, class, name, and tonnage of all American vessels entering the ports at which they reside, the places where from, where belonging, and where bound; and in relation to their cargoes, both inward and outward, the description, quantity, and value, and also the date of clearance.

570..Consular Officers are not unfrequently applied to by publishers of commercial newspapers and others for copies of their commercial reports, or for articles upon commercial and other topics, and it has been observed that in some in

meas

Reports of ves

sels, cargoes, &c.

Consular reports the Department

to be furnished to

only.

Prices-current.

Rates of exchange.

Information for appraisers.

stances such reports and articles have been furnished without the knowledge or consent of the Department. While it is desired and expected that Consular Officers should reply to all proper inquiries respecting the means of promoting the trade of the United States, it should be understood that the statute contemplates that the Consular publications should be the means of communicating Consular reports and commercial information to the public. Consular Officers are accordingly prohibited from furnishing copies of their reports, or reports or articles upon trade or commerce of their districts, for any other publication or to private persons. Such reports will be communicated only to the Department.

REPORTS TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.

571..It is the duty of every Consular Officer to furnish to the Secretary of the Treasury, as often as shall be required, the prices-current of all articles of merchandise usually exported to the United States from the port or place in which he shall be located. They are also requested to transmit, at least once a month, if opportunity offers, to the Secretary of State and to the Comptroller of the Treasury, the rates of exchange, and also a statement of the rates at which any depreciated currency of the country in which they reside is computed in United States or Spanish dollars, or in silver or gold coins of other countries, observing in all cases of an estimate of the value of the currency in such foreign coins that their weight and standard should be made known to the Department.

572..Consular Officers will also report monthly to the Treasury Department the rates of exchange prevailing between the ports or places at which they reside and the following places, to wit, London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Hamburg; also New York, and other principal ports in the United States; and they will keep the Department regularly and fully advised of the course and progress of trade from the several ports of their Consulates to the United States.

573.. Consular Officers will forward regularly, and as often as practicable, directly to the general appraisers residing at New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and San Francisco, such prices-current, manufacturers' statements of

prices, or merchants' printed circulars of prices, and such other general information as may be useful to appraisers in the discharge of their duties. They will include in their several reports, in detail, information on any other points which they may think proper, in order to an ascertainment of the value of merchandise forwarded to the United States, and the assessment of the legal duties, forwarding any printed or other documents which they may think desirable that the Department should possess.

ARTICLE XXVIII.

Record Books and Archives.

The following record-books are to be kept at all inland Consulates and Commercial Agencies:

574..A despatch-book, into which are to be copied all official communications written by the Consular Officer to the Department of State. Press copy-books are not to be considered as permanent records.

Despatch-book.

575..A letter-book, into which are to be copied all other Letter-book. official communications written by the Consular Officer.

576.. A fee-book, in which the Consular Officer shall regis- Fee-book. ter all fees received by him in the order in which they shall be received, specifying in such register or fee-book each item of service; the amount received therefor; from whom, and the date when received; and indicating what items and amounts are embraced in each receipt given by him therefor, and numbering the same according to the number of the receipts, respectively, so that the receipts and register shall correspond with each other. The Consular Officer will specify the name of the person for whom and the date when he shall verify any passport, certify any invoice, or perform any other official service, in the entry of the receipt of the fees therefor in such register; and also number each consular act so receipted for with the number of such receipt as shown by such register. The fee-book is to be ruled and kept in accordance with Form No. 101 or 102.

577.. A passport-book, in which are to be registered all Passport-book. passports issued or visaed by the Consular Officer (Form No.

Invoice-book.

Miscellaneous

record-book.

Register of letters received.

Register of letters

sent.

Register of landing certificates.

Record of com mercial returns.

Seamen's register.

Relief book.

Quarterly account book.

578.. An invoice-book, to be ruled and kept in accordance with Form No. 133, and with the instructions prescribed in the article on verification of invoices.

579..A miscellaneous record-book, for the entry of those official papers and records which cannot conveniently be classified and entered in the record-books above named.

580..A register of official letters received at the Consulate, which shall embrace the following information: Name of the writer, number and date of letter, when received, its import, and remarks thereon, as prescribed in Form No. 118.

581..A register of official letters sent from the Consulate, stating the date and import of the letter, and the name of the person to whom sent, as prescribed in Form No. 119.

582..A register of landing or debenture certificates, stating the name of the consignee, the date of the certificate, the merchandise, the name of the vessel, the port of shipment and the date of shipment (Form No. 134). A similar form will answer for tobacco or snuff.

583..In seaports the following additional books will be used: A record-book of commercial returns, to be kept in accordance with Form No. 120, in which must be stated, in respect of vessels, the number, date of arrival, class, name, and tonnage of all American vessels, where belonging, whence from, whither bound, and date of clearance; and in respect of cargoes, both inward and outward, under distinct heads, as nearly as possible, the description, quantity, and value of the same.

584..A seamen's register, in which shall be recorded a detailed list of all seamen shipped, discharged, or deceased at the Consulate or Commercial Agency, and the payments made on account of each, according to Form No. 124.

585..A relief book, showing the number and names of all seamen relieved, from what vessel discharged, date and cause of discharge, and date of leaving the Consulate; embracing also the several amounts disbursed on their account, as particularly described in Form No. 94.

586..A quarterly account current book, in which shall be recorded the account-current furnished quarterly to the Fifth Auditor, according to Form No. 100.