Consul

i " Consul," " consul-general," and " commercial agent," in the Revised Statutes, denote full, principal and permanent consular officers, as distinguished from subordinates and substitutes. ^ "Deputy consul" and "consular agent" denote officers subordinate to such principals, exercising the powers and performing the duties within the limits of their consulates or commercial agencies respectively, the former at the same ports or places, and the latter at ports or places different from those at which such principals are located respectively, s " Vice-consuls," and " vice-commer6ial agents " denote consular officers, who shall be substituted, temporaijily, to fill the places of consuls-general, consuls, or commercial agents, when they shall be temporarily absent or retired from duty.^ "Consular officer" includes consuls-general, consuls, commercial agents, deputy consuls, vice-consuls, vice-commercial agents, consular agents, and none others.^ The word " consul " shall be understood to mean any person invested by the United States with and exercising the functions of consul-general, vice-consul-general, consul or vice-consul.6 A "consul" is an officer of a particular grade in the consular service; in a broad generic sense, the word embraces all consular officers of whatever grade.' Under treaties, consuls have had conferred upon them judicial authority over theff own countrymen: as in the decision of controversies in civil cases; the administration of estates; the registering and certifying of wills, contracts, etc. When residing in a country of different political and religious institutions, they have also a limited criminal jurisdiction over their countrymen." Consuls are approved and admitted by the local sovereign. If guilty of illegal or improper conduct, the exequatur (q. v.) which has been given 'may be revoked, and they may be punished, or sent out of the country, at the option of the offended government.

In • L. consulere, to consult. ' R. S. § 1674, par. 1. « Ibid., par. 2. * Ibid., par. 3. » Ibid., par. 4. •Act 1 Feb. 1876; E. S. S 4130. ' Dainese v. United States, 13 Ct. a.

74 (1879). civil and criminal cases they are subject to the local law in the same manner as other foreign residents owing a temporary allegiance to the state. A trading consul, in all that concerns his trade, is liable as a native merchant.^ See further Diplomatic; Mihisteb, 3. CONS1JMMATE.2 ' Complete, finished, perfected, entire; opposed to inchoate, q. v. An estate by curtesy is consummate on the death of the wife.'

Consummation.

In the law of marriage, copulation.* See Com, Copula;.

Maeriaqb. CONSUMPTIOH". See Legacy; Loan, 1; Tax, 3, Indirect.