Consul

In Roman law. During the republic, the name “consul” was given to the chief executive magistrate, two of whom were chosen aunually. The office was coutinued under the empire, but its powers and prerogatives were greatly reduced. The name is supposed to have been derived from consude, to consuit, becuuse these officers consulted with the senate on administrative measures. In old Fnglish law. An ancient title of an earl. In international law. An oificer of a commercial character, appointed by the ditferent statea to watch over the mercantile interests of the appointing state and of its subjects in foreign countries. There are usuaily a number of consuls in every maritime country, and they are usually subject to a chief consul, who is called a “consul general.” Brown. The word “consul” has two moanings: {1} It denotes an officer of a particular grade in the consular service; (2) it has a broader generic sense, embracing all consular oflicers.

15 Ct. Ch 64.

The official designations employed throughout this title shall be deemed to have the following meanings, respectively; IJirst. “Consul general, ” “consul,” and “commercial agent shall be deemed to denote full, principal, and permanent consular officers, as distinguished from subordinates and substitutes. Seeond. “Deputy-consul” and “conaular agent” shall bs decmed to denote consular offtits of their consulates or commercial agencies ra spectively, the former at the same ports or places end the latter at ports or places different from those at which such principals are located respect ively. Third. “Vice-consuls” and “vyice-commer cial agents” shall be deemed te denote consular ofilcers who shall be substituted, temporarily, fill the places of consuls general, consuls, or commercial agents, when they shall be temporarily abseut or relieved fram duty. ov th. “Consular dilicer” shall be deemed to include consuls general, cousuls, commercial agents, deputy-consuls, vice consuls, vice-commercial agents, and consular agents, and none others. Fifil. “Diplomatic officer” shall be deemed to include ambassadors, en yoys extraordinary, ministers plenipotentiary, ministers resident, commissioners, chargéa d’affaires, agents, and secretaries of legation, and none others.

Rev. St. U.S. § 1674.