Page images
PDF
EPUB

of the country, until the lawful owner or the person who has a right to sell the same, according to Article II, may take measures to receive or dispose of the inheritance.

Consuls, &c.

Cases of difference between misters of Yessels and their

ARTICLE IV.

The high contracting parties grant to each other the liberty of having, each in the ports of the other, Consuls, Vice-Consuls, Commercial Agents, and Vice-Commercial Agents, of their own appointment, who shall enjoy the same privileges and powers as those of the most favored nations; but if any of the said Consuls shall carry on trade, they shall be subjected to the same laws and usages to which private individuals of their nation are subjected in the same place. The said Consuls, Vice-Consuls, Commercial and Vice-Commercial Agents shall have the right as such to sit as judges and arbitrators in such differences as may arise between the masters and crews of the vessels belonging to the nation whose interests are committed to their charge, without the interference of the local authorities, unless the conduct of the crews or of the captain 'should disturb the order or tranquillity of the country; or the said Consuls, Vice-Consuls, Commercial Agents, or Vice-Commercial Agents, should require their assistance in executing or supporting their own decisions. But this species of judgment or arbitration shall not deprive the contending parties of the right they have to resort, on their return, to the judicial authority of their own country.

crews.

The said Consuls, Vice-Consuls, Commercial Agents, and Vice-Commercial Agents, are authorized to require the assistance of Deserters. the local authorities for the search, arrest, and imprisonment of the deserters from the ships of war and merchant vessels of their country. For this purpose they shall apply in writing to the competent tribunals, judges, and officers, and shall demand said deserters, proving by the exhibition of the registers of the vessels, the muster-rolls of the crews, or by any other official documents, that such individuals form legally part of the crews; and, on such claim being substantiated, the surrender shall not be refused.

Such deserters when arrested shall be placed at the disposal of the said Consuls, Vice-Consuls, Commercial Agents, and Vice-Commercial Agents, and may be confined in the public prisons, at the request and cost of those who shall claim them, in order to be sent to the vessels to which they belong, or to others of the same country. But if not sent back within three months from the day of their arrest, they shall be set at liberty, and shall not be again arrested for the same cause. If, however, the deserter shall be found to have committed any crime or offense requiring trial, his surrender may be delayed until the tribunal before which his case shall be pending shall have pronounced its sentence, and such sentence shall have been carried into effect.

Duration of treaty.

ARTICLE V.

The present treaty shall continue in force for two years, counting from the day of the exchange of its ratifications; and if, twelve months before the expiration of that period, neither of the high contracting parties shall have announced by an official notification to the other its intention to arrest the operation of said treaty, it shall remain binding for one year beyond that time, and so on until the expiration of the twelve months which will follow a similar notification, whatever the time at which it may take place. s

ARTICLE VI.*

Ratifications,

This convention is concluded subject to the ratification of the President of the United States of America, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate thereof, and of His Majesty the Emperor of Austria; and the ratifications thereof shall be exchanged in Washington within the term of one year from the date of the sig nature thereof, or sooner if possible.

In witness whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the above articles, as well in German as in English, and have thereto affixed their seals.

Done in the city of Washington, on the eighth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, in the seventy-second year of the independence of the United States of America, and in the fourteenth year of the reign of His Majesty the Emperor of Austria.

[L. S.] [L. S.]

JAMES BUCHANAN.
HÜLSEMANN.

AUSTRIA, 1856.f

CONVENTION WITH AUSTRIA, CONCLUDED JULY 3, 1856; RATIFICATIONS EXCHANGED DECEMBER 13, 1856; PROCLAIMED DECEMBER 15, 1856. Convention for the mutual delivery of criminals, fugitives from justice, in certain cases, concluded between the United States on the one part, and Austria on the other part.

Preamble.

Whereas it is found expedient, for the better administration of justice and the prevention of crime within the territories and jurisdiction of the parties, respectively, that persons committing certain heinous crimes, being fugitives from justice, should, under certain circumstances, be reciprocally delivered up, and also to enumerate such crimes explicitly; and whereas the laws of Austria forbid the surrender of its own citizens to a foreign jurisdiction, the Government of the United States, with a view of making the convention strictly reciprocal, shall be held equally free from any obligation to surrender citizens of the United States; therefore, on the one part the United States of America, and on the other part His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, having resolved to treat on this subject, have, for that purpose, appointed their respective Plenipotentiaries, to negotiate and conclude a convention; that is to say:

Negotiators.

The President of the United States, William L. Marcy, Secretary of State; and His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, John George Chevalier de Hülsemann, his said Majesty's Minister Resident near the Government of the United States;

*Resolution of the Senate of the United States, February 13, 1850. Whereas the time limited by the sixth article of the convention for the extension of certain stipulations contained in the treaty of commerce and navigation of August 27,1829, between the United States of America and His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, concluded at the city of Washington the 8th May, 1848, has expired before the ratification of the said convention by the Senate: Be it, therefore,

Resolved, (two-thirds of the Senators present concurring,) That the Senate advise and consent to the exchange of ratifications of the convention aforesaid, at any time prior to the 4th day of July next, whenever the same shall be offered by His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, and the said ratifications shall be deemed and taken to have been regularly exchanged, the limitation contained in said convention to the contrary notwithstanding. Attest: ASBURY DICKINS, Secretary.

+ Vol. XI, Statutes at Large, 691 et seq.

Who, after reciprocal communication of their respective powers, have agreed to and signed the following articles:

criminals.

ARTICLE I.

It is agreed that the United States and Austria shall, upon mutual Extradition of requisitions by them or their ministers, officers, or authorities, respectively made, deliver up to justice all persons who, being charged with the crime of murder, or assault with intent to commít murder or piracy, or arson, or robbery, or forgery, or.the fabrication or circulation of counterfeit money, whether coin or paper money, or the embezzlement of public moneys, committed within the jurisdiction of either party, shall seek an asylum or shall be found within the territories of the other: Provided, That this shall only be done Evidence, upon such evidence of criminality as, according to the laws of the place where the fugitive or person so charged shall be found, would justify his apprehension and commitment for trial if the crime or offense had there been committed; and the respective judges and other magistrates of the two Governments shall have power, jurisdiction, and authority, upon complaint made under oath, to issue a warrant for the apprehension of the fugitive or person so charged, that he may be brought before such judges or other magistrates, respectively, to the end that the evidence of criminality may be heard and considered; and if, on such hearing, the evidence be deemed sufficient to sustain the charge, it shall be the duty of the examining judge or magistrate to certify the same to the proper executive authority, that a warrant may issue for the surrender of such fugitive. The expense of such apprehension and delivery shall be borne and Expense. defrayed by the party who makes the requisition and receives the fugitive. The provisions of the present convention shall not be applied, in any manner, to the crimes enumerated in the first article committed anterior to the date thereof nor to any crime or offense of a political character.

ARTICLE II.

Neither of the contracting parties shall be bound to deliver up its own citizens or subjects under the stipulations of this convenNot to apply to either of the parties' tion.

own citizens.

Persons claimed

answer for offenses

ARTICLE III.

Whenever any person accused of any of the crimes enumerated in this convention shall have committed a new crime in the terrimay be retained to tories of the State where he has sought an asylum or shall committed in be found, such person shall not be delivered up, under the stipulations of this convention, until he shall have been tried and shall have received the punishment due to such new crime, or shall have been acquitted thereof.

country where they are found.

ARTICLE IV.

treaty.

The present convention shall continue in force until the first of JanDuration of this uary, eighteen hundred and fifty-eight; and if heither party shall have given to the other six months' previous notice of its intention then to terminate the same, it shall further remain in force until the end of twelve months after either of the high contracting parties shall have given notice to the other of such intention; each of the

high contracting parties reserving to itself the right of giving such notice. to the other at any time after the expiration of the said 1st day of Jannary, 1858.

ARTICLE V.

Ratifications.

The present convention shall be ratified by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate of the United States, and by His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, and the ratifications shall be exchanged at Washington within six months from the date hereof, or sooner if possible.

In faith whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed this convention and have hereunto affixed their seals.

Done in duplicate at Washington, the third day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, and of the Independence of the United States the eightieth.

Date.

[L. S.] [L. S.]

W. L. MARCY.
HÜLSEMANN.

AUSTRIA, 1870.

CONVENTION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND AUSTRIA, CONCERNING THE RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, AND IMMUNITIES OF CONSULS, &c., IN THE TWO COUNTRIES, SIGNED AT WASHINGTON, D. C., ON THE 11TH OF JULY, 1870. RATIFIED DECEMBER 19, 1870.

The President of the United States of America, and His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, &c., and Apostolic King of Hungary, animated by the desire to define in a comprehensive and precise manner the reciprocal rights, privileges, and immunities of the Consuls General, Consuls, Vice-Consuls, and Consular Agents (their Chancellors and Secretaries) of the United States of America

Preamble.

and of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, and to determine their duties and their respective sphere of action, have agreed upon the conclusion of a consular convention, and for that purpose have appointed their respective Plenipotentiaries, namely: the President of the United States of America, Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State of the United States; and His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, Apostolic King of Hungary, Charles, Baron von Lederer, Knight of the Imperial and Royal Order of Leopold, and His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in the United States of America, who, after communicating to each other their full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed upon the following articles:

ARTICLE I.

Negotiators.

Each of the high contracting parties shall be at liberty to establish Consuls General, Consuls, Vice-Consuls, or Consular Agents at the ports and places of trade of the other party, except those where it may not be convenient to recognize such officers; but this exception shall not apply to one of the high contracting parties without also applying to every other other Power. Consuls General, costs, &c. a p. Consuls, and other Consular officers appointed and taking pontinent and recog office according to the provisions of this article, in one or the other of the two countries, shall be free to exercise the right ac

Conanis General,

nition of

corded them by the present convention throughout the whole of the district for which they may be respectively appointed. The said functionaries shall be admitted and recognized respectively upon presenting their credentials in accordance with the rules and formalities established in their respective countries. The exequatur required for the free exercise of their official duties shall be delivered to them free of charge; and upon exhibiting such exequatur they shall be admitted at once and without interference by the authorities, Federal or State, judicial or executive, of the ports, cities, and places of their residence and district, to the enjoyment of the prerogatives reciprocally granted.

Exequatura.

Rights of Consuls

of the State appointing them.

ARTICLE II.

The Consuls General, Consuls, Vice-Consuls, and Consular Agents, their chancellors, and other Consular Officers, if they are citizens General, &e. citizens of the State which appoints them, shall be exempt from military billetings, from service in the military or the national guard, and other duties of the same nature, and from all direct and personal taxation, whether Federal, State, or municipal, provided they be not owners of real estate, and neither carry on trade nor any industrial business.

Rights of same

State appointing them.

If, however, they are not citizens of the State which appoints them, or if they are citizens of the State in which they reside, or if when not citizens of they own property, or engage in any business there that is taxed under any laws of the country, then they shall be subject to the same taxes, charges, and assessments as other private individuals. They shall, moreover, enjoy personal immunities, except for acts regarded as crimes by the laws of the country in which they reside. If they are engaged in commerce, personal detention can be resorted to in their case only for commercial liabilities, and then in accordance only with general laws, applicable to all persons alike.

Testimony in

justice of Consuls,

&c.

ARTICLE III.
TICLE

Consuls General, Consuls, and their Chancellors, Vice-Consuls and Consular Officers, if citizens of the country which appoints them, courts of tica of shall not be summoned to appear as witnesses before a court of justice, except when, pursuant to law, the testimony of a consul may be necessary for the defence of a person charged with crime. In other cases the local court, when it deems the testimony of a Consul necessary, shall either go to his dwelling to have the testimony taken orally, or shall send there a competent officer to reduce it to writing, or shall ask of him a written declaration.

Consul &c., to flag, &c.

ARTICLE IV.

Consuls General, Consuls, Vice-Consuls, and Consular Agents shall be at liberty to place over the chief entrance of their respective offices the arms of their nation, with the inscription: "Consulate have liberty to hoist General," "Consulate," "Vice-Consulate," or "Consular Agency," as may be. They shall also be at liberty to hoist the flag of their country on the consular edifice, except when they reside in a city where the legation of their Government may be established. They shall also be at liberty to hoist their flag on board the vessel employed by them in port for the discharge of their duty.

« PreviousContinue »