Mr. Hay to Mr._______.a
Department of State,
Washington, January 19,
1904.
Sir: I inclose for your information copy of a
circular instruction to the consular officers of the United States,
including those in the directing them to discharge, in representation of
Panaman interests until consular officers are appointed by that
Government, and so far as may be permitted by the Government of the
_______ _________, the duties ordinarily devolving upon consular
officers.
You will advise the Government of the ______ _______ of this, and request
its consent to the arrangement.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Department of State,
Washington, January 12,
1904.
To the Consular Officers of the
United States:
Gentlemen: Upon the request of the
Government of Panama you are instructed to use your good offices in
representation of the interests of the Republic of Panama and its
citizens until consular officers are appointed by that Government.
You will be expected to discharge, so far as may be permitted by the
Government to which you are accredited, the duties ordinarily
devolving upon consular officers. In this connection your attention
is called to paragraphs 174 and 453 of the Consular Regulations in
relation to your standing under the instruction herein issued.
The tariff of fees prescribed for services rendered by you under this
instruction is as follows:
- For the certification of a manifest, 5 pesos.
- For the certification of an invoice, 2 pesos.
- For a bill of health, 2 pesos.
All fees collected for services performed by you for Panama are to be
retained. A copy of every paper and document certified should be
transmitted
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to the minister
for foreign affairs at the city of Panama, and a separate report of
all such fees should be rendered to this Department quarterly, the
said returns to be plainly indicated as services performed for
Panama, both upon the face of the return and on the indorsement
thereof.
Your signature in your official capacity on all papers executed for
Panama should be followed by the words “In charge of the interests
of Panama.”
I am, etc.,
Herbert H. D. Pierce,
Third Assistant
Secretary.