Consul

[Lat., from consulo, to consult - con, and salio, to leap, to jump. Literally, one who acts in concert with another, or who consults another.] An official commi ioned by a sovereign or state to reside in a foreign land, and protect and forward the commercial interests of his own country. Such officers appear to have been first employed by the Italian republics to protect their merchants engaged in trade in the cities of the Levant. In general, a C. is not regarded as a minister or diplomatic functionary, and is subject to the civil authorities of the place where he resides. - American C. are nominated by the President to the Senate, and by the Senate confirmed or rejected. Each C. or vice-C. must give bond, in a sum not le than $2,000, nor more than $10,000, conditioned, for the faithful discharge of the duties of his office. Among their powers and duties are those of receiving protests or declarations which captains, masters, crews, pa engers, merchants, and others make relating to American commerce; they are required to administer on the estate of American citizens dying within their consulate, and leaving no legal representatives; to take charge of and secure the effects of American ve els in the absence of the master, owner, or consignee; to settle disputes be tween masters of ve els and the mariners; to provide for destitute seamen, within their consulate, and send them to the U. States at the public expense; to make certificates on certain facts in certain cases, which receive faith and credit in the courts of the U. States, when nature of, consumption. such, with certain interruptions. Decimus The odor us Consump'tionary, a. Pertaining to, or having the Paul in us, in A. D. 536, was the last consul at Rome, and Flavius Basilius Junius in 541, the last at Constantinople. (French Hist.) See CONSULATE.