Mr. Hay to Mr._______.a

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.,

John Hay.
[Inclosure.]

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 [Page 2] 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.
  1. Same instruction, mutatis mutandi, to all diplomatic representatives of the United States.