[CIRCULAR No. 64.].

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, August 1, 1874.

To the Diplomatic and Consular Officers of the United States:

GENTLEMEN: This Department is frequently in receipt of telegrams requesting leaves of absence, and of requests that the answers to applications for leave may be communicated by telegraph.

In future applications for leave will not be made by telegraph, except under extraordinary circumstances, and in every case the reasons therefor must be fully stated. Answers to applications for leave will not be expected by telegraph except under similar circumstances. In all cases of telegraphic communication on the question of leaves of absence, the expense thereof will be paid by, or charged to, the Officer asking the same.

I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,

HAMILTON FISH.

INDEX.

INDEX.

(The references are to paragraphs.)

A

ABSENCE, LEAVES OF:

must be approved by Consul-General in certain countries
in others by Minister.

pay of Vice-Consul during

how absence affects compensation

each account to be accompanied by a certified statement
showing absences during the quarter.

Paragraphs.

6, 44

45

65

.65, 370, 1119

370

370,

absences forbidden for more than ten days without permission.

salary allowed during leave for sixty days in each calendar
year, and time of transit both ways
absences over forty-eight hours to be reported as they occur..

ACCOUNTS:

fees for granting and visaing passports to be credited to the
United States

886, 1119

370, 887

370

106

amount of hospital duty to be reported to Fifth Auditor.
must be in the name of the principal Consular Officer, if at his
post

each account is to be inclosed in a separate dispatch and to be
in duplicate

337

vouchers are required, except for postage and when otherwise
instructed

..338, 344, 345

translations must be sent of vouchers not in the English lau-
guage.

RENT AND MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNT: (Form 90.)

339

is sent quarterly to Secretary of State; embraces what
rent to be the sum actually paid, not exceeding twenty per
cent. of salary

340

341

voucher must show that the office is exclusively used for the
Consulate. (Form 91).

341

unsalaried Consuls; rent allowed only from fees, are pro-
hibited from drawing for rent.

342

expenses of repairs, care and cleaning of office or furniture, not
allowed...

343

POSTAGE:

no voucher required, but must be charged only on official

matter..

344, 345

letters of unofficial persons not related to Consuls, not to be
sent in dispatches; envelopes to be indorsed. or letters will
not be forwarded; form.

346

economy in postage to be exercised; suggestions.

347

prepayment of postage not required

348