CHAPTEK XII. 



THE ORIGIN AND DUTIES OF CONSULS 



rE inhabitants of Marseilles and the Catalonians 

 were the first commercial people in Europe who, 

 after creating consuls, at first merely the syndics of 

 the principal trading corporations, and afterwards 

 judges in matters of local trade, felt the importance 

 of extending the influence of this institution abroad. 

 The " consuls beyond the seas " were thenceforward 

 entrusted with the duty of keeping a watch upon the 

 privileges of their nation, and of settling all disputes 

 between fellow-countrymen in regard to matters of 

 trade. Their duties were considered very important, 

 and were entrusted to men who apparently belonged 

 to the leading families in the county. 



It was during the Crusades that French princes 

 entrusted to the maritime towns and nations which 

 assisted them, principally to the inhabitants of Mar- 

 seilles and the Catalonians, the privilege of forming in 

 the conquered ports corporations of traders, under the 

 control of the consuls of their nation. The first 

 privileges obtained in Syria by the inhabitants of 

 Marseilles date from 11171136. 



