During the early establishment of the United States of America’s trade negotiation with European countries, letters of appointment as Consuls or Vice Consuls were extended to American merchants living abroad. These American citizens were to act on behalf of the Congress of the United States to aid in negotiations of trade at various European shipping ports. George Washington, as first President of the United States, submitted a list of possible candidates to the Congress for consideration for the position. It was up to the Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, to vet the suggested candidates. In the particular situation of Burrell/Burrill Carnes (1761-1805), he was a merchant residing in France. He was appointed an American agent by Thomas Barclay in 1786. The Continental Congress had appointed Barclay, a Philadelphia merchant, as the first Consul to France (1781-1786) where he assisted Benjamin Franklin. On June 7, 1790 Burrell/Burrill Carnes was commissioned by George Washington to serve as Consul in Nantes, France. Thomas Jefferson told John Jay that an American named Burrell Carnes in Nantes could act at Consul. In most cases Consuls were merchants residing in respective foreign ports. Prior to 1792, the Consuls could make privately their own business arrangements. In 1792 Congress passed an Act concerning Consuls and Vice-consuls which defined their duties in trade agreements. Joseph Fenwick (1762-1849) who was the first Consul appointed by George Washington 7 June 1790 to 3 June 1801, was a wine and spirits merchant and trade importer/exporter in Bordeaux. In July 1792, Fenwick reported to Thomas Jefferson the resignation of Burrell/Burrill Carnes as Consul in Nantes. Fenwick urged Jefferson to get a replacement as soon as possible to deal with efforts to bring tobacco and oils in English vessels into France. Burrell/Burrill Carnes was in partnership with his brother John Carnes who had the first American patent (1789) for paper-moulds used in wall paper manufacturing. Both men had appointments as Consuls in France: Burrell Carnes at the port of Nantes and John Carnes at Lyons. With two Frenchmen: Le Collay and Chardon, the Carnes brothers began manufacturing paper wall hangings under the business name Le Collay & Chardon in Philadelphia. The French had the reputation of manufacturing fine paper wall hangings. By 1793 Carnes was a merchant and paper manufacturer at 71 South Second Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Ann (1776?-1800) had three daughters.