Charlton's private landholdings could also be treated as consular grounds because he combined business with an official appointment. Even a judgment valid on its private merits could therefore appear to Britain as an attack on diplomatic standing. One proposed route out was to recognize Simpson as acting consul and seek British agreement to replace Charlton before pursuing the property claim. That sequence would have separated the dispute over land from the question of who represented the British government.
Notable Point · 42:29-44:17
Separating Charlton's property dispute from his consular status
Recognizing Simpson and formally replacing Charlton offered a possible way to pursue private land claims without provoking a dispute over consular standing.