[Non-Sequitur]

If so, why was the application for exequatur (new word for me) made to the Confederate Government?

I've no idea. Perhaps he also requested an exequatur from the U.S. government as well?

[rustbucket]

The Duke of SaxeCoburg was the brother-in-law to Queen Victoria of Great Britain. At least I think that is correct -- Prince Albert, the consort of Victoria, was the son of the Duke of SaxeCoburg and his elder brother was for a time the Duke. In Great Britain the SaxeCoburgs now go by the name of Windsor.

At the time of the consulship of Ernst Raven, the Germain duchies were independent and the dukes were treated as separate sovereigns. Eventually the duchies were absorbed into the German state.