Who is His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General Mr. Cloudesley Sharpe from Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies and what is their importance?

Sharpe serves as the Consul-General at New Orleans. He is described as a heavy man, who is congenial and insightful. Sharpe is also described as someone who straddles the fence. He is often noncommittal, willing to share what he knows without offering personal opinion.