Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have the pleasure to inform you that the Chinese government has agreed to the principal of the joint tribunal or mixed commission for the settlement of confiscation cases. The details will be left to be settled by the consuls with the local authorities of the ports. The tribunal will be first tried provisionally at Shanghai. This reform was equally urged by the ministers here, and may be considered, looking at the practical working of the treaty, as important as any yet achieved. The ultimate results will be that the cases relating to confiscations will be settled at the ports. Or, if not, the evidence which will come up to us will be agreed to by both sides, and be so arranged as to make a decision by us practicable.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.