Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part III

Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward

No. 84.]

Legation of the United States, Peking, June 18, 1864.

Sir: I have the honor to send correspondence (marked A, B, C, D) in relation to throwing ballast into the harbor of Newchwang. I called the attention of the government to the subject in a personal interview with its representatives at the Foreign Office, and received from Prince Kung the letter marked C, in which he informs me that he has notified the generalissimo of Manchuria to enjoin on the local authorities at Yangtse to issue a proclamation to all concerned, to forbid this practice. My reply (D) is simply a letter of thanks for his considerate action, and informs him that I have instructed our consul to cooperate in the worthy object.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

ANSON BURLINGAME.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.

A.

Mr. Knight to Mr. Burlingame

No. 57.]

Consulate of the United States, Port of Newchwang, April 27, 1864.

Sir: The junk custom of throwing ballast, either mud or stones, into the river, is becoming most annoying, and threatens to ruin the port for foreign shipping.

We are told that large junks could once reach Newchwang; while now, vessels drawing over eight feet can proceed but a short distance above this place, owing to the river becoming so shallow.

Since the opening of the port this season, the schooner Melita has become a total wreck on the bar at the mouth of this river with a valuable cargo of eighty chests of opium, and other merchandise; her loss is entirely attributed, by pilots and shipmasters, to the constant change of the channel caused by the discharging of ballast into the river. Foreign merchant vessels have been strictly forbidden the practice under penalty of heavy fines, and are now compelled, while lying in said stream, to discharge their ballast into boats at considerable expense. But they complain with some reason, a great deal, at the apparent injustice, while junks which either lie close to the bank or moored outside each other should discharge ballast into the river, when they might so easily take it on shore.

On this matter I would ask your attention that native vessels shall be prevented throwing ballast of any description into the river, subject to the same penalty as foreign vessels.

The hull of the Melita now lies in such a position as to render the navigation of the port hazardous, (one vessel has already run on it,) unless the pilot has a clear day when he can see some coast mark to get his bearings and course exact. Under these circumstances, a light-ship anchored in a proper position becomes doubly necessary, and would be more effective than at any other port in China.

After many efforts, some parties here have got a capital hulk which they offer to fit out completely for a light-vessel, provided the Chinese government will buy it, and remunerate them for their expense.

Last year there were 202 ships arrived here, and already this season there have been 45. Out of this number sufficient port dues must have been paid to appropriate to such purpose.

The price wanted for the hulk is very moderate—probably one-third cost of any other light-ship on the coast.

I have the honor to be your obedient servant,

FRANCIS P. KNIGHT, United States Consul.

His Excellency Hon. Anson Burlingame, United States Minister, Peking.

B.

Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Knight

Legation of the United States, Peking, May 23, 1864.

Sir: I have received a communication from Prince Kung relating to the pernicious practice of junks throwing their ballast overboard at Yangtse, and intimating the measures taken to put a stop to it; a translation of which I send for your information, together with a copy of my reply.

It is as much, perhaps, as we can at present expect from the government here in reference to this matter, and it will depend upon the vigilance of foreigners interested in the preservation of the navigation, that natives or others who offend the regulations shall be dealt with, and the practice cease.

I am, sir, yours, obediently,

ANSON BURLINGAME.

Francis P. Knight, Esq., Acting Consul, Ninchwang.

C.

Prince Kung to Mr. Burlingame

Prince Kung, chief secretary of state for foreign affairs, herewith sends a communication.

I have lately heard that the vessels coming from the south (i.e. from the in sea) which frequent Yangtse, the port of Ninchwang, both those which anchor the stream and those lying along the bank, are in the practice of throwing their mud and stone ballast into the river; this makes piles of constantly increasing size, which prevents vessels that are discharging a lading cargo from coming close into the shore, and involves them in greater expense and trouble in moving their goods.

I have, therefore, notified the generalissimo of Manchuria to enjoin on the local authorities at Yangtse, to issue a public proclamation to all concerned, to forbid this practice in the strictest way. Such vessels or junks as do not keep their ballast must deposit it on the sea-shore or in very far from the river’s bank, and no more obstruct the channel for shipping, into which they are no longer permitted, as they have done, to throw it, lest at no distant day the piles made there interfere with the navigation of the river.

I now inform your excellency of these orders, and if any foreign vessel should act in the same manner, I trust that full orders may be sent to the consuls there, to see that these regulations (respecting ballast) may be made known to the foreign shipping generally, as they are for the advantage of all, both native and foreign.

His Excellency Anson Burlingame, United States Minister.

May 23, 1864—Tungchi, 3d year, 4th moon, 18th day.

D.

Mr. Burlingame to Prince Kung

Legation of the United States, Peking, May 24, 1864.

Sir: I beg to acknowledge the communication of yesterday’s date respecting the practice of throwing ballast into the river Yangtse, and thereby obstructing navigation, which I have received from your highness, and the information you give that orders have been sent to the generalissimo of Manchuria to enjoin the local authorities to strictly forbid it, and thank you for this instance of your consideration, which is fully in the spirit of the 16th article of the treaty of Tientsin.

I have, accordingly, sent orders to the United States consul at Newchwang to do all in his power to carry the regulations into effect, and prevent any more obstruction to the navigation of the river by throwing ballast into it; a matter of equal importance and benefit to native and foreign trade.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

ANSON BURLINGAME.

His Imperial Highness Prince Kung, &c., &c., &c.