Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward
No. 87.]
Legation of the United States,
Peking,
June 25, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to send you the despatch
of Prince Rung (marked A) in relation to a joint tribunal to sit in
confiscation cases.
This is, perhaps, as important a practical measure as was ever agreed
upon in China, but as I have written fully in relation to it before, I
need not now write anything more.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
[Page 435]
A.
Prince Kung to Mr. Burlingame
Prince Kung, chief secretary of state for foreign affairs, herewith
makes a communication.
In the despatch received from your excellency October 23, 1863, you
made the remark “that hitherto there have been no well-understood
regulations established for general guidance in cases of
confiscation of vessels and goods by the Chinese authorities.” Now,
although the right and power to punish all cases of smuggling by
foreigners, either by fine or otherwise, is undoubtedly in the hands
of this government, yet it is nevertheless true that, owing to the
want of some definite regulations upon these points, much confusion
and pertinacious disputing have arisen between foreign merchants and
our own officers.
In consequence of your despatch, I sent orders to the inspector
general of customs, Mr. Hart, desiring him to give the subject his
most careful deliberation and examination. He has now come to
Peking, and having personally conferred with the various foreign
ministers in reference to this thing, it has been decided that the
scheme of regulations which was discussed last year shall be
adopted, with such changes as the foreign office shall deem to be
necessary. When they have all been revised and decided upon they
shall first go into effect at Shanghai, as an experiment; and if the
result shows that their operation is beneficial, and does not impair
or interfere with the rights of this government, they can then be
extended to all the open ports, and the officers there be instructed
to follow them.
His Excellency A. Burlingame,
United States Minister.
June 13, 1864—Tungchi, 3d year, 5th moon,
10th day.
