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

[Extract.]

Mr. Williams to Mr. Seward

No. 23]

Legation of the United States, Peking, January 31, 1866.

Sir: * * * * *

I have just been informed by Mr. Vlangaly, the Russian minister, that the Chinese government has extended to Russian ships trading between its open ports and the Russian possessions on the Amoor the same privileges in respect to the payment of tonnage dues that have been granted to vessels trading to Japan and Saigon, as mentioned in my despatch (No. 8) of October 5, 1860. The same privilege enures to American as well as other vessels trading between China and the Amoor.

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

S. WELLS WILLIAMS, Chargé d’Affaires.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.