Baron Gerolt to Mr. Seward
Sir: The royal government has instructed me to get information as to the ground taken up by the United States government in the difference now pending between the French consul at Shanghai on one side, and the representatives of the United States, Great Britain, and Prussia, on the other, in reference to the administration of the so-called “Concession Française,” at Shanghai.
It appears that since the year 1849 certain territories ceded for that purpose by the Chinese government have been settled by French, English, American, and German colonists. After some time, practical experience having shown that a separate administration by the representatives of the three first-named countries was injurious on account of the community and concatenation of interests, it was proposed to adopt henceforth for that administration cosmopolitan principles.
This plea, however, has only been executed so far as regards the English and the United States governments; the representative of France having protested against any measure tending to abrogate the executive power of the French government over the Concession Française. The latter government, moreover, published for the French territory a “règlement d’organisation municipale,” against which the English and American representatives considered themselves bound to protest, to guard the interests of the numerous foreign elements, whom the said “règlements” would have placed under French rule.
The royal government, for its part, is disposed to consider that the regular proceeding on the part of the French government would have been to bring about a previous arrangement with the governments of the other interested powers as regard the foreign (that is, not French) subjects interspersed among the French population.
Previously, however, to taking any steps in the matter, my government wishes to know the position taken up by the United States government, and particularly whether the latter has indorsed the action of its representative in China.
I have the honor to be, sir, with the highest consideration, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.