Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward
Sir: I am happy to send to you a body of pilot regulations (A) proposed by the Chinese government and agreed to and notified to their countrymen, by the representatives of the treaty powers at Peking.
The old system was found not to work, from the inability of the consuls at the ports to agree upon the same regulations and from the jealousies growing out of the selection of pilots.
At Shanghai, the Prussian consul utterly refused to co-operate with his colleagues. At Neuchwaug, the British consul, Mr. Meadows, not wishing to act with the United States consul, Mr. Knight, framed a body of pilot regulations for the English exclusively, which were approved by Sir Rutherford Alcock, the British minister. By these no British ship could be brought into port by any but British pilots, while British pilots might bring in the ships of other nations.
I opposed these regulations as illegal and unjust. This view was entertained by the French, Prussian, and Russian representatives, as well as by Sir Edmond Hornby, the British chief justice at Shanghai.
Sir Rutherford finally suspended the regulations from operation. We thereupon entered into relations with the Chinese government with the view of adopting a uniform system, which might be supported by all. Mr. Hart, inspector general of customs, had previously suggested that all matters relating to pilotage should be placed under the control of the commissioner of Chinese customs. This suggestion was, after much discussion, unanimously adopted—first as a matter of right to the Chinese, and second as a matter of convenience to ourselves.
The result was the preparation and adoption of the fifteen regulations herewith sent. These were mainly drawn by Mr. Bellonet, French chargé d’affaires.
I beg in this as in so many other cases to express my satisfaction with the conduct of Mr. Hart.
I also send regulations (B) respecting passengers’ luggage, which have also been agreed to and notified.
Hoping for your approval, I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.