Mr. Burlingame to Prince Kung
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your highness’s despatch of the 22d instant, with its enclosure, relating to certain regulations for pilotage, which the inspector general of customs has drawn up in fifteen articles, wherein it is proposed to appoint a harbormaster at each port, whose duty shall be to attend to the shipping, examine and select pilots, and oversee all other matters that are connected with the office, whereby all occasion of contempt for his authority or interference in his proper functions will in future be obviated.
I have looked over these regulations, which seem to be well suited to attain the end in view, with much care. They are now submitted to the foreign ministers at the capital, so that there shall be no impediment to their being carried into effect; and I beg to express my hope that as all matters relating to the pilotage department are now under the direction of the Chinese government, they will be conducted in a manner equally beneficial to the general trade of both natives and foreigners.
I have accordingly sent instructions to the consuls of the United States at the ports that they give their aid in carrying them out fully.
I have the honor to be, sir, your highness’s obedient servant,
His Imperial Highness Prince Kung, &c., &c., &c.