Legation of
the United States,
Peking, January 10,
1872. (Received April 1.)
No. 121.]
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Prince Kung to
Mr. Low.
On the 25th of December, 1871, I received your excellency’s dispatch,
saying: “My country is desirous that, in accordance with the
provisions of the treaties, the port of Kiungchow, on the island of
Hainan, shall be opened to foreign trade; and I have to
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request that the local
authorities of that province may be informed about it without delay,
and also that instructions may be given to the inspector-general of
customs ordering him to collect the revenue from the foreign trade,”
&c, &c.
In the fourteenth article of the treaty with the United States
Kiungchow is not mentioned as one of the commercial ports; but the
thirtieth article provides that whatever concessions are made to
other countries for the advantage of trade and commerce, such rights
and privileges shall equally accrue to your country. Now, having
received your excellency’s dispatch stating that it is your desire
that, in accordance with the treaties of other countries, the port
of Kiungchow shall be considered a port open to foreign trade, and
requesting this yamen to notify the provincial authorities that they
may adopt such measures as may be necessary, and having received
dispatches from the other foreign ministers making a similar
request, I have to inform you in reply that it will be necessary to
wait until orders can be sent to the high authorities at Canton, who
will instruct the local officers to make the needful arrangements
for the purpose. As soon as a reply is returned I will again,
communicate with your excellency and the other foreign
ministers.
Meanwhile this reply is sent.
A necessary communication addressed to His Excellency F. F. Low,
United States minister.
