[Inclosure 1 in No. 940.]
Mr. De Lano to Mr.
Seward.
United
States Consulate,
Foo-chow, May 25,
1875.
No. 72.]
Sir: I am glad to be able to inform you that
the matter of the Foo-chow-Amoy telegraph line was finally settled on
the 21st instant, on the following terms:
The Chinese, in the first place, acknowledge the justice of the company’s
claim for damages for the destruction of thirty miles of the line, which
was erected and destroyed, and pay it. In the second place, they enter
into contract with the company for the purchase of all materials
accumulated for the line, and for its completion, on the Chinese
account; the line to be worked by the company for the Chinese for a time
and on terms to be agreed upon hereafter. The work of construction to be
recommenced as early as practicable, but not later than the 15th of
August next. The whole sum to be paid is $154,500, of which sum $50,000
is indemnity. Thirty thousand dollars was paid on the signing of the
contract, $50,000 to be paid when the line is completed, and the balance
in two equal payments in six months and twelve months after its
completion.
I have every reason to believe the provincial government will carry out
the agreement in good faith, and that certain of the prominent officials
here will become earnest advocates of a general system of telegraphs in
the empire.
You can well understand that I am much gratified at the present prospect
of the ultimate success of this advance movement, which has all along
had my earnest support, and that, although the officials have at times
severely censured me for advocating a measure which was distasteful to
them, they have at the last looked to me for counsel and advice, and
intrusted to me the responsibility of preparing all of the documents
which have been made use of in the settlement of the case.
My interpreter, Mr. Lee, has shown rare ability in dealing with the case
from the beginning, and his services have been invaluable. I shall look
forward now with deep interest to see how the officials deal with the
people inland, who, they say, are violently opposed to the telegraph,
and must be exhorted and instructed before the work of construction is
again commenced.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
M. M. DE LANO,
United States
Consul.
George F. Seward, Esq.,
United States Consul-General, Shanghai.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 940.]
Mr. Seward to Mr.
De Lano.
United
States Consulate,
Shanghai, June 14,
1875.
No. 139.]
Sir: I have had the honor to receive your
letter No. 72, advising me of the settlement of the Foo-chow and Amoy
Telegraph difficulty.
In this connection I beg leave to advise you that the agent of the
company has spoken to me in warm terms of the great assistance which you
have rendered to the telegraph company from the inception of the
business until its close in a satisfactory manner.
I shall send a copy of your letter and of the response to it to the
Assistant Secretary of State. It will, I think, be agreeable to him to
learn how earnestly, yet disinterestedly, American officials in this
part of the world labor for the advancement of general interests.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
GEO. F. SEWAED,
Consul-General.
M. M. De Lano, Esq.,
United States Consul, Foo-chow.
