No. 192.
Mr. Evarts to Chen Lan Pin and Mr.
Yung Wing.
Washington, September 8, 1880.
Gentlemen: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 4th instant, in reply to the two notes from this Department, dated the 13th and 23d of August ultimo, in regard to the questions of tonnage and other duties required to be collected from the Chinese steamer Wo Chung, which has recently arrived at the port of San Francisco.
In reply, I have to express the satisfaction with which the Department has received the assurances of the treatment accorded by the Government of the Emperor to American commerce in China.
The Wo Chung has, it appears, already arrived at San Francisco, and the alien dues and taxes exacted of her have been paid, as is understood, under protest. Upon the arrival of official advices as to what has really taken place there, I shall then confer with my colleague, the Secretary of the Treasury, in regard to the matter, and as soon as the necessary inquiries have been made, such action will be taken by this government as the circumstances of the case and the demands of equity, among nations, may seem to require.
Accept, gentlemen, &c.,