No. 270.
Mr. West to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
Sir: Referring to the provisions of the recent act of the United States Congress prohibiting the landing of Chinese immigrants in United States territory, I have the honor to inform you that I am advised that there are now residing in Demerara a considerable number of Chinese laborers, natives of Hong-Kong, who are desirous of returning to China via San Francisco, and that I am instructed by Earl Granville to ask the United States Government how they propose to deal with those laborers under the aforesaid act, who, though Chinese in their language and appearance, are natives of British colonies and therefore British subjects, and who may desire to return to their homes by the above-mentioned route.
Trusting that you will be good enough to give your early attention to this matter,
I have, &c.,