No. 152.
Mr. Denby to Mr. Bayard .

No. 318.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith tile answer of the Tsung-li yamên to my communication, of which a translation was sent you in my dispatch No. 299, of February 8, 1887. I therein urged the removal of the Woosung Bar.

It will be seen that the yamên has pressed on the local authorities the necessity of doing this work.

I have, etc.,

Charles Denby.
[Inclosure in No. 318.—Translation.]

The Tsung-li yamên to Mr. Denby .

Your Excellency: Upon the 9th of February the prince and ministers had the honor to receive a communication from your excellency having relation to the dredging of the Woosung Bar, wherein you requested that measures be devised for taking immediate action in the matter, etc.

The yamên, it appears, during the third Chinese month of last year (April) sent instructions in regard to the matter to the minister superintendent of southern trade, urging that action be taken, but up to the present time no reply has been received from that officer.

Now, having received your excellency’s communication upon this subject, the yamên has again communicated with the minister superintendent of southern trade, urging that instructions be sent immediately to the customs taotai at Shanghai to adopt a plan for taking action in the premises, and as in duty bound the prince and ministers send this communication in reply for your excellency’s information.