No. 191.
Mr. Chang Yen
Hoon to Mr. Bayard.
Washington, D. C., March 8, 1887. (Received March 9.)
Sir:* * * With regard to the act of Congress approved by the President to prohibit the traffic in opium wherein Chinese and American subjects are concerned, it is to provide for the execution of the provisions of Article 2 of the treaty concluded between the United States of America and the Emperor of China on the 17th day of November, 1880, and gives evidence of a desire on the part of your Government to maintain friendly relations with China. It seems to me that section 3 of the act will interfere greatly with the customs regulations and the rights of local self-government of China.
The ways and measures used by China to deal or treat with imported opium may not be entirely known to your Government, and I shall write to your excellency again on the subject.
Accept, etc.,