No. 45.
Mr. Denby to Mr. Bayard .

No. 450.]

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular of date July 9, 1887, relating to the act of Congress, approved July 19, 1886, entitled “An act to abolish certain fees for official services to American vessels, etc.,” and directing me to notify the Chinese Government of the passage of this act, and to invite that Government to cooperate with the United States in abolishing all lighthouse dues, tonnage [Page 1924] taxes or other equivalent tax or taxes on, and also all other fees for official services to, the vessels of the respective nations employed in the trade between the ports of China and the United States.

I have prepared a dispatch to the Tsungli Yamên complying with these directions, which is now being translated. When an answer is received, I will inform you of the contents thereof.

In compliance with your instructions I have also taken measures to ascertain whether in the ports of China or any dependency thereof any discrimination exists against vessels of the United States as compared with the vessels of China (other than those engaged in the coasting or colonial trade), or the vessels of any third country.

I will report thereon at the earliest possible moment.

I have, etc.,

Charles Denby.