Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 3, 1889

Mr. Bayard to Mr. Chang Yen Hoon.

Department of State,
Washington, March 2, 1889.

Sir: Acknowledging your note of the 26th ultimo, I have now the honor to inclose copies of certain correspondence by telegraph between my colleague, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the collectors of customs at the ports of New York and New Orleans, in relation to orders affecting the transit of Chinese subjects across the United States en route to China.

By this you will perceive that no new orders have been given in this regard, and that consequently the status which existed prior to the enactment of the present exclusion act, commonly known as the “Scott bill,” apparently is held by the Treasury Department to remain undisturbed.

I trust that this announcement may suffice to relieve your countrymen from all embarrassment.

Accept, etc.,

T. F. Bayard.

[Inclosure 1.—Telegram.]

Mr. Maynard to Mr. Magone.

Treasury Department,
Office of the Secretary,
Washington, D. C., February 28, 1889.

Collector of Customs, New York, N. Y.:

Inform Department by wire whether you have issued any orders to vessels regarding Chinese desiring transit through the United States.

Maynard,
Assistant Secretary.

Similar telegram to collector of customs, New Orleans.

[Inclosure 2.—Telegram.]

Mr. Magone to Mr. Fairchild.

New York, February 28. 1889.

Secretary of the Treasury, Washington:

Telegram received, Have not Issued any such order.

D. Magone,
Collector.

[Inclosure 3.—Telegram.]

Mr. Jonas to Mr. Fairchild.

New Orleans, La., March 1, 1889.

Secretary Treasury, Washington, D. C.:

No orders issued regarding transit Chinese through the United States.

B. F. Jonas,
Collector.