Mr. Tsui to Mr. Wharton.
Washington, June 2, 1891.
Sir: Confirming the statement made by me to you in our interview of yesterday, I have the honor to inform you that the Imperial Chinese Government, in order to facilitate a more perfect compliance with the terms of section 6 of the law of the Congress of the “United States of July 5, 1884, has authorized the consuls of China in foreign countries to issue, in behalf of their Government, to the exempt class of Chinese residents in said countries the certificate of identity required by said law.
I shall therefore be greatly obliged if you will communicate the foregoing fact to the honorable Secretary of the Treasury, in order that he may issue such general instructions to the collectors of customs of ports of the United States as shall secure a recognition by them of the validity of certificates of Chinese consuls of the Character named.
I am, etc.,