Mr. Wharton to Mr. Tsui.
Washington, July 11, 1891.
Sir: I have the honor to state that the Department communicated, on the 3d instant, a copy of the memorandum left here by you upon that day, relative to alleged defects in certificates held by certain Chinese subjects recently arrived at San Francisco, to the Secretary of the Treasury. As appears by letter of the Treasury of the 9th instant, instructions were sent to the collector at San Francisco on the 7th, giving the substance of your memorandum, and closing as follows:
If the defects in the certificates are of the character described by the Secretary of State, the Department is of the opinion that they may properly be accepted as prima facie evidence of the right of the holders to land in the United States; and you will be governed accordingly.
Accept, etc.,
Acting Secretary.