Legation of the United States,
Pekin
,
June 19, 1897
.
(Received July 30.)
No. 2765.]
To this paper I have sent an answer of which a copy is inclosed.
[Inclosure 1 in No.
2765.]
The Tsung-li Yamên to
Mr. Denby.
Your Excellency: The princes and ministers
have the honor to inform the minister of the United States that on
the 28th of May, 1807, they received a communication from the
Tartar-General of Foochow, embodying a report from the officials of
the board of foreign affairs in the matter of the casting of silver
coins. The board observes that recently there have been several
cases of arrests of persons in Amoy and in the Min district who have
counterfeited coins; that these dishonest persons have circulated
false reports that the silver dollars coined by the Provincial
Government of Foochow are not fit for circulation, and if prompt
measures are not taken to arrest this evil the present good method
in force of coining will come to a stop, as the people in general
will entertain suspicions.
It is only requisite that severe punishment be inflicted on the
offenders; then the legitimate coins will be in circulation to
advantage and the populace will be satisfied.
In the coining of counterfeit money it is necessary that machinery be
used. It is right that instructions be issued that coining machinery
made in China should not be sold to the people. As to machinery [Page 108] made in foreign countries,
it seems proper that the Tsung-li Yamên should address the foreign
ministers at Pekin, requesting them to inform their secretaries of
state, or foreign offices, that in future it will be necessary that
all coining machinery imported into China must be accompanied by a
permit issued either by a commissioner of customs or a customs’
taotai. Further, the machinery must not be sold privately to
Chinese. A fine will be inflicted for violating this rule. It is
further suggested that instructions be issued to the ministers
superintendent of trade for the north and south, as well as to all
the commissioners of customs and the naval authorities at the
various ports, to take action in good earnest in searching all
vessels entering the ports, and if coining machinery is found on
board without a proper permit the importer will be arrested and
punished and the machinery confiscated.
The Yamên would observe that the counterfeiting of silver dollars is
detrimental to foreigners and Chinese alike.
Last year some of the foreign ministers were most concerned in regard
to the exportation from China of counterfeit coins, as the traffic
was very injurious to trade, and the Yamên was requested to take
active steps in the matter and to arrest and punish the
offenders.
The request made by the Tartar General of Foochow in regard to
prohibiting the importation of coining machinery is to preserve the
purity of coins, which your excellency will quite understand and
agree to.
Instructions have been issued to the ministers superintendent of
trade for the north and south, as well as to the inspector-general
of customs, to take action accordingly, and in addressing the
minister of the United States the princes and ministers express the
hope that he will take action in like manner.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
2765.]
Mr. Denby to
the Tsung-li Yamên.
Your Highnesses and Your Excellencies: I
have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of
the 10th instant, relating to the prevention of the importation of
machinery to be used for counterfeiting.
I have sent a translation thereof to the Department of State. At your
instance I issued last year stringent instructions to the consuls of
the United States to take all possible steps to prevent
counterfeiting or the importation of machinery intended to be used
for that purpose, and their cooperation in the matter is now
assured.