The Secretary of State to Chargé Coolidge.

No. 879.]

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Conger’s dispatch No. 1777, of December 29 last, reporting that the French minister to China has recently been instructed by his Government not to object any further to the proposed amendments to the rules governing the mixed court at Shanghai, nor to take any part with his colleagues in their effort to amend the rules, and that therefore the representatives of all the powers, except the French and Mexican ministers, have sent the proposed amendments to the Chinese Government, accompanied by a joint note in which they request that Government to agree to the amendments.

Mr. Conger’s action in the matter is approved by the department.

I am, sir, etc.

John Hay.