Angell to Mr. Wingate, August 20, 1880

Mr. Angell to Mr. Wingate.

Sir: On assuming the duties of my office I find here a dispatch (No. 168) from your predecessor, Mr. De Lano, to Mr. Seward, giving a series of cargo-boat rules proposed by the commissioner of customs at your port, and the action of the consular body and Chamber of Commerce in relation thereto.

The subject of the establishment by the local authorities of the ports of rules for cargo-boats, and especially of subjecting the boats to charges, has engaged the attention of this legation, and indeed of the whole diplomatic body here.

I fully concur in the views set forth by my predecessor in a circular issued March 15, 1880, No. 112, which you may take for your guidance.

As Mr. De Lano states that the commissioner had notified the consuls that he would take no further action until after communicating with the inspector-general, it is to be hoped that the local authorities at your port will not attempt to enforce these rules without authority from Peking.

I am, &c.,