Angell to Wm. M. Evarts, August 20, 1880

No. 181. Mr. Angell to Mr. Evarts.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit to you herewith a letter, No. 172, from Mr. De Lano, until lately consul at Foo-Chow, giving an account of an enforcement in an offensive way of certain rules of the governor-general of the province of Fukien, which are prejudicial to the interests of foreign residents wishing to acquire property.

I send to you also a copy of my reply sent to the present consul, Mr. Wingate.

You are well aware that the spirit of the inhabitants of Fukien has long been more unfriendly to foreigners than that of most of the other inhabitants of the coast provinces. It is thought that since, some time ago, the English supreme court found the title of one of the English missionary societies to the premises it occupied invalid, and restored the property to the Chinese claimants, there has been kindled in the minds of the Chinese, both citizens and officials, a new desire and a strong hope of making it uncomfortable, if not impracticable, for foreigners to secure and hold leases of real property.

Obviously, if the example set by the officials in the case recited by Mr. De Lano is to be followed, great and perhaps insuperable obstacles will be put in the way of our citizens who desire to lease property.

I trust my course in the matter may meet your approval.

I have, &c.,