Bandinel to Angell, October 26, 1880

Mr. Bandinel to Mr. Angell.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s dispatch, No. 7, referring to the questions raised by the arrival of the Chinese steamer Ho Chung at San Francisco, and in reply to state that:

• First. No other or higher tonnage dues are exacted in the open ports of China from the vessels of the United States resorting thereto than are paid by Chinese vessels or any foreign vessels engaged in like trade therewith.
• Second. No other or higher customs duties of import or export are exacted in China from American citizens importing merchandise thither, or exporting merchandise thence, than are paid by Chinese subjects or the citizens of the most favored power importing or exporting the like merchandise into or from China.
• Third. No discriminating or additional customs duty is imposed upon merchandise, whether of American or foreign origin, entering or leaving the open ports of China in vessels of the United States, which is not imposed upon the like goods entering or leaving those ports in Chinese vessels or in vessels of any foreign power.

The above replies describe not only the law but the practice of the authorities, so far as I know, especially in my consular district.

I am, &c.,