Butzow to the chairman of the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce, May 1, 1877

Mr. Butzow to the chairman of the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce.

Sir: In consequence of your letter dated the 12th March, the representatives of Germany, the United States, Spain, France, and Great Britain, and myself addressed the Chinese Government, in order to call their attention to the disadvantages under which the foreign merchants in China are working in the absence of a national currency and of a uniform standard of value.

The step taken by us has elicited from the Tsung-li Yamên a reply satisfactory, in so far as it states that the superintendents of trade of the northern and southern ports have been instructed to submit to the government their opinion on the establishment of a national currency.

I beg to request you, sir, on behalf of my colleagues and myself, to communicate the above to the chamber of commerce. You will be made acquainted in due time with any further information that may reach us. In the mean time we shall be glad to receive from the chamber such remarks as they may desire to offer upon the description of coin which should be issued, and upon other matters connected with the subject.

I avail myself, &c.,