Chester Holcombe to Frelinghuysen, December 27, 1881

No. 71. Mr. Holcombe to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

Sir: Referring to Mr. Angell’s dispatch No. 212, of September 14, which gave the history of the negotiations between the diplomatic body and the foreign office upon the subject of “transit passes outward” for some months prior to June 20, I have now the honor to inclose several papers which have passed between the Chinese and Mr. von Brandt, and which serve to bring the discussion down to the present time.

These papers will serve to show you that no progress has been made in these negotiations since Mr. Angell wrote. It is unnecessary, therefore, for me to do more than to refer you to his dispatch, and to remark that my inclosures form a continuation of the discussion upon two points: 1st, whether foreigners have a right to engage in manufacturing enterprises at the ports; and 2d, as to the dues and duties properly leviable upon native produce bought or manufactured at the open ports and not exported.

I have, &c.,