DE LANO, United States Consul to Benj. P. Avery , United States, March 10, 1875

Mr. De Lano to Mr. Avery.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch of date 30th January, informing me of the measures taken at the capital to secure government protection to the Great Northern Telegraph Company’s cable along the coast of China, and requesting me to advise you of the action of the officials of this province in the premises in consequence of instructions addressed to them by the Tsungli Yamen.

I was at a loss to determine how I could best ascertain whether the high officials had received such instructions or not, because it seemed that the unsatisfactory state of affairs existing in regard to the projected land-line between this and Amoy would induce them to keep any knowledge they might have of any friendly action of the central government toward the Great Northern Telegraph Company a profound secret. However, as I was in almost daily communication with the viceroy on the subject of the Foo-chow-Amoy line, I felt warranted in addressing a note to him, asking him directly to inform me if he had received instructions from the Yamen to give protection to telegraph-lines.

This I did on the third instant, and received his reply on the 5th, stating that he had been instructed by the Tsung li Yamen to give such protection as might be found practicable to the sea-cable, and had referred the matter to the Committee of Foreign Trade. I inclose his reply herewith, in Chinese, not having time to give you a translation.

As the matter is now in the hands of the committee, I can very properly pursue it closely, and shall advise you at the earliest possible moment of their action.

I have reason to believe that this action of the central government will greatly strengthen the company’s position in regard to the contemplated land-lines in this province.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,