Feelinghuysen to Cheng Tsao Ju, March 19, 1884

No. 56. Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Cheng Tsao Ju.

Sir: Adverting to the Department’s note to you of the 11th instant, I have now the honor to transmit, for your information, the inclosed copy of a letter addressed by the Secretary of the Treasury to the collector of customs at San Francisco, relative to the circular of which you complained, and which the customs authorities at that port propose to issue to Chinese merchants who are about departing from the United States and intending to return hither. It will be observed that Mr. Folger has stated to the collector that the certificates issued by the Chinese consul-general at San Francisco to such subjects and other exempted classes under the treaty of November 17, 1880, are to be regarded as issued under the authority of the Chinese Government, as provided by the sixth section of the act of Congress approved May 6, 1882, and that such certificates are to be recognized as prima facie evidence of the holder’s right to return to the United States.

Accept, &c.,