FORBES, Vice-Chairman to J. Stahel, March 30, 1878

Chamber of Commerce to Mr. Stahel.

Your letter of 21st February on the subject of the introduction of the trade-dollar was briefly acknowledged on the 23d of the same month, and the committee has since gathered information which shows that there is no present prospect of inducing the natives to accept the coin, or of influencing official action on the part of the Chinese authorities to facilitate its recognition as a legal tender.

The dollar has been imported in small quantities and has failed to make its way, having always been refused at its full value, while application to the Tao-t’ai for assistance in introducing it has led to no result beyond a declaration of the inability of the officials to move in the matter, as the currency of this port for trade purposes is sycee silver.

Those parcels of trade-dollars which have been received have, therefore, been re-shipped to the south, where the coin is easier of exchange.

I have, & c.,