FORBES, Vice-Chairman to Mr. De Espana, Doyen, August 3, 1878

Mr. Forbes to Mr. De Espana, Doyen.

Sir: I have the honor to hand you herewith a copy of a communication from Messrs. Butterfield and Swire, dated the 1st instant, respecting an order which they have received to remove their Chinkiang hulk from the position which it has occupied since 1874.

The chamber is hot in possession of the facts further than they are given in this communication, but the case seems to be in brief as follows:

• That Messrs. Butterfield & Swire are now ordered in an arbitrary way by the Chinkiang harbor-master to remove their hulk from the position where some years ago they were compelled to place it by direction of the commissioner of customs, and where, according to good English professional opinions, it can do no harm to the river bank or otherwise.
• That the order is now given by the customs officials without cause assigned, and, as Messrs. Butterfield & Swire believe, in opposition to the wishes of the Chinese authorities.

Without expressing any opinion on the merits of this peculiar case, the chamber is impressed with the importance of the principle involved to the general interests of foreign trade in China. While it is not only right but necessary that the Chinese government should take active measures for the conservation or improvement of their waterways and harbors, it is manifestly expedient that the foreign authorities should be allowed some voice, where the acquired rights or privileges of their nationals are in question.

Such concurrent action of the foreign officials has been provided in the new rules for the conservation of the Shanghai harbor, and it seems strange that the same principle should apparently have been lost sight of at Chinkiang.

The chamber would be wanting in its duty if it failed to bring to the notice of the proper authorities this introduction of a dangerous precedent, which if now allowed to pass unchallenged, might be hereafter employed to the grave detriment of shipping interests at this port.

I have therefore to ask the favor of your excellency’s consideration for the subject, and to express the hope that you and your colleagues may see fit to make some representations to the high Chinese authorities.

I have, &c.,