Intendant Lin to the Danish Consul, January 1, 1878

Intendant Lin to the Danish Consul.

Lin, superintendent of the Kianghan customs and intendant of Soo-Lung circuit, &c., makes this pressing communication in accordance with orders received.

His excellency, Shen, the superintendent of trade for the southern ports, has sent me an order to the following effect: “The Great Northern Telegraph Company having (without permission) put up telegraph posts on the land from Woosung right up to Shanghai, orders were sent in August and September, 1874, to the Tao-t’ai to press the consul to prohibit it. A communication has subsequently been received from the board of foreign affairs, and the Tao-t’ai was again ordered to act accordingly.

“Several years have now elapsed, and the Danish consul has not yet removed the telegraph posts, which is unreasonable delay.

“The Tao-t’ai is ordered accordingly to press the Danish consul to pull up and remove the telegraph posts quickly, and report in reply.”

On receipt of the preceding it behooves me to make this communication to the honorable consul, and request that you would, in accordance therewith, order the telegraph company to pull up and remove the telegraph posts with haste, and still await your reply, so that I may report on the matter.

True translation.