James Burrill Angell to Assented to. O. N. DENNY, August 30, 1881
No. 177. Mr. Angell to Mr. Blaine.
No. 206.]
Sir: Some months ago my attention was called to the fact that there was at times a serious obstruction to judicial proceedings in our consular courts in China from a lack of suitable regulations for the service of summons on absent defendants. In some cases defendants have concealed themselves in remote towns in the empire. In many cases they had left the country.
After due consideration of the subject, I decided to issue a decree to remedy the defect in our regulations. Knowing how easy it is to do injustice to absent defendants by inadequate provisions for summoning them, I aimed to take every precaution to secure to them their rights. I trust it will be found that my effort was successful.
The decree has been assented to by all our consular officers, and some of them have written in emphatic terms of the benefits it will secure.
In accordance with section 6 of the act of Congress approved June 22, 1860, I inclose to you a printed copy of the decree, with the opinions of the consular officers, that it may “be laid before Congress for revision.”
I have, &c.,