James Burrill Angell to Walker Blaine, August 28, 1881

No. 175. Mr. Angell to Mr. Blaine.

Sir: In my No. 143 I explained why I thought the Chinese Government had a right to enforce a rule, long suspended, requiring junks chartered by foreigners on the Yang-tse River to pay port dues at the native customs.

However, in interviews with the ministers of the foreign office, I suggested the inquiry whether the strict enforcement of the rule might not, by diverting freights to the steamers, work some injury to the local customs and to the boat owners, and asked them to consider whether they could not devise some plan by which the frauds complained of could be prevented and still an opportunity could be afforded for the chartering of junks by foreigners.

Thereupon they consulted the northern and southern superintendents of trade, who have made a report. This report is embodied in a communication which I have received from Prince Kung. It appears that the enforcement of the rule is not complained of by merchants and is increasing the revenue. It is therefore decided to keep it in force.

As further information confirms me in the belief that the chartering of junks by foreigners was largely a dishonest business, intended to defraud the native customs, I am not disposed to complain of the action of the Chinese Government.

I have, &c.,