John Russell Young to Sir Robert Wingate, February 14, 1885

Mr. Young to Mr. Wingate.

Sir: As a further reference to your dispatch, No. 115, I have the honor to note your comments in regard to the letter you inclose from a San Francisco firm, offering to sell the Chinese explosive materials. Your action seems to have been judicious. The proper custom in all such cases, the one which the legation follows, is to send the application to some mercantile firm and allow the business to take its course. If it should be in the power of a consul to advance an American interest by speaking to the Chinese authorities in commendation of the interest or in explanation of its merits, or giving an assurance of its integrity, there is no reason why this should not be done, taking due care to show that your action is official, not personal. At the present time, however, I should refrain from commending to the Chinese any manufacture, like powder or firearms or any other agency which could be used for a warlike purpose against France. Our relations with France are friendly, and I wish nothing done by any consular officer, even in an informal manner, that might be regarded as a violation of the strictest neutrality.

I am, &c.,