Mcculloch, Secretary to chinese persons coming to the united states, December 6, 1884

circular relating to chinese persons coming to the united states.

To Officers of the Customs and others:

To promote uniformity in the admission of Chinese persons of the exempt class, under the act of July 5, 1884, the following rules are prescribed:

• Chinese persons, other than laborers, who are now, or who may hereafter be, lawfully within the United States, and who may desire to depart from and return to the United States, may do so on production of a certificate corresponding to that required by section 6, of the act of July 5, 1884, to be issued by a Chinese consular officer stationed within the United States.
• Certificates issued under the act of May 6, 1882, and decision 6240, before the passage of said act of 1884, are to be regarded as having the same effect as if said act of 1884 had not been passed.
• Chinese subjects, not laborers, desiring to come to the United States from countries other than China, may do so on production of a certificate corresponding to that required by section 6 of the act of July 5, 1884, to be issued by a Chinese diplomatic or consular officer, if there be one at the port of departure, countersigned by a United States consular officer, or, if there be no such Chinese officer stationed at such port, on a like certificate to be issued by a United States consular officer.
• The regulations contained in decision 5544, and dated January 23, 1885, relative to the transit of Chinese laborers through the territory of the United States, will be applied to all Chinese persons intending to so go in transit through the United States.
• Chinese persons who may be compelled to touch at ports of the United States in transit to foreign countries, may be permitted to land under the regulations of January 23, 1883 (S. 5544), so far as the same may be applicable, such persons to take passage by the next vessel leaving for their destination or the voyage of which may form part of the route necessary to carry them to their destination.