Minute of conversation between the ministers of the foreign office and Mr. Holcombe., December 7, 1879

Minute of conversation between the ministers of the foreign office and Mr. Holcombe.

Present, Their Excellencies Shen, Lin, Hsia, and four secretaries.

Mr. Holcombe opened the business by stating that he had been sent by Mr. Seward, at the request of the diplomatic body, to inquire of the ministers of the foreign office whether they had anything to say in reference to the enforcement of the rules for the conservation of the harbor at Shanghai; and, if so, to hear whatever they might see fit to communicate.

His Excellency Shen responded that the Yamên had just received from the southern superintendent of trade a set of sixteen regulations for the control of the Whangpoo River above the foreign concessions, which the Yamên would be glad to have Mr. Holcombe take and submit to the diplomatic body. After the foreign representatives had considered them, the Yamên, while they approved the rules, would still be glad to discuss any points in them which the diplomatic body might raise. He added that it was the intent of the rules that the harbor-master should act conjointly with and through the harbor-deputy in the control of the Upper Whangpoo.