Pukdon, to George F. Seward , United States Envoy Extraordinary and, May 22, 1877

Sir: You are aware that for many years it has been difficult, and at times practically impossible, to secure officers of our own nationality for American vessels trading in these waters. That this should have been the case is not surprising, when it is considered how great have been the navigation interests covered by our flag in this remote part of the world the entrances and clearances of American tonnage at Shanghai alone having, we believe, for a long time exceeded those at any other foreign port. Most of these vessels have been employed exclusively on the river and coast waters of China, without ever visiting a home port, and their owners have therefore been compelled to fill vacancies on board as best they could, from the small and irregular supply of unemployed seamen on the spot.

It gives us pleasure to recall that, during the fourteen years of -your incumbency as consul-general here, your earnest desire to promote American interests led you to do what you could to mitigate difficulties, the reality of which your constant knowledge of the facts enabled you to appreciate. You allowed our vessels to go to sea with foreign officers; when a refusal to do so would have compelled us to tie them up at the wharves or to transfer them to foreign flags, and, we are glad to understand that our government, while advised of your action, never saw fit to overrule it.

We cannot say what will be the course of our shipping interests in the future; but, at the present moment, the difficulty to which we refer continues in spite of the recent transfer of the fleet of an American company to Chinese owners, and we see no reason to expect that the supply of American officers will not remain as insufficient as it has been heretofore.

Looking at this state of things, it seems very desirable that the facts be properly represented to the government at Washington, with a view to secure appropriate legislation. We feel that we can safely trust to your excellency’s long official experience for the best suggestion of a remedy, but we may say that an amendment of existing laws, which would allow vessels in foreign ports to ship foreign officers where those of our own nationality cannot be had, would meet our views and give us more freedom and certainty in the conduct of our shipping enterprises.

With this expression of opinion we beg to leave the matter in your hands for consideration, and we should be glad if you would forward this letter to the government, with such approval or further comment as you may deem proper.

We have the honor to remain, sir, your friends and fellow-citizens,