Scruggs to Angell, November 2, 1880

Mr. Scruggs to Mr. Angell.

Sir: I have had the honor to receive your dispatch No. 5, dated the 11th ultimo, relative to tonnage and other duties, levied and collected by the Chinese authorities at this port.

There are no direct imports or exports to or from this port and foreign ports. All imports of foreign goods, or exports of native product, are made through Shanghai and the southern Chinese coast ports. Consequently, there are no sea-going vessels plying between this and foreign ports, except an occasional English or French steamer from Hong-Kong.

The carrying trade of the Yangtsze ports is done by English and Chinese steamers, (the last named being also foreign built) plying regularly between Shanghai and Hankow, also by native build, but foreign owned, sailing vessels known as lorchas, usually not exceeding 150 tons burden. There is also a considerable portion of this trade done by Chinese junks, frequently charted by foreigners, though never carrying foreign flags.

Many of the lorchas fly the United States flag. They are commanded by citizens of the United States; though the crew in every instance, are Chinese subjects. And they are provided with consular certificates of ownership by resident United States citizens in China. It is observable however, that many of them are mortgaged to the full extent of their value to some Chinese subject.

Admitting nevertheless, that in every case the alleged ownership is genuine, this class of vessels can hardly be called “American,” in the sense contemplated by our statutes; they could not obtain a register or license under our laws; and should they visit any of the United States ports would have to be classed as foreign vessels. Consequently, whilst they are entitled to protection as property owned by United States citizens in China, they cannot, I apprehend, lay claim to many of the privileges and immunities pertaining to bona fide American vessels.

So much by way of preliminary. Recurring more directly to your inquiries, I am assured by the customs authorities here, that “tonnage dues are levied at a uniform rate as laid down by treaty on all foreign vessels, and on Chinese vessels of foreign build.” Also “that custom duties on re-imports and re-exports, &c., are uniform, and with out discrimination against foreign traders or powers.”

This is an ex-parte statement of course. It is just a little evasive also. But I have no means of probing the matter further, as I am instructed by the State Department to proceed at once to Canton, and am expecting to leave by to-morrow’s steamer. I apprehend however, that the statement may be correct so far as it goes.

There have been no complaints of discriminations, and, it is noticeable that the number and business of the so-called American lorchas are on the increase here as at other ports.

I am, &c.,