William H. Seward to Wm. M. Evarts, October 29, 1879

No. 129. Mr. Seward to Mr. Evarts.

Sir: I have the honor to hand to you herewith a copy of a letter which I am addressing to the consul-general at Shanghai, in regard to the harbor rules for that port, which were adopted in the early part of last year, and which have not been put into force in consequence of a misunderstanding between the local authorities and the consular body. I think that there is a prospect that the present dead-lock will be broken soon and the rules enforced.

I have, &c., &c., &c.,

memorandum for mr. holcombe regarding the shanghai harbor rules.

In speaking with the ministers of the foreign office on this subject, please say that their object in preparing the rules, no doubt, was to conserve the harbor, and that, in my opinion, they were well adapted to this purpose. Say further, that I regard control over the district occupied at Shanghai by junks, and over the banks of that part of the river which is opposite the native city and suburbs, quite as necessary as control over the foreign anchorage and the banks of the river opposite to the foreign settlement. The junk people are more given td throwing overboard their ballast than foreigners are, and stone jetties, timber yards, &c., are found only, as a rule, on the banks in the native quarter.

It is very desirable, therefore, that these rules shall not be abandoned, and that the native anchorage, &c., shall not be exempted from their operation.

Please say further that I regard the promulgation of the rules as an act which the government is competent to perform, and that it is competent for the government to declare how they shall be carried out; that is to say, to instruct the harbor master and the local authorities and to provide for co-operation between them. In this part of the business the foreign authorities have no concern. It will be difficult, however, to give perfect effect to the rules without the active support of the foreign authorities. The government may rely upon such support if the rules are fairly and efficiently administered over foreigners and Chinese alike.

Please add that I feel more at liberty to speak upon the subject because of my long residence at Shanghai and consequent acquaintance with the dangers which are threatening the existence of the port.