The Foreign Office to the French Minister, January 11, 1879

The Foreign Office to the French Minister.

Sir: In the matter of the rules for the conservation of the harbor at Shanghai, and referring to your excellency’s two notes to us, and to our reply to the effect that we had requested the northern and southern superintendents of foreign trade to cause the subject to be taken into consideration, and that we would address you again when their reports should have been received, we have now the honor to inform your excellency that those reports are before us.

According to the statements of the intendant at Shanghai, the area defined within yellow lines upon a chart sent by the acting inspector-general of customs, and extending from the Little East Gate of the Chinese city of Shanghai, in a southerly direction, to the south tea and silk customs barrier, is called the suburbs of the city, which it is proposed to put within the jurisdiction of the harbor-master.

This area is to the south of the French concession, and the land along the river here is all owned by Chinese. The number of shops is immense, and the wharves and jetties are as thick as a forest. In the river, Chinese vessels from Ningpo, Tientsin, Foochow, and Canton, to the number of many thousands, are accustomed to lie at anchor. An immense number of small craft from the interior are also constantly coming and going. For hundreds of years jurisdiction over this area has been exercised by the magistrate of Shanghai, and no obstruction to the course of the river has resulted.

The masters of Chinese craft and other persons, having heard that it was proposed to put the area in question under the control of the harbor-master, have petitioned the magistrate in great numbers to prevent this action. It is to be feared that if their wish is disregarded they will rise en masse and cause serious disturbances.

The area to be hereafter under the jurisdiction of the harbor-master should be that embraced within the foreign concessions. There is no necessity for placing him also in control of parts outside of those limits. In regard to the river at Weisung, the signal master has hitherto had control for a distance of three miles, and this area might be put under the general supervision of the harbor-master. Modification of the rules in the sense indicated above is requested.

In regard to this subject we have the honor to observe that the rules in question were enacted by China herself, with a view to the protection of the harbor of Shanghai. If there are local obstacles to their exact application, then they ought certainly to be modified so as to be satisfactory. Having received the reports of the northern and southern superintendents of trade, we have the honor to communicate their substance to your excellency for your consideration, and to request that you will transmit it to the several foreign representatives in this city and instruct your consul in the premises.

Cards and compliments.