[Translation.], January 28, 1871.

[Translation.]

M. le Ministre: You have expressed a desire to know the demands which I have engaged my government to make from the Chinese government when the treaty of 1858 is revised. I have no objection to satisfy you, for I believe that the alterations are indispensable, and I shall be happy to learn that the other governments allied with China have decided also to demand them.

I place the solution of the question of the audience with the Emperor first, and the arranging a treaty of etiquette regulating the details of our official life in a manner honorable to our governments and to ourselves.

Second. I demand that we shall have the right to place salaried consuls wherever we judge proper, and that those cities where consuls reside shall also be opened to foreign trade.

Third. I demand the right to navigate with steamers all water-courses which will float a vessel drawing at least ten feet.

Fourth. I demand that a mixed code shall be adopted, by which commercial and civil cases, and even criminal, too, which may arise between the French and Chinese, shall be judged.

Fifth. Lastly, I demand that some change shall be made in the application of the tonnage dues. It would be well if the management of these revenues were intrusted to a mixed commission, as is the case almost everywhere else in the East.

In some things, relating to France alone, I ask that a clearer interpretation shall be adopted of three or four articles in our treaty, in the meaning of which there is some confusion. The motives which have led me to these conclusions are rather too long to be explained now, and, moreover, are all contained in a report which I addressed to my government on the 1st of July, a knowledge of which I am quite sure it would give most willingly. I may add, however, that if I have said nothing about the tariff, it is because I think it is now very liberal, and that it would be impossible, without injustice, to force the Chinese to reduce it more, and that to raise this question is to run a risk of exposing one’s self to counter demands as equivalents.

Receive, sir, the expression of my devoted regards, and high consideration.