Tsung-li Yamên to M. Von Brandt, December 5, 1880
Tsung-li Yamên to Mr. von Brandt.
A few days ago the ministers of the Yamên received a note from his excellency Mr. von Brandt to the effect that he had been charged by his colleagues, the representatives of the treaty powers, to state that the provisional rules in three sections for the regulations of transit trade outwards must be accepted in their entirety. The note was accompanied by a document in a foreign language.
The ministers would observe that the Chinese text of Rule II of the regulations for trade, appended to the treaties, with reference to duty free goods, contains the word “foreign” only, while the text, which runs on consecutively without a break, does not specially indicate which are native goods and which are foreign. As, however, at the close of this same rule it is distinctly stated that all goods sent into the interior will, as in other cases, pay a duty of teals 2.5, it may be seen that it is foreign goods which are referred to.
A translation of the foreign document forwarded by Mr. von Brandt has now been made (and it is found) that here also only the word “foreign” is employed with reference to the articles enumerated in this document, the word Chinese not occurring at all. A Chinese translation of the document in question is forwarded for his excellency’s perusal.
The note under acknowledgment observes that the few articles of (native) produce that are duty free are unimportant (lit. fractional and miscellaneous). Since they are few and since they are unimportant, the duty upon them would not probably amount to much, and the Yamên have to request Mr. von Brandt to furnish them with a list of the names of these “few and unimportant articles of native produce.”
As regards the (sections relating to the) purchase of native produce by foreign merchants, one is to the effect that goods purchased in the interior under transit pass shall pay the export duty as well as the half duty. The other is to the effect that produce brought down by native merchants upon which inland dues and lekin have been paid, shall, when purchased by a foreigner at a treaty port, be liable only to the export duty and not to the half duty as well.
The arrangements proposed under the above two sections being already stipulated for in the treaties and trade regulations should be enunciated (afresh), but there can be no necessity for the introduction of other remarks, which would lead to considerable confusion. Again, if foreign merchants be permitted to manufacture native produce before submitting it to the inspection of the customs, many abuses will most certainly arise in consequence of the confusion caused by the substitution of one article for another.
The provision for inspection is intended only to guard against abuse.
If Monsieur von Brandt will agree to the adoption of an arrangement in the spirit of these two rules, as previously forwarded to him by the Yamên, the question of their being given effect to can be considered simultaneously with the rest.
Compliments, &c.