Wells Williams to His Imperial Highness Prince Kung , Chief, June 12, 1868

Mr. Williams to Prince Kung

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge your Imperial Highness’s dispatch of the 29th ultimo, containing the eight rules for the joint investigation of cases of confiscation and fines, of which four are identical with the old ones, three are nearly the same as those proposed last February, and a new one, the eighth, has been added. A few sentences in the sixth have also been altered, at the suggestion of the British minister, and a copy of the whole is now sent for my inspection. I have accordingly examined them with the greatest carefulness, and deem them to be well calculated to promote the object in view. I also agree to the eighth rule, wherein it is provided that the custom-house authorities shall have the power, if they please to do so, of purchasing the goods or vessel at the price stated by the merchant himself before the case has been decided, and foreclosing his right to redeem them afterwards.

I have given directions to the consuls at the ports to give these rules a trial, and I entertain the strongest hopes that all cases of fine or confiscation arising hereafter between the custom-house authorities and the American merchants will be settled in an equitable manner. The general effect of these rules will certainly be to smooth the way in conducting such cases, and to indirectly strengthen the amicable relations existing between our respective countries.

I have the honor to be, sir, your Imperial Highness’s obedient servant,