not affect foreign trade, that they have written for information, & will reply to Mr. Wade as soon as an answer is needed. May 10, 1871.
Mr. Brown visits the Yamen by direction #. 2. Wensiang, an official of Mr. Wade; impresses other Ministers of the Yamen, that Mr. Wade is apprehensive that the new Executive will be getting foul of the British Govt. The Minister Wensiang repeats what was said in their former letter, & adds that they have no knowledge of any Regulations, but that he had foreseen the contingency apprehended by Mr. Wade, that the Gov. Gen'l's proceeding was her t'u (stupid), & that orders have been sent him to stop proceedings. On the 8th of June, the Minister Wensiang expressed himself in similar language in an interview with Mr. Wade.
May 29, 1871. Mr. Wade again writes officially to the Prince of Kung, repeating his former request, & forwarding Copies of Correspondence that had passed between Mr. Robertson of the Legation & others.
June 17, 1871. Mr. Wade receives a letter, a private (dated June 2, 1871) from Mr. Hughes, Acting Consul at Canton, which states that he had been told by the Gov. Gen. that letters have been received by the Canton Govt. from the Leung-li Yamen, which point out that the proposed Regulations only concern trade in native vessels, & that he (the Gov. Gen.) is about to put them in force at once.
June 28, 1871. The Minister Wensiang calls on Mr. Wade, & this question forms part of the subject of conversation. On being reminded of what he said on the previous interviews with Mr. Wade & Mr. Brown, the Minister Wensiang expresses a fear that he could not have explained himself clearly.