C
# SPECIAL ARTICLE.
Whereas on the 20th day of January, 1896, the Tsung-li Yamen addressed an official despatch to Her Britannic Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Peking, informing him that on the 30th day of December, 1895, they had submitted a Memorial respecting the opening of ports on the West River to foreign trade, and had received an Imperial Decree in approval, of which they officially communicated a copy.
It has now been agreed that the following places, viz., Wuchow-fu, in Kwangsi, and Samshui City and Kong Kun Market, in Kwangtung, shall be opened as Treaty ports and Consular stations, with freedom of navigation for steamers between Samshui and Wuchow and Hong Kong and Canton, by a route from each of these latter places to be selected and notified in advance by the Imperial Maritime Customs, and that the following four places shall be established as ports of call for goods and passengers, under the same Regulations as the ports of call on the Yang-tzu River, namely, Kongmoon, Komchuk, Shinhing, and Takhing.
It is agreed that the present Agreement, together with the Special Article, shall come into force within four months of the date of signature, and that the ratifications thereof shall be exchanged at Peking as soon as possible; in witness whereof the Undersigned, duly authorized thereto by their respective Governments, have signed the present Agreement.
Done at Peking in triplicate, three copies in English, and three in Chinese—the 4th day of February, in the year of our Lord 1897.
CLAUDE M. MACDONALD,
(Chinese signature of his Excellency LL)
(Signed)
(Seal.)
(Seal.)
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WE, having seen and considered the Agreement aforesaid, have approved, accepted, and confirmed the same in all and every one of its Articles and Clauses, as We do by these Presents approve, accept, confirm, and ratify it for Ourselves, Our Heirs and Successors; engaging and promising upon Our Royal Word that We will sincerely and faithfully perform and observe all and singular the things which are contained and expressed in the Agreement aforesaid, and that We will never suffer the same to be violated by any one, or transgressed in any manner, as far as it lies in Our power. For the greater testimony and validity of all which, We have caused the Great Seal of Our United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to be affixed to these Presents, which We have signed with Our Royal Hand.
Given at our Court at Windsor Castle, the sixth day of March, in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven, and in the sixtieth year of Our Reign.
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