CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
[February 6.] 34
C. O. SECTION 1,
6432
0
4 MAR CO,
(No. 31.) Sir,
The Marquess of Lansdowne to Mr. Townley.
Foreign Office, February 6, 1903.
I TRANSMIT to you a copy of a letter from Sir J. Mackay, late His Majesty's Special Commissioner in China, containing his concluding observations on the Mission intrusted to him for the revision of the Treaty of Commerce, signed at Tien-tsin on the 26th June, 1858, and for the adoption of a Customs Tariff framed in accordance with Articles 6 and 11 of the Final Protocol of Peking of the 5th September, 1901.
I have had much pleasure in noting Sir J. Mackay's acknowledgments of the assistance, information, and advice which he received from Sir Ernest Satow during the course of the negotiations.
Sir J. Mackay also acknowledges his indebtedness to Mr. J. W. Jamieson, Commercial Attaché to His Majesty's Legation, and states that his thanks are due to Sir P. Warren, His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghae, to Mr. Fraser, His Majesty's Consul-General at Hankow, to Mr. J. Scott, His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton, to Mr. Sundius, His Majesty's Consul at Nanking, and to Mr. Wilkinson, Acting British Consul at Nanking.
I request that you will inform these gentlemen that my attention has been called by Sir J. Mackay to their services, and that you will convey to them the expression of my approval.
Sir J. Mackay has further brought to my notice the valuable assistance which he received from Mr. Bland, "Times" correspondent at Shanghae, and from Mr. G. Jamieson and Mr. A. F. Currie of the Peking Syndicate.
You should convey to these gentlemen my warm appreciation of their friendly co-operation and my thanks for their services.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
LANSDOWNE.
No. 2.
Sir,
The Marquess of Lansdowne to Sir J. Mackay.
Foreign Office, February 6, 1903.
I HAVE received your communication of the 16th ultimo, containing a final Report on the negotiations intrusted to you as His Majesty's Special Commissioner, for the revision of the Treaty of Commerce, signed at Tien-tsin on the 26th June, 1858, and for the adoption of a Customs Tariff, framed in accordance with Articles 6 and 11 of the Final Protocol of Peking of the 5th September, 1901.
I have to convey to you the thanks of His Majesty's Government for your conduct of the difficult and protracted negotiations which have resulted in the conclusion of a Treaty favourable to British interests, as well as advantageous to China.
His Majesty's Government fully realize the numerous obstacles against which you had to contend in reconciling conflicting interests before any Agreement could be arrived at, and they highly appreciate the ability, tact, and perseverance shown by you throughout the discussions.
I have had pleasure in communicating your Report to Mr. H. Cockburn, C.B., and Mr. C. J. Dudgeon, with an expression of my appreciation of the assistance which they rendered to you.
Copies of my letters to Mr. Cockburn and Mr. Dudgeon are inclosed for your information.
I request that you will convey to Mr. C. Somers Cocks, and to Mr. W. H. Clark, my entire approval of the manner in which they have performed their duties as Secretaries to the Commission.
[1810-1]