AND
JEAN STEAM SHIP COMPANY LIMITED CHINA MUTUAL STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY LIMITED.
23
402
S.S. Astyanax Shanghai Jaury 25 1907 Port Date
Dear Mr. Guttenis,
I regretted to learn from you that you have had notice from the Government respecting your honour and straightforwardness in dealing with our Chinese Crews.
The counts on which you are charged appears to me to be unfair, for I can honestly say that you have always performed your business in a most satisfactory manner, and showed no partiality in any way, and I have never alleged, nor heard of, your being unjustly treated by you.
When paying my crew off in your presence, the money to pay them off with has been drawn from my Agents or brought on board by the Compadore, and you have counted it out in their presence and paid them off with it. I therefore fail to see how I am to be charged with paying spurious coin in lieu of good coin.
I am of the firm opinion that the ordinary shipmaster would not think of doing such a thing, and I have never had an instance where a man has brought and come to me, nor have I heard any intimation of their receiving any bad money, whether made or not.
I have always kept in touch with my crew, and know they would not hesitate to tell me if they received bad money.