Page 364
There are several issues with the given text due to OCR errors. The initial part appears to be garbled and doesn't form coherent sentences. However, towards the end, it transitions into a legible text discussing treaties and opium trade. Let's correct and format the text according to the given rules.
The initial garbled text is likely due to severe OCR errors and doesn't seem to be salvageable. Thus, we will focus on the latter part that is legible.
"Herchants, a fair and regular tariff of export and import customs and other dues, which tariff shall be publicly notified and promulgated for general information; and the Emperor further engages that, when British merchandise shall have once paid at any of the said ports the regulated customs and dues, agreeable to the tariff to be hereafter fixed, such merchandise may be conveyed by Chinese merchants to any province or city in the interior of the empire of China, on paying a further amount as transit duties, which shall not exceed ....... per cent on the tariff value of such goods".
of 1858:-
Article XIV of the French Treaty of Tientsin
*Aucune société de commerce privilégiée ne pourra "désormais s'établir en Chine, et il en sera de même de toute coalition organisée dans le but d'exercer un monopole sur le commerce. En cas de contravention au présent Article, les autorités chinoises, sur les représentations du consul ou de l'agent consulaire, aviseront aux moyens de dissoudre de semblables associations, dont elles s'efforceront d'ailleurs de prévenir l'existence par des prohibitions préalables, afin d'écarter tout ce qui pourrait porter atteinte à la libre concurrence*.
There can be no question but that in view of the above the action of the Nankin Viceroy is illegal and contrary to treaty.
The British firms in Shanghai in order to protect their interests have agreed not to sell opium to the Government monopolists and in this they have the support of the Chinese Opium Guild which is controlled by natives of Swatow.
The Monopolist therefore finding himself unable to procure opium with which to crush the business of the old established firms
Page 364
Here is the corrected version in HTML format as requested:"Merchants, a fair and regular tariff of export and import customs and other dues, which tariff shall be publicly notified and promulgated for general information; and the Emperor further engages that, when British merchandise shall have once paid at any of the said ports the regulated customs and dues, agreeable to the tariff to be hereafter fixed, such merchandise may be conveyed by Chinese merchants to any province or city in the interior of the empire of China, on paying a further amount as transit duties, which shall not exceed ... per cent on the tariff value of such goods".
of 1858:
Article XIV of the French Treaty of Tientsin
Aucune société de commerce privilégiée ne pourra désormais s'établir en Chine, et il en sera de même de toute coalition organisée dans le but d'exercer un monopole sur le commerce. En cas de contravention au présent Article, les autorités chinoises, sur les représentations du consul ou de l'agent consulaire, aviseront aux moyens de dissoudre de semblables associations, dont elles s'efforceront d'ailleurs de prévenir l'existence par des prohibitions préalables, afin d'écarter tout ce qui pourrait porter atteinte à la libre concurrence.
There can be no question but that in view of the above the action of the Nankin Viceroy is illegal and contrary to treaty.
The British firms in Shanghai in order to protect their interests have agreed not to sell opium to the Government monopolists and in this they have the support of the Chinese Opium Guild which is controlled by natives of Swatow.
The Monopolist therefore finding himself unable to procure opium with which to crush the business of the old established firms