COPY.
Viceroy Chang to Mr. Mansfield.
No. 25130
Dated April 1st, 1908.
SIR,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 10th instant, informing me that a despatch had been received from the Governor of Hongkong on the subject of the excessive minting of Mexican dollars by the Canton Mint, in which Your Excellency requested me, in the interests of commerce and coinage at Hongkong and Canton, to give orders for the reduction of the output of these mints.
The excessive number of small coins on the market and the disrepute in which they stand as compared with Sycee and Provincial Currency, such as that of Kwangtung Province, have been engaging my attention, and I have instructed the Mint to abstain from coining whole dollars in order to mitigate the situation. Further steps have already been taken to restrict the output of the half-dollar, and if this is accomplished it is anticipated that the position will be much improved.
I am in full accord with Your Excellency's views on this matter, which is one of vital interest to both Governments, and I shall not fail to use my best efforts in the direction of reform.
I avail, &c.,
VI-CROY CHANG, &c., &c., &c.
Page 70
Copy in China Association, 1915/410)