b's
en joined the Consul at Shanghai to be guided by the principles
therein laid down. He also referred to them with approval on
several occasions in despatches to Lord Russell in connection
with cases at issue between the Chinese Customs and various
British merchants.
The Joint Investigation Rules to which you refer were,
as you are probably aware, drawn up first by Sir Robert Hart
in 1864 and revised and enlarged in 1868. They have never
formed part of any formal treaty or agreement with a foreign
Power, although in their revised form they receive the approval
of the British and the United States Ministers. In August
this year, however, the Kuan-wu Shu, in reply to an enquiry
from the American Legation, issued to the Customs the ruling
that the Joint Investigation Rules are no longer in force.
The matter would therefore appear to be a diplomatic issue
between the Chinese Government and the other Governments
concerned.
In conclusion, I assure you that it is my desire and
purpose that Commissioners in their dealings with foreign
officials of all nationalities should invariably be courteous
and helpful, that they are to refrain from initiating ill-
feeling, to avoid taking offence, to eschew needless argument
merely for the sake of scoring a point, and in general to act
in such a manner that our existence may be regarded as
beneficial.
With kind regards,
Yours sincerely,
(Sgd) F.. MAZE.