212
THE CHEFOO CONVENTION.
amount of lekin to be collectel will be decided by the different Provincial Govern- ments according to the circumstances of each.
4-The Chinese Government agrees that Transit Duty Certificates shall be framed under one rule at all ports, no difference being male in the conditions set forth ther in; and, that so far as imports are concerned, the nationality of the person possessing and carrying there is immaterial. Native produce carried from an İuland Centr to a Port of Shipment, if bonâ fide intended for shipment to a foreign port, may be, by treaty, certificated by the British subject interested, and ex mpted by payment of the half duty from all charges d· manded upon it en route. If produce be not the property of a British subject, or is being carrie to a port not for exportation, it is not entilel te he exemption that would be secured it by the exhibition of a Transit Duty Certificate. The British Minister is prepard to agree with the Tsung-li Yamên upon rules that will secure the Chinese Governinent against abuse of the privil ge as affecting produce.
The words nei-ti, inlaud, in the clause of Article VII. of the Rules appended to the Tariff, regarding carriage of imports inland, and of native produce purchased inland, apply as much to places on the sea coasts and river shores, as to places in the interior not open to foreign trade; the Chinese Government having the right to make arrangements for the prevention of abuses thereat.
5.--Article XLV. of the Treaty of 1858 prescribes no limit to the term within which a drawback may be claimed upon duty paid Imports. The British Minister agrees to a term of three years, after expiry of which no drawback shall be claim ›d.
6. The foregoing stipulations, that certain ports are to be opened to foreign trade, and that landing and shipping of goods at six places on the Great River is to be sanctioned, shall be given effect to within six mon h after receipt of the Imperial Decree approvi. g the memorial of the Grand Secre ary Li. The date for giving effect to the stipulations aff. cting exemption of mports from lekin taxation within the foreign settlemer.ts, and the collection of lekin upon o ium by the Customs Inspec- torate at the same time as the Tariff Duty upon it, will be fixed as soon as the British Government has arrived at an understanding on the subject with other foreign Governments.
7.-The Government of Hongkong having long complained of the interference of the Cauton Customs Revenue Cruisers with the junk trade of the Colony, the Chinese Government agrees to the appointment of a Commission to consist of a British Consul, an officer of the Hongkong Government, and a Chinese official of equal rank, in order to the establishment of some system that shall enable the Chinese Government to protect its revenue without prejudice to the interests of the Colony.
Separate Article.
Her Majesty's Government having it in contemplation to send a Mission of Exploration next year by way of Peking through Kan Su and Koko-Nor, or by way of Ssu-Cầu’en, to Thinet, and thence to India, the Tsung-li Yamên, having due regard to the circumstances, will, when the time arrives, issue the necessary passports, and will address letters to the high pr. vincial authorities and to the Resident in Tiibet. If the Mission should not be sent by these routes, but should be proceeding across the Indian frontier to Thibet, the Tsung-li Yamên, on receipt of a communication to the above effect from the British Minister, will write to the Chin se Resident in Thibet. and the Resident, with due regard to the circumstances, will send officers to take due care of the Mission; and passports for the Mission will be issued by the Tsung-li Yanên that its passage b. not ol structed.
D. ne at Chefoo, in the province of San Tuug, tuis Thirteenth Day of Septembr, in the year of Our Loid On Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy-six.
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[L.8.] [L.9.]
THOMAS FRANCIS WADE,
CHINESE PLENIPOTENTIARY.