11679/6
7
Printed for the use of the Foreign Office. September 27, 1876.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
Sir T. Wade to the Earl of Derby.-(Received September 26.)
(Telegraphic.)
Chefoo, September 12, 1876. REFERRING to your despatch No. 1 of the 1st of January, with regard to the outrage :-
1. Grand Secretary presents Memorial, dictated by me, explaining that I decline punishment of any of the persons sentenced, because in English law the evidence would not be sufficient for conviction; and that I prefer security for the future to retribution. In reply: Imperial Decree will be issued on relations, and Circular sent to Provincial Governments enjoining promulgation of Memorial and Decree.
2. For two years to come I send officers to see that Proclamation is posted in the interior; Chinese officer will accompany mine.
3. Decree will order Chinese officer in Yünnan to be ready to confer with British officer on frontier trade.
4. For five years to come, Her Majesty's Government may place officers in Yunnan to study the trade. Viceroy of India may also send Mission.
5. Sum of 200,000 taels will be paid to my order for families of victims, and to cover expenses, and to satisfy claims up to 1st of January.
With regard to official intercourse :—
1. The Yamên will write Circular inviting Legations to consider the code of etiquette to regulate relations in Peking or in provinces.
2. Article XVI of Treaty is explained, and Yamên will write Circular inviting consideration of code to regulate judicial proceedings.
3. Chinese Government admits that whenever violence against the person or property is done to a British subject in the interior, British Minister has the right to send officers to be present at investigation.
With regard to trade :-
1. I agreed to move Her Majesty's Government to limit exemption from abnormal taxation on imports to Port Settlements. I admit liability of opium to abnormal taxation, and move Her Majesty's Government to enable Chinese Government to bond opium and to collect tax upon it at the same time as Tariff duty.
2. Chinese Government agrees to [define?] area of ports, and to open Ichang, Wuhu, Wenchou, and Pakhoi to trade; also to let me place agents at Chungking for five years to protect trade, and to open that port whenever steamers can reach it; to let steamers touch at six places on the Great River; also to allow trade in native craft under transit with all places on coasts and rivers; also to make transit-passes uniform, and transit-privilege independent of nationality.
3. I agree to make rule to protect Chinese Government against transfer of transit-pass covering exports.
4. I agree to limit drawbacks to three years.
5. Hong Kong blockade question to be referred to Consul, a Colonial officer, and Chinese officer of equal rank.
6. Passports will be given for journey from Peking to Thibet; or if Government of India prefer to send Mission from India to Thibet, Chinese Government will give passport and will write to Chinese Minister in Thibet to help.
[691]
257
11679/6
7
Printed for the use of the Foreign Office. September 27, 1876.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
Sir T. Wade to the Earl of Derby.-(Received September 26.)
(Telegraphic.)
Chefoo, September 12, 1876. REFERRING to your despatch No. 1 of the 1st of January, with regard to the outrage :-
1. Grand Secretary presents Memorial, dictated by me, explaining that I decline punishment of any of the persons sentenced, because in English law the evidence would not be sufficient for conviction; and that I prefer security for the future to retribution. In reply: Imperial Decree will be issued on relations, and Circular sent to Provincial Governments enjoining promul- gation of Memorial and Decree.
2. For two years to come I send officers to see that Proclamation is posted in the interior; Chinese officer will accompany mine.
3. Decree will order Chinese officer in Yünnan to be ready to confer with British officer on frontier trade.
4. For five years to come, Her Majesty's Government may place officers in Yunnan to study the trade. Viceroy of India may also send Mission.
5. Sum of 200,000 taels will be paid to my order for families of victims, and to cover expenses, and to satisfy claims up to 1st of January.
With regard to official intercourse :—
1. The Yamên will write Circular inviting Legations to consider the code
of etiquette to regulate relations in Peking or in provinces.
2. Article XVI of Treaty is explained, and Yamên will write Circular
inviting consideration of code to regulate judicial proceedings.
3. Chinese Government admits that whenever violence against the person or property is done to a British subject in the interior, British Minister has the right to send officers to be present at investigation.
With regard to trade :-
1. I agreed to move Her Majesty's Government to limit exemption from abnormal taxation on imports to Port Settlements. I admit liability of opium to abnormal taxation, and move Her Majesty's Government to enable Chinese Government to bond opium and to collect tax upon it at the same time as Tariff duty.
2. Chinese Government agrees to [define ?] area of ports, and to open Ichang, Wuhu, Wenchou, and Pakhoi to trade; also to let me place agents at Chungking for five years to protect trade, and to open that port whenever steamers can reach it; to let steamers touch at six places on the Great River; also to allow trade in native craft under transit with all places on coasts and rivers; also to make transit-passes uniform, and transit-privilege independent of nationality.
3. I agree to make rule to protect Chinese Government against transfer of transit-pass covering exports.
4. I agree to limit drawbacks to three years.
5. Hong Kong blockade question to be referred to Consul, a Colonial officer, and Chinese officer of equal rank.
6. Passports will be given for journey from Peking to Thibet; or if Government of India prefer to send Mission from India to Thibet, Chinese Government will give passport and will write to Chinese Minister in Thibet to help.
[691]
257
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