No. 1.
9053 REC 165
REGP 26 MAY 86.
Mr. O'Conor to the Earl of Rosebery.-(Received May 3.)
(No. 70.) My Lord,
Peking, February 28, 1886. WITH reference to my despatch No. 44, Confidential, of the 11th instant, reporting the ratification, by Imperial Decree, of the Chefoo Convention and the Additional Article with respect to opium, also the intention of the Chinese Government shortly to appoint a Chinese officer to the Commission which they wished to meet at Hong Kong for the consideration of the details to be arranged with a view to giving effect to the Opium Article, I have now the honour to inclose (in translation) copy of a note from the Prince and Ministers of the Tsung-li Yamên, announcing the appointment of the Taotai at Shanghae as the Special Commissioner of the Chinese Government, and requesting that the British Member of the Commission may now be nominated.
I have not returned any answer as yet to the Yamên's note, as I am expecting instructions from your Lordship in reply to my telegram No. 9 of the 11th instant.
I have, &c. (Signed)
N. R. O'CONOR.
(Translation.)
Inclosure in No. 1.
The Tsung-li Yamên to Mr. O'Conor,
Peking, February 15, 1886. THE Prince and Ministers of the Tsung-li Yamên have the honour to inform Her Britannic Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires that the Convention containing the new Rules regarding opium agreed upon last year between the Marquis Tsêng and Her Majesty's Government having, after signature, been submitted to His Majesty, an Imperial Decree has now been received sanctioning this instrument.
Now, it is stated in Article IX of the new Convention, that "it is understood that the Commission provided for in clause 7 of section 3 of the Chefoo Agreement to inquire into the question of the prevention of smuggling into China from Hong Kong shall be appointed as soon as possible," and on the 13th February, 1886, the Yamên accordingly memorialized the Throne requesting His Majesty to appoint an officer to proceed to Hong Kong to consider the necessary arrangements for putting the Opium [Convention] into effect.
On the same day that this Memorial was presented they were honoured by the receipt of an Imperial Decree in the following words :-
"Let Shao Yu-lien be appointed to proceed to Hong Kong, and jointly consider the inauguration of arrangements."
The Yamên have to observe that Shao Yu-lien, Taotai of the Su, Sung, Tai Circuit, who holds a brevet rank of the second grade, is familiar with customs matters, and will undoubtedly be able to consider in an amicable spirit the arrangements to be adopted. It is now hoped that Her Britannic Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires will, in accordance with the stipulations of the Agreement, make selection of a Consul and send him to Hong Kong, in order that he may consider and draw up Regulations in concert with the Taotai Shao.
A necessary communication, &c.
(257)
No. 1.
9053 REC 165
REGP 26 MAY 86.
Mr. O'Conor to the Earl of Rosebery.-(Received May 3.)
(No. 70.) My Lord,
Peking, February 28, 1886. WITH reference to my despatch No. 44, Confidential, of the 11th instant, reporting the ratification, by Imperial Decree, of the Chefoo Convention and the Additional Article with respect to opium, also the intention of the Chinese Government shortly to appoint a Chinese officer to the Commission which they wished to meet at Hong Kong for the consideration of the details to be arranged with a view to giving effect to the Opium Article, I have now the honour to inclose (in translation) copy of a note from the Prince and Ministers of the Tsung-li Yamên, announcing the appointment of the Taotai at Shanghae as the Special Commissioner of the Chinese Government, and requesting that the British Member of the Commission may now be nominated.
I have not returned any answer as yet to the Yamên's note, as I am expecting instructions from your Lordship in reply to my telegram No. 9 of the 11th instant.
I have, &c. (Signed)
(Translation.)
Inclosure in No. 1.
The Tsung-li Yamén to Mr. O'Conor,
N. R. O'CONOR.
Peking, February 15, 1886. THE Prince and Ministers of the Tsung-li Yamên have the honour to inform Her Britannic Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires that the Convention containing the new Rules regarding opium agreed upon last year between the Marquis Tsêng and Her Majesty's Government having, after signature, been submitted to His Majesty, an Imperial Decree has now been received sanctioning this instrument.
Now, it is stated in Article IX of the new Convention, that "it is understood that the Commission provided for in clause 7 of section 3 of the Chefoo Agreement to inquire into the question of the prevention of smuggling into China from Hong Kong shall be appointed as soon as possible," and ou the 13th February, 1886, the Yamên accordingly memorialized the Throne requesting His Majesty to appoint an officer to proceed to Hong Kong to consider the necessary arrangements for putting the Opium [Convention] into effect.
On the same day that this Memorial was presented they were honoured by the receipt of an Imperial Decree in the following words :-
"Let Shao Yu-lien be appointed to proceed to Hong Kong, and jointly consider the inauguration of arrangements."
The Yamên have to observe that Shao Yu-lien, Taotai of the Su, Sung, Tai Circuit, who holds a brevet rank of the second grade, is familiar with customs matters, and will undoubtedly be able to consider in an amicable spirit the arrangements to be adopted. It is now hoped that Her Britannic Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires will, in accordance with the stipulations of the Agreement, make selection of a Consul and send him to Hong Kong, in order that he may consider and draw up Regulations in concert with the Taotai Shao.
A necessary communication, &c.
(257)
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