Directory_and_Chronicle_1864 — Page 354

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA. XXVII of the ports of China, commanders of said ships and the superior local authorities of government shall, if it be necessary, hold intercourse on terms of equality and cour- tesy, in token of the friendly relations of their respective nations; and the said ves- sels shall enjoy all suitable facilities on the part of the Chinese government in pro- curing provisions or other supplies, and making necessary repairs. And the United States of America agree that in case of the shipwreck of any American vessel, and its being pillaged by pirates, or in case any American vessel shall be pillaged or cap- tured by pirates on the seas adjacent to the coast, without being shipwrecked, the national vessels of the United States shall pursue the said pirates, and if captured deliver them over for trial and punishment.

Art. X.-The United States of America shall have the right to appoint consuls and other commercial agents for the protection of trade, to reside at such places in the dominions of China as shall be agreed to be opened; who shall hold official intercourse and correspondence with the local officers of the Chinese government (a consul, or a vice-consul in charge taking rank with an intendant of circuit or a pre- fect,) either personally or in writing, as occasion may require, on terms of equality and reciprocal respect. And the consuls and local officers shall employ the style of mutual communication. If the officers of either nation are disrespectfully treated or aggrieved in any way by the other authorities, they have the right to make represen- tation of the same to the superior officers of the respective governments, who shall see that full inquiry and strict justice shall be had in the premises. And the said consuls and agents shall carefully avoid all acts of offence to the officers and people of China. On the arrival of a consul duly accredited at any port in China, it shall be the duty of the minister of the United States to notify the same to the governor-general of the province where such port is, who shall forthwith recognize the said consul and grant him authority to act.

Art. XI.-All citizens of the United States of America in China, peaceably attending to their affairs, being placed on a common footing of amity and good will with subjects of China, shall receive and enjoy for themselves and everything apper- taining to them the protection of the local authorities of government, who shall defend them from all insult or injury of any soit. If their dwellings or property be threatened or attacked by mobs, incendiaries, or other violent or lawless persons, the local officers, on requisition of the consul, shall immediately dispatch a military force to disperse the rioters, apprehend the guilty individuals, and punish them with the upnost rigour of the law. Subjects of China guilty of any criminal act towards citi- zens of the United States shall be punished by the Chinese authorities according to the laws of China; and citizens of the United States, either on shore or in any mer- chant vessel, who may insult, trouble, or wound the persons or injure the property of Chinese, or commit any other improper act in China, shall be punished only by the consul or other public functionary thereto authorized, according to the laws of the United States. Arrests in order to trial may be made by either the Chinese or the United States authorities.

Art. XII.-Citizens of the United States, residing or sojourning at any of the ports open to foreign commerce, shall be permitted to rent houses and places of busi- ness, or hire sites on which they can themselves build houses or hospitals, churches and cemeteries. The partics interested can fix the rents by mutual and equitable agreement; the proprietors shall not demand an exorbitant price, nor shall the local authorities interfere, unless there be some objections offered on the part of the inha- bitants respecting the place. The legal fees to the officers for applying their seal shall be paid. The citizens of the United States shall not unreasonably insist on particular spots, but each party shall conduct with justice and moderation. Any desecration of the cemeteries by natives of China shall be severely punished according to law. At

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