Directory_and_Chronicle_1871 — Page 491

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TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA.

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Consul permits a ship to leave the port before the duties and tonnage dues are paid, be shall be held responsible therefor.

Art. XXIII.—When goods on board any merchant vessel of the United States in port require to be transhipped to another vessel, application shall be made to the Consul, who shall certify what is the occasion therefor to the Superintendent of Customs, who may appoint officers to examine into the facts and permit the transhipment. And if any goods be transhipped without written permits, they shall be subject to be forfeited to the Chinese government.

Art. XXIV.—Where there are debts due by subjects of China to citizens of the United States, the latter may seek redress in law; and on suitable representation being made to the local authorities, through the Consul, they will cause due examination in the premises, and take proper steps to compel satisfaction. And if citizens of the United States be indebted to subjects of China, the latter may seek redress by repre- sentation through the Consul, or by suit in the Consular Court; but neither govern- ment will hold itself responsible for such debts.

Art. XXV.-It shall be lawful for the officers or citizens of the United States to employ scholars and people of any part of China, without distinction of persons, to teach any of the languages of the Empire, and to assist in literary labours; and the persons so employed shall not for that cause be subject to any injury on the part either of the government or of individuals; and it shall in like manner be lawful for citizens of the United States to purchase all manner of books in China.

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Art. XXVI.-Relations of peace and amity between the United States and China being established by this treaty, and the vessels of the United States being admitted trade freely to and from the ports of China open to foreign commerce; it is further agreed that, in case at any time hereafter China should be at war with any foreign nation whatever, and should for that cause exclude such nation from entering her ports, the vessels of the United States shall not the less continue to pursue their commerce in freedom and security, and to transport goods to and from the ports of the belligerent powers, full respect being paid to the neatrality of the flag of the United States, provided that the said flag shall not protect vessels engaged in the transportation of officers or soldiers in the enemy's ships, with their cargoes, to enter of the ports of China: but all such vessels so offending shall be subject to forfei- ture and confiscation to the Chinese government.

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Art XXVII.-All questions in regard the rights, whether of property or person, arising between citizens of the United States in China, shall be subject to the jurisdic- tion and regulated by the authorities of their own government; and all controversies occurring in China between citizens of the United States and the subject of any other government shall be regulated by the treaties existing between the United States and Fuch governments respectively, without interference on the part of China.

Art. XXVIII-If citizens of the United States have special occasion to address any communication to the Chinese local officers of Government, they shall submit the saine to their Consul or other officer, to determine if the language be proper and respectful, and the matter just and right, in which event he shall transmit the same to the appropriate authorities for their consideration and action in the premises. If subjects of China have occasion to address the Consul of the United States they may address him directly, at the same time they inform their own officers, representing the case for his consideration and action in the premises; and if controversies arise between citizens of the United States and subjects of China, which cannot be amicably settled otherwise, the same shall be examined and decided conformably to justice and equity by the public officers of the two nations, acting in conjunction. The extortion. of illegal fees is expressly prohibited. Any peaceable persons are allowed to enter the Court in order to interpret, lest injustice be done.

Art. XXIX. The principles of the Christian Religion, as professed by the Pro- testant and Roman Catholic Churches, are recognized as teaching men to do good, and to do to others as they would have others do to them. Hereafter those who quietly profess and teach these Doctrines shall not be harrassed or persecuted on account of their faith. Any person, whether citizen of the United States or Chinese

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