THE CHEFOO CONVENTION.
SIGNED, IN THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE Languages, at CHEFOO, 13TH SEPTEMBER, 1876.
Ratified by the Emperor of China 17th September, 1876.
Agreement negotiated between Sir Thomas Wade, K.C.B., Her Britannic Majesty's Envoy Ex raordinary and Mini-ter Plenipotentiary at the Court of China, and Li, Minister Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of China, Senior Grand Secretary, G vernor-General of the Province of Chih-li, of the First Class of the Third Order of Nob lity.
The n gotiation be ween the Ministers above ramed has its origin in a despatch received by Sir Thomas Wade, in the Spring of the present y ar, from the Earl of Derby, Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, dated 1st January, 1876. This contained instructions regarding the dispo-al of three questions, firs', a atis- factory settlement of the Yünnan affair; secondly, a faithful fulfilment of engagements of last year respecting intercourse between the ligh officers of the two Governments; thirdly, the adoption of a uniform system in satisfaction of the understanding ar ived at in the month of September, 1875 (8th moon of the 1st year of the reign Kwang Su), on the subject of recification o conditions of trade. E: is to this despatch that Sir Thomas Wade has referred himsel in discussions on these questions with the Tsung-li Yamên, farther reference to which is here omitted as superfluous. The conditions now agreed to between Sir Thomas Wade and the Grand Secretary are as follow:-
SECTION L-Settlement of the Yunnan Case.
1.-A Memorial is to be presented to the Throne, whether by the Tsung-li Yamên or by the Grand Secretary Li is immaterial, in the sense of the memorandum prepared by Sir Thomas Wade, B-fore presentation the Chinese text of the Memorial is to be shown to Sir Thomas Wade.
2.-The Memorial having been presented to the Throne, and the Imperial Decree in reply received, the Tsung-li Yamê" will communicate copies of the Memorial and Imperial Decree to Sir Thomas Wade, together with copy of a letter from the Tsung-li Yamên to the Provincial Governments, instructing them to issue a proclama- tion that shall embo·ly at length the above Memorial and Decree. Sir Thomas Wade will thereon reply to the effect that for two years to come officers will be sent by the British Minister to different places in the provinces to see that he proclamation is posted. O application from the British Minister or the Consul of any port instructed by him to make application, the high officers of the provinces will depute competent officers to accompany those so sent to the places which they go to observe.
3.-In order to the framing of such regulat ons as will be needed for the conduct of the frontier trade between Burmah and Yunnan, the Memorial submitting the prop..sed etilement of the Yünnan affair will contain a request that an Imperial Decree be issued directing the Gov r or-G neral and Governor, wherever the British Government shall send officers to Yünna", to elec a competent officer of r..nk to coufer with them and tỏ conclude a satisfactory arrang-iment.
4. The British Government will be free for five years, from the 1st of January next, being the 17th day of the 11tb moon of the 2nd year of the reign Kwang Su,
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