1918

THE BRITISH COMMERCIAL TREATY WITH CHINA
Shanghai: K. H. XXVIII., 7th moon, 11th day
(Received August 15, 1902,)
We have the honour to inform you that we have received the following telegram
from His Excellency Liu, Governor General of the Liang Chiang, on the subject of
Clause II. mutually agreed upon by us:
“ As regards this clause, it is necessary to insert therein a clear stipulation, to the
“ effect that, no matter what changes may take place in the future, all Customs’ duties
“ must continue to be calculated on the basis of the existing higher rate of the Haikwan
“ Tael over the Treasury Tael, and that ‘ the touch ’ and weight of the former must be
“ made good.”
As we have already arranged with you that a declaration of this kind should be
embodied in an Official Note, and form an annex to the present Treaty, for purposes of
record, we hereby do ourselves the honour to make this communication.
Annex A—(2)
Gentlemen, Shanghai, August 18th, 1902.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 14th instant
forwarding copy of a telegram from His Excellency Liu, Governor-General of the
Liang Chiang, on the subject of Article II. of the new Treaty, and in reply I have the
honour to state that His Excellency’s understanding of the Article is perfectly correct.
I presume the Chinese Government will make arrangements for the coinage of a
national silver coin of such weight and touch as may be decided upon by them.
These coins will be made available to the public in return for a quantity of silver
bullion of equivalent weight and fineness plus the usual mintage charge.
The coins which will become the national coinage of China will be declared by
the Chinese Government to be legal tender in payment of Customs duty and in
discharge of obligations contracted in Haikwan taels, but only at their proportionate
value to the Haikwan tael, whatever that may be.
I have the honour to be,
Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
Their Excellencies (Signed) Jas. L. Mackay.
Lu Hai-huan and Sheng Hsuan-huai,
etc., etc., etc.
Annex B—(1)
(Translation)
Lu, President of the Board of Works ;
Sheng, Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent, Vice-President of the Board of
Works;
Imperial Chinese Commissioners for dealing with questions connected with the
Commercial Treaties, to
Sir James L. Mackay, His Britannic Majesty’s Special Commissioner.
. Shanghai, September 2nd, 1902.
We havethe honour to inform you that on the 22 nd of August, we, in conjunction
with the Governors-General of the Liang Chiang and the Hu-kuang Provinces, Their
Excellencies Liu and Chang, addressed the following telegraphic Memorial to the
Throne :—
“ Of the revenue of the different Provinces derived from lekin of all kinds, a
“ portion is appropriated for the service of the foreign loans, a portion for the Peking
“ Government, and the balance is reserved for the local expenditure of the Provinces
“ concerned.
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