US Presidency
1882

I accept this as the definition of the word laborers as used in the treaty. As to the power of legislating respecting this class of persons, the new treaty provides that we may not absolutely prohibit their coming or their residence. The Chinese commissioners gave notice in the outset that they would never agree to a prohibition of voluntary emigration. Notwithstanding this the United States commissioners submitted a draft, in which it was provided that the United States might regulate, limit, suspend, or prohibit it. The Chinese refused to accept this. The Americans replied that they were willing to consult the wishes of the Chinese Government in preserving the principle of free intercourse between the people of the two countries, as established by existing treaties, provided that the right of the United States Government to use its discretion in guarding against any possible evils of immigration of Chinese laborers is distinctly recognized.