The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-12-28

e0ouklIy C0u0ulAt0
Hce) for the payment Of all dues aud duties to which
rhey liable under the treaty. The ssi1 security 10
have attached 70 msmorandum, authenticated by the
Custom House ofoials Of the amounts payable Doth
ehip and cargo. w. b. AEDHURsr, a. B. n. Consul.
TO THE FOREIGN MERCANTILE COMMUNITY, FOO.
cH0wRO0.
msn sharing n .aas 40 sdv.ntsssoa. spsoasos s.s
UsTrD STATES CONSULATE,
FoOCaowro0, Sept. 20, 1855.
Citizens OF the United States importing or exporting
merchandise subject 70 du n any othsr Than American
previous 70 such ships departure.
All persons except citizens Of the United States who
AmercsS ship, must pay The susy mo the Chinese Gus
Bosse and furnish with satisfactory proof Of the
CALEB JONES. United States Consul.
MEETING AT FUCHAU.
A public meeting was held at the British Consu-
s Or s, ,Ss
PRESENT.. II. Hall, Il. N Vice Consul; Messrs.
Markham, Green, r. Gibbs, Rusden z. Halton, ]. G..
Smith, c. J. King, Larken, Crawford, A. Stuart, and
The chairman addressed the meeting Is follows
have called you together this evening, gentlemen,
Tor the purpose, as stated In my circular, Of dis
cussing the question Of the duties payable British
ships. have TO apologize for naming so late IN
hour for the meeting; It was chosen because yes
eel advertised TO leavef0r Hong Kong to-morrow
afternoon, when your time viii know be valuable,
following morning, and want to learn your state.
ments on the subject Of the duties before see him.
The state Of the duty question IS regards American
Ships you all know Il Is notorious that SO early as
the beginning Of August last four American vessels
the Mandarin, Samuel Russell, Antelope. and Van.
couver, left this port without paying any duties to
the Custom House, the Consul having entered into
q private UNDERSTANDING with the consignees, that
would give them up the ships papcrs-his object
being, presume, to retain these duties until he
could obtain satisfactory redress for the murder OF
the hate Mr.. Cunningham. Whether the Custom
House and other Chinese authorities were ware Of
this proceeding or no cannot say. Towards the
end Of the month happened to be on visit to the
Haequan. when inquired whether the report then
current was true. and he denied all knowledge Of IL,
adding be sure the four vessels had not eft a
they had not yet applied for their grand chops
From that moment, therefore, he could not plead
ignorance OF she United States Consuls acts or in
tentions. No active steps, however, were adopted
by the Chinese after this, as far can ascertain
and other American vessels In port have since gone
on loading without let or hindrince. few days
ago three British firms represented ID me officially
the prejudice they were suffering through this con-
cesson OF the Chinese to American Citizens begging
sne either to demonstrate with the Chinese and put
stop TO IT, or obtain for themselves similar prvi
Ieee. ct once addressed the Project q letter,
which l viii now read to you. His answer as FOL.
lows. (Copics OF the letter and reply have not
reached uaI You viii agree with me tina
circumstances, knowing a. do that American
citizens have the privilege Of clearing their vessels
and cargoes free Of cash payments OF duty, aud
put stop to the rregusnty, nor intend as far a.
can zee 20 attempt II even after my remopstrsnce.
have no alternative then TO consider II In the light
Of . privilege, in which OF course my countzymen
should share; have therefore called you together
this evening. W tell you am prepared TO take the
responsibility Of securing you this privilege IL il be
your desirs TO possess It. In making you the o1er,
however, Il Is my duty 70 warn you of ail the risks
You run In tho event Of your being put the same
footing ~ the Americans. You know the power Of
the authOrcs they can II they No choose stop your
teas coming down from the country; they have also
the e IN BOAT p,ss.s
even, although II Is scarcely probaoe. attempt 70
seize ship laden with seas that have not paid daty
and possibly they may deny us the rights and priv-
the treaty. These and : thousand things may be
done TO annoy and thwArt Us, and IL with this know
ledge you still wish me TO take action In the m after
remains tor ycs 10 express your wishes In the form
OF resolution or otherwise, which shall eventually
be employed "a the basis on which shall proceed.
Mr.. r. H. CRAvroRp having risen 20 put to the
Nessrs. Jardine, Matheson a Co, in an American
bottom aad the responsibility and privileges Deepen
dent thereon the Chairman here remarked for the
information Of parties who are shipping IN Amer
to day from British merchant for advice and an
sistance, he having loaded an American ship. and re-
ceived reputation nom the Anercan Consul to hold
the duties TO his order and risk went with the In
Svdusi interested to the United States Consul, who
after some negotiation signided his consent 10 their
placing Q guarantee for their amount Of duties in
my hands q British Consul, On condition that held
government might direct, his idea being a. under
stand il, that should the American government de-
eide to employ the arrcar duties a. Offset against
any claims hey light have upon the C ,h govern
The United States Consul At the same time informed
that the parties being British subjects, he would be MS
necessitated TO require wittsn guarantee, IL being
beyond his power to do with them a. he had
done with his own countrymen, who were simply
pledged TO him on their word OF honor, in such
ner however, a. would authorize him to enforce pay
ment II he found II necessary In the event o. his
accepting such o guarantee, be said he would OF
course take immediate steps to require similar
documents from Americans, and the only reason he
had not done % before was, that he mad been in
daily expectation Of DR.. Parkers arrival, aud had
rot anficipated such a question as that we sub
United would have come mp before the Commits
Resolution was then proposed by Mr.. W. H.
GRKEN, seconded by Captain CRAWFORD
Tsas Il betsy On assaowisdeed notorious feet sba
sincs the let = Autus or sccu that cate, vessels Be
Adj: port ~hsus psvmssio q duties 70 me cslses govern
ent, ana 40 stss have been taken to enforce payment
hereof y TIE csssss s "a. 80. nsh. q ss.s
property enjoy the name privileges ss THAI the duties
V sos cslksssd y. .sss rsursd Until tie pss.,
tsrs are placed on their foymer footiss.
Passed with one dissentient.
Resolution 2-proposed by Mr. G. J. KING, and
seconded By Mr.. RusDEr-
maj me c1sul b rs,useA TO carry TIRE above reso
lutIou inss ss0 end communicate the substance OF To
tha Chinsss susbcvses and ~ tbe time ia advise
them thaa shssr isaclop D respect American duties
has alone compslle< Brkbh msschsnW 70 sdopt H. but
they trust sincerely may be taken ~
~hsa sksy v b. prepared - ssfors 70 fnln al The
qxrewenSs n NJ rseAy.
Pesued unanimously.
The CrAnuAr here informed the meeting that
these resolutions were Sufficient 70 him OF the
opinions ana Wishes Of the community and he would
Il once proceed 10 acqusint the Chinese authorities
that, subject 70 reference 70 his Excellency her
Msjestys Peniposentisry, and until matters should
be placed on their former footing by the Americans