The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-05-08
AMERICAN DENUNCIATION OF THE CHI
NESE COOIIE TRAnE


In the Hong Kong Register of the 9th of Feb
ruary we find the following copy of circular
which has been addressed to the Consuls of the
United States by Mr.. Reed, the American Minister
In China against the Cooe trade:
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES TO CHINA,
February l5 1858.
SIR am directed by his Excellency the Minis
ter OF the United States again and most earnestly
to call your attention to the Coolie traffic in Amer-
can ships and the necessity of resortng to all legal
measures to arrest it.
The view taken of the trade by this legation is
that what constitutes the breach of the laws of the
United States is the contract for labor service
under which the coolie is shipped. Hence it is
quite immateria in point of law, whether the COO
lie goes with or against his will, if on his arrival
he is to be disposed of to be held to labor or ser
vice. Of course there is greater offence to NOR
ais and to the laws of this empire it, as is generally
the case the cooe is kidnapped, or seduced, or en-
trapped.
The employment of American ships in CARRYING
Chinese coolies to be held to labor is illegal 1t has
been so represented to the Government ut Wash
ngton, and will be so regarded by it. 1t is a trade in
which, as revolving to humanity in its processes and
results no respectable American citizen will part
clpate. 1t is trade which endangers the lives of
the mariners engaged in it, and of course involves
terrible suffering and mortality among its principal
Victims the coolies themselves.
The American Minister, in order to do all in his
power to put an end as far as possible to crcum-
scribe this traffic, instructs you-besdes giving as
much publicity to this communication as YOU NAV
think conducive to the ends you have in yiew-to
adopt the following course in all instances:
LIST. whenever you ascertain, or have good rea-
son to believe, that American ship is about to be
loaded with Coolies for Havana. Surinam, any
other place. under contract for labor or service YOU
shall at once inform verbally and in writing the mas
ter owner, or charerer of the views of this Lega-
tion and OF the liability to punishment and forfeit
ure which he or they incur.
I'd. Whenever such shipment is about to be made
from British or Portuguese port yon will at
once give notice to the Superintendent of Trade or
Governor that the trade is regarded as a violation
of the laws and treaties of the United States and
that this Legation will regard any countenance
given to it most unfriendly act. The same no.
ce is to be given to the Consular authorities ac-
credited here by the country to which the shipment
is made.
Sd. Whenever such shipment is about to be made
from one of the treaty ports in China, immediate
notice is to be given to the local Chinese authorities
so that they may withhold the sgrond chop" or
port clearance. Whenever the local authorities
desire the aid of the Consul to visit vessels in order
give relief to any Chinese detained against their
wli IT Is to be given promptly. The refusal of the
local authorities to give clearance to American
snip, unless Chinese subjects so shipped are dis
ehargeu, Is lawful requisition" of the local au-
thorites which the Consul must respect.
4th. Particular attention must be paid by Won to
the shipping articles of the seamen in such vessels
Tor IL Is believed that in many instances frauds on
sealneh nave oeen perperated by interneations and
erasures and other alterations OF shipping articles
IN such case, where You satisfied of the fact of
.he alteration, you will give such relief to the mar
iner as Is authorized by law and retain the papers
TIL the decision of this Legation is known.
otn' IL 1t be known to you that the intermediate
destination of such ship is some port not opened
10 trade by treaty for the purpose of there shipping
coolies, you WILL if practicable, give notice to the
local authorities ofthe place ofthis franduentdesgn
and warn the master that such trade is a still gross
en- violation of law, and involves the same penal
ties. r'
9Th, Whenever you have reason to believe that