The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-24
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON, Jan. %, 1878.
THE CONSULATE GENERAL AT SHANGHAI
GRAVE CHARGES AGAINST THE PRESENT
OCCUPANT AND MINISTER sEwARD-sTATE-
MENT OF A SUSPENDED OFFICIAL.
John C. Myers, who has been suspended as Consul
General at shanghai has requested the House or Rep
resentaives to investigate tho administration OF the
General at that port during the terms Office
OF Hon. George + Seward, the present Minister 10
China q. b. Bradford, Vice Consul Gener aud Consu-
lar clerk and Myers himself Consul General. Mr..
Myers states at length his grievances against these
parties and the alleged unjust which led his
suspension by President Hayes. Ito says, among
Other things, that time after he had been IN
shanghai he heard of tho reported great wealth OF Mr.
Seward and Mr. Bradford the latter having been put
his place Consul General Considering that both
oil these gentlemen came to Shanghai few years ago
without capital and had been in receipt OF but small
salaries, alOrdng them little more than good liv-
ing and knowing that hcrc was at least founda-
ton Tor scandalous talk, he believed IT to be ms duty
TO the government to ascertain the facts with view
10 making such reforms would strengthen con.
fdenco the foreign service. lie learned that there
existed at Shanghai well defined land Ring com.
posed Of English, American, French and Chinese
gentlemen and that both Mr. Seward and Mr.. Brad.
ford Interested with them, AMI that another
scheme the construction OF carriage way TO DO
known as the ''seward rcau." designed TO afford
pleasant drive out into the interior the foreign
settlements much more important enterprise, IN
which many foreigners together with Messrs Seward
and Bradford were Interested, was tho construction Of
railway from Shanghai To Woosung. The success OF
SUCH u movement, it was thought would give the pro-
jeciors monopoly OF railroad construction III China
and reward them with business which, in a lew
years. would return profit of many millions OF
dollars.
Mr. Myers says that the policy OF the American gov
eminent is ono OF Cancellation aud non-intericrcnce,
aiming extend the influence OF Western civilization
only by friendly and carefully abstainIng iron
anything like coercion dicaton to tho local az
fairs OF CHINA and this policy is clearly asserted In
the amendments to our treaties with China On
count OF the many speculations IN which Messrs.
Seward and Bradford had engaged anu which seemed
likely to trouble between the United States and
China, and which Ar. Myers thought had tendency
10 put our government a false position well
bring the foreign service into disrepu,c Mr.. Myers
called their attention to section No. 500 Of the Re-
vised Statutes, by which certain consular officers
prohibited from engaging in business, and suggested
that their operations in violation OF the spirit II
not OF the statute Itself.
Mr.. Seward impaticntly responded with the in.
quiry:-
"What shall do with my money; how can invest
my money II | cannot use it here ?"
Mr.. Myers says various efforts were made through
members OF the land Ring TO interest him IN these
projects aud because he refused they sad he was
bulhcadc | and aitcrward announced him insane.
Mr. Myers mentions other charges against Mossrs
Seward ana Bradford, including The taking Of fees,
and says that In the his no dis
covered numerous Irregularities. la somo instances
had been sentenced TO long periods OF imprison-
mcnt by Mr.. Seward while slttiug without associa tos
contraryto law; tho records OF fees collected, the
nature OF offences committed the terms sentences
aud other data had been muiilated, portions having
been cut out and taken away. Upon asking Mr.. Brad
fora Tor an explanation OF this, he endeavored 10
make Mr. Myers believe 1t was matter OF copsc-
qucnce aud he did not oner any explanation.
The communication was referred TO tho Committee
on Foreign Affairs
MEMBERS or THE SYNDICATE IN w,sHlNGToN-
TO DE RELEASED FROM THrIn suBscRIr-
TON.
As the contract between tho Treasury Department
and the Syndicate will terminate ON the 10th inst
the rcproseu OF that body are here to-day ar
ranging IN connection with the Secretary of the Treas
ury the details OF a settlement with The government.
AT a Cabinet meeting held to-day attention was given
TO this subject, though other matters considered
tho very brief session. subsequently, the gentle
men representing tue Syndicate, accompanied by