To the Bditor of the Sm,—The letter of the Chamber of Commerce does not touch, or at best only in an indirect way, upon one very important point in transactions between' natives and foreigners when the latter are the sellers and that is, the nearly absolute ignorance the foreigner is in, in regard to almost everything relating to the native purchaser. His standing with his countrymen, the amount of credit he enjoys, the magnitude of his transactions, even his place of bu ness and name very often, are unknown. On the other hand, all these points regard ing the foreigner are, or can be, perfectly well-known to the Chinese. Hedeais direct, if he 0 chooses, with the foreigner at his established place of business, and knows where to go for redress in event of any default, and is well aware that equal justice will be done toall in such cases. He therefore runs only the ordinary risks of business.
those at home, or perhaps even to non-commercial men in China, such as Consuls, the argument of the Chinese that, as they are required to pay on delivery of goods, and often to give bargain money, the foreigner should be required to do the same, may appear only just and fair; but in view of the above facts (in addition to the very strong one mentioned by the Chamber of Commerce of the non-division of assets) it is sophistical, and probably is regarded in its true light when looked upon ay a piges of impertinence om the part of the Guilds.
Yours obediently, 9th June, 1873.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.