Shanghai, 23rd July, 1874.
Sir,—In April last had occasion to ask you for a copy of any report which you may have found it necessary to make to the high Provincial authorities on the subject of the Woosung Bar, and you were good enough to place in lay hands transcript of a communication which you had addressed to his Excellency Ho, Superintendent of Foreign Trade, have held office here, and the additional ex-shortly afterwards submitted to the Foreign Perience you must have gained in the course Consuls for their information, and they have Of that period of the elastic character of ti now charged me to make the following obser-trade of this port, and its importance to forei ations in reference to its contenta countries and China alike, should euifie, the The report appears to have been based upon Consuls would fain hope, to prove to you that a return made by Kao, an t aube if it must result in the general. good. what they urge is simply reasonable, and that, Paoshan, who repaired ta the spot to make their refect, conjointly with the Magistrate of fore concluding, the Consuls deem it right investigations, but, finding the river wide, to say a few words in regard to a point raised and the bar under water, contented themselves in the communication lately addressed by His with making a guess as to the extent of the Highness Prince Kung to the Foreign Ministers obstruction, and procuring the statements of on the subject of the Bar. the country and boat-people in that vicinity The Prince argues that the Bar is on as to its history and character. obstruction provided by nature, and that Proceoding upon the information so gained, China is quite entitled to avail herself of its they came to the conclusion that deepening existence to protect the port, if necessary, was impracticable, even supposing foreign from entrance of an aggressive nature, machines for dredging were employed, and of war. The Ministers will no doubt reply to this conclusion you appear to have adopted this argoment as they think fit; but the Gon-and conveyed forthwith to the High Commissuls to explain, as far as your Ex sioners, with a request that it might be com-Iency is concerned, that no real difficulty neal municated to the Tsungli yamen, for their be raised on this particular Peace guidon is the normal condition of nationa, and whi This treatment of the case the Consuls can-pence lasts, mutual interchange of commodities not but regard as too perfunctory and incom-is the paramount consideration. Were the plete to admit of their expreming any satis: bar dredged in the interests of commerce, the ion with the steps taken. 'They would channel 80 formed could at a few hours' notice not venture to throw any discredit on be closed, should the safety of the port call the administrative abilities of Kao, or the for the adoption of such an extreme measure Magistrate associated with him in the sur-and even should this not be considered a vey which was ordered upon the Bar. sufficient security, it is of course quite within But, however able and talented these the power of China to construct meanwhile functionaries may be in thei ular such land defences at the river mouth as al spheres, it stands to reason that may deem necessary for the purpose. ti could not be of Gommending the subject once more to your technical knowledge to be able to conduct a serious attention, I have the honor to be, nautical survey with intelligence, let alo E.'s most obedient servant, success. And the farcical character of process becomes the more apparesit when it is H. Mrpauxsr, FB. M's Consul, remembered that, according to their own admission, they found the river so wide, and To His Excellency Suzx, the water s0 deep, that they were obliged to Taotai of Shanghai, content themaclves with guessing" at the facts, and bolstering up their guesses by sub-'Taorar to H. M. Consul. sequent enquiries "of ignorant farmers and '9th Auguat, 1874. fishermen.
Sin,—Roferring to your despatch regarding 'A report, therefore, based upon such the Woosung Bar, in which you urged me to foundation," the Consuls are compelled to have a resurvey made by experts, on more renounce as simply worthless; and they do jape that your Excellency will not rear approved principles, and the receipt of which Tat the time acknowledged, I have now to content with placing such incorrect information state that I have been favored with a copy to before the High Auth ies, but proceed at my representation from H. E. the Superin-once to order a new survey, conducted upon tendent of Foreign Trade on this subject. more reliable and reasonable principles.
H.E. says that he had already, in the 5th The Consuls venture to suggest that your moon, instructed the Prefect Wang Chan Excellency possesses abundant appliances for Ch'ang to proceed to the place and make ing a survey s0 conducted. You have at posal a Harbour Master, who is an Shorough investigation, basing hie instructions on a plan of the bar made by Mr. Mayors, Chinese Secretary and his observations the capacity of foreign dredging machines to who doubtless is able to give an opinion on thereon, After the Prefect's report further action would be taken, and I am directed to do the work assigned them; and you have in to you accordingly. your Customs' Department a number of gentlemen who can furnish you with exhauewe therefore now the honor to commudicate the foregoing to you Tam ting aside foreign aid at your command many nat more or less conversant with maritime affairs, and certainly men more likely to be equal to the examination of " river bar than two civilian magistrates. survey which has Been made, the Consuls In thus criticizing the character of the
desire again to urge upon your attention the extreme urgency of the case, and the vast to Ohinove and foreign interests, iuportanco which the question beata relatively
Daily experience of this river proves that accretions grow with a rapidity which increase in direct ratio to their volume. Any obstruction which may have presented no material difficulties as regards removal, when this matter was first mooted, must by this time have gained largely in extent and solidity, and the longer attention to it is delayed, the greater will be the trouble of treating it effectively 5 entirely to itself, if will in time simply close the port to any but medium-sized or even smaller craft. With increasing difficulty of access, the importance of the port, as a commercial dep6t, will certainly decline. Trade, which must have an outlet somewhere, will be attracted to other points, and the result cannot but be prejudicial, in the long run, equally to our foreign commerce and to the revenues of your honorable country. This view of the casa may not have influenced your mind with all the weight it merits, when Your report was first submitted, but two years have since elapsed, during which you
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.