the Editor of the Sm,—L read the translation given by ing article from the Shanghai and, without purposing to go into the ques-flow of the present stoppage of Chinese trade caused by the Taotai's recent action, I wish ne my remarks to the subject of a special impost having allowed to collected in the Foreign Settl nithont any remonstrance from th trusted with the interest of Western trade—our Foreign Consuls. It is the custom now-a days—not formerly, if I remember tly—to say that any laxation of native articles collected fron concern with Foreigners, but in reference lo this policy I should like to put a few questions, i.e.———For what reason were duties fixed on all native articles by the framers of the Tientsin Treaties; and, in view of the tari drawn up, would inese author ties he permitted to increase the duties at will in the case of native shippers 2.—Was the above treaty designed or not to open out carrying trade for Foreign vessels: and, seeing that out ships are limited to calling at the Treaty Ports, would it be in the spirit of its meaning to hamper cargo so bought by special taxation, before allowing it to reach the interior nat such action on the part of the were osleulated to divert the carrying ports where no sitch special imposts exist 4.—Is not the purchase of Iand supposed to convey with it vested rights, and are e vealed rights of Foreign holders of property in the Foreign Settlements being ce to, by allowing the Eh of the Shanghai Settlements as victims for a special levy?
I pnt forward these queries for the solution of your readers generally, and i apparent to all that the collection of a tax in the Foreign Settlements, which exists not elsewhere, is a direct contravention of in Treaty. If a0, it is the duty of our Consuls to stop its further collection. Shipping agents and property holders are those most interested in the questions; but, inasmuch as all residents, as well as their servants, are more or less daily buyers of some "articles of alive produce, prices of which are enhanced by the tax under discus: twill be seen that the subject affects' indirectly every Foreigner in Shanghai. I therefore trust to see an influential address Lo the Consuls, them to take action in this ud, vested as they are with the of Foreign interests, it: would seem to me that they will be clearly neglecting their duty if the obnoxious tax is suffered to continue, As regards the Municipal Council, it would also seem to be ble thal, before affording protection and even assistance to native tax collectors, it should first make enquiries as to the nature of the tax it is backing up.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.