We reprint for general information th letter written by Mr. Winchester to the Municipal Council announcing the then Tavtai's concession of the present Public Garden, with the translation of the despatch -B.M, Consulate, Shanghai, 20th June, 1868.
Sin,-—The Taotai has just forwarded to an official declaration under seal, set ting apart the reclaimed land from the jetty "opposite the end of the Peking Road up to the Soochow Creek Bridge, as a recreation ground or park for the use of the foreign community of Shanghai. From the translation of the document enclosed you will gather that the ground in question, far as the Taotai's will can make it, is free gift to this community for public' uses and "not chargeable with the ordinary ground rent payable on other lands; that the body over which you preside is entrusted with its conservation; and that the right of shall be applied to any other purposes than occupancy determines whenever the land.
those set forth in the document.
Liberty is granted for the erection of such an open ornamental pavilion as may serve for the protection of the frequenters. of the gardens, invalids, ete,, against the sun. and weather, The permission to reclaim this land was the subject of my first official interview with the Taotai, when I assumed charge of my present office; and the official execution of this declaration of gift may therefore bear something of the character of a parting compliment. At all events, it isa great satisfaction at such a time to signal ice to the community the uniform attention and interest with which his Excellency Ying hast all times listened to representa tions akin to that of which this communication records the final issue.
Tam, Sir, Your obedient servant, Cuarzes A, WINCHESTER:
Epwo, Cuxsixcuaa, Esq., Chairman, Municipal Council.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.