of Commerce, February 2ist, 1899.
Smm,—The attention of the Committee of this Chamber has-been called to the enclosed document, which purports to be lations for the registration of Land rented by Foreigners in the Comial Settlement of Woosun:
Beginning with the novel term ' Comial S -ttlement," the notification claims conditions differ from those of ports ned by Treaty, " doctrine in our opinion not, only fallacious but dangerous aS 1% precedent to restrictions which may tactically modify all future advantages.
proceeds to establish the rights of a "Ching Chang" office to which fees are to be paid, then brings in a " Hui Chang office with further fees, and later on recognises ' two Companies named Hsing-li and Hong-yuen and yet not content, attempts to put various restrictions and accompanying fees on Land already hold by Foreigners, and on native Deots of Sale held by Foreigners.
Phot such Regulations have any legal force whatever is not supposed, but in order to prevent anyone being misled, the Committee submit to your considera: tion that it might be woll'(if not already done) to inform the Taotai to that effect.
Thave the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, E. F. Atrorp, Chairman, J. M, T. Vaupez, Esq., Consul-General for Portugal and Senior Consul.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.