Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 3, 1888, Part I

No. 178.
Mr. Bayard to Mr. Denby.

Department of State,
Washington, March 6, 1888.

No. 292.]

Sir: I have received your No. 545 of January 12, 1888. relative to the bonded warehouse system in China, and the application of the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce to the dean of the diplomatic corps, invoking its assistance to prevent the granting of a monopoly of storage of goods in bond to the China Merchants Steamship Company.

It seems prudent to watch the course of the experiment and, if successful, to press for its extension, as promised by the reply of the diplomatic body through its dean. But the Yamên should be given to understand that the United States do not thus waive objections to any form of monopoly which may restrict foreign commerce at the open ports.

I am, etc.,

T. F. Bayard.