Speech #570039021

Messrs. Angell. Swift. and Trescot. as follows: Some days since your excellencies handed to us a project. in two sections. for the motlification of existing treaties. which has received our careful consideration. * * * Section 2 declares that there are difficulties growing out of the emigration of Chinese laborers to the United States. and explains that the words "Chinese laborers" are used to include all persons except such as go thither for the purpose of teaching. study. trade. travel. and curiosity. The separation of this class from the mass of the subjects of China in this manner is not in strict accord with the spirit of our treaties. and in practical operation would meet with many difficulties. But. bearing in mind the deep friendship between the two Governments. in the event of embarrassment on either nart a solution must be sought in a spirit of mutual concession. To this communication our commissioners on the 2d day of November. 1880. replied as follows: The United States commissioners feel it their duty to insist upon their definition of Chinese laborers. viz: "The words Chinese laborers are herein used to signify all immigration. other than that for teaching. trade. travel. study. and curiosity hereinbefore referred to and provided for in existing treaties." Thus it will be seen. while the Chinese commissioners mildly protested in the first instance. pending the negotiations. they in their closing paragraph of their communication virtually concede the claim of the American commissioners. while the reply of the American commissioners. it will be seen. was in the most positive terms of adherence to the construction they insisted should be placed upon the term Chinese laborers. that is to say. that they were to be construed to signify all Chinese immigration other than those of the exempted classes. But still further. in confirmation of this. attention is called to the communication of the United States commissioners. their final report of date November 6. 1880. addressed to Mr. Evarts. then Secretary of State. and which can be found in "Foreign Relations of the United States. 1881." pages 178189.