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in the region above mentioned, and to the defense of the principle of equal opportunity for commerce and industry in China.

3. They are accordingly firmly resolved reciprocally to respect the territorial possessions belonging to each other in said region.

4. They are also determined to preserve the common interests of all powers in China by supporting by all pacific means at their disposal the independence and integrity of China and the principle of equal opportunity for commerce and industry of all nations in that Empire. 5. Should any event occur threatening the status quo as above described or the principle of equal opportunity as above defined, it remains for the two Governments to communicate with each other in order to arrive at an understanding as to what measures they may consider it useful to take.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurance of my highest consideration. ELIHU ROOT.

His Excellency

BARON KOGORO TAKAHIRA,

Japanese Ambassador.

KONGO.

(SEE CONGO, PAGE 327.)

KOREA.

(SEE COREA, PAGE 334.)

LEW CHEW.

1854.

COMPACT OF FRIENDSHIP AND COMMERCE.

Concluded July 11, 1854; ratification advised by the Senate March 3, 1855; ratified by the President March 9, 1855; proclaimed March 9,

1855.

Hereafter, whenever citizens of the United States come to Lew Chew, they shall be treated with great courtesy and friendship. Whatever articles these people ask for, whether from the officers or people, which the Country can furnish, shall be sold to them; nor shall the authorities interpose any prohibitory regulations to the people selling, and whatever either party may wish to buy shall be exchanged at reasonable prices.

Whenever Ships of the United States shall come into any harbor in Lew Chew, they shall be supplied with Wood and Water, at reasonable prices, but if they wish to get other articles, they shall be purchaseable only at Napa.

If Ships of the United States are wrecked on Great Lew Chew or on Islands under the jurisdiction of the Royal Government of Lew Chew, the local authorities shall dispatch persons to assist in saving life and property, and preserve what can be brought ashore till the Ships of that Nation shall come to take away all that may have been saved; and the expenses incurred in rescuing these unfortunate persons shall be refunded by the Nation they belong to.

Whenever persons from Ships of the United States come ashore in Lew Chew, they shall be at liberty, to ramble where they please without hindrance or having officials sent to follow them, or to spy what they do; but if they violently go into houses, or trifle with women, or force people to sell them things, or do other such like illegal acts, they shall be arrested by the local officers, but not maltreated, and shall be reported to the Captain of the Ship to which they belong for punishment by him.

At Tumai is a burial ground for the Citizens of the United States, where their graves and tombs shall not be molested.

The Government of Lew Chew shall appoint skillful pilots, who shall be on the lookout for Ships appearing off the Island, and if one is seen coming towards Napa, they shall go out in good boats beyond the reefs to conduct her in to a secure anchorage, for which service the Captain shall pay the pilot Five Dollars, and the same for going out of the harbor beyond the reefs.

Whenever Ships anchor at Napa, the officers shall furnish them with Wood at the rate of Three Thousand Six hundred Copper Cash per thousand catties; and with Water at the rate of 600 Copper Cash (43 cents) for one thousand catties, or Six barrels full, each containing 30 American Gallons.

Signed in the English and Chinese languages by Commodore Matthew C. Perry, Commander in Chief of the United States Naval Forces in the East India, China and Japan Seas, and Special Envoy to Japan, for the United States; and by Sho Fu fing, Superintendent of Affairs (Tsu li-kwan) in Lew Chew, and Ba Rio-si, Treasurer of Lew Chew, at Shni, for the Government of Lew-Chew, and copies exchanged, this 11th day of July, 1854, or the reign Hien fung, 4th year, 6th moon, 7th day, at the Town Hall of Napa.

M, C, PERRY
SHO FU FING.
BA RIO-SI.

LIBERIA.

1862.

TREATY OF COMMERCE AND NAVIGATION.

Concluded October 21, 1862; ratification advised by the Senate January 9, 1863; ratified by the President January 12, 1863; ratifications exchanged February 17, 1863; proclaimed March 18, 1863.

I. Amity.

II. Freedom of commerce.

III. No discrimination in vessels.
IV. Imports and exports.

V. Shipwrecks and salvage.

ARTICLES.

VI. Most favored nation privileges.
VII. Consuls.

VIII. Noninterference in Liberia.
IX. Ratification.

The United States of America and the Republic of Liberia, desiring to fix, in a permanent and equitable manner, the rules to be observed in the intercourse and commerce they desire to establish between their respective countries, have agreed, for this purpose, to conclude a treaty of commerce and navigation, and have judged that the said end cannot be better obtained than by taking the most perfect equality and reciprocity for the basis of their agreement; and to effect this, they have named as their respective plenipotentiaries, that is to say: The President of the United States of America, Charles Francis Adams, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America at the Court of St. James; and the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Stephen Allen Benson, President thereof;

Who, after having communicated to each other their respective full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed upon the following articles:

ARTICLE I.

There shall be perpetual peace and friendship between the United States of America and the Republic of Liberia, and also between the citizens of both countries.

ARTICLE II.

There shall be reciprocal freedom of commerce between the United States of America and the Republic of Liberia. The citizens of the United States of America may reside in and trade to any part of the territories of the Republic of Liberia to which any other for

eigners are or shall be admitted. They shall enjoy full protection for their persons and properties; they shall be allowed to buy from and to sell to whom they like, without being restrained or prejudiced by any monopoly, contract, or exclusive privilege of sale or purchase whatever; and they shall, moreover, enjoy all other rights and privileges which are or may be granted to any other foreigners, subjects, or citizens of the most favored nation. The citizens of the Republic of Liberia shall, in return, enjoy similar protection and privileges in the United States of America and in their territories.

ARTICLE III.

No tonnage, import, or other duties or charges shall be levied in the Republic of Liberia on United States vessels, or on goods imported or exported in United States vessels, beyond what are or may be levied on national vessels, or on the like goods imported or exported in national vessels; and in like manner no tonnage, import, or other duties or charges shall be levied in the United States of America and their territories on the vessels of the Republic of Liberia, or on goods imported or exported in those vessels, beyond what are or may be levied on national vessels, or on the like goods imported or exported in national vessels.

ARTICLE IV.

Merchandise or goods coming from the United States of America in any vessels, or imported in United States vessels from any country, shall not be prohibited by the Republic of Liberia, nor be subject to higher duties than are levied on the same kinds of merchandise or goods coming from any other foreign country or imported in any other foreign vessels. All articles the produce of the Republic of Liberia may be exported therefrom by citizens of the United States and United States vessels on as favorable terms as by the citizens and vessels of any other foreign country.

In like manner all merchandise or goods coming from the Republic of Liberia in any vessels, or imported in Liberian vessels from any country, shall not be prohibited by the United States of America, nor be subject to higher duties than are levied on the same kinds of merchandise or goods coming from any other foreign country or imported in any other foreign vessels. All articles the produce of the United States, or of their territories, may be imported therefrom by Liberian citizens and Liberian vessels on as favorable terms as by the citizens and vessels of any other foreign country.

ARTICLE V.

When any vessel of either of the contracting parties shall be wrecked, foundered, or otherwise damaged on the coasts or within the territories of the other, the respective citizens shall receive the greatest possible aid, as well for themselves as for their vessels and effects. All possible aid shall be given to protect their property from being plundered and their persons from ill treatment. Should a dispute arise as to the salvage, it shall be settled by arbitration, to be chosen by the parties respectively.

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