ARTICLE XXX.
Correspondence between the respective governments and their officers, and between individuals and their government. The superior authorities of the United States and China, in corresponding together, shall do so in terms of equality, and in the form of mutual communication (cháu hwui.) The consuls, and the local officers, civil and military, in corresponding together, shall likewise employ the style and form of mutual communication (cháu hwui.) When inferior officers of the one government address superior officers of the other, they shall do so in the style and form of memorial (shin chin.) Private individuals, in addressing superior officers, shall employ the style of petition (pin ching.) In no case shall any terms or style be suffered which shall be offensive or disrespectful to either party. And it is agreed that no presents, under any pretext or form whatever, shall ever be demanded of the United States by China, or of China by the United States.
ARTICLE XXXI.
Transmission of communications. Communications from the government of the United States to the court of China shall be transmitted through the medium of the Imperial Commissioner charged with the superintendence of the concerns of foreign nations with China, or through the Governor-general of the Liang Kwang, that of Min and Cheh, or that of the Liang Kiang.
ARTICLE XXXII.
Intercourse with ships of war. Whenever ships of war of the United States, in cruizing for the protection of the commerce of their country, shall arrive at any of the ports of China, the commanders of said ships and the superior local authorities of Government, shall hold intercourse together in terms of equality and courtesy, in token of the friendly relations of their respective nations. And the said ships of war shall enjoy all suitable facilities on the part of the Chinese Government in the purchase of provisions, procuring water, and making repairs, if occasion require.
ARTICLE XXXIII.
Clandestine trade prohibited. Citizens of the United States, who shall attempt to trade clandestinely with such of the ports of China as are not open to foreign commerce, or who shall trade in opium or any other contraband article of merchandize, shall be subject to be dealt with by the Chinese Government, without being entitled to any countenance or protection from that of the United States; and the United States will take measures to prevent their flag from being abused by the subjects of other nations, as a cover for the violation of the laws of the empire.
ARTICLE XXXIV.
At the expiration of 12 years, the two governments may treat on matters which may require alteration. When the present convention shall have been definitively concluded, it shall be obligatory on both Powers, and its provisions shall not be altered without grave cause; but, inasmuch as the circumstances of the several ports of China open to foreign commerce are different, experience may show that inconsiderable modifications are requisite in those parts which relate to commerce and navigation: in which case, the two governments will, at the expiration of twelve years from the date of said convention, treat amicably concerning the same, by the means of suitable persons appointed to conduct such negotiation.
The treaty, when ratified, to be faithfully observed, &c. And when ratified, this Treaty shall be faithfully observed in all its parts by the United States and China, and by every citizen and subject of each. And no individual State of the United States can appoint or send a minister to China to call in question the provisions of the same.
Ratifications to be exchanged within eighteen months.
The present treaty of peace, amity, and commerce, shall be ratified and approved by the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate thereof, and by the August Sovereign
