ENGLISHMEN • IN THE CHINESE • SERVICE [To the' Editor
of the SPECTATOR.]
Sra,—With reference to the oath of loyalty taken by Mr. Maze on his inauguration as Inspector-General of Customs, it may be of interest to your readers to recall the oath which was taken' by each of the three foreign Inspectors, who, as the result of a conference between the Taotai, or Chief Superinten- dent of Customs, and the Treaty Power Consuls at Shanghai on June 29th, 1854, were appointed to reorganize the Shanghai Customs establislunent. Out of these appointments the foreign inspectorate, which owed its remarkable development to the genius of the late Sir Robert Hart, grew. • -
It is to be noted that the oath taken by Mr., afterwards Sir Thomas Wade (British), Monsieur Arthur Smith (French), and Mr. Lewis Carr (American), who were seconded for service with the Chinese Government by-their respective Legations,
was taken in the presence of their own Consuls. It was in the following terms :-
" I swear truly and honestly to discharge all the duties of my office as Inspector of Maritime Customs and faithfully to observe all the conditions of such appointment as these are clearly set forth in the Minute of Conference signed by His Excellency Woo Taotai and the Consuls of the three Treaty Powers. So help me God."
I may add that neither Mr. H. N. Lay,-Sir Robert Hart nor I
myself, Mr. Maze's predecessors in office, were called upon to
take an oath on appointment.—I am, Sir, &c., -
• FRANCIS A. AGLEN... , .
8 South Side, Wimbledon Common, S.W.19.
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