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THE
CHINESE REPOSITO
VOL. XVI.
• v • •• * ^ •
FROM JANU.\RY TO DECEMBER,
PRINTED FOR THE PROPRIETORS
1847.
VS 7D\
In compliance with current copyright
law, U.C. Library Bindery produced
this replacement volume on paper
that meets the ANSI Standard Z39.48-
1984 to replace the irreparably
deteriorated original.
1991
KITBaiSft
Abecl. Heath of the Rev. David. 56
Affair at Fuhnhnn, notice of. . . . SV^^
AgriciiHiire in China 582
Almanuc, a Mohammedan.. ... 5^
Alma-hoiiAOfi for old men 21
Allom, his nericii of vicwa 2ii
Amoy, notice of 580
Aniinala. 58()
Annals de la Foi, extract fmiu. . :{J3;
Anniveraary, Dr. Chang'i seven- |
tieth 20
Catcchitfm for youth. tt7S
Chamber of Coin. R ultf of 87
Chamber of Com. Retolutioiia of
the :i08
Chiimno Piracy, notice of the. . . 208
Changcluu, an excuraton to.. . . . 7S
C'han^rhiii, the city of. 79
Ciiarta by Kellett and Collineon. 84
China in a aeriea of viewa 921
Chinese, ipi!>rant of God. 331
Chinese, condition of. 583
Arts and sciences 508 jChine^e policy, changes in 3S)8
Asiatic Society of China 9(Vi4 |Cbrisiianity, introduced in China. 14:;
Assizes, the autumnal *Jli!)|(yhry sal ides, destroying tJie 228
AssauU on a ssilor :^U9 tChii'rch and chaplaiii at 8lian|rhui 271
Asylum for disabled poor. 2i ChiiUnn, on currency snd revenue 2T:l
Bangkok, notices of 3:15 it^husan eroup, notice of the. . . . 404
Banks Kev.S. Chaplain 5l2;.CIeuient Xl's decease QOS
Batiis, the warm, at Nlngpo.. . . . IG6 Clopton, the deatli of Rev. Mr.. . 388
Beggar, an insolent one 52, Chapii, notice of 575
Beggara, sufferings of the 1 0(1 Charities for the poor at Ningpa 2l)
Begffing pilgrims, notice of.. . . . 35'|Chili, consul for the Republic of. 11
Bibliotbeca binics. 40(ij;Chiin4X> Bay, notice of 580
448,500: Chinuhew, notice of 57JI
Biography and obituary notices.. U)8| .Chinese pimtes 4(i2
Bishop. Roman at Shanghai .... 24<i|,Chu«an, notice of. 577
Bi.ihop, arriv.il of a French &'ij iCliiiiute iVfH
Blind, an ni^vlum for the. 27> Coast, chart of tlie Chinese 81
Bohea hills, notice of 577
Bones of the dend, the gnthered. 2ii
B:i>wn. Rev. S. R. departure of
jCocoons, the selecting of dtc. . . 22<t
^Cm-hm chins, French vessels vinit 310
Cochinchirti, detniis respcctinir 584
54 .Coffins supplied to the p«K)r. .... 1*8
Dr 5.'i,;(^ommprre. Brt. Chnmbcr tui
the.
Bettcliioim. letter from
Hudhi-^tic th«>oiogy, influence of. lOT/Commorce, the foreign nt Canton :1I1
r..iiliriirin, Rov. J. O's Premarc. 2(ii;jCommoi'cinl Ueportcr, Meadowb*. I(:4
ItiitJhitftii. c'olfwrteur, notice of a. 65 iConfiicins, temple dedicated to. . 107
CaleiiJ ir for the year, 1847 2
Camnn. Sir J. F. Davi:* vi.Vit to. 18^-
Canfon to be opened, April 6th
IKJ7 s 190
Canton river, deHcription of 581
Csntou. fon»iirn commerce at. . . 3M
Canton Trade, remark>i on tlie.. . 134
Consular establifthincnts ]o
Condition of nonien 5«i7
Contingent Fund, eblablijihcd. . . ^Jfi7
(kiolie enii|;rants from Amoy... *208
j(^orre«poiideiice with the Hunan
I gentry 3fi3
'Coquette, \uyage lu ^Shanghai,. . 402
V
i\r»i..v.
Totlon trade, iiolicAs of the 47
Cotton crop, notice of 50J>
Count f]e Bciii, notice of 4<>4
( Timinjils, execution of lOJJ
Cnlrjv.ition of cotton 582
Currency, MomoriHl reirardingthe272
Dangern in liic China Sea 55
D A^uilar, orders of major-
P<n 183
Pavi», Sir John's visit to Canton 162
Demonstration, notices of a. .252,182
Dialotjues between two friends.. 380
Discourse, or sermons, twelve.. . 379
Doty, obituary notices of Mrs. . . 175
Dre»« 595
Dyeinor establishments. 83
Dynasties, duration of. 51
Earthquake 5(i7
Crime 5J7
Infanticide 513
Suicide common 513
Demeanor towards stranjg^rs. 51(>
Langfuage 517
Climate 521
Productions 522
Commercial imports nee 522
Importance as a missions r\' Held 52^>
Trade of. ." 524
Gambling, a tract on by Milne. . .'i79
Geography, Chinese 418
Geography for children ti82
Gentry and eldera of Honan .... 3()0
God, remarks on the names of.
^,12*2,31,30
jGods, tliree-fuld division of. .... Iv5
jGovemment of Hongkong i>
Elders nnd gentry of Honan .... 3C(]t;'Govemirient 55^8
Elephants, tmvulling on 344''Gmndjean« letter from M* d^Ci
Everett, the lion. Mr. at Canton. 320 Gniham, Rev. R- sails fur .Amrr, 5<>
Evorett, decease of f he hon. A. H. 367, GraM cloth, the msnufaclureof.. 2(:!l
Exriminntion^ at Niiiji-iK) 09 Miii kwoh Tii cbi, review nl" 4 17
Examinations, tho litornry 9f?!). Hail, fall of in Canton ^0/
Failures, coniincrcrtRl 104i,Hnll tor |H>or widows 24
Pairhrothor. ohitunry of Mr:* 178: ''"nir pl^nt 458
Famine in Honan. .' 5G7, Happer. Rov. A. P. marriage of. 5G8
Fvaron, Mr. S. professor at Kin<r'8 | Harbors 591
col S20, Hurnu^nious Water-birds. 454
Pestiviiirs of new year. . , 1.50 Hedde*s notices of Cliangchau. . 75
Fire, a destructive one st Ningpo. 57: Hemp the use of for grass-cloth . 209
Fire at Cuiitou 568 Heretical books, notices of 240
Fire at Shanghni 567 llergensi«, irenalatifms by 27:1
Fires, ren-nlatioiiM to prevent r!^l HiUier, C. B. chief niagi<<tratc. . 512
Fish-catrhiiiir birds 576 Hohsou, obituary of Mrs 17H
Flower gardens oti, jllovrlane, piiichase of a part of. . 3«U
Foreigners, the rights of |51i Hongkong, revenue of. 104
Formation uf monirchy 5H l[Holy Spirit, word tVir the 31
Fortune, instance of . .* ty). Holy Spirit, remarks on tlie 351
Fuli.4ii-.*i« Moti?e of a trip to 140. Rnnan. fietition from the eldera of 305
French otJH'Ju! in Chin^ )2 llonin. reply to the petition from 307
Pren^li ve.*»eU,.in C^ochin-chnia 3|r; Honan, addre»«s from the eldera. 501
F.-«!nch en\oy to Chim 36** Honan the people of 3l>l
Fuhchnii, n.»ti«'es ofilie city. . . . .•^«i Hongkong, the povermiient of. .. !»
Fuithau fi'i. n«itiri«5 of ',,, 4f?3 ."57711 Hongkong, inortnlity of 5l'i
(.'iiv nn;l mi'ou.b* 4Rt;iHiio rhow foo. silk fanns of.. ... 2'l'i
Topuittion of 4t*9 Houses and food 5!)7
l?nri .1 ffnuinflj* 4P!^'iHwdi«y Ngnniun'f degraded. . l.lSjO^t
(■ondition of people 49|l Hwang pi'i, river description of. 5f 3
Stone bridro described 4fXi|!nfnnt«. care of the outi:asl 2i<
Srl'.'>ol to'irher-i 49^'
MtM'.lnnic arts ^?*'''
B^'L'afTirs 4?w
licproiis in ^"l^ll^lU 431..'?^^
Inhabitants 6!>;l
f^'an:! of fragrant streams 5h'0
T ip-inetio. crew of, shipwrecked.. 1*0
lonmil of In-liin Archi|»elago. . .V.5
I'so of opimi 4!M.Kiatinr. n-tire of.... .571
Moral COM liii'iH 513 f*ing Wun noiirc of 4.%7
INDRZ.
VI
Kin^ of Cochin-china
Kiyin^tf visit to the factories. .
Kamsing moon, the anchonge. .
La Gloire and Victoneuse, wreck-
ed.
Ijsding, a Bill of.
Ladovic, proclamation of.
Lake, trip to the Tungtsien.. . . .
Land meaaurea, Chinese
Lsngiiage as spoken at Court. . .
Langiiage Cochin-chinese.
Ijaociami, diflferent classes of. . .
Laos, the mountains of.
Lapoon, notices of the town ....
Legation of the U. ii. A.
Letter-oflSces, notice of
Lin, the commissioner, notice of
List of residents in China
Litersry examinations.
Longevity, instances of great. . .
Lowrie Rew. W. M. death of. . .
Lowrie, Rev. W. M. official cor-
respondence relating to
Macassar a free port
Magazine by Dr. Milne
Manifesto from native
Manners and customs of Cochin-
china. .,
Marcus Paulos. his testimony. .
Marshman, obituary of Mrs. . . .
Marahinan, dmth of Mrs
Masffscre of En;:li9hmen
Office, the Dispatch, or Tans^fuh
Mayor of Ningpo, office of the. .
Medhinst ]i»t of tracts by
Medical skill, htfrhly e^tKomed...
MedicHi didperisaric4 at Ningpa.
Meadows, coiniiinrcial Rep
McinaiTi, nutices of the
MeniortJil on the currency
Mercer W. T. traaeurei
Military exumin itiomt
Milne, list of tracts by
Milne, Rev. W. C.'« iioticfw of
Ningpn 14;>7,
Mind, notice of the Mirror of
Ming sin pan ki«n, heart'i* Mirror
Minerals
Missron-iries, list uf Pnaestiint. .
Mijinioiurics, arrival of
MUsion«, aTT.ount of the early.. .
MiffsioMA notice of ProtestauL. . .
Mnniiineiit, the famous Syrian. .
MmiiiMinii
MotMe e.ir plint
MtirriSiin F^lnriition Society ....
564 Morrison, list of tracU by i^l
185 Mor. £d. Society, meeting of. • • 5(j8
399 Moeque, a Mohammedan CO
Movement, paniculais of the late
464 182 SS9
140 Muiriiead, Rev. W. notice of. . . 464
50H Murderers srrested. 567
109 Nainoa, notice of 580
531 Netherlands consul in China,. . i2
2961 New Testament, revision of . . . . 104
601 New Testament, Revision. 208
3^)8 Ngoh-shun-ngan on the currency
338 die 273
343 Ningpo, notice of 675
415 Ningpo, seven months* residence
65 at 16
417 Notitia Lin^uce Sinicc of Premare 266
3. Nutffanres, proclamation about. . 269
67 Obit of Mrs. Marshman and
Ti; Morriaon. 2S*7
46*2 lObituary notices of missionaries 168
jOlopuen an early missiunary . . . 106
607''Osbeck's notices of Canton 136
73 Opium trade, considered 494
:i77;iOpium, iricrea^ed production.. . . 179
247 lOpium trade, remarks on the.1794^7,39
Paganism of the Chinese 205
Pagodas of the Uocians 343
Papers relating to riot 425,465
jPatroI, notices of s night 61
iPeni, consul for the Republic of. 1 1
(Petition from the eldem of Honan 305
Pirates beheaded 514
Placards, notices of 20
PlanU 590
Pfea in behslf of China 321
2f» Pohlinan, obituary of Mra 174
271 Population 5ii3
3:)5; Port regulations at Shanghai. . . 361
27:)l Ports, the five, Int and long, of (he 401
5Vi Position snd geogrsphical divi-
6^ sinns 56.5
373 Pmyer, ex|ioKition of the Ix>rd*s. :t78
jPreinare, translation of 266
105 jProrhtnation by tli<! cath. bishop C46
408;iPre9ter Julin, notices of 1(»5
408i Prim irv ljes.<<ons recommended. 510
596
165
297
271
611
272
66
3731
19'
59j
1>
41.)
iPrnrlHiiiation to quiet the people. 1^5
•Pwan Sr.*Khiii!;, promotion of. . lUS
iPwun Sx*8hin!r*s appointment. . . 207
IKetmhtion^ of deSentiO drr.,. . . . 1J*2
ReliifTon of 6ie Chinese, notice
oflhe 203
Rent nogotiotioiM for obtaining. »UtS
Residents in Canton 346
Vll
1N0KX.
RvaifleiiU in Thina, liat of. 3
RiwidentB at Shanurhai, list of. . 41?
Revenue, Memorial re|rardiiig[ die 373
ReTiiion of the N. Testament,. .104
Reviaion of acripturea .... 567
Reynvann and Vaucher, Bleaara,
atuck upon 467
Riot in Canton, in 1846 382
Riot and Murder. 152
Rivers of Cochin-china 587
River Min de^rrihed 483
Roberta, the Rev. Mr.'a house
robbifd 320
Ruse of M. Grandjean 337
Sacred Kdict 502
Sacred IIi<9lory, ancient and
nioilern . . . ' 280
Sea, danffeni in tlie China 55|
Seals of otBce opened 150|
Sermon by the Rev. L B. Pect. 321,
Sermon^ twelve, by Dr. Milne. . ;i79
Socieiies. the three religioua... 381
Southwell, Rev. B. notice of. . . 4(i7
Spaldinf^, Rev. ?. D. notice of. 464
Speaker, the Chinese 236
Speer, death of Rev. W '^ daughter 4 J5
Speer, obituary notice of 208
Spiht, word for the Holy IM)
Spirit, remarks re{rarding 351
State of Christian religion 604
Steamer built by Chinese j04
Stronach, obituary ot Mrs John. 177
Storm cup 461
Sii K w&nflrtRia, new gov, of Canton i68
Siichau iu, notice of 573
Supreme emperor, or Sh^ngti. < . 204
Summer, opening of the 106
H wcdinh Legntion in China 11
Syrian luiMtiion in China. 160
Syrian chronicles 154
Tutsnng chuu, notice of 572
Taxes 593
Si fan<; kun? kii 448 Tea, curioua s^Kscimend of. .... . 23
ShanjHrii, church and chaplain. . 271*1 Tea-plant, spoken of. 583
Shanghai, shippine at the port of 3.^6 Temple of henvenly boy* 576
Shan<rhai. port regulations of. . . 361 Testament translated by Morrisonb72
Shanghai, description of 533 Thorn, biographical notice of Mr. 242
Map of 5.34 Thom*s Chinese S|ieaker 236
Gales of .VtT.Thinnas, the apo!«ile 154
GoveminenL 543 Ti'.ne, modes of computing 6i
Military forces 547 T'iontuncr, the temple of 118
Literary inatitution>9 548 Tineqiia's sketches of grsss-cloth 209
Religious institutions 550 Tombs, the sweeping of the. ... 5^
Budhistn. 557. Town.* in Cochin-china 502
Nunneries 557 Tracui. list of in Chinese 369
Chariuble institutions 553 Treaties, nonfulfillment of 264
1'rades and handicmfls amo Ttf^inguiing, the festivities of 59. 59
Commerce 561 Tungk wan, robberies in 3(S8
Minufactures. 563 Tii!igb«ien Ink**, a trip to the,. . . 109
Houses of assembly VO United StutCH Lf^ntion 11
Foreiim factories seS Visrabonds, ir.nlti*udes of 103
Shanghai, residents at list of. . . 4^2 Visit to Cochin-china 614
Shanghai hien, description of.. . 570 Volunteers, the gentlemen, miis-
Shangti, or supreme emperor. . . . 2(|4 ; tered 187
Sh^ngti, remarks on 34 Vnvage from Canton to Shinghi^i :ff>8
Shih-wei-tan«r, corruHpnndence jWiir an awful prerogative 264
with 416 Wcavinir ai Changrhau Bii
Shin, remarks on the word .34 ;Willian He Riibritvio*s mision. . . 1(25
Shing Yii kwan; iiiun 500 Worsnip, idolatrous, notice of.. . 106
Shinpintf at Shan«fhai 355 jWusune river description of. . . 5.33
Shipping, the ro;eiiru RtlVhamfN«a 315 iXiengniRi, the kingdom of :M0
Silk-woniis, the foe'iing of. .... 2*24 | Year, tho new, notice of J
Silk. tli« «'arly hi^*lory of 224 Year, the twenty four divisions of. 16
Silk, dyoinjf and win lincf 9:Yi
Silk-wcirm.««. fording of 57.S
Siiiira. hihlitrthecn 406,4 ^8,50(*
Skeirhiii^ by native ariisu 20! y ^.udiac, tlie twelve signs uf 16
Ye-^teji*, early missions l.W
Wylie, Mr. A. notice of 4«>4
Wtinderinrs in China 569
THB
CHINESE REPOSITORY
Vol. XVI.— January, 1S47.— No. 1.
*^^^^^»^^'%^>^^>^»^l^^^>^>-^*^»^^^'^^^^-^*i#^r^«>^^^>'^S^V^>'W
AftT. I Tke new year ; a eomparative English and Chinese Ca-
lendar; list of the foreign residents at the five ports, S^*c.;
government of Hongkong; foreign legations; and consular es'
tabUshments in China.
Canton January 1st, 1847. Once more we wi«:h our readers and
^'iends. whether near or remote, a happy and prosperous new year.
' Te are anxious, more than ever before, to draw their attention to
lije people of this empire — the widest field in the world, under one
government, for arduous enterprise. Important changes are in pro-
gress among the Chinese ; and though these may be scarcely per-
ceptible at a distance, and even here pass unnoticed and unheeded
by the careless observer, still they are moving steadily on, and in
their course will sweep away some of the most ancient and firmly
^^(tablished institutions oCthis strangely named *' celestial empire."
The changes that have occurred, during the fifteen years elapsed
ince our monthly journal was commenced, are doubtless the pre-
cursors of others far greater and far more beneficial. Evils, springin i
ip from error, ignorance, falsehood, superstition, cruelty, wrong, ai..:
^otrage, — abound in all parts of the land ; and dreadful must be thei.**
results, unless timely reformations come in to afford alleviation to th-.
sufTering multitudes. The events of the past year have indicated
feverish state in the body politic, that makes us exceedingly anxioi >
that efficient remedies should be speedily applied. Truth should i -
proclaimed ;' and in China, as everywhere else, it will prove, in ti..'
providence of Ood, a most powerful engine in removing the exidtin^.^
^/ils and io hastening forward thexiesired amelioration.
' Thanking our friends for what they have already contributed, v.-
i^new our request that they will continue to aid us in placing on the
F^ges of the Chinese Repository a faithful record of passing events,
acearate descriptions of men and things and existinjr opinions, witii
sibh suggestions as may serve to hasten happier years aud more
r oeperous times to all people.
VINU* XVI. NO. I. i
•'I
CaUndar for the Year 1847
Jak.
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UST OF FOREIGN RESIDENTS IN CHINA.
A*. B, it hag betnfo^md impcswikU to moU^ with perfeU tuettrmeff^ tk* fUtu of
rendonco of all tho foreignorM in China -, in tht following^ UH tare hao heon
takon to inchuU tho nanus of all ezeopt those eonnutsd with tho British army
and navy ; if any hav bsen owutud^ it has besn unintsntional.
^kMMMMMMMlA«MMM«M««#N««««^«A^«^«M#M«M«N«V^lto
Abdilah Darid Saiioon,
Abercrorobie, H. U.
Adnams, J.,
Aga Mirza Booznigr,
Aga Mirza Boozrug,
Aga Mohomed.
Agabcg,C.
Agassiz, Arthur
Alcock, R. and family'
Alexander, W.
Almeida, Braz de
Anderson, J. A.
Anderion, D.,
Ardaseer Rastomjeet
Ardaaeer Furdonjee.
Aapendariee Tainoojee,
Aapinall, )r. Richard -
Aspinall, William G.
Augi^r, F. J.
AxeTedo, Luiz M. de
Backhouse, J.
Badenoch, P.,
Balfour, A. H.
Balkwell, Henry
*«ll, Rev. D. and family
incker, James A
iaptista, Jofto SeTero
3armore, George
Barnard, D.
Barnes, O. J.* .
rnet, George,
Bamet, William
Bartadaa. Angelo
Barradai, Francisco
Barradcs, Vicente
Birretto, Jo^o
Farreiio, A. V.
liarretvo, J A.
Barros, Fra icisoo A.
Barton, (ie^-rge K.
B.:U son /Charles £.
li'ivhe, N.
Beale. Thomas Ohay
Bean m on u Joseph
B*n'iir.j.n F.liah*
Bevan. *VMiiam F.
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h
Bellamy, John e
Bird, Alexander 1i'
Birdseye, T. J. s
Birley, F. B., e
Bland, James •
Blaas, Ferdinand a
Blonkin, William e
Bomanjee Eduljce. e
Bomanjee Muneheije*. e
Bonney, 8. W. e
Boone, Bp. and famBy s
Botelho, Arnaldo e
Bourne, H. F. e
Boustead, Edward c
BoTet, Louis e
BoTet, Fritz e
Bowden, William h
Bowman, Abram e
Bowman, James h
Bowman, John ■
Bowman, A. • s
Bowring, J. C. " h
Bowra, C. W. h
Bowra, W. A. h
Brabner, S. K. e
Braga, Jofto h
Braffa, Manoel h
Brame, Charles J. " h
Bridgman, ReT. E. C. and fkm. c
Bridgman, Bct. James G. e
Brimelow, James W. h
Brinley, C. H. e
Britto, Joze de h
Brooks, Robertson s
Rrooksbank, John h
Brown, William Ward c
Brown, W. h
Brown, Rev. 8. R. and family ab.
Brown, W. W. •
Brown, Rev. H. A. a
Bruce, George C. b
Bruce, Murdoch h
Buchanan, J. C. h
Buckton, Charles, h
Bueton, C, w
Bugnon, Alexia •
LUt of Foreign Rttidatu in China-
Burd, JobD
Burg, jr., D. Vioder
BuT»M, E. N.
Burjorjee Hormojer,
Burjorjee Sor&b}«e.
Buriorjee Peslonjee,
Burn, H- P.
Both, T. T. uid ftmiljF
Burton, Edwird
Bait, John
Buxlon, T.
Bf ramJBC, RiutomJM
Cuur, C. A.,
Ciins, Hon. Major
Cainw, John
Calder, Alexander
CdldiB, JcmquimP.
Cnldwell, D, a.
Camsjee, P H,
Cannjee, D H.
C»m«jee, R. H.
Campbell. ArcbibtU aifut.
Camphell, A,
Ctmpbell, A E, H.
Campb*ll, Hon. C. B.
Campoi, Joaquiin de
CftniMit, Joiin H.
Ctrlowiti, Riclwrd
Ctrr, John
Ctrler, Au^uitos
Cunltio, Anlonio H.
CuTilho, Joie H.
Cutio, L. d'AIouda e
CmUo, J. d'Almad* e
C>j. R. D.
Cfaklmrra, Patrick
Chapman, A.
ChoialoT, Franoi* C.
Clark, C. G.
Cic . erljt, Capt. and Amilf
Cleirrlj, C, 8l. G.
C-W ton, R«T. 8. C. and iam.
Cohen, E. ^
Cohen, S. H.
Cole, Richard and familjr
Collini, Jainei, and familj
Comelate, J. O.
Compton, J. B.
Campton, Charle* S.
Comptoii, 8.
Cooittoek, W. O.,
Cnnner, William
Cooper, Frederick
C<>"pcr, Jamea
Cooverjee Boinanje*.
Cottalla, Antonio M-
Cowaqee Peitonjee.
Cowaajee Palunjee
Cowaijee Trainjee. o
Cowaajeo Sapooijee Lnnfrana. o
" .roer, Edmnnd o
.tnpson, Jamei f
Crawford, Nlnian h
Croii, George de St. . c
Croi»t N. de St. m
Crooke, Jamea c
Croom, Aleunder F. k
Crockanthorp, R. H. h
Cnii, Felii T. de in
CidberUon, Bar. M. S. add tka. n
Culvert, R. R. o
Cumminr, W. H., a
.mffEam, E. >
Corrie, John h
Canctjee Peatonjee Cana. a
Curaetjee Hoaeniee, e
Cavillier, John Y. e
D'Aciular, Hon. O. h
Dadabho; Bjrramjee. e
Dadabhoj Hoiunajee. ■
Dadabboy Bnrjorjee. a
Dadabhoy EdiilJM. «
Dadabhoj Jenuetjee. e
Dale, T. «
Dal*, W. W. t
Daliiel, W. t
Dallaa, A. Grant i
Dana, R. P. e
Oavia, Sir J. F h
Davidaon, Walter h
David Serym^our, h
Da wood Moaei. c
Dian, ReT. W. h
Delano, Edward c
Dent, Wilkinion b
Dent, John '
Dent, Oeorre <
DelleTie, 8. ' I
Devaa, Rev. T. T. li
DiokinaoD, Heary \
"'-TOO, Andrew k
ihaw. Peatonjee <
Diiwell, Georee B. f
Dbanjeebhoy Byramjee. %
Dhnnj;"LKiy Raltonjee, «
ffhutijeebnoy Dadabboy. i
Dhunjeebboy Hormoajec, c
Dhanjeebboy Ruitomjee, b
Dorabfee Neiaerwanjee Catnaje, i
Doanabhoj HoriDuajee, i
DonglaN, R. H. i
Drrer, Williara <
Drinker, W. l
Dudnon, Patrick <
Duddrll, G. t
Dandaa, H. t
paql<^, Archibald i
1847.
List of Foreign Residents in CkinQ.
Danjcebhoy Fnmiee Canw. h
Doping, C. h
Dunrnn, jr., J. A. m
Damn, Adhetnar m
Darrell, TioioUiy J. c
Daas, N. h
DuTal. F. e
Edger, J. F. and family e
Edttljec Curaetjcet e
Edwards, R. m
Eldridge, Oliver e
Eliaoo DaTid Saaaoon. o
Ellioe, Robert h
Ellii, W. e
Emery, W. h
Empaon, C. a
Eneama^ io, Antonio L. k
Everand, Thomas e
ETerett, h. b. A. H. and family m
Farncomb, B. k
Farquhar, W. C. s
Fearon, S. abatnl
Fearon, C. A. a
Fergusaon, John h
Fessenden, Henry h
Fiocham, Alfred e
Findlay, George h
Fischer, Maximilian and iamliy e
Fittock, W. H. h
Fletcher, Angus absent
Fletcher, Duncan k h
Foneeca, Antonio de h
Forbes, Paul 8. and family e
Forbes, Duncan a
Ford, Martin e
Fogg, H. s
Framjee, Nesserwanjee e
Framjee Hormnsjee, s
Framjee Sapoorjee Lungrana. c
Framjee Hormurjee, e
Franklyn, W. H. h
Fraser, G. h
Freemantle, £. w
French, Rev. John B. e
Fryer, A. U. • h
Funck, F. h
Garden, Joio h
Gibb, George c
Gibb, T. A. abgnU.
Gibb, John D. s
Gibbs, Richard e
Gilbert, J., h
Gilbert, William e
Gibson, £. «
Gibson, Edmund s
Giles, £. F. e
Gilman, R. J. c
Gilman, William H. e
Gilman, R. J. c
Gillespie, C. V. and family e
Gillespie, Rev. W.
Gingell, W. R.
Gittios, Thomas
Glew, Joseph Thomas
Guddard, W. H.,
Qoddard, John A.
Oonsolves, Antonio
Qraham, Rev. R. and family
Qrant, James
Gnndpr^, Francisco
Grandprf , Aleaandm
Graves* ^•
Gny« Samuel
Gny«H.M M.
Or»y» A.
Griswold, John N. Alaop,
Gutierres, Candido
Gntierrea, J.
Gutilaff, Rev. C. and family
Hanee, H.J.
Hsniason, G. £.
Hagne, P.
Hallam, S. J.
Hale, F. H.
Hardie, H. R.
Hirker, Henry Robert
Harkort, Bernbard
Hipp«rt Rev. A . P. m
Harrison, G. £.
Har^ C. H.,
Harvey, F. E.
Hasting, William
Heard, John
Heerjeebhoy Hormnsjee,
HerUlet, F. L.
Hesherington, John
Heskesh, Hy.
Hey, William
Heyl, W. 8.
Hilikes, H.
HilK Samuel
Hillier, C. B. and family
Hodgson, J.
Hogg, W.
Holdforth, C. G. h
Holgate, H. w
Holmes, John, h
Hormusjee Nesserwanjee Poch, e
Hormusjee Jamaajee Nauhdera. c
Hormusjee, Peatnnjee •
Horsburgh, H. S. h
Howe, U. F. c
Howell, Augiiftna h
Hubertson, G. F. a
Hudson, Rev. T. H. and hm. m
Hudson, Aug. h
''Hughesdon, Charles and fam. e
Hume, Hon. J. W. h
Hume, G. and family s
Humphreys, Alfred h
List of Fttreign Rfnidents in China.
Jah.
Hunter, Thomas
Hunt, T.
Hutchinson, W.
Hyland, Thomas
Inglish, A L. and family
Irons, James
Jackson, R. B. and family
Jackson, Roger
Jacob Rubian.
James Lomaz,
Jamoojee Nusserwanjee.
Jamsetjee Eduljee.
Jardine, David
Jardine. Joseph
Jarrom, Rct. W. and family
Jehengeer Framjee,
Jesus, JoAo de
Jesus, Joaquim de
Jesus, JoAo de
Johnson, D.
Johnson, ReT. S.
Johnson, Hon. Alexander R.
Jones, Thomas
Josephs, Levin
Jufurbhoy Budroodeen.
Just, L.,
Just, Jr., L. abgaU^
Kay, William
Kay, J. Duncan
Kennedy, K. M.
Kennedy, H. H.
Kenny, B. and family
Kerr, Crawford ah§§mt^
King, W. H. e
King, F. A. c
King, David O. c
Kinsman, Nathaniel e
Kirk, Thomas s
Kreyenhagen, J. c
Lamson, G. U. c
Lane, Thomas Ash mhgtnif
Lane, William m
Lapraik, Douglass h
Law, E. A. c
Lay ton, F. A. •
Lavton, T. H. a
Le'Geyt, W. C. h
Leffler, Johannes h
Leives, William D. h
Lena, Alexander h
Levin, £. H. k
Lewis, A. h
Liljevalch, h. x. C. F. c
Lind, Henry h
Liinjeehhoy J rmsetjee. c
Livingston, ^ /. P. abstnt.
Livingston, J. Gibbons c
Lloyd, Rev John a
Lockhart, W. and family s
Loomis, Rev. A. W. and fam. n
s
h
h
s
f
s
c
h
e
c
e
h
n
h
h
h
h
c
h
h
e
«
c
h
s
h
h
s
e
BLowrie, Rev W. M.
Lowrie, Robert, and family
Lyall, George,
MaccuUock, Alexander
Mac E wen, James
Mackenzie, K. R.
Mackenzie, C. D.
Mackenzie, S.
Mackenzie, D. W.
MacSwyney, P. C.
Macleod, M. A.
Macleau, J. L
h
h
s
h
Mackay, Hugh
MacKnighi, Thomas
s
c
e
h
h
h
b
h
MacMurray, James h
MacMinnies, Capt. and family s
Macgowan, D. J. and family n
Macgregor, P. C. e
Maciver, William W. h
Mahomed Thawar, c
M-iltby, C. •
Man, J. L. e
Maneckjee Cooverjee, e
Maneckjee Nanabhoy. e
Markwick, Charles h
Marsh, W. H. h
Marquis, Domingos P. e
Marques, Fortutiato F. e
Marjoribanka, Samuel e
Mar^al, Honorio m
Matheson, Donald h
Matheson, W. F. h
Matheson, C. S. •
Mattheus, A. h
Mawjee, Careem e
May, Charles and family h
M*C.-irtee, D B. n
M'Clatchie, Rev. T. and (km. •
McDonald, James •
McGregor, R. c
McGregor, H. h
McPherson, Alexander W. h
Meadows, T. T. c
Meadows, John A. T. c
Meredith, G. e
Merwanjee Pestonjee. c
.McCart, Patrick h
.Melville, Archibald e
Medhurst, Rev. W. H. and family s
Mercer, W. T. h
Meredith, W S. f
Menfing, William e
Miles, W. H. h
Milne, Rev. W. C and family s
Milne, C. H
Miranda, Agostinho de e
Moller, Edmund e
Moore. William e
.Moolah Shaikbraim Nooroodeen, e
Moolah Shaiktyab Furjullabhoy, c
1847.
List of Foreign Residents in China,
h
f
h
h
c
c
e
■
c
c
e
c
Morgan, W.
Morrison, M. C.
Morritoo, J. G.
Motaen, A. R. B.
Motabhoy Mahomedelly,
Mountey, John T.
Moui, Henry
Moocreiff, Thomai
Mor^, W. H.
Monl, George
Moul, Alfred
Muller, O. E. .
Mumford, C. W.
Mnnaell, J. E.
Mnnchersaw Nasaerwanjee My. c
Mancherjee Peatonjee. c
Murrow, L. E. e
Mnrrow, Y. J. c
Murray, Charlea W. h
Murry, — a
Mancherjee Edaljee. o»
Nanjeebhoy Haaaanif e
Napier, George h
Neaaerwanjee Byramjee Fackeerajee,
Newman, E.
Neave, I'hnmaa D.
No2r-?tra, Valentiin de
N.^ronna, Joxe M. de
Nrifonha, F. de
>,'orton, W* M.
Nu8s(*rwanjee Ardaaeer.
Ntisserwanjee Bomanjee Mody.
Nuziuoodeen Shojaully.
Nye. Gideon jr. abseiU.
Nv" ^ Clement D.
.Nve, T. S. H.
Nye, E. C. H.
CVJy, C.
Ohnated, H. M.
Olding, JL A.
Orwald, Richard
Outeiro, Joze M. d'
Oz«rio, Candido J.
OAurio, Candido ^
Parker, Rev. P. and family
Parker, N. de E.
Parkea, H. S.
Pariah, F.
Park, James Otckaon
Patollo, S. E.
Parkin, WW.
P«*rcy, Rev. G. and family
Pfvt, Re^. L. B. and family
Peirce, W. P.
Pceira, Ignacio P. J
P -eira, Ignacio /
Prreira, Edward
Perkins, G.
Perkins, George
Peatonjee Byramjee CoUh.
h
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h
h
h
s
c
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c
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c
c •
9
c
c
s
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h
c
Pestonjee Jenisetjee Motiwalla. c
Pestonjee Nowrojee Pochawjee, c
Phillips, J. h
Piccope, T. C. c
Piccope, W. N. o
Piatt, 1 homas s
Poblraan, Rev. W. J. a
Ponder, Stephen e
Pope, John, h
Porter, J. h
Potter, D. s
Proctor, jr., D. L. h
Purver, J. P., w
Postaa, William c
Pyke, William s
Pyke, Thomas. a
Qaarterman, Rev. John W. n
Rae, John h
Range 1, Rofino h
Range], Floriano A. h
RangeljSegismnndo J. e
Rangel, Jayme e
Rathbone, S. G. abgemt.
Rawle, SB. h
Reiche, F. c-
Read, li. C. h
Remedios, Boaventura dos h
Reniedios, J. Baxilio dos h
Reuben, Isaac s
Reynvaan, H. G. m
Rioeiro, Laariano F. V. h
Rickett, John and family h
Richards, P. F. s
Rtenacher, R. h
Ripley, Philips W. h
Ritchie, A. A. and family c
Ritaon, John a
Robinson, W. F. h
Roberta, O. E., c
Roberts, Joseph L. o
Roberts, Rev. I. J. c
Robertson, O. B. a
RoberUon, F. s
Roeha, Antonio A. da h
Rodriguea, T. B. o
Rogers, Jacob C. - c
Rohe, R. H. o
Ross, J. B. s
Ross, W. F. h
Roose, Wilh'am R. . s
Rothwell, Richard
Rouaseau, James P. 0
Rowland, Thomaa H. h
Rosario, Cepriano do ' h
Rosario, Florencio do c
Roza, Jozino da k
Rushton, W. H. •
Rustooi)ee Burjoijee. c
Rastomjee Oadabhoy Camajce. c
liRastomjee Pestonjee MotiwaUa c
8
List of Foreign Residents in China.
Jan.
RoatAinjee Framjee.
Rustomjee Ruttonjeef
Rustomjee. Ciinetjee
Rutter, Henry
Riiiter, William
Ruitunjee Frainjee Vatcha.
Ryan, Geor|^e, and family
Ryder, C.
Sanohex, Joze
Sanders, Charles
Sanders, F. absiU,
Samson, M.
Saner, C.
Saul, R. P.
Saver, jr., John, _
Schumacher, G. U.
Scott, William
Scott, Adam
Seare, Benjamin
Sehweroann, O. W.
Shaik Munsoor Nesamnlly.
Shaik Hussun Shaikammud.
Shapoorjee Sorabjee,
Shaw, Charles
Shelley, A. £.
Shepard, J.
Shortrede, Andrew
Shorburn, William
Shuck, Rev. J. L.
Shumsoodeen AbdooUatiff.
Sichel, Michael
Sillar, D.
Silva, Joze da
Silva, Marciano de
Silver, R. P. De
Silver, H. T. De
SiWeira, Albino P.
Silverlock John
Simoena, Manoel
Simoens, Domingoa P.
Sinclair, Fraser
Sinclair, C. A.
Skinner, John
Smith, O. F.
Smith, J. Mackrill, and family
Smith, Henry
Smith, Gilbert
Smith, Thomas S.
Smith, H. H.
Smith, James
Smith, John, and family
Smith, J. C.
Smi|h, G.
Smithera, T.
Snodgrasa, William K.
Snow, E. N.
Solomon Dawood.
Sorabjee Byramjee Colah. .
Souza, Fbreneie de
Soun, Atkanasi« de
e
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8
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8
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k
Souza, Joze Pedro de k
Souza, jr., Miffuel de - h
Souza, Marcellino de m
Spears, ^— 8
Speer, Rev. William^ and fom. c
Spring, Francis h
Stanton, Rev. V. and/amily h
Steevens, D. h
Stevenson, James h
Still, C. F. h
Sterling, Hon. P. J h
Stewart, Patrick and family ui
Stewart, C. J. F. h
Stewart, John ' h
Strachan, George h
Strachan, Robert h
Stronach, Rev. A. and family a
Stronach, Rev. J. a
Sturgia, R. S. ' s
Sturgia, Jamea P. m
Sturgia, R. S. a
Syle, Rev. E. W. and family a
Syme, F. D. a
Sullivan, G. G. n
Surrufully Chadabhoy. e
Sword, John D. c
Taylor, E. a
Tarrant, William, and ikmily h
Thawerbhoy Allam, e
Tiedemanjr. P. c
Tiedeman. F. H. c
Thiatlethwaite, John i .
Thorapaon, F. h
Thorburn, R. F. h
Thorne, A. c
Toby, C, w
Trabahaw, Jamea h
Tromp, A. P. o
Trott, John B. e
Trotter, G. A. — . h"^
Tyndale, H. h '
Ullat, R. B. 8
Urmaon, G. a
Vacher, W. H. e
Van Basel, M. J. Senn, and fam. u
Van Loffelt, J. P. c
Vaucher, E. c
Velsberg, William •
Vidigal, Antonio de h
Vioton, E. Dyer c
Wade, Capt. and family ■
WadA,T. h ;
Walkfer, J. T. f H
Walker, J. T. f !
Walker, Alexander \
Walkinskaw, W. h
Warden, H. H. <? ^
Warden, E. h
V\ar*ley, W. H. o
Warrington, James -. $
1847.
Owenmeni of Hongkong.
WatMn T. B.
Watart, Chmrlet
WaterhouM, £.
Watkint, C T.
Wataon, J. P.
Waj, her, R. Q. aod fkmilj
Weiaa, Charles
Whitall, JaiDM
WhiUall, J.
White, J. and familT
Wildman, R. J.
Wilhelmjr, Marten
Wilkinton, Alfred
Wilkineon, Cbarlee
\¥i]kineon, Franoia
Williams, J.
Williams, 8. W.
Willaume, John
b
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Wilson, C.
Wilson, Alexander
Wills, C.
Wiluhire, H.
Winph, J. H.
Winchester, C. A.
Wise, John
Wise, Joeeph
Wolcott, H. O.
Wolcott, M. W.
Woods, Frederick
Woodberry. C
Worthingion, Jamee
Wyer, F.
Young, W. and family
Young, Peter
Young, James H.
Young, A i.
b
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a
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absent
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^■wwwMwaaMwwi
GOVERNMENT OF HONGKONG.
Governor^ Commander in Chitj
and Vict'AdmiraL
His Excellency Sir John Francis
Davis, Baronet.
Lieutenant'Oovemor,
The Hon. Major General, George
D'Aguilar, C. B.
Chief Justice.
The Hon. John Walter Halroe, Eq.
Attorney General.
The Hon. Paul Ivy Sterling, Esq.
( absent. )
Colonial Secretary and Auditor
General.
The Hon. Major William Caine.
Colonial Chaplain.
The Rev. Vincent John Stanton.
Aidde^amp to H. E. the
Governor.
Captain Sargent, H. M. 18th R. I.
Executive Council.
H. E. the Governor.
The Hon. the Lieat.-Governor.
The Hon. the Colonial Secretary.
The Hon. the Secretary to H. M.
Plenipotentiary.
Legislative Council,
H. E. the Governor.
The Hon. the Lieut.-Governor.
The Hon. the Chief Justice.
The Hon. the Attorney General.
VOL. ZVI. NO. I. 2
Colonial Ojfiee.
L. d'Almada e Castro, Chief Clerk.
Joze d' Almada e Castro, 2nd do.
H. J. Hance, 3rd do.
A. Grandpr6, 4th do.
Treaoury Ofice.
W. T. Mercer Esq. (acting) Co-
lonial Treasurer.
J. G. Comelate, Chief Clerk.
Robert Rienacher, 2nd do.
W. H. Miles, 3rd do.
Audit and Council Ofice.
W. Morgan, Clerk.
Land Ofice.
Charles St. George Cleverly, Esq.
Surveyor General.
John Pope, Clerk of Works, 6lc.
William Tarrant, Clerk of (Deed)
Registry, d&c. 6lc.
J. C. Power, Book-keeper.
G. E. Harrison, Clerk.
Keoketch, Chinese do.
Murdoch Bruce, Insp. of Roads.
Antonio Mattheus, Overseer of
Convicts.
W. Pincanca, Sexton..
Supreme Court.
Hon. J. W. Hulme, Chief Justice.
C. B. Csmpbell, Attorney Geni.
R. D. Cay, Registrar.
F. Smith, Deputy Registrar.
10
H. B. H. Consular Esiabliskments in China.
Jan.
T. Wade, Chinese Interpreter.
Joao de Jezus, Malty do.
W. Alexander* Clerk of Court.
G. A. Trotter, Clerk of C. J.
John Brooksbank, Usher.
Police Magirtrate's Office,
C. B. Hillier, (officiating) Chief
Magistrate.
C. G. Hold forth, Asst. Magistrate.
D. R. Caldwell, Clerk of Court
and Interpreter,
J. de Jezus, Assist. Interpreter.
James Collins Ist Clerk.
James Collins, Gaoler.
Marint MagistraU*s Office.
Lieut. W. Pedder, R. N.
W. H. Fittock, Clerk.
Harbor Master*s Office.
Lieut. W. Pedder, R. N., Harbor
Master.
Alexander Lena, Assistant.
£. R. Michell, Clerk.
Ibrahim, Interpreter.
Sherijfs Office.
C. B. Hillier tisq., (officg.) Sheriff.
C. G. Holdforth, Deputy do.
Registrar GeneraVs Office.
Samuel Fearon, Registrar Gene-
ral (absent).
A. L. Inglish, Officiating do.
James Stetenson, Clerk.
Police Rate Assessment Office.
Charles Markwick, ) ''^'"^ ^»^•"
G. E. Hanissoo, j^l^^J,
F. de Noronha, Sub-collector.
Colonial Surgeon.
Peter Young, Esq.
Coroner.
N. de E. Parker, Esq.
Post Office.
Thomas Hyland, Post Master.
R. H. Crackanthrop, Chief Clerk.
W. H. Marsh, 2nd do.
J. B. dos Remediost 3rd do.
Police Office.
Charles May, Superintendent.
H. McGregor, Inspector.
T. Smithers, do.
Justices of the Peace.
A. E. Shelley, Esq.
The Hon. A. R. Johnston, Esq.
J. F. Edger, Esq.
A. Fletcher, Enq. (absent)
G. Smith, Esq.
Donald Matheson, Esq.
Hbr Britannic Majbsty'b Supbrintbndbnct and Consular
Establishments in China.
At Hongkong.
»». « 11 a- T u p ' ( Her Britannic Mmestv's Pleni"
Hi. Excellency Sir John Francis I ^^,. „nd Chief Super^
Davis, Baronet \ intendent of Trade.
The Hon. A. R. Johnston, Secretary and Registrar.
The Rev. Charles Gutzlaff,
Mr. Alexander Bird,
Mr. William Connor
Mr. C. T. Watkins,
F. C. Macfirregor, Esq.
John Backhouse, Esiq.
T. T. Meadows, Esq.
Mr. E. F. Giles,
Chinese Secretary.
First Assistant.
Second ditto.
Third diito.
At Canion.
Consul.
Acting Vice^onsuL
Interpreter.
Senior Assistant.
1847.
List of Foreign Consuh in China.
11
Mr. H. Oakly,
N. de St. Croix, Esq.
T. H. Lajton, Esq.
W. R. Gingell, Esq.
Mr. F. L. Hertslet,
Mr. C. A. Wiochester,
R. B. Jtckson, Esq.
M. C. Morrison, Esq.
Mr. J. T. Walker,
Mr. W. S. Meredith,
G. G. Sullivan, Esq.
C. A. Sinclair, Esq.
Mr. P. Hague,
Mr. F. Parish,
R. Alcock, Esq.
D. B. Robertson, Esq.
W. H. Medhurst, Esq.
H. S. Parkes, Esq.
Mr. F. H. Hale,
Mr. F. Harvey,
Mr. F. Robertson,
Junior ditto.
Consular Agent^ Wkampoa.
At Amoy.
Consul.
Interpreter,
Senior Assistant,
i Junior Assistant and Medical
( Attendant.
At f\ihckauf{t.
Consul.
Interpreter,
Senior Assistant.
Junior ditto.
At Ningpo.
Acting Consul.
Interpreter,
Senior Assistant.
Junior ditto.
At Shdnghai.
Consul,
Vice-consul.
Interpreter, (absent.)
Acting Interpreter.
Senior Assistant and Medical
Attendant..
Second Assistant.
Third ditto.
I
'"""■■■■■ — ■ II I -
U. S. A. LEGATION.
His ExcELLBNcr Alexander ( Commissioner to the court of
H. Everett. ( Ptking, J^c, ^c.
Rev. Peter Parker, m. d. Secretary S^ Chinese Interpreter.
SWEDISH LEGATION.
How: C. F. LiLJEVALCH, ? ■#• • ^ nt . .
Chevalier Tordre de Wasa. \ ^'""'^^ FUntpotenttary, Spc.
FOREIGN CONSULS.
Paul S. Forbes, Esq. U. S. A. Consul, Canton.
Gideon Nye junior, Esq. \ ^^''i ^^'' f^' Republic of Chili
^ * ^ } S. A. (absent),
Clement D. Nye, Esq. (actifig Consul for same) Can.
W. W. Parkin, Esq. i Consul for the Republic of Ftru.
\ S. A. Canton.
F. T. Bush, Esq. U.S.A. Consul, Hongkong.
i'Z
List of Protestant Missionaries in China*
Jan.
Henry G. Wolcott, Esq.
D. Jardine, Esq.
Ch. Lefebr6 de Becour, Esq. |
M. J. Senn Van Basel, Esq,
Alexander Calder, Esq.
U. 8, A, Consul, SMngkdi.
Danish Consuls Canton,
Consul of the first class^ acting
as French consul in China
Netherlands Consul, Canton.
Acting Danish Consul, Shdngh,
Art. II. List of the Protestant missionaries in China, indica^
ting the year of their arrival, the societies with which they are
cowucted, and the places at which they are resident.
Protest.\nt missions in China are comparatively of recent origin
and of very limited extent. They have been undertaken by the
folJowing Societies: J^ The London Missionary Society; 2, The
Netherlands Missionary Society; 3, The Rhenish Missionary So-
ciety; 4, The American Board of Commioners for Foreign Mis.
sions; 5, The American Baptist Board of Foreign Missions; 6, The
American Episcopal Board of Foreign Missions; 7, The English
Church Missionary Society ; 8. The American Presbyterian Board
of Foreign Missions; and 9, The English General Baptist Mission-
ary Society.
The missionaries in connection with the above named Societies
are respectfully and earnestly requested to furnish, at their earliest
convenience, full narratives of the origin and progress of their re-
spective missions, with such accounts of their present state, as they
may like to have published in the pages of the Chinese Repository.
Such documents will be most thankfully received.
Besides the names of the missionaries, the following list indicates
the time of their entering the mission, and the periods of service,
d&c.
A list of the Protestant Missionaries to the Chinese.
KeT. Robert Morriton. D. D.
Kev. WiUiim Milni*. d. d.
Rev. VV. H. Medhurst, d. d.
Rev. John S later,
Rev. John Ince.
Rev. Samuel Milton,
Rev. Robert Fleminfr,
Rev. James Humplineya.
Rev. Dnvid Collie.
Rev. .Samuel Kidd. 1BS4 18.13 london mia society, Malacca
Emterti:
grtfn.rf
: DM:
1807
1834
1HIS
1B21
1817
1817
1823
1818
1825
1818
182.5
1830
\H23
1822
1830
1922
1828
18S4
18.12
London mis society,
london mis society,
londou mis society,
london mis society,
london mis society,
londou mis society,
london niii society,
london mis society,
london mis society,
london mia aociety.
Canton.
Malacca.
Shanghai.
Batavia.
Penan?.
Singapore.
Malacca.
acca.
acca.
Ma
Ma
1847.
List of Protestant Missionaries in China.
13
lUf . John Smith, 18S6 1829
Rev. Jacob Tomlin, 1826 1836
IUt. Samuel Dyer, 1827
ReT. Charlei Gatz!a5, 1827 1835
Rev. £. C. Bridgman, d. D. 1829
Rev. David Abeel, 18i0
Rev. Herman Rottger, 1832
Rev. John Evani, 18V
Rev. ira. Tracv, 1833 1846
Mr S. Wella VlTilliama, 1833
Rev. Stephan Johnson. 1833
Rev. Samuel Munson, 1833
Rev. Peter Parker, m. d. 1834
Rev. William DeM, 1834
Rev. Edwin Stevena, 1835
Rev. Henrv Lockwood, 1835 1838
Rev. F. R. Hanaoo, 1835 1837
Rev. Evan Daviet. 1835 1839
Rev. Samuel Wolfe, 1835
Rev. William Yonng, 1835
Rev. J. L. Shuck, 1R.16
Rev. Alanson Reed, 18)6
Rev. 1. J. Roberts, 1836
Rev. J. T. Dickinson, 1837 1840
Rev. M B. Hope. m. d. 1837 1838
Rev. Stephen Tracy, m. d. 1837 1839
Rev. Elihu Doty. 1837
Rev. Elbert Nevios. 1837 1843
Rt. Rev. Bp. W J. Boone, D. D. 1837
Rev. Aletander Stronach, 1838
Rev. John Stronach, 1837
Mr. E. B. Sqoire, 1838 1840
Rev. Dver Ball. m. d. 1838
Rev. George W. Wood, 1838 1840
Rev. William J. PolUman, 1838
William Lock hart, m. f . c. i. ]8f)8
Rev. Robert W. Orr, 18"^ 1841
Rev. John A. Mitchell, 18^
Rev. S. R. Brown. 1839
Rev. Josiah T. Goddard, 1 8 19
Rev. Nathan S. Benham. 1819
Rev. Lyman B. Peet, 18^
William Diver, M. D. 18^ 1841
Rev. James LeTve. d. d. 18*^
Rev. Willum C. Milne, 18':9
Benjamin Hobson, m. D. 18'?9
Rev. Thomas L. McBryde, 1810 1843
James Hepburn, m. d. 1811
Rev. W. M. Lowrie. 18t2
W. H. Gumming, m. D. 18i2
Daniel J. Macgowan, m. d. 1813
Rev. James G. Bridgoan, 1814
Mr. Richard Cole, 1844
D. B. M'Cartee. M. D. Ift44
Rev. R. Q. Way. IH\
Rev. T. T. Devan, m. d. 1844
Rev. W. Gillespie, 1844
Rev. John Lloyd, 1844
Rev. A. P. Happer, M. D. 1841
Rev. M. S. Colberuon, 1841
i?ev. A. W. Loomis, 1844
i?«v. George Smith. 1844 1846
Itev. Thomas M'CIatchie, 1844
Xev. H. W. Wooda, (April 24) 1845 1816
JSev. R. Graham. do. 1845
Jtev. Edward W. Syle, 1845
R^T. Huf^h A. Brown. 1845
Rf^. Thomas H. Hudson. 1845
london mis society,
london mis society,
1843 london mis society,
Neth mis society,
Abe f missions,
ab c f missions,
Rhenish mis society,
1841 london mis society,
abc f missions,
ab c f missions,
abc f missions,
1834 abc f missions,
a b c f missions,
a b b f missions,
1837 a b c f miaaions,
f e b f missions,
a e b f missions,
london mis society,
1837 london mis socie^,
london mis socie^,
a b b f missions,
1839 a b b f missions,
a b b f missions,
a b c f missions,
a b c f missions,
a b c f missions,
abc r missions,
a b c f missions,
a e b f missions,
london mis society,
london mis society,
church mis society,
a b c f missions,
a b c f missions,
a b c f missions,
london mis society,
american presb board,
1838 american presb board,
mor ed society
a b h f missions,
1840 a b c f missions,
8 b c f missions,
R h c f missions,
london mis society,
london mis society,
london mis society,
american presb boird,
american presb board,
american presb board,
abb f missions,
a b c f missions
american presb board,
american presb board,
american presb board,
abb r missions,
london mis society,
american presb board,
american presb board,
american presb board,
american pretb board,
church mis society,
church mis society,
a e b f missions,
ae b f missions,
a e b f missions,
american presb board,
english gen b m soc
Malacca.
Singapore.
Penang.
China.
Canton.
Amoy.
Rhio.
Malacca.
Singapore.
Canton.
Fnhchan.
India Archi.
Canton.
Hongkong.
Canton.
BaUvia.
Bate via.
Penang.
Singapore.
Amoy.
Canton.
Bangkok.
Canton.
Singapore.
Singapore.
Siam.
Amoy.
Borneo.
Shanghai.
Amoy.
Amoy.
Macao.
Canton.
Singapore.
Amoy.
Shanghai.
Singapore
Singapore.
Hongkong.
Ban^ok .
Bangkok.
Canton.
Macao.
Hongkong
Shanghai.
Hongkong.
Amoy .
Amoy.
Ningpo.
Amoy.
Ningpo.
Canton.
Ningpo.
Nmgpo.
Ningpo.
Hongkong.
Hongkong.
Amoy.
Macao.
Ningpo.
Ningpo.
Hongkong.
Shanghai.
Shanghai.
Shanghai.
Shanghai.
Amoy.
Ningpo.
14
Seven Months' Residence at Ningpo.
Jan.
/JCY. William Jarrom, 1815
Mr. S. \V. Bonney, 1845
Kcv. E. N. Jeiiks, 1846
Key. S. C. riopion, 1846
Row. (Icorgc Fearcjr, 1846
Hew. William Speer, 1847
Kev. Jiihn B. French, 1847
Kev. John W. Quartemun, 18-17
engliih gen b m toe
a b c f missiunii,
a b b f miuiona,
a b b r missioM,
a b b r miasiona,
arocrican p board
american p board
amcrican p board
Ningpo.
Canton.
Bangkok.
Canton.
Canton,
Canton,
Canton.
Mingpo.
^>^^^^0*0^0^0^0t0t0^0^0*0^^0t^*^^»^0^^^0^0^^l^l^^0^^*0^0t^'^^^^^f^
Art. III. Notices of a seven months* residence in the city of Ning^
po. By the Rev, William C, Milne. (Continued from vol.
XIII. p. 857./
FcuRrARY24th, 1843. A party of naval officers attached to H. M. S.
" Thalia," the guardship at Chusan, is at present in this neighbor-
hood. At their request I accompanied them in their calls of cere-
mony upon the leading native officers of the city. We were received
with unabated civility and kindness.
In the course of our perambulations, we passed under "the drum
loft," an arch of wide span, surmounted by a guard house. The
scene around was lively and bustling, for it stands in the centre of the
city and upon the spot where the principal streets meet. It existed
prior to the loth century and has, in the interim, undergone a
variety of changes. The object of the monument is clearly denoted
by the various appellations under which it goes, such as " the obser-
vatory" *' the sea sun radiance loft." I am not aware that it is still
extant, but at one time an inscription adorned it which signified " the
clear distance" All these terms denote that the building was
originally designed to be a guard station, or a point from which the
surrounding country could be explored, with a view to maintaining
a supervision over the interests of the city and its inhabitants. The
popular name, "drum lojt" may have had its origin in the fact, that
a large drum was kept there, to be used by the city watchman, in
striking night beats or in cases of emergency from foe or from fire.
February 26/A. A merchant of Ch^pii, hearing that I was resid-
ing in this city, called to make urfirent and minute inquiries about
the trade with foreigners. He appears anxious to remove from Ch&-
* Though lomewhat of the novelty of the narrative may be lost by delay,
yet the intrinsic value of Mr. Milne's articles is suflicient to render them in-
teresting at all times as permanent documents. — For the first half of the nar-
rative the reader is referred to vol. Xlll. pp. 14, 74, 127, and 337.
1S47. Seven Mmth$' Residence at Ningpo. 15
pu, where he already has flourishing business, to Shanghai^ whither
the eyes of all the ambitious speculators of "the flowery land" are
now directed as the great mart of the empire and the sure gate to
fortune. He strongly recommends that I should penetrate into the
interior, and has volunteered to render me all the aid and protection
in his power if 1 should decide on venturing up the country.
March \st. Dined at a silk mercers, and had freedom in open-
ing the gospel truths to my messmate. The interest evinced on
this occasion by the attention of the company was greater than T
have yet witnessed. The apprentices and servants hung about the
room quietly listening to all that passed.
March 2d, Dr. Ch4ng was urged to prepare for a future world,
as his hoary hairs point him out to be an early victim for death. The
/cooly took refuge in h'li country's customs and practices, dtc, and
hoped that he would live long enough to perform certain vows, which
he had made many years ago to his patron deity. He would then
die in peace.
March 3d. An aged officer, attended by some of his secretaries
waited upon me, accepted some tracts, and expressed his astonish-
ment that Englishmen should not worship Confucius but *' one Jesus "
of whom he had just heard.
An American brig " Rsymond," captain Dennison came up
the river and anchored nearly abreast the custom-house. The high
officers went on board, ascertained it was a merchant vessel, but
refused all permission to trade until the tarifi* should be finally settl-
ed at Canton and they should receive the imperial order to open
the port. Their procedure was marked with justice and forbearance.
March 4th, Dined in the evening with an officer of inferior rank,
of bad reputation, of vicious temper, and of low manners. I soon
quitted his table for his habits were so dirty and revolting. After
he had listened for a little to the sketch of the history of the Lord
Jesus, he went the round of conjectures that he must be the English
Confucius, or Pwankii the father of mankind, or some one like unto
the merciful goddess Kwdn yin,
March 6th. The third of the 24 periods, into which the Chinese
have divided their year falls upon this day. It is the " Kingchih,**
or the period of " the excited insects;" for according to their ento-
mology, it is supposed that, at this term, reptiles and insects are
" aroused by the thunder claps of spring time, from the torpor of the
winter season, during which they have been imbedded in clay."
As I have just intimated, the Chinese year is divided into '44
16
Seoen Months' Risidence at Ningpo
Jan.
terms " which express the periods of the sun's passage through the
twelve signs of the zodiac." The terms are applied to the day on
which the sun is in the (irst and in the fifteenth degree of a sign of
the zodiac; concequently, in reckoning by the lunar year, their
places in the calendar will change every yeart but in the solar year
of Europeans they will fall more uniformly upon the same day in
successive years.
When an intercalary month occurs, the terms continue to be rec-
koned as usual, an arrangement that sometimes brings the first term
into the twelfth moon, making twenty five terms in a year; but most
usually it falls on the first month. Some of the terms are sixteen
days in length and some are fourteen, but the average is fifteen.
They correspend to our months nearly as follows, falling in the signs
here given.
SPRING SIGNS.
1. February 5th
2. „ 21 St
3. March 6th
4. „ 22d
5. April 6th
6. .. 22d
Lih-ts'iin
Yii-shui
King-chih
Ts'un-fan
TsMng-ming
Kuh-yu
1
!
I
SUMMER SIGNS.
1. May
3. June
4. ..
6. July
6.
>»
7th
22d
7th
22d
8th
21st
Lih-hid
Si^u-mwan
M'lng-chung
HiA-chf
Si^u-shu
Ti-shu
!
1
}
AUTUMNAL SIGNS.
1. August 9th
2. „ 24th
3. September 9th
4. „ 24th
5. October 9th
6. 24 th
>>
Lih-u*i6
Chii-shu
Peh-lu
Ts'iri-fan
H&n-lu
Shwing-ki4ng
1
}
The sun in Aquarius.*
1st Moon.
The sun in Pisces.
2d Moon.
The sun in Aries.
3d Moon.
The sun in Taurus.
The sun in Taurus.
4th Moon.
The sun in Gemini.
5th Moon.
The sun in Cancer.
6th Moon.
The sua in Leo.
The sun in Leo.
7th Moon.
The sun in Virgo.
8th Moon.
The sun in Libra.
9th Moon.
The sun in Scorpio.
* The Zodiactl marki adopted in Chineve Almanacki, althoui^h represent-
ing objecti aelected from the Zooloj^ical world, differ coniiderably from the
iigni used amongst as. They distinguish them as follows : 1st the Tiger ;
3d the Hare ; 3d the Dragon ; 4th the Serpent ; 5th the Horse ; 6th the Sheep ;
7th the IVS ..nkey \ 8th the Coek \ 9th the Dog \ 10 the Boar ; 1 1th the Mouse ;
12th Cow.
IS47. Sevefi Month* s Residence at Ningjio. IT
WINTER SIGNS.
1 TVT u o.u T -u * Y The sun in Scorpio.
1. November 8th Lih-tun? ) . ,n*u ili
o ooj ax, • u / > 1 0th Moon.
2. „ 23d Siaa-sieuh
!i
3: Dec^mberBth Trsieuh mh 7oc!n ^'^''''""'*
t J " ^ ZT^u^^ I \ Thesnil^n'Capricornius.
6. January 6tli Si^u-hin \ \ ,^.^ ^_„ '^
6. .. 2d Td-han
I ^ 12th Moon.
" '^ Aa-iiuu , ^ The sun enters Aquarius.
In the nomenclature of the annual terms there is a reference to
Tariations in the seasons of the year; and, as it may be interesting
to have the native interpretation of the particulars in the preceding
tables, I append the following brief analysis.
Spring sietis.
1. Lih^ts^uHf or " beginning spring/' to celebrate which they
have an annual festival, somewhat resembling the procession of the
Bull Apis among the Egyptians, a brief notice of the observances on
which occasion was given on the 3d of February, from which it will
appear that it is connected with the opening of agricultural labor
for the current year. '
2. Yu'shui, or " rain-water," or the vernrrTshowers that begin to
develope and nourish universal nature.
3. King'chih, or " exciting insects," has already been explained.
4. Ts^un-faHf or "vernal division," or "the vernal equinox when
day and night are equally divided."
- 6. TsHng-ming, or ** clear brightness," when " the wind and sun
are pure and genial and the spring light is clear and cheering. Dur^
ing this term the most religious attention is paid to the sepulchres
and manes of departed friends."
' 6. Kuh-yUf or "grain rains," to be improved for scattering and
sowing seed.
Summer signs,
1. Lih'hii, or " opening summer."
2. Siu-mwan, or "little filled," the wheat by this time has gra-
dually rot ripe and full.
3. Mdn^-chnns^f or " busy in planting," when the husbandman
is fully occupied in transplanting the paddy.
4. HiU'chi, or "summer point," or eatival solstice, when the
length of the summer day is greatest.
5. SiuU'shu, or " little heat," or the gradual rise of warm temper-
ature.
' 6. Td'shu, or "great heat," diiring which the temperature waxes
i!xeeediiigly hoL
VOL. XVI. wo. f. 3
IS 8t9€n Months* Residence at Nitigpo, Jan.
Autumnal tings,
I.- ZtiA-Z^'tci, or "the beginning of autumn.'*
2. Chii'shii, or '* the extreme height of the hot temperature."
3. Peh'lu, or •* white dew begins to fall." .
4. 7:f'tu;/hii, or '' autumnal equinox."
5. Hiin'lu^ or " cold dew," the falling dew gets gradually colder.
6. Shwdng'kidngf or *' the descent of hoar-frost."
Winter signs.
1. Z»iA-/tfif^, or *' the opening of winter." , i
2. Sidu'sieuhf or " little snow occasionally." .
3. 7Vf-5tftfA, or " much snow."
4. . Ttfit^-cAi, OF " winter solstice."
5. SidU'hdn, or *' the temperature falls by degrees."
G. 7Vi-AiiR, or " the temperature falls to the lowest point."
Mareh 7th. At 7 o'clock this evening a comet appeared ; lio
southwest. This has created a good deal of apprehension in m:>8t
minds, as the phenomenon is vulgarly considered to be an infelii^iiima
omen of warlike invasion from the southwest. After the late horrors
the very " rumors of war " now strike the public mind witl: a ; arful
panic.
March lOfh. During my absence in the afternoon, a certair outh
managed to open one of my lockers, and abstract a bottle off nnine
from my small stock of medicines. This medicine I valued much,
as it was in daily request among numerous applicants, suffering rroia
fever and ague. But by the treachery of this young rogue, t e soo
of my aged friend Dr. r!h 6 ng, I have had as it were my right liand
cut short and i now cannot afford that relief, I would to my cJa.iiurous
patients. This youth has been domiciled under my roof the la^t two
or three weeks. In consequence of my having positively refused to
afford any relief to some of the Budhist nuns, with whom he seems
to be a peculiar favorite, it appears they put him up to the dirty trick
of betraying my confidence and of handing over the valued bottle into
their hands. Unfortunately for the traitor the bottle broke, could
not be replaced and bore witness against the young thief. Moreover,
the cheat being discovered, the youth denied any participotion in
the matter, but at length he freely confessed his error and owned that
.his friends at the nunnery had instigated him to the theft and now
left him in the lurch to bear the obloquy and brunt of detections
But leaving this little matter, it is worthy a passing- remark that ih.
is not her warlike prowess alone that has gone before tlie sons aari
1847. Seven Manthn* Residence at Kingpo, 19
tobjects of Great Britain to render them universally famoas. The
rumor of the succefssea of their medical skill has flown through the
vastempire, and already Englishmen, (all of them without distinction,)
seem to be popular as possessing the divine art of healing every form
and grade of disease. It is highly probable that the great latitude
with which they ascribe a knowledge of the iCsculapian study to their
victorious visits, it is to be ascribed to the fact that, among themselvesi
both the scholar and the barber^ with the members of the intermediate
grades, one and all make some pretensions to the important science.
Doubtless too, since they perceive that foreigners are not by any
means despicable in the work of destruction and in the art of war,
they drew the conclusion that their competitors must be as clever
and skillful in the benevolent office of healing the sick and the
diceased. No sooner did I establish myself at Ningpo than one
came and anotlier came seeking a little of the " western medicines/'
to cure them, it may be of itch, or of ophthalmy, or ague, or of
toothache. Seeing that the simple remedies, which I had at hand,
proved successful, ^y skill as a medieal practioner has got abroad
and my rooms now come to be haunted by numerous applicants, to
whom I am compelled candidly to confess my inability to reader
them the assistance they need. As long as my supply of sulphur,
quinine, nitrate of silver and creosote lasts, I may maintain a good
place in the estimation of the itchy, the aguish, " tlie red-eyed," and
the tormented ; but beyond their limited circle I can gain no repute
and seek no more ; for it is enough to have the -responsibility of moving
with becoming dignity as the medico in this small sphere.
To be in earnest, there is a twofold advantage that I have derived
from ihe wide extended fame of European medical skill. It -has
brought many intelligent visitors to me from whom I have derived
much information and to whom in return I l^ave presented the word
of life. It is demonstrated also how valuable an accessory a medical
department might be made to any mission in India or in China,
provided it be kept in a. secondary place as a means to the great
end of the missionary work.
March IIM. A stroll through the city and its suburbs will invaria-
bly well repay the pedestrian, there is always some thing profitalile
as well as novel coming under one's observation. On passing some 4»f
the public resorts and thoroughfares, such as the gateway, a visitor
has his attention directed to the numerous phicardn of different sizes
and of various shapes that are pasted up to apprize " the gentry and
nobility," *' the ladies and gentlemen/' of '* religious services,*' and
80 Sepen- Months* Residence at Ningpa* Jan.
*' theatridal shows," "magisterial instruction," and ^' medical achieve-
ments." Among other curiosities in this class of literature, you will
find fiery squibs on private and public characters, sober admonition
on sundry subjects and quack pufTs in every line of business.
Objection appears to be taken by many in this country, as well as
in Europe, to the placarding of bills upon their premises; and hence,
notices to the following effect were occasionally met with, "bills
pasted here will be daubed over," "placards posted here will be
torn down," "you are not permitted to placard here," and some-
time by such a wild and polite request as " pray ,do not pasteup your
bilfs," a lesson on the gentleness and power of the " suaviter in
raodo" is read to those English- Lords and Lairds who so freely
launch but their threat, of "spring guns" and " fierce dogs."
' March 20th. Dr. Chdng celebrated his seventieth year to-day and
invited me to join him and his friends at their festive board. — The
septuagenarian was greatly pleased with the honor we paid him. It
was yesterday that he o ig'it to have kept his birthday, but in conse-
quence of my rule to keep the Sabbath, he put it off to suit my con-
venience.
The Chinese take particular notice of every tenth ye^r in tht^ir
personal history, and no anniversary meets with more acceptance
than when the " threescore years and ten " are filled up. The de-
cades being specially noticed, have distinct appellations given thetn ;
^or instance :
At 10, One is said to have reached his chu-tfi, " the first degree
of life."
At 20, he is "youthful capped."*
At 30, he is " strong and marriageable.^*f
At 40, " capable to hold an official situation."
At 50, the individual' is qualified to " know his errors."
At 60, he has closed one " cycle."
At 70, the man is " a rara avis of antiquity."
At 80, he has " a rusty iron colored visage."
At 90, he is at his " dotage."
At 100, he reaches the " extreme of old age."
* Formerly when a lad reanh(*d this a^e, the ceremony of capping him was
conducted with peculiar rites. The four grand ceremonial bccasions, that in
olden times, enffrossed the thoughts, excited tJie paasiona, and expended the
reiiourccs of all classes, were "the youthful capping," " marriage," " huriai/'
snd " worshiping the dead/' and of these the first is the only one that has
fallen into disuse or has merged in the marriage seryice.
t He is suppos'>d to have reached manhood and to be capable of under-
taking the duties of a household. '>
1847. Seven Months* Residence at Ningpo. 21
Indeed so much importance is attached to these stages of human
life that in the cases of deceased parents the surviving children, if
they have the means at command, are most punctilious, in celebrat-
ing those special decades which would have marked their history
had they sojourned in the land of the living. To one or two such
posthumous ceremonies, I have gained admittance at diflerent times,
and the peculiar feature that distinguished these ' inferior occasions'
(as they are called) from ' the superior' is that they partake much
of a funeral character, white being substituted for rcc/, mourning for
gladness, and weeping for smiles.
The sacred regard, which the Chinese pay to the claims of kindred,
secures to the patriarchs of respectable families all the support they
need in their helpless pilgrimage; and symp.ithy eflfectually operates
in the relief of the ptK^r septuaganarian whose relatives are unable to
provide him with the comforts or the necessaries of his advanced
age. In China one's feelings are never harrowed with the sad spec-
tacle of an aged parent, discarded by his children and lefl to perish
unattended and uncomforted, under the scorching rays of the sun
or on the banks of a rapid river; but you see the tottering senior
carefully led through the street or the alley, by a son, or a dau^jhter,
a relation or a servant, commanding the spontaneous regard of every
passer-by and the homage of every junior.
In some of the principal citiejs of the empire, they have " Alms<p
houses for old men," erected and supported by public contributions
At Huichau fu, for instance, they boast of 500 "destitute aged
men," who, in this mani^r, enjoy the protection and nurture — so
suitable to their advanced years.
The deference that the public mind pnys to the extreme sections
of old age is made palpable also on the tablets and monuments, that
are occasionally raised by public subscription, or by imperial authori-
ty, to the memory of octogenarians, nonagenarians and centenarians.
* The patriarchal nature of the Chinese government requires that
government should take special notice of its long lived subjects; and
both the laws and the example, of the reigning dynasty especfalfy,
have given much sanction to the dictates of nature and have conftrm"*
ed the popular habits. — ^The Penal Code, in the 79th Section,. prders
that "all destitute widows, the fatherless and childless, the helpless
and infirm shall receive sufficient maintenance and protection from
the magistrates of their native city or district, whenever they hate nei-
ther relations nor connections on whom they may depend for support.
And any magistrate refusing such maintenauce aud i^oIqcXvoH) ^Yw*^
22 Seven Months' Residence at Ningpo. Jan;
be puniahed by 60 blows. Also when any such are maintained and
protected by the governmeot, the superintending magistrate and his
subordinates — if failing to afford them the legal allowance of food
and raiment, shall be punished in proportion to the amount of the
deficiency, according to the law against an embezzlement of gor
vernment.
We find too, that the 22d Section, of the same Code, makes an ex-
ception, in criminal cases, of the aged, ** whoever is ascertained to
be aged or infirm at the period of trial for any offence, shall be allow-
ed the benefit of such plea, although he may not have attained the
full age or labored under the alleged infirmity at the time the offence
was committed."
An edict was issued in the year 1687, under the seal of the eni-:
peror Kanghf, " for the regulating the aid given by government to
people of the lower orders eUwve 70 years of age. The septuagena-
rians were exempted from service «nd had food allotted to them ;
those of eighty years had a piece of silk, a catty of cotton, a stone
office, and iO catties of meat. Those of 90 double the rest."
According to the official returns of the indigent aged, who at the
time came tmder the patronage of imperial favor there were 184,086
who were 70 years and upwards, 169,850 who were 80 years and
upwards, 9,996 who were 90 year and upwards, and 21 who were
100 years and upwards.
In 1722 in the 60lA year of the reign of K^ngbi, his majesty gave
a feast to the old men of the empire ; and his successor Kieiilung,
following the example of bis predecessor, in the year 1785, also set
on foot a jubille of the same nature, a description of which has been
given, in a communication from Amiot, dated Oct. ISth, 1785.
March 2lst' As I was passing by, I looked in at the temple of
the Tdu sect near the south gate, called the Lu4sn temple. Service
was going on, under the conduct of an aged superior dressed in a
vestment of many colors and bearing a mitre on bis head. The two
junior priests aided him in the various cantations prescribed, but
conducted themselves with such a want of decorum that it made
even a hater of idolatry blush. Leaving this spot, I proceeded to the
great Budhistic monastery just behind, where I was. kindly received
by the priests, who were engaged in a special service appointed by a
rich family, in the neighborhood, the ladies of which were in the
building taking part in the ceremonies. The attendance of priests
was large, and all united in chanting the lessons and hymns. — The
pageantry was novel, but the mummery was painful beyond expreii-
1847. Seven Motttlu' Residence a( Ningpo. 23
sion. The remarks I dropped on the sin and inutilitj of such idola-
trous practices, and on the nature of the worship required by "God
who is a spirit" — were received with kindness by the mingled crowds.
' March 22i/. Numerous visitors crowded my apartments. Among
others there came messengers from the chief office, to inquire if there
wsB any foundation for the rumor that a steamer had made its appear-
ance in the estuary leading to the city of Hingchau fu, and that
some Englishmen had even got into the provincial capital itself. All
thai r could say was that it was highly improbable.
March 23d. An officer, whom I visited, produced a valuable packet
of '^strengthening tea/' prepared in Yunnin province and universally
held in great repute as a medical preparation. It looked much like
bominon black tea, made up into round balls with a sort of paste
or gum. But the infusion tasted very bitter. — After descanting at
some length and in a rhapsodical straiir, on the virtue of this beverage,
he abruptly proceeded to assure me that there was another species
of tea, superior still and indeed unequalled for flavor, fineness and
scarciiy. It was *' the monkey tea" This he added could be obtained
only in small quantities, at no price, and in select spots. Growing on
heights inaccessible to the foot of man, and approachable only by the
Sagacious brute whose name it bears, it is collected by certain of the
monkey species which are trained to climb up the most lofty precipices,'
and after filling their pouches with the delicious herb, descend to
empty their contents into their master's baskets ! !
' The delicacy of this tea, he pronounces to be beyond conception
tad the value of it beyond rubies. Having himself tasted its sweeia,
he deplores that he has it not his power to treat his friend with a cup
of such a prime draught. On referring to Le Breton's, '* La Chine
en Mihiature," I find he gives the following notice of the same
article. " Dry and elevated situations are much more suitable for the
cultivation of tea, than low and damp ones ; the consequence is th.it
the in-gathering is often very difficult, especially that of the best
kind of tea. Men could not, without the greatest difficulty, hold on
at the sides of the peaks ; one false step might be the cause of se-
vere wounds or at least injure or tear up the young trees. Some-
times the sides are so sharp and pointed that it would not be possi-
ble for men to climb up.*
*' Aceordini; to report there are tea shrubs whose sitaation is so mnch
elevated beyond the reach of the natives that their leaves can be foniid only
by the wind driving them from the top to the base of Che moantaini, where
tlwy are picked up by the proprietors of ther plantations. «
24 Seven Monihi* Residence at Ningpo, Jan.*
" To overcome this difficulty a singular expedient has been resort*-
ed to. Modktes are dressed so as to be able to climb, and to gather:
the leaves off the tea branches. One can easily conceive how diffi-
cult it is to have to make use of such helps, for the monkies can
only be guided on such occasions by an instinct purely mechanical.
" When they have descended the mountain that they have c!imb<y
ed with the help of cords, they receive for a rewards some dainty
for their taste."
March 24th. One of the special topics which I have made the
subject of inquiry, since I have been thrown so completely amongst
the people, has been regarding the existence, support, and objects of
their benevolent institutions. In the preceding notes, mention has:
been made of a few of their philanthropic societies, especially of
'' the Orphan," and '* Foundling Hospitals," and the "Alms-houses for
aged men." Besides these, the following are worthy of a passing*
notice.
1st. " The Virtuous Hall " or TsifLg' kieh tdng^ is a retreat for poor>
destitute* widows, who have lost all earthly support. It is a building
erecte^ by private contributions and under the sanction of govern-^
ment. Admission is gnined also for those young maidens, whose
intended husbands have died prior to marriage, and who have vowed
perpetual virginity in consequence of their misfortunes.*
2d. "The Provident and Relief Asylum,'' or Yang tsi Yuen, is a
government building designed to afford shelter to the infirm and the
disabled. There the halt, and the maimed, and the lame, and the blind
meet to sympathize with each other, and to enjoy some expression of
paternal concern from the heads of government.
l^he important cities of the empire offer some such refuge as this
to the numerous objects of pity, that haunt their streets and alleys
The arrangements do not, however, seem to be by any means ade^
* In their chief ottiei, where both poverty and wealth are to be found
stalking through the streets, some provision is made for widows. Hence we
find that there is a small fund in the city of Canton for the relief of widows.
It is of recent origin haying commenced operations only in the first year of
the present emperor's reign. " The government unites with the gentry in
supporting and managing it. It is already ^tting into disorder, and the
lAnng'tau has issued a threatening proclamation to the widows. They get
about 5 taels per annum {£\ XZs.) ; 1 tael (69. M,) for each quarter ; and one
mor»«for the new year. The number now on the fund is 1500. The com-
plaint is that those who get married sell their tickets instead of returning
them ; and the fViends of those who die do the same. This is a sort of parish
relief; and those who have kindred on the spot do not like the exposure,
and browbeating necessary to get the alma! so that the chief applicants are
widows, whose kindred live at a dintance from Canton,
1847. Seven Jkfonihs^ KesVdehee ai Xingpo. 25
qaate to meet the necessities of the iDdigent refugees, or to suppreite
the beggary which is so freqaent both, in town and country. Ac*
cording to some intimations it appears that only a " iimiied number "
is statedly favored with proTision from the imperial treasurer,
^hWe ** the excess*' is suffered just to taste of the good things the
imperial heart woald freely grant- if the Coffers were larger and
fuller. When those on the lists disappear or die off, their places are
sdon filled Up Out of ibre multitude of clamorous candidates.
• There is an indindual appointed by the local authorities to super-
vise the inmates of ''the r-etreat," and to keep them in subordination.
Should his protegees be found begging in the streets, or should com-
plaints be made of their noistf applications for alms, he has authority,
to check their vagrant disposition8.-^Thrown as they all are into
one building itself comfortless and rendered inconceivably so by the
uncleanly and irregular habits uf the mannerless occupants, the
respectable natives although themselves not ^' of the first water,"
speak of it with significant gestures and shrugs, so that we are pre-
cluded the very hope that it may somewhat reseiilble the *^ poor
houses " of Great Britain in neatness, order, and cleanliness. Various
circunietances contribute to render such a provision (well becoming
a patriarchal government,) almost useless and inefficient. Of these
the most notorious and the most wicked is the cupidity of the super-
intending agents, who hesitate not to enrich themselves • by drawing
upon the aHowances of the famished and helpless^ This remark
may apply indeed to all the *' Philanthropic Institutions" of this
empire.
And hence, the crowds of pitiful objects that parade the streets
and pass from shop to shop and house to house, raising their impor-
tunate and ceaseless din, until you are compelled to give your charity.
Early in the morning as the bustle of business rises within the city
walls, a united band of blind and lame beggars ni.iy daily be observ-
ed entering the gates of Ningpo, in Indian file, bent on pressing
their claims upon the attention and coinp.issioH of the shopkeepers^
householders and gentry.
Besides vocal music the aid of instruments in also called in by
these begging pilgrims to excite pity and commiseration. — On ap-
proaching you, you are flattered, as well as entreated. Should your:
hand move quickly and give liberally 1(^,000 blessings are lavishly
and eagerly poured upon your head. But bad luck is divined for
the hard heart and the hand that withholds its mite. Liberal alms-
giving is not, so far as we know, of frequent occut(euc\> uv CV\\w^.
VOL. XVI. NO. I. 4
26 Avfii 'Slanihsl 'Resilience €H 'NtTigpo. JAnj
But sometimes it istdbc mel_wtth.',TIiust4rere'.t5'«!noticeora Chinese.
lady in Canton, who duving the cold. .an4 rainy weather .of/ Decern ber?
1892,. *^ caused 500 fjacketd to: be distributed amoR^t the aged and.
infirm beggars of Canton/' Rich folka occasionally dievise iiberali
things and gain- for themsel>vesr the ;8nule; pf the emperor, and thei
benediction of the poor upon their .children's children unto the ^hird.
and fourth generatioa. ;-.. ■ . . • - i;? . ' -i' *
Drought, inundation, hailstones, pestilence;. and: wan. calii forth.
from time to time special benevolences from .thie government,, and
these are noticed in the imperialgaz^ttes: with the sums, pf money-
granted or the quantity of grain allowed. ! One 'line of. conduct,
which was pursued by the. military leaders of the English troops, and*
whichj at Ningpo, Chdpu, and other places visited by the invading,
armyvreconciled myriads of the poor to their misfortunes and gained.
not>a little applause for the conquering heroes, was the: liberal and*
cheap distribution of -the rice found-in, the imperial granaries, that
fell into the. hands of thetBritish« . ^
I was present on more than one occasion Ki'" a rice dispensary/'^
opened at Chi«h4i in the beginning of 1842^ Tbfliclaims of appetite;
and the low prices — alik» urged the poor i and perishing, young and.
old, ifnan and: woman, to hasten to the feet of their once called bar*
bcaian visitors and to receive some expression of concern and sym-
pathy; and the name of Lo-portdu (Robert Thom}^ who headed thist
charitable movement is deeply engraven on .the minds of hundreds,
and thousands in the province of Chehkiang. > . i . •
3d. '* Educational charities" Under a former date a description,
was given by ilie^of an institution in Ningpo for the education of the
poor scholar. The i^hidh or ** Charity" (school) is. another . of tlie
same class, got upaiid supported by private, conlributiona., . H&ng*^
•liau fu is said to liave several of them, for educating ttie .phildren of|
poor parents. •• i- • /:■ ' . . •■• ' ■..' . .., ! :rr '• j:: . . " ,
4th. ** Medical {lispensariesJ* . iThese : are known to the natives,
under the appellation i^AiiA, the primary object of which i/s to ex^-;
mine the diseases of sick poor patients and to administer medicine;
free of charge. But;'from all accounts, they appear to be conducted
on principles both limited and illiberal^ so that.they may. be said tOt
beunkhownor. inoperative of real good.* I cannol find that any f
mec/tcarcharities exist among' the natives of Nirtgpo except the depart-'
" • It appears from "the Deicriptidn of the City of Canton " that*' 'some
centuries atf.» a public dispensary was set up, in order to furnish the indi*rpnt
sick Willi iBcdicims; bul for a lon«r time the establishment has been closed."
] 84t. Seven jUontksl^ ResuUnee atxNmffpik 27
ment connected witb thei practical benevolent. socienji meiniioned be-
low ;'biit I am assured on good aalhority that they are lo be met with in
Hingchau fu andother cities of the fust magnitude.
. 5th< '" An Asy/um for the blind,'* .seems to have been founded in
the'i city of. Cahton as will appear from the following extract taken
out of the Chinese Repository vol. I; p; 295; > * v
• ''iThe Pwany'u magistrate has issued a (ifrochamattonconcorning this
govero.iiientai:iastitLitioit recfuiritig all the blind to.appear <in person,
aadfBhew their tickets, and be examined.: According to his account,,
theve.are :2/394: blind* people both men and women,, who teceivie a
monthly allowance. Th^lamount js .S'ltdltoibe about 4 or 5 mace
per month, under a shilling a week. This is insufliciefit for food and
they fare allowed to beg, singt ^c.*,. for the additional means of sub-
sistence. There. is no useful work, such as basket-making > contrived
^o keep, them' employed, nor is there any asylum supported by vo-
luntary subscription. The magistrate, suspects that tickets are hand-
ed to those for whom they were not originally given and that people
only half blind impose on the government., lie threatens^ such in
case of detection." /
6th. .'*A Leper hospital,** ^exists at Canton, where leprosy of a
most hideous, disgusting, and incurable form hastoo man.y'-victims.
In 18^ the number of patients in it was 341, who were supported
at en expense of 300 taels per annum or i£lOO! !
7th. *\4 Vaccine establishment,** has been maintained at Canton
^ince 1S05, when v^ccination was first introduced by Alex. Pearson,
esq., surgeon of the E. I. Company factory, who vaccinated large
numbers himself and wrote a tract on the theory and Art, which was
subsequently translated into Chinese by sir George Staunton. Dr.
Pearson himself opened the establishment; but it has since been
carried on with success and much encouragement by natives, who'
had been initiated by the foundery of the institution. The merits
pf .the novel introduction are well known and wide spread in the
most important districts. Inoculation is frequently practised but on
the tender lining membrane of the nostrils instead of the arm.
. ftth. **The Pfoctical benevolent society,** is one connected with
the city of Ningpo, a report of which for the year 1836 f have this
day, stumbled upon. With some peculiar, and interesting notices of
thia charity, I shall close my remarks on the benevolent institutions
of the celestial empire.
The origin of this .<)ociety is but of recent date, having been set
on foot in the I4th year of the present empeiot, ot k.u. V%i\,^x\\v.
23 Sevm Months* Residence at Ningpa, Jan.
oipally at the: instigation of two influential gentlemen, who were
moved, by the distresses of the year, to propose certain measures for.
the relief of popular misery and to contribute largely of their owa
funds to that benevolent purpose. The precise views, objects, means,
and results of that movement will be best understood from the fol-'
lowing digest, drawn up from the report now lying before me.
1. TAe objects. 1. V 2% Take care of the outcast infofUs.'* The
report intimates that the pity of the founders had been moved by the
harrowing scenes, that came under thein observation, of famished,
pining, and screaming babes, which lay scattered along the paths,
roads, and highways, having been deserted by their parents in con-
sequence of the severe famine of the season.
- In course of time the parents of some came forward to claim their'
offspring, others. were adopted as sons and daughters, and many died.
The surviving children were placed under the care of nurses and
were supported at the monthly rate of 800 cash or some less than 35.
each. In case of sickness medicine was provided. The details
given under this head are most minute, of 42 children whose names
are given 8 are boys, the rest are girls; the names of the nurses
under whose care they were placed for the current year are distinctly
noted :-^lhe dates of deathsor of transfer from one nurse to a second
are set in the margin; the average allowance to each child during
the year amounted to- 9,600 cash, or 8 dollars, or ^1 \^s. Ad,; the
medical bill follows, in which is a curious item of t524 cash n)r band-
ages to the feet of 7 of the girls; the -sum total expended for thetr
food, nursing and physicking is <£8 1 lOs. . . >
2. A second object is **fo provide raiment*' for the poor during
the cold winter season. The report states that in the same year
ISJkA, tyrants of clothes were made to the foundling hospital and to
poor beggars in town and country ; tickets of recommendation
drawn out in regular form, also procured supplies of raiment for the
applicants. The common covering worn- by beggars during the
Ksiny and winter seasons, which is nothing hut a coarse paddy sack
thrown over the person, appears to be the donation of this institution;
The blothing distributed during the season amounted to 2693 pieces
of raiment.
3. " To Supply the poor with ro fins:*' The consideration that
prompts to this step can at once be appreciated. A note on this
particular was made by me on the lOth of last Decifmber. — By the
statements before me 151 coffin^, at an average expense of about
4M'. each, were provided foir the destitute during the year 1835. The
1847.
Seven 31onth$' Residence at Ningp;
29
table specifies the residences of the individuals with the names of
persons recommending the cases, and the dates of the different
grants.
Urn
c
Q
e
09
o
•
U
•s
j3
§
%
s
s
to QO
t^flO. — t*
CC — — CO o
« ^ — e«
— eteo-^uD^t^QDoao — eiw
4. To " Bury thost found dead** Of course this goes on the as-
sumption that the deceased are not recognized or acknowledged by
their relatives. —The dates, places, and carpentry and carriage are
items most minutely specified. The following table will shew th6
number of young and old who were found dead in the city and sub-
urbs of Ningpo in 1835, the winter months of course claiming the
majority.
CoOini
CoffilM
CofliiM.
6'o^&ns
Moon.
for
for
Moon.
for
for
Adults.
Children.
AdulU.
Children.
1
30
8 '
7
6
3
• 1
2
30
11
8
4
4
Total Adults 216
3
15
I
9
12
7
,, Children 6:)
4
17
4
10
11
7
5
6
6
7
0
3
11
12
15
24
4
8
. Total 279 .
13
39
3
►
105
27 1
111
36
' '
5. " To Gather the scattered bones of the dead" lying about up and
down the country : this act of respect to the relics of those who have
been committed to the dunt, is paid periodically both at spring time
and at the close of the year. The bones are deposited in coffins of
the middle size and transported to the public burial ground. In this
manner 647 cotfins were disposed of in 1835.
6. "The Charity Hills;' for the burial of the friendless and
moneyless are under the patronage of this society. Th6re are two
of these in the neighborhood of Ningpo that belong to this institution.
The one *' tdu-da** to the east, the other ** p'wanAu" to the west
oflhe city. AH the expenses connected with the conveyance of the
coffins to these spotff and with the neces4Hry religious service are
defrayed out of the funds.
- 7. To " Dispense medicine" to the sick poor.
8. To ♦' Distribute tea " in the summer, this bcveTB:v(& bc:\tv^&^^m-
30 Remarks on the names of God. ■ Jai^
ed necessary to quench thirst. Fii'ewood is also provided for thd
pui pose of preparing it. ■ _ : . : «;
9. Another important object of the institution is to *' collect paper
for the purpose of burning' it." The respect for written or printed
paper is sacred to an. extreme. ' Hence, at certain seasons the in-
stitution sends out a bearer to collect, from house to house, all the
fragments and scraps that are lyingabout. Probably the individual,
mentioned on the 2Qth of December, was an agent of the society.
In 1835 about 50 cut was collected in this way. . - . ,' •
II, " The Receipts" \nc\uile donations f. annual and monthly couirir
butions, f^mounting to 3,351,902 cash, or i»'588'rl3s. 6ifi.;.for the
year 1835..; . ' .■ . ' . .;• ?....••..
. III. 77ie£zfieRwcame to 2,636,717 cash, or X457. 155. 3//..,
Art. IV. Remarks on the' words and phrases best suited to ejphess
• • • . .
the names of Ood in CJiinese, Written by a Correspondent, at
Ningpo, Continued from vol, XV. p. 601.
Using the wora shin for God, it next becomes a question • what word
shall be used for the Holy Spirit ; and it is also to be -considered
whether any of the divine names should be transferred into Chinese,
without translating. On the former of these two questions, we are
not prepared to offer any positive recommendation, though some
remarks that have suggested themselves are added, and the latter
jnay be dismissed in a very few words.
. In order todecide what word to use in translating " spirit," we
must refer to the original Scriptures. In the Old Testament we
find the word ruha^ almost exclusively employed. Its primary mean-
ing is breath ; Ps. 33 : 6; hence transferred to air in motion^ or wind,
which is poetically described as the breath of God. Is. 7 : 2. Job. 1:19.
Ps. 13: 11. It is then applied to the life of man, which is so intiniaT
tely connected with. his breath; Ezek.37:8; whence to a propensi-
ty or disposition to do any thing;... Hos. 4 : 12. Is. 18:6; thence to
.the mind, especially as it is the seat of the senses and affections ; Prov.
25:28. Gen. 41:8; and hence it is also used for the soul, Numb^
27: 16. In all these significations,, the original ideaisof an active sub-
stance, invisible, and compared with gross matter, spiritual. Hence,
1847^ Remarks on the names of Gad^ 31
finaily^-by way.of supreme crxceilence, it is applied to the Holy Spirit,
who, is emphatically the active immaterial and spiritual agent of the
universe. Gen. I :2. Job. 26 : 13. Ps. 51 : 13.
The use of the word «^£jM4z., in the New Testament, is so precisely
synonymous, that we content ourselves with referring to the import-
ant passage, John 3 : 8, where the same word is used in the same
sentence, first for ivind, and then for the spirit.
It must be selfevjideut that the word in the Chinese language
which combines the most of the above significations, is the proper
one to be used in translating this term. It is somewhat surprising
that the word shin shonid have been so commonly used for this
purpose, for it does not contain a single one of the significations which
have just been shown to be proper to ruha and rvev/xa. And if we have
succeeded ifn showing that shin is the Chinese generic word for God,
then it is as unsuitable a translation of rveujxa into Chinese as Deus
or God would be of the same word into English. It is however easier
to raise objections to words, already in use, than to find substitutes ;
and we almost despair of finding, in the Chinese language, any
that are perfectly suitable. The general idea of a god is familiar
enough, and hence there are words to express, with some accuracy,
what we wish to say of him ; but the doctrines of the Holy Spirit, and
of the Trinity, are such as *' the natural man reciveth not,'' and the
words to express them must be borrowed from the things that bear
the nearest resemblance or analogy. We have seen that the Holy
Spirit has directed the inspired penmen to use words whose primary
signification is breath, air^ or wind, to denote the thTrd person of the
Trinity, and it would therefore seem most proper to use, in the Chinese
language, the word or words that come nearest to these significations.
If this be granted it would seem that the choice must be between the
three words l^?*^ ^^^ ^* Of these words we have noted the
following quotations
1. Fung, Sl» In the simple sense iriW.
4K f$ ^ tin ^* ^^^^S^^ himself into a breath of gentle wind
and departed; Saii Kwoh Chi, 1 : 27.
ff- JS 11^ it^ A furious wind suddenly arose. Ibid.-
iiti! m ¥^ B.'^t^ P.^ il E f: ^' At .he di,-
tance.of four thousand /i above the earth, the strength of the
wind is exceedingly great. It is called the Kdng fung shi Liai,
velieuieut wind for the earth !
3'2 Remarks on the names of God, J as.
^M I 1 1.' * 1 l/p Pfe tWW^^ The hill Hw5„.
lun has a wind called chuchin, oiled clothes when exposed to
its influence become clean.
2. ^ jjpr > The spirit, custom, and influence of a thing.
i £?,» The spirit of the scholars of a country.
"^ ^ ^f '^^^ •J***'*' ®^ prosperity.
3. Jg^ ^f The power to change or influence others.
3E y^ 2l /^» '^^® king's power to change.
jM ISL ^ ()t* '^^^ power of reason adorns the age.
TpI tt^ /^ P^ '^ « ^* *" Hopien there is a righteous influ-
ence^
JP J^^ |# ^, He gently moves over the people with his sparing
influences.
^f^' 1^ ^ .§•• I * "S P' Drinking peace and full of virtue,
his benevolent influence constantly fans the people.
4. 1 f^, Customs, changes, and effects, produced by the influ-
ence of superiors.
^ 1 1^ (S^ ^ i^ ^ ^* '^^ change the customs and improve
the habits, and those delighting in selfishness to meliorate their
passions.
^" 5^^ jlfe 2l ^^ 0 1 » '^^^ messengers of heaven and earth
are called wind. ("Who maketh his angels irveufi.a/a winds.'')
^S tl^ 1 ^> ^^^y ^^^ ^^^ ^'^^ ^^^^ seasonable winds. Shu
' King, 4:22.
jA \ l^ jM^, The divine wind invisibly exerts its venerable power.
j^i ^. Few words are more extensively used in Chinese writings
thaait'i, and. there are few to which it is so diflicult to find a
synonyme in English. Its fundamental meaning however is
breath, in which it corresponds with ruha and insvitM.
Bf- ^ fli '^ 1^ ^» Confucius at court restrained his breath, so
that he seemed not to respire at all.
-hMZ^B.^^ ^ 1 » This sighing breath of the great
mass (heaven and earth) is called wind.
' From the signification breath, the transition is easy to that of dis"
position, or rather yram« of mind, one of the most common significa-
tionf« of this word.
• Here, and in the sequel of this articllp, this perpendicular stroke ( 1 )
stands for/uii^s " wind."
1S47. Remarks on the nanus of God, 33
«
^ ^, An enraged disposition J ^ ^i A delighted frame of mind.
#) ^ 1^ ft ^ ^^ ^ ^ ^ffi^» *^« disposition in the morning
is sharp and vigorous, dull at noon, and at night so exhausted that
It returns to rest.
ZE 0 2 ^, The early morning's frame of mind.
!f\\ ^, The intelligent principle of the soul. Li Kt, 4 : 36.
Ling ^ the significations of ling may be reduced chiefly to these:
1. Soul; in this sense commonly joined with hwan jj^, as ling by
itself is properly an adjective. It is however used separately, much as
our word soul, " so many souls,*' thus 4t ^ Kl '^*
2. Spiritual: \/^^ 'j^ ^ ^, Man is the most spiritual or
etherial of ail things.
^ Vff ^ ifn 'li^ ^* HwTtngti from his birth was induced with a
divinely spiritual excellence.
3. ^^ |t 1^ ^ ililV iff t ^.» ^ morning and night rever-
ently serve the superior spirits.
till ^ if "^ (^ jjiln ^ i^' W**®" *"^ ^*^'"® '»' ®° ^"g**' '^'^^ »'
is known to the spirits, flappiness descends from heaven.
]|P 1^ ^> '^^ ^^ ^^ concord with all the cpirils.
W- W, ^'"M, ^ OA* ^ ^^^^^ 'P'*^*' ^''^^^ ^^*® ^"^^^^ flowery hill.
From our hasty and imperfect examinntion of these words, we have
come to the conclusion that none of them corresponds precisely with
the word we seek to translate.
1. jFtf/t^ corresponds in several respects; it signifies air and wind;
influence excited to change or impress ; customs and dispositions,
and is closely connected with supernatural influence. But it does not
seem to signify breath the primitive signification of ruha; nor to be
used for spirit or soul.
2. Kl corresponds in the significations, breath, (the primary mean-
ing of rrJui,) disposition, a pervading power, but it does not seem to
be used in the sense of a spiritual being ; and its being so closely
connected with all the Chinese fables of the all pervading ydng and
yin (the two great ^I,) may be considered a serious objection to its use.
3. Ung corresponds with the original word in the senses of soul,
mind of man, spiritual, excellent, divine, spirit, but it does not like
those words signify, breuih^ wind, influence or dispit^ttion.
If we are confiiited' to onb word aloue, it would seem best to n<-e
the word fung^ which combines most of the niennin^rs of the oricrU
ual word. But we beg leave to suggest t-lie propriety of combviuvvvt
voir, XVI. NO. I, 5
34 Remarks on Shdngti and Shin. Jan.
the two words ling trndfung, and teach the people in what senses
we use them ; thus, when speaking of spirits let it be ^ ; when
speaking of winds, use the word J^. But when speaking of the
Holy Spirit use the combination^ j^. To which the epithet
holy is so easily prefixed ^ ^ H .
In the Syrian monument the word for spirit is rendered Yuenfnng
yC 1^9 which is an additional reason for adopting the word fung,
Orx the question whether it is best to transfer any of the names of
the original Scriptures, there is some diversity of opinion. We shall
probably come nearest the truth by following the example of the
church in the authorized versions of the Scriptures in Christian lands.
Of Jehovah, we have already spoken. In the Syrian monument
Eloha is transferred in the form PSf j^ IP^ ilA-fo-oA, which is nearly
the Syriac form. We see however no sufficient reason for not
translating this word, as it is a common and not a proper name.
In regard to the name Jesus there is no diversity of opinion, as
all agree in transferring and writing it ^ ^i. The word Christ is
now commonl) read Kutuh ^ ^, a contraction of Ki-li-si^uh, (as
Pu-si is of Pu-tl-psA-tu,) which is an attempt to express the Greek
form XP*^'^^' ^® regard it as unfortunate that the Hebrew form
was not chosen in preference, which can be so much more easily
expressed in Chinese, and which has beside the advantage of being
already found iu the Syrian monument, where the characters read
arc ll J{g jlpj Mi^sh'^ah.
^AMA^V^«MAA^^V^l^«WW^fMW«AA^M«AAA^^kA^lMAtf«tfMW^^
Art. V. Remarks in favor of Shdngti and against Shin, as the
proper term to denote tlu true God, addressed to the Editor
of the Chinese Repository, by Dr. Medhurst and others.
Dear Sir, You ask if we must not give up the use of Shdngti J^
jiSr ? I answer, no : until we can find a better. It is not the name
of the chief idol among the Chinese; as your correspondent argue«,
liut (when standing alone without any prefix) always and invariably,
in every Chinese book of note and worth, means the Supreme Being
and him onlv; when other terms are conjoined, it means something
else, but that rather strengthens tlian weakens the argument for its
1847. Remarks m Shdngti and Shin. 35
Dse by 08. If I had been a missionary to the North American
Indians, and found a term in thir language, capable of being render-
ed the Great Spirit, I should hare adopted it in preference to any
other common to all idols and demigods : and I consider it a great
advantage that we have a term in the Chinese, sanctioned by the
best and most ancient authority, so nearly applicable to our purpose,
in expressing the name of the Supreme, and conveying with it to
every Chinese cultivated mind ideas of so much reverence and awe.
It is true, the materialist propensities of the nation will lead them
sometimes to connect the idea of Shdngtl with that of the visible
heavens and earth ; but what term is there which their gross minds
will not pervert? Such an argument has two edges, cutting both
ways, and makes a thousand times more against Shin than against
Shingti.
With regart to Shin^ ^, I may observe briefly, but as the result
of long experience and careful and extensive examination of native
documents, that it (when standing alone, without any adjunct) never
conveys the idea of unity, or supremacy, or infinite excellence. Its
simple and original meaning is that of spiritual and invisible beings
in general, but ulways of an inferior order, approaching more nearly
to the Dii immortaUs of the Romans, or the Djin of the Arabs, and
the genii of western nations, which two latter it resembles in sound
as well as sense, than to anything else. Even Morrison, the great
advocate for Shin^ under the word genii, in his English and Chinese
Dictionary, gives Shan shin, |J[| jjjm, as the genii of the hills; Ho
shin, Wp| jRII, as the genii of rivers ; and San hu shin, — F* i\U ^
as the genii presiding over various parts of the human body.
So also Tien ti chi shin, ^ ^ "^^ j|i|jj, mean the genii of
heaven and earth, &c. — Of course I acknowledge that Shin
also means spirit, whether of God or of man, and when used as an
adjective, it means divine. Besides which, the contempt in which
the Chinese hold the Shin, |l^, might have told you that tliey are
of little worth in their estimation, a contempt which I never remem-
ber, either in writing or conversation, to have heard or seen poured
upon Sh&ng ti, J^ ^%
The argnment that the Greeks and Romans had th^ir ^^oi and
dii denoting the idols of their mythology, and that because the
apostles did not scruple to adopt these terms for the true God, we
might safely take up with Shin, will be found on examination to break
down: because the classic languages possessed the singular 9ucvd
36 ^ Remarks on SMnf^ti and Shin. Jan:
plural numbers, and it ivns only to bring down the ^£oi to ^fo^ nnd
the dii to deus, and there you had the expression of unity at once ;
it was then one god, it might be a superior or inferior deity, a true
or a false god, but still it was one. The Chinese language, on the
contrary, is not of this plastic character ; when a term is taken in
Chinese generally in the pigral sense, it is not so easy to giye it a
singular meaning. Now the word <S7itit, in every instance, in which
it occurs in the Chinese classics and standard writers, when stand-
ing alone without qualification, must invariably be taken -in the plu-
ral signification ; and the word used alone, even in conversation,
conveys to the Chinese mind the idea of plurality. You may say,
^— jI'M j[||b» but thai means a god, not the one god. Sfdn means,
without doubt, the gods, or the beings of the invisible world, and not
God, the one living and true Jehovah, who made all things. . Indeed
their orthodox sentiment is T^irn 5^9?^ shin wuh, ^ ^ H^l'l 'J^i/Jf
how then are you to get them to understand that Shin tsdu iHen ti,'
The Catholics, who have had wider and longer experience of
China than we have, and who, in their day, knew more of Chinese
literature and ideas than we can expect to know for the next cen-
tury, are in this respect capable of affording us a lesson. They, on
their first arrival in the country, adopted the word Shin for God, and
they in their translation of part of the New Testament employed
that word; this was more than a century ago; but they have been
compelled to give it up, and have adopted instead THth chU, ^
I , as indicative of that unity and supremacy which shin never
could give. If the rest of the brethren are of opinion that it would
be better to profit by their experience, I shall have no objection to.
adopt T*iV« chit, ^ q^ ; or if you do not like to be confounded
with the Romanist, then T'ien ti, ^ ^"j^- , and sometimes /[fc, as is
the case in various parts of the Shu King; or Chin Chd jgL ]Jl> ^^
Chn "j^ alone, as the Mohammedans have done.
The argument that because we cannot use Shangii or T^ien chd
for false gods, as well as the true one, instead of being adverse is
rather in favor of our adopting one or other of those terms. If we
write for a people, we must write in the language of the people, or
not at all. In the language of China, Shin does not mean the one
God, and therefore to use it iq such a sense is to mislead and not
to instruct. It woujd be better to put the original Greek and Heb«
1847. Remarks on Shangii cnid Sinn, 37
rew terms in Chinese, as the Syrians did, with their A-io-ha, and
leave the subject in doubt and mystery rather than give them wrong
conceptions.
Shangh'ii, ) VV. H. Mkohurst.
Sept. 14th, 1846. )
N. B. The two following notei are evidently from one and tlie same pen ;
and agree in the main with that of Dr. Medhurit.
No. I.
Dear Sir. — Permit me to make some remarks on your Ningpo
correspondent. 1. Whilst in more than two thousand passages
Eiohim, like AllaJi and Aloko in the cojrnate Arabic and Syriac
dialects, conveys invariably the idea of the Supreme Being, it means
in a few instances what the writer has very apfiositely pointed out.
The former would therefore be the rule, the latter the exception. To
an attentive student of the Hebrew it will be evident, that the unut-
terable name of the Deity is conveyed by the most sublime words which
the human language can furnish. There is never an accommoda-
tion to the idolater, but always a raising him from his deep degrada-
tion even by the very appellations applied to God. 2. As your cor-
respondent will no doubt bring forward Skin, |j||f, as the proper
translation of Elohim, we beg to suggest, that Shin, in no instance,
except in the tracts published by the first Protestant missionaries,
who subsequently saw their error, signifies the Supreme Being, and
that our use of it would never convey thst sense to the native reader.
Neither the Mohammedans nor Roman Catholics applied it. Shin
signifies spirit, invisible essence, often joined as kwei shin, and shin,
Sien; as such it is thought to preside in certain places, and is thu.s
considered the divinity of the spot;'hence frequently used for PUsd
o* i^* ^^ S^^ ' ^^^^ house and each corner has such an unknown
being as an inhabitant. It means of course the spirit of man, spiritual,
divine, exquisite. Its manifold significations, its frequent u^e as
an adjective, and the impossibility of finding another word for spirit
to supply its place, for fun/gr | does never mean it, must weigh
something with advocates of this term. The certainty that its con-
stant use in the sense proposed would suggest ideas of idolatry, and
therefore render nugatory our efforts, is forever a bar to its introduc-
tion for the ineffable name of the Most High. 3. As the writer says,
that there are no standard works to refer to, we beg to direct his
attention to the Chinese classics, especially the Shu King ^^'^^
39 Remarks on Shdngti and Shin. 3as,
where he will see the term SMngO, or Hwdng Shdngti ^ |-
^, constantly used for the Supreme Being, and exclusively in thai
signification, and not as Zeus an<! Jupiter with the Greeks and
Romans. Tour correspondent h;is w: iiten in the true Christian spirit,
and we therefore submit this in the same for his consideration.
xNo. 2.
Dear Sir. — ^The second part of the observations of your Ningpo
correspondent, which &re drawn up with care and candor, prove at
once that Shin, can never be adopted in the sense proposed, because
it does not signify the Supreme Being in a single instance. We might
moreover add, that the merits of the case have long ago been tho-
roughly examined, and that the result of impartial Sinologues was,
and will be, that as Shin does not convey the meaning, it can not be
applied. Its use for more than twenty years in Tracts and Scripture
translations has likewise practically shown, that it can never take its
place as formerly, because the very ideas of idolatry, which are to be
rooted up, are thereby perpetuated. The result of the closest observa-
tion for years, amongst the most varied classes of people, has carried
an unalterable conviction to the mind of the writer, that the voiee of
experience excludes Shin for ever. Why then reintroduce it, and
after a few years again expunge it as unsuitable?
It is also perfectly true, that the writers who favor materialism
substitute "Pien, Heaven, for Shdngti ; and the same is done by some
people amongst us. The inferior and unlearned classes even talk
of /*ten It, heaven and earth, as substitutes for the name of the Supre-
me Being, placing the fictitious dual principle in lieu of his eternal
Godhead and operating power. This is a proof of the alienation
from God, which suggests such absurdities, and is analogous to the
tdi kih, f^ Jjf^ of Chinese plilosophers some inert nonentity which
presides over the world. To find amongst this nonsense still a word
to denote the God above all, to be praised in all eternity, shews that
the most High has not lefl himself without witnesses even in China.
'' We have also heard, though very seldom, that a few hearers have
brought in Yuh shdngti as synonymous with Shdngti, but on the other
hand the acknowledgment of Shdngti, as the God of their fathers,
whom the most virtuous ancients worshiped, and from whom subse*
quent idolatry led them astray, has frequently cheered our hearts.
A native Christian of his own accord wrote upon this subject a very
stirring treatise, which some day or other will no doubt reach your
Ningpo correspondent. The majority of Chinese Christians have
1847. The Ojnum Trade, 99
adopted this term in their prnyers, preaching and writings, as founded
upon the most venerable religion of their Yttu and Shun; and I would
humbly suggest, that they ought to have a vote in deciding so import-
ant a question.
"To avoid prolixity, we avoid making remarks upon the version
of severs! passages, and the promiscuous use of 7^ for Shdngii not
sanctioned by the usage of Chinese writers. The correspondent's
rennrks upon the version of some passages resolves in the simple
rule that words having different meanings, must be translated accord-
ingly, which he showed in the very commencement of his essay.
A Reader.
Art. VI. The opium trade: proposition of a Merchant to legor
lize or abolish the trade: sir Henry Pottinger's opinion re*
garding the traffic; magnitude of the trade; premium offered
for Essays on it.
[Our tsorrespondent is right in supposing that we are ready to join in any
measure likely to ameliorate the condition of our fellowmen ; bat as the
opium trade now exists, we do not feel ourselves prepared to give an opinion
•regarding the course governments should pursue in this matter. One thing
is quite certain ; the Chinese government cannot put an end to it ; and it
is scarcely less certain, that other governments, supposing they are able, will
not do this. Can it be, ouffht it to be, will it be legalized ? Our correspon-
dent shall speak for himself. He says :]
Dear Sir, — I cannot expect a better reception for these lines any
where, than in the pages of the Repository, which has ever been
ready to espouse the cause of ameliorating the condition of man-
kind. The opium trade has been always a barrier to the conscien-
tious merchant, which prevents him him from shinning in, and
becoming useful to the community of which he is a member. I do>
not pretend to sympathize with the poor Chinese, who inhales the
obnoxious drug at a cost exorbitant enough to bring his family to the
very verge of starvation and ruin. I leave this to be pleaded by a
man of more honorable and enlightened pursuits than mine ; the
only object of my present letter is an appeal to the benign Christian
governments, now the sole sovereigus of the seas, to show some con-
sideration, by their joint cooperation, for the hearts and consciences
of honest merchants, both foreigners and Chinese, in either legalizing
40 The Opium Trade. Jan*.
or"alto(rctlier doing awny with the opium trade. It is as impoesible
for individual members of this community, considered as bankers,
merchants, agents, shipowners, under writers, and their clerks and
servants to have no connection with the trade without sacrificing
their own advantages in vain, as for individual governments to relin-
qiii:ih the most lucrative sources of their prosperity. The increasing
demand for opium induces the foreigner to barter the drug for the pro-
ducts of this country to an extent to which he cannot find buyers in
other foreign markets, where their consumption is not augmented in
the same ratio, without a heavy pecuniary loss.
The opium trade supports nu:nbers of pirates and smugglers, com-
mitting the most horrible and atrocious deeds, of which foreigners
are not always cognizant, with the exception pertiaps of those enga-
ged in the trade. The piratical depredations on the outer waters are
few ccmipared with those of daily occurrence in the interior. If
opium itself be no evil, it draws many evils about it which disgrace
those enzased in its traffic.
It is very curious that while the foreigners are buying the export
cargo at an advanced rate, they are selling the import at reduced
prices without there being an apparent change in the cost of produc-
tion. The high ruling prices of bullion, of late, have diminished its
exportation greatly ; and the scarcity of the circulating medium, caus-
ed by the total disregard and inability of the authorities, in giving
protection to the native merchants bound to this mart, is the chief
source of the depressed state of the market for all sorts of imports.
The opium trade not only creates pirates and plunderers, but it enfee-
bles the efforts of the mandarins to suppress them ; and the man in
ofRce, if honest and faithful to his government, is oflen obliged to make
room for others, wanting these qualities, and who can be very popular
with vagabonds and careless of the injury inflicted on honest people
whom they are ever ready to rob.
The prosperity of the opium mcrchmts and those not engaged in
this trade, depends wholly upon the opposite character of the parties
holding the reins of the government. I have reluctantly observed
some foreigners basely sympathizing with the opium brokers here,
who arc so much disappointed this year in not being able to find
their way toSikwan, the greatest mart for the Malwa drug. They
virulently abuse the honest and virtuous authorities of that place, who,
withstanding the temptations of bribery, have successfully cleared
their nei^borhood of the worst men, of whom it had become
the haunt during the blindness of its former rulers. But to find
IS47. Tht Opium Trade. i\
sach honest officers for all places under Chinese rule is impossible,
And as K»ng as the opium trads continues in its present state we have
little chance of being so happy as to have the protection of any govern-
meot The persons engaged in it are always exposed to losses and
disrespect; and if justice cannot be obtained on its account, in this
world, where bribery and temptations rule, how can an opium mer-
chant expect to appear before the highest tribunal of another world t
How will he exonerate himself of the crime of abetting smugglers,
pirates, robbers, and murderers 7 I do not mean to put this question
to those ignorant of the extent of the iniquities of the opium trade ^
but to those havtog consciences disapproving of it,— >f6r the judgd
in heaven will require of every body duties performed according to
the blessings of understanding and abilites enjoyed, aiid each wilt
have justice meted out to him in some degree according to the
enlightened state of his own conscience.
Here the conscientious merchant has much to struggle with, atid,
unfe^ he be a maii of wealth, becomes As giddy and senseless as the
#reKihed and destitute smoker. His nights are restless and his dayif
^ass without appetite ; and he lieoometf the more disgustful in the eyes
of hiik associates, as he tries, by keeping silence and repressing his
fealings, not to displease them. Accustomed t6 live in splendor by the
[Profits of the illicit traffic, and finding it difficult to maintain him-
self and faniily without it, his condition seems very deplorable. The
legitimate trade alone is not remunerating, and he is sure^to' lose a*
great portion of it, in declining the illegal] tradet Here the poor
man is obliged to plead necessity. But it thief may plead in the*
^anie way; and will Ke theii go unpunished? Nd. Necessity ' cannot
be t warrant fbf Crime, nor poverty an excuse for vice. The hohest
iberchMt then submits to the decision- of his conscience, by which*
he Toses th^ certainties of this world, f6r the hopes of Another. And
Che con^quiencet are, dissolutidn of firms, strifes amongst partnerst
dependents thrown out of eitiploiyment/ and himself and family impo-
verished. But the clouds soon disappear. Calms^ always succeed
Aorms. Time brings on its wings wonderful changes r and patience
and present sacrifices are never without their rewards. As long as a'
man remains hesitating and undecisive he increases his wretchminess.
tfnd never receives the highest rewards thait await bold enterprise.
This I hope will be enough for those who pretend to be conscien-
tious, and yet carry on the illegal trade, arguing that one party going
out' of it, will neither injure nor lessen^ it, and that opium should
VOL. xvi. r(K>. f. 6
42 The O/nwn Trade. Jan.
not be condemned, as it is one of the productions of the Creator.
Then we might as well say, our abstaining from evil deeds, is use-
less, because it will not.be the immediate cause of a thorough change
in the character of the wicked. Every rational creature is bound to
obey and respect the laws of nations, provided they do not interfere
with the laws of God ; and had this been observed, we should have
had none of those bloody wars, so disgraceful to the character of
human beings, whom God has made after his own image, to be his
imitators. We have more useful productions. of the benign Creator
than opium, that are prohibited by wise governments in order to
protect their subjects ; and we have no right to question the proprie-
ty of its prohibition. It is strange that a liberal government, which
contributed twenty millions of pounds sterling towards the abolition
of slavery, should be foremost in enslaving the vast population of
this extensive empire, by growing and smuggling a poisonous sub-
stance.
We have always wished success to British arms; and have erred
not a little in wishing the same in their engagements with China, the
propriety of which was much doubted; and had hoped to see the
opium question duly settled on its conclusion ; but what was our
mortification when not a word regarding it was found in the treaty,
which was so anxiously expected taput the foreign merchants on an
honorable footing, by legalizing the hitherto contraband article. But
contrary to our heartfelt wishes we were mortified by the appearance
of a proclamation from the plenipotentiary, declaring that we were
not to expect any protection from our government on account of the
opium trade; and to our shame it was translated and published in
the Chinese language. . There before the world we were held up as
an unruly set of vagabonds. In whatever light the traders are view-
ed by others, they are not unreasonable in tracing their misfortunes
often to the iniquity of this trade. All our good actions are forgot-
ten by the Chinese merchants, who never fail to point out to us this
chief defect in our intercourse with them.
Though the Chinese are very careful to be pleasing in their con-
versation and their words flow sweet as honey, yet I have often heard
them with a deep sigh moaning, in expressions bitter enough to move
theheartsofsavages, for the disasters their country, family and com-
merce have suffered by opium. The Chinese always look upon
us with a disdainful eye, and hate the vile actions of the true barbarians.
There cannot be a better understanding between- foreignen and the
1847. The Opium Trade. 43
Chinese without a reciprocal sympathy amongst them. Foreigners
have a great beam in their own eye, which ought to be cast out pre?i-
ous to the removal of the mote in the eyes of the Chinese. What good
does China derive from foreign trade — there being no protective duty,
to keep the weavers and spinners of the empire employed, which is
taken advantage of by the foreigner, throwing thousands of the Chi-
nese out of employment since the new tariff came into operation ?
But the increasing demand for opium makes the people more mi-
serable, and diminishes the prospect of foreign manufactures reaping
any benefit.
Thus human misery is extending in all parts of the Celestial Em-
pire to the utter disadvantage of the legitimate foreign trade, which
is suflTering severely. The falling off of the Indian trade with China
will be a source of heavy loss to the revenue of the East India
Company, for whose sole advantage millions are suffering. Look
at the gambling system of the opium speculation, with which the
whole of India abounds, ruining many families which otherwise
would have been happy. If the trade in opium had been legal it
would not have fluctuated so much to the destruction of merchants
engaged in it. It is a curions fact that very few live to enjoy the
money they reap from this illegal trade.
The Chamber of Commerce in China closed its operations during
the opium crisis; and it would not be unadvisable, ten years af^er its
first formation, to reestablish it, having for its first consideration,
this trade now so injurious to the reputation of a China merchant;
and I am sure every enlightened man will heartily cooperate to
establbh the good credit of this highly respectable community.
Yours, 6lc,
Canton, A Merchant.
December 1st, 1846.
Afler leaving China, sir Henry Pottinger repeatedly spoke on the subject
of the opium trade. From some of his speeches it appears tliat he labored
much to induce the Chinese officers to entertain a proposition for its lega-
lization. But be labored in vain ; at least, at present, we see no clear indica-
tions that the imperial government of China will legalize the trade. Local
officers, however, connive at it, and doubtless many of them receive large
fees for doing so. And further, it is said that the cultivation of the poppy
and the manuiactury of the drag are rapidly increasing in some of the pro-
vinces— On the point of legalization, sir Henry thus wrote at Bombay, in a
communication to the Chamber of Commerce at that place.
44 The Opium TraAe. Jan.
" I take this opportunity to advert to one important topic on which
I have hitherto coniiidered it right to preserve a rigid silence — I allude
to the Trade in Opium : and I now unhesitatingly declare, in this
public manner, that, a(\er the most unbiased and careful observation,
I have become convinced, during my stay in China, that the allege^
demoralizing and debasing evils of opium have been, and are, vastly
exi'x:;^rated. Like all other indulgences, excesses in its use are bad
and reprehensible, but I have neither myself seen such vicious con-
sequences as are frequently ascribed to it, nor have I been able to
obtain authentic proofs or information of their existence. The
great, and perhaps I might say sole, objection to the trade, looking
at it morally and abstractedly, that I have discovered or heard of, is,
that it is at present contraband, and prohibited by the laws of China,
and therefore to be regretted am) disavowed, but I have striven —
and I hope with «ome prospect of eventual success — to bring about
ita legalisation, aud were that point once effected, I am of opinion
that its most objectionable feature would be altogether removed.
Even as it now exists, it appears to me to be unattended with a hun-
dredth, p^r^ pf the debasement and misery which may be seen in our
native country from the lamentiible abuse of ardent spirits; and
those who so sweepingly condemn the opium trade, on that principle,
need not, I think, leave the shores of Eaglaud to find a far greater
and besetting evil."
Somewhat of the magnitude and bearings of this trade may be seen from an
extract, which we are allowed to make, froqn a Circular of one of the British
commercial houses, dated Canton, October 28th 1846. The writers of the
Circular say—
** Our attention has been directed to a misstatement respecting the China
trade in a newspaper received by the lust mail ; which if allowed to pass with-
out notice, may ultimatel j be received and quoted as correct : the article in
question appeared first in the ** Friend of India.*' and was afterwards copied
into a London paper. It is there stated, that the value of the Exports from
China exceed by more than one hundrod per eent.that of the Imports ! ! a result
more curious than correct bein^ deduced, which it is unnecessary to enlarge
upon. This error has arisi^n from taking the Official Returns published by
our Consuls as a i^uide : in these, Opium, as an ille^l article of Imports, is
of course omitted : and our Indian Friend seems to have for^tten the exist-
ence of a trade, the value of which exceeds the asrgregate of all other imports
into this country. — No earreet estimate can be formed of the value of this
trade, as in consequence of its illegality regular accounts are not kept : it may
be put down st 25 to 30 millloi^ dollars per annum: this amount if added to
the value of the oth^r Imports will show that the balance is considerably on
the other side. The accoi^nt of British trade at the five ports during the year
tl845 sands thus —
1847. The Opium Trade. 45
Valtttfof Britiah Import! (year ending 31st Dee. I^r)) £3,5G6,IGi
Value of Opium, aaj 40,000 CheiU at $600 per Cheat 5,000,0<K>
ToUl value of Imports 8,566,161
Value of British Exports (year ending 31st Dec. ib45) 5,785,171
Excess of Imports. £-2,781,044
not inolttding the outside trade, a considerable quantity of goods being sold at
Hongkong, Macao, and on the Coast. The American and other foreign tr«de
gifes an excess of exports over imports of about one million sterling; so that
the actual balance *' is nearly two millions sterling against China (or according
to the '* Friend's calculations, in her favor) — which amount is annually drawn
from this conntry in specie, to pay the East India Company for the ** demora-
lising drug," of which they have the monopoly. Now it must not be supposed
that the Chinese are better able than any other nation to sustain a continued
drain of the precious metals. What then is to be done ? The experience of
the past year proves that the exports to England cannot be increased under
the present system : so that we may reasonably conclude, unless a new vent is
found for China Exports, a reduction must gradually take place in either tlie
quantities or prices of her Imports until they balance :— >On the other hand it
is' impossible to calculate to what extent the Clvinese would purchase our
Cottons, Woollens and other goods, were we able to take their prod nee in
return — of which they can supply an almost unlimited quantity — the drawback
if, that tea the principal article, is taxed so enormously in England as to pre-
vent any increase in its consumption."
Former volumes of the Repository (and especially vols V. and VI)
will show the rapid growth of this branch of commerce in the east,
rising in less than half a century from a few tens of chests, introduc-
ed aa medicine, to tens of thousands, now used as a luxury hy multitu-
des in all parts of this great empire. We subjoin two short extracts,
bearing on the same point and also indicating the manner of the
opium sales in India. The first is from the Singapoie " Straits Times
Extra, Sep. 6ih 1846,"
" We understand from a source entitled to credit that the result of a confer-
ence between the Opium merchants at Calcutta and the Financial Secretary
to government, has elicited the following, which may be relied on, 1st. That
there will be nine sales commencing from November 25th. 2odly, that tlie
crop of Opium to be brought forward will consist of about 16,000 chests of
Patna and 6,500 chests of Benares to be equally apportioned at each sale ;
^nd, 3rdly, that a deposit of 4000 Company's Rupees, per lot, will be made as
heretofore but within 3 days of the sale; and that the entire amount of pur-
chase money be paid fifteen days after the sale, instead of 30 as formerly.
The effect of the last arrangement will be to check the pernicious practice of
gambling so long and loudly complained of. 3ombay speculators, instead of
** bulling and baiting," will no longer be allowed to purchase on payment of a
mere deposit, pending advices or remittances fVom Bombay atler the resnit of
the aale has transpired there ; in future the Bombay dealers in the drug will
46 Thi Opium Trade. Jan.
be compelled to remit Bills on credits before ejecting purchases, and thus in
■ great measure, an end will be put to the ruinous system of gambling. It
is satisfactory to observe that the Bengal goTemment has at last yielded to
the solicitation of the respectable dealers in the drag; inasmuch as it cannot
but exercise a genial influence on the tr'tle in general. We annex the pro-
posed dates of sale and the amount to br irnught forward on each occasion.
The following will be uhuut the order of the Stiles.
About the 25th November Patna 1,778 Benares 722 Total 2,500
25th December
25th January
25th February
2th5 March
25th April
25th May
25th June
25th July
Cha. 16,000 Chs. 6,500 Chs. 22,500
The following is taken from the Friend of India, for August 1846.
The Editor says —
The arrangemeuts of the sales have been modified to meet the eonTenience
of the public, and to check the spirit of wild speculation. The first sale will
be held on tlie 25th No?ember, and 2,500 chests are to be sold monthly till
July. The total quantity to be sold during the season, will be 22,500 chests ;
that is, 500 chests above the sales of the past year. Thus government is, year
after year, increasing the supply from this presidency, where the profits to the
state are so much greater than at the Bombay presidency. The Exports
In 1833-34 were 22,006 ehesU. In 1840-41 were 17,356 chests.
ditto
1,778 ditto
722 ditto
2,500
ditto
1,778 ditto
772 ditto
2,000
ditto
1,778 ditto
722 ditto
2,500
ditto
1,778 ditto
722 ditto
2,500
ditto
1,778 ditto
722 ditto
2,500
ditto
1,778 ditto
723 ditto
2,500
ditto
1,778 ditto
722 ditto
2,500
ditto
1,778 ditto
724 ditto
2,500
In
1834-35
10,995
In 1841-42
19,172
In
1835-36
14,851
In 1842-43
16,670
In
1836-37
12,606
In 1843-44
17,774
In
1837-38
19,600
In 1844-45
18,792
In
1897-39
18,212
In 1645-46
20,481
In
183&-40
18,965
It should be noted here that the increase of the Malwa opium has
also been rapid, and that a very heavy transit duty is levied on it by
the Bombay government, yielding with that of Bengal an immense
revenue
In our fifth volume, as some of our readers may remember, notice
was given of a premium of £100 placed at our disposal, " For the
best Essay on the the Opium trade, showing its efTcts on the com-
mercial, political, and moral interests of the nations and individuals
connected therewith, and pointing out the course they ought to
pursue in regard to it." This was ten years ago. The conditions,
on which that premium would be awarded, were published in our
47
Notices of the Cotton Trade.
Jan.
number for April 1837, and the Essays were to be forwarded "To
the Chairman of the Society for the Diffiiifion of Useful Knowledge,
London." The <£I00 was received by the officers of that Society,
who ?ery kindly and promptly undertook the necessary arrangements
for obtaining essays and awarding the premium. Some competitors
appeared ; still, so far as we yet know, the premium has never been
awarded, no essays having been presented meeting the proposed
conditions. — If this notice should reach any of the gentlemen con-
nected with the said Society, they perhaps may be able to inform us
how the matter now stands ; and, if the premium has not been awarded
and is not likely to be, they may intimate some way in which the
j^lOO ought be appropriated.
, -t^^^^^t^*^ -^^9 <^ ^-^
Art. VII. Notices of the Cotton trade and of the imports of the
principal European and American manufactures into Canton.
By Yenchono.
We are indebted to our neighbors, and especially to Mr. Yenchong,
for enabling us to lay before our readers some statistics regarding
the import of the principal European and American manufactures at
the port of Canton. Knowing that they are received here by many
of the commercial houses, we suppose they may be relied on as being
substantially correct.
Abstract of the total Imports and deliveries of Raw-cotton at Canton
for the years 1841-46 inclusive, together with the stocks at the
end of each year.
Imports.
Bombay.
Bengal.
Madras.
American
Total.
1841
1842
1843
1844
1845
1846
12,S,291
226,039
247,682
200,243
180,523
181,501
39,109
32,560
37,338
58,087
14.573
18,851
44,666
none
61,503
tt
67,632
6,654
80,4 1 3
3,463
31,337
5,703
29,764
685
209,066
320,102
359,306
342,206
232,139
230,798
4S
Notices of the Cotton Trade,
Jan.
Deliveries
Bombay,
Bengal,
Madras,
American
TotaL
1841
101,695
30,966
31,771
none
164,432
1842
I85.4:i5
36,041
55,368
i»
276,844
1843
231,510
39,645
6:),049
3,925
338,129
1844
229,123
46,126
66,564
6,192
34»,005
1845
1 8:3,719
31,702
60,151
3,015
278,587
1846
205,255
18,371
32,108
%898
258,632
Stocks.
Bombay,
Bengal,
Madras,
American
Total,
1841
33,596
15,143
14,095
none
62,834
1842
74,200
11,662
20,230
»»
106,092
1843
90,372
9,355
24,813
2.729
127,209
1844
61,492
21,316
38,662
—
121,470
1845
58,296
4,187
9,848
2,688
75,019
1846
34,542
4,667
7,501
475
47,185
Monthly Imports^ Deliveries and Stocks of RauhCotton and Co'ton^
Yarn at tke Port of Canton for 1846.
IMPORTS.
1846.
Bombay,
Bengal,
McLdras,
American
Total,
January,
February,
Afarch,
Apiil,
May,
iJune,
July,
August,
September,
October,
November,
December,
Bales,
2,920
7,559
7,029
12,300
12,777
14,449
36,846
29,293
23,308
24,000
6,780
4,240
181,501
180
2,071
2,360
448
1,179
l,:)83
1,571
1,218
3,514
1,791
2,891
245
18,851
none
none
900
>»
1,727
i»
2,640
ft
none
210
990
none
7,786
f»
1,696
t»
3,115
475
4,547
none
2,455
>»
3,905
»»
t 2ir,76I
685
3,100
10,530
ir,n6
15,388
14,166
16,822
46,203
32,207
30,412
30,338
12,126
8,390
230798
1847.
ytdiets of the Cotton Trade,
49
J84«.
January,
Febriiarv,
March,
April,
May,
June,
July,
August,
September,
October,
November,
December,
RalflH
Storks.
10,071
12,589
14,189
i:i,U5
19,741
18,217
12,418
26.689
27,771
I5;(I22
18,90t|
15.930
[205,255
Bombay.
I84G
Jjinuary,
FVhniary,..
March,
April,
May,
Jiine,
July.,
August,
September,
October,
November,
December,
50,545
45,515
38,:t55
37,540
30,576
26,808
5K2:m
53,840
49,377
58,355
4(5,232
34,542
885
1,184
2.155
1,812
1 ,079
2,201
420
421
860 y
2,392
1,148
3,814
Bengal.
3,482
4,369
4.574
3,210
3,310
2,492
3,643
4,440
7,094
6,41Ki
4,6J7
J
'
3Iadra.s.
American
Total.
1,007
77
12,640
l,5:i5
37
15,345
4,a'si
32
20,427
1,789
478
17,194
3,573
423
24,81(1
r,4io
1,017
22,845
937
296
14,071
3,170
373
30,653
5,063
165
3*,859
4,325
none
21,7:19
3,412
>»
23,463
1,836
»>
21,580
32.108
2,898
2;S8,6;12
Madras,
American
Total.
8,841
8,20(J
4,(^5 J
6,7:53
3,573
2,740
9,589
8, ! 15
6,167
6,:189
5,432
7,501
2,611
2.574
2,542
2,(K>4
1,851
834
538
165
475
91
«l
(55,479
60,6(i4
51,353
49,547
38,897
32,874
65,006
(56,560
63,113
71,712
60.375
47,185
Yam'.
I
Im"
jwris. varies.
DfM-
Stocks.
Yarn.
ports.
1846
January,
February
March,
April,
May,
June,
150
244
194
304
452
345
325
797
204
531
(546
469
1846
July.
/95|| August,
Sept.
Oct.
364 ''Nov.
1 ,348
5^58
240
Dec.
i
1 ,8.59
1 ,(560
2,177
2,26?'
180
854
Deli'
-^ ^ '^
Stocks.
vtnes.
739
1,360
761
2,259
1,495
2,941
1,435
3,77."
1,016
2,939
727
3,(:(5(>
VOL. XVI. NO. I.
50
Journal of Occurrences,
Jan.
Stairmrnt of the monthly imporisnif the priii a pnl European and
Atnerirfm manufftrtiires into Canton for the year 1846. (Cout"
piled from the Canton Custom-house '.ntrie:.
Broad
CloiliM*
EnifUah
CainUu
Dutch \ Bom-
Camlets \haztUs
1
Tmhj
Bits
inUe Grey\
Sftirtings Siiirlirngs
January,
February,
March, -
April,
May,
June, -
luly,. -
Angtssft,.-
Srpteniber,
October, -
Novemlicr,
DecenilM*r,
1
705
12,207
840
1,20'»
J ,080
1,450
4,503
l,ti«)l
1,^^7
1,722
■ none
1 ,:J50
l,V)i)7
1 ,265
15:1
"520
lOO
540
' 2iKi
"7*6
1
*
'251
550
277
90
"iii
77
"lis
431)
420
6(m
2,026
244
12,840
6iO
5,610
657.
3,f>25
9,166
2,359
5,723.
9,700
8r)0
4,1 4i»
5,910
11,133
8,360
9,950
. 3,471
2,600
i2,ia:i
• 20,:J75
7,520
8,730'
23,250
75,929
44,700
6»,63l
37,516
S3, 121*
12,&10
1 10,:M3
59,612
15,854
47,200
Total pen.
'J8,015
4,685
J5;i
55,993 .
90,214
510,816
• «
TteUls 4'
DrUls. X
Cofored
Shirtings
C/iintzs.
r
> • •
Lets, ^^*^^f''
Velvets. Muslins.
fanuarvi
February,
March, -
April, -
May, -
June,
hily, -
August, -
SepUfjiiUcr,
October, -
Noveiubpr,
December,
I4,«H^)
8,400
12,355
• • > ■ •
17,320
3M67
25,120
1I,7U5
5,260
37,105
20,400
2,410
2,001
480 '
250
2,771!
3,4:<5
1,436
9I»4
720
300
•
• •••••
.
3,ioo
• • ■ • •
250
450
570
1,465
200
900
7*»0
200
SfVli
401
-
58,799
'840
8,4oJ
"iio
240
• • • ■ •
560
350
200
Total pea.
]83,:Ui2
15,396
4,670
4,065
6d,u30
830
550
"**"•*"*" * ~i~i~ini"ii~ir>r .ni.M.irMn.i-L"tj-Lri_rci'
Aht. VIII. Journal of Occurrences: the Peking Gazettes; coU'
dition of the reigning dynasty : public affairs at Canton ; an
insolent beggar; exposed condition of foreigners ; nnval force
required; K'ying*s rt.turn; a French bishop; British ClUimber
of Commerce ; - school of the Morrison Bduratien Society ; dan^
gers in the (Chinese sea; new chart; Dr Bettelhtim; intelli
gence from Shdngh'ii, Ntngpo, and Fuhchau ; list of missi'ona"
rics ; death of the Rer. D. AbeeH
FuoM Pekixu, by extracts trnm the- imperial edicts forming the
Gazettes, we have d.iteii tu December -llh, 1846, being the IGih day
1847. Journal of Oncurrenren. 51
of the Ilth month oftheSGth year of Tiiukwang. tJ^ |^» ** I^ea-
8011*8 Gfory.'' The wheels of government move on, ami the car of
state advances in its high career. But those wheels drag heavily ;
and the advance is slow and tremulous, like that of one who has
■
reached his second childhood. Not a very long time ago, In convcrsa*
lion with one of the high provincial officers, regarding the condition
of this empire, he remarked that his country had reached its dotage,
and was weak in all its pafts. He said much more of the like kind,
^Doubtless he spoke what was true. The so-called celestial enpite
'ha? reached ah extreme old age, its second childhood. This numher
of dynasties-^excluding the mythological line of sovereigns — which
have occupied the throne of China is twenty-srven, extending over a
period of about four thousand setscn hundred yeari,'VLX\6 showing a
iist of lira hundred and forty-six nuinarchs: this gives to ebch' em-
peror, as the average duration of authority, a period of twenty (20*)
years nearly, and to each dynasty a fraction less thactf one hundred
and seventy Jite{l7o) years. His majesty Taukwnng has already
occupied the '* dragon seat" twenty-six years, and the Great Pure
Dynasty, the Td Tsing Chan, ;/^ iln «l»H» two hundred aiirl one
years. Both for the one and other, therefore, the ordiiiiiry or aver-
age period of holding dominion has expired. It is not 'on account
of the lapse of years that a chatfge is to be expected — some of the
early and some of the latter dynasties far exceeded two hundred
years/ and two of I he Ta Tsing emperors more thnii doubled the
years of "Reason's Glory" in the duration of their reign — K^nghi
behig sixty-one years on the throne and' Kienlung sixty; but the state
is sick ; the body politic is diseased ; this great nnss is corrupt. The
disorders are of long standing and are deep rooted. And though we
do-not e.xpect a speedy downfall, stilt a change — a revolution may
come at any day:-
- Ill China a change of dynasties has usually— has always, .so far as
we kiiow — been attended with the most dire calamities, blocKly and
horrible beyond description. Were the present government broken
up, and the flcKKl-gates of war opened, as thiuijrH now are, the scenes
of desolation would be awful. Our hope is that this government may
stand, and that, it iriny be so modified-^ so reformed — that it may re-
cover from its present weakness and disorder. The re is, however, so far
as we can sec, but one way for this desirable end t»> be effected, and
that is by friendly intercourse with foreign nations. The presence
of foreign ministers at the court of Peking is very desirable. The
preservation of peace cannot long be mainUivied yjwVvomV \\\ ^vA
:52 JtmrncU of OccurrentM. J At,
the sooner Gi'eat Britain and France and the United States take
ineasui:eb to efiect it, the better, both for theoi and for Chiua.
We had prepared some notes and extracts from the Gazettes for
this number, but our limits forbid their insertion. .
.. iJantori. January .Qihh. > Judging from the .Gazettes, disorders and
njidversatiuon pravail to about the same extent in all parts of the
eigateen provinces,i in Minchi'i, and in tlie western gpyernniients of
ifio empire. ^Vhat is found therefore in this prpviuce, and. in this
. J^ .4\ty^ may. be iakien.as a tolerably, fairindex of , what exists, in other
aud all, parts of the, wide dominion of the T«l Tsi^g empire. How,
then, dg we , here see justice i^dminisiered and ■^ ^be iunoceut. poor
pr,o,tscted? How is vice rebuked and virtue encpuraged? ,Gp to the
pi^blic offioejs and to the jails and see-r-for we dare not record in this
^ii|}lic. manner the reports of what we hear and believe to exist. in
those high places uf tli^ laud. , ..; . ... .
It has oftei^ been ^ruied that the foreigner receives more justice
and fetter protections,^' from this government, than the native., It
may be so,-r-it doubtless is so ^- in many particulars. If then the
former has just cause for complaint, how much more the latter 7 We
....1.1 ' ^_ • .
hear loud complaints that the provisions of the, late treaties are aot
enjoyed. And these complaints are not withfiut fpundu^tion. There
is not that equality which there ought to be, and. must he, if perina-
ncnt peace is to be enjoyed. Why is the. foreigner forbidden, ingress
to the city? Why are foreign otHcers, cmi coming; {to Canton, kept.sp
much in the back-ground, and their intercourse with the Chinese
authorities concealed from the people? And in miiir SLflairs-^wbjr
must the foreigner pay fifty or .a hundred cash where the native
pays ten for postage, and a hundred dollars for rent where the .Chi-
nese pay not more than pue fifth or one tenth of that. sum?. And
what is still worse — why must one, because he has a whiter skin thuy
the native,- and perchance wears a hat and-^ shirt, be called .a ^or-
vign devil, and have the foulest language rung^n hi& ears, when-
ever hp walks the streets ? ** Kill the foreign demls " is now cpmipoiv
place language, and there are other teems equally common, land .as
vile as this is harsh. And yet for «ijl these there is no rebuke.. «
Even the beggars in the streets may now insult the • foreigner, noi
only with the approbation, but with the encouragement of his compeers
and countrymen. Many cases coxxH be adduced in ppint. One occurr
red within these few days, where the assault was made on a gentleman
long resident and well known among the Chinese, and who we
venture to say i/e^ver purposely offered injury or did injustice to any
}847< fyiMmal of Occurrences, SSI
•nasi. . He was returning to the factories, and at no; grfwt distance
from them in the streets, when he was followed by a bjeggt^r. The
beggar took him by the skirt of the coat, and the gentleman, warned
■himoC , He became more and more importunate, and at length gat
.a shove, and : so dropped and broke his liasin. He now had i^i cause qf
.qomplaiut and pushed upon the gentleman andineaod him by the
]CQUar;:4hen he received a stronger repulse which brought him tp
.^egrpuqd. This was too.l^ad, and he must now have redress. Th^
.^^ilSfiprp-by spuvrtd hiff^.t^ ; the ahpp-men, closed their idpprs again^
the barbarian ; the people congregated; and a rou> would have beep
the. sure consequence, had the gentleman not (consented to walk off
bearheaded, allowing the beggar triumphantly to ?nrkb ^himself with
^iheiifwihaei^s cap 1 .
i,:.,T:he-abtfence of an armed, vessel before the foreign factories is much
4o.|)e regi;etted. Hud there been such an one here last sumrfier,; t.lie
.scenes of July 8tb would, we think, jiever have been, ^t^acted. • Tha
rioters, by the, presence of such a, force, would have been deterred
.from violence.) The treay of Nanking provides U>:it there shall be a
.vessel here ; and the safety of the foreign community is jeopardized
.hyjts absence,} so long as there ia so much ill feeling prdevailing
aipipng large pumbers of vagabonds that throng the city of Canton.
J>utVig the last few mo<iths more than one attempt ha^f been made to
,a0t/the factories on fire ;. and except fpr the preparations made by the
.foreign merchants fpr the protection of their persons and property,
nothing prevents (so far as human power goes) the factories being
made, at any day, .a scene of carnagfi. i . « ..
., ^s.thvngsare — so mach every way depending op the preservation
.of peace, so easily distarbed— -the gi:eatest circumspection should be
jmajntained, . Better lose a hat than a head, fetter, si; ffer wrong
than do wrong. While however, we recommend^ ip the strongest
;rpanner,:that individuals should be forbearing, and take and sufier
thawroug, we would not fail, to draw the attention, pf thoae whp hold
(iinthority from the powers that be, to exising eviU and to urge them
• to take the proper measures for their removal. ^ ,_
,: On. the. l(Hh, his excellency Kiying returned from his military
tour through the western parts of this province and Kwiingsi.
.,Qn the I7th a Frenchman arrived at the office of the governor.
Bent hither by the governor of Chihli. He is reported, in the Couit
Circular, by the name of Joseph, and as being a mtiA, {H[, pastor or
bishop; We suppose htm to be a Catholic missionary. : : i.r
. ;:A. Bi^Uish. Chcunbcr of Commerce was. formed in.Canion on; the 8tb;
54 JoutnalBf Occurrettees. -Jan.
ita Rules and Regiilutions are in print, and may, if we can obtain
liberty to publish tliein, appear in our next. ' '
Asiatic Society of China, When lord Napier arrived in China
some twelve or fourteen years ago, ho brought with him acommuni<n(-
tiou from the '* Royai Astatic Sori(fy" with a view to the estab-
lishment of 'a branch society, or one which should have reference to
the same objects as the "parent society."- W^'are glnd tosee thait
at ilength that purpose has been- carried i^to' effeCt^^— as we'^si^ppose
*
it huB by the formation; recentlyyof the ilbove-nnined'sbbietjrat Rong-
kottg. We regret that we have not 8pnc<y;'in thi<<:duihber/for a'fuller
notice of its formation, laws, i&c. These however j shaii'appear in out
next, with a list of its office-bearers. ' i
The Morrison Education Society* s school^ for a^aeason — it \iriil be
seen by reference to our last number, is to'be deprived of thetnitiou
and care of the Rev.' Mr.' and Mrs. Brown, whb left Cantoh-on Moti-
day the 4th instant to embark on boa rd- the " Huntress," captiiiu
Gillespie, for New York. • We had the pleasure of Ijearing^them
company as far as to the fiogue, wherie * thjey -overtook the ship,
which had dropped down with the tide to that place, and where they
went on board at 10 o'clock, Tuesday the ^5th'. ' They take with
them their two children, Julia and John Morrison, and three oftheir
pupils, — Ashing, Awing, and Afiin — members of the senior class*
to complete their studies in England or America ; and carry with
them the best wishes of very many if not of all the foreign com-
munity in China. . . .. ; * • - i v... ; ., .:i:n>f
This step having become necessary on liocount of Mrs. Brown's
feeble health, and Mr', firdwn having leave -of absence for' two years
from China, the trustees have commissioned hiih; ^ as their accredit-
ed agent, to collect funds/ diirrnghii absence, for' the enlargement
and' permanent maintenance of the Morrison Ed ucaj^on Society ^s
school." Mr. 'Brown arrived in China the^d February 1839; ahd
on the 4(h November the sHme year openied' his school- at M'aCa<i,
:with six pupils. Among those were the three who have gorie with
him, and who are to receive their support',' d tin hg their absence-, by
gentfemen without any Charge to the "Society. T hie school is
continued under the care 'and tuition of* Mh William 'AiMacy.
Our readers will be pleased to learn that a plan is on foot' for in.
troducing a new class immediately after the Chinese new year, aboift
the end of next mcmth. The pitin is that an individual guarantiee
the support jof a pupil, through a complete course of eight years ^
at 935 per. aonam.:: The ckiss. we hear is to be limited to twelve
1847. Jommal of Occur* ences, 55-
• • • • • •
popils^ four^br five of ' whom hdve already beeo selected; and we
trust the full compliment will soon be made up.
' Dangers- in the '• Chinese sea. We copy from the Hongkong Re*
gister'two notes indicating dangers, one uu Formosa and one on the'
cojist of Fuhkien.
If. M 8. V. Royalist, Hongkong, 10th December, 1846.
. Sir,<— ^I have thr honor to tnfonii you that tiu-re exists a dtngerous Reef off
the north point of Formosa, which does not appear in the Admiralty Charts ;
and the north point instead ofheinsr a hip^h perpendicular head, as it is descri-
bed,.is a very low point. It iain Lat. 3r>* Id' N , Long. 121* 3.V £ ; the Reef,
extends about one mile off it, and encircles the Coast to the westward, f
ihoirid'recomniond all vessels giving that point a widi* berth. I have^ CSlcJ
, . . . (.Signed). D M. GoKnon, Lienlenant'Co^mandinff.
" ToCaplAin Talbot, il. M. 8. Vestal, Senior Officer, &c.
'■:. 1.
Her Majesty's ship Asrineourt, Penang, 2d Jannary, 1847.
8ir,-^I sm desired by H. C. the naval commander-in-chief, to send you the
acd«mpanying corrections ofCapt CollTnson's Sailing directions for the Goast
of.Cbina^ fiu* the purpose of beinflf published in the Hongkong, Register, foe ^
general information. — I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servadt,
' T&ik^^Editor of th4t Hongkong Registor. ' £b. Wallkr^— Sedra^ary.
'Corrections of Captain Collinson's Sailing Directions fur the Coast cfQhina.
*■ I^^he descTtption of /?e<i Bay (Lat. 24. 1 lortg. 117. 3?.) thebearmg'of the
iieef,, which lays six cables from the low hill on the shore, is given as N. by
E. it should be E. by N.: and the reef within the anchoraire. of Red Bay is
dese.pibed as bearing 8. 551 C., 7 cables from the southern black rock, when it
ought jU>. be N. 55. VV.JV. B. — ^^It is to be observed here, that the bearings given
in a letter from the Wolverine, dated 25th May, iti4G,)and published in the
rioDgkohr Register, are incorrect.
t .|n the direction for proceeding to the anchorasres in Chin-chew .Bay, — both
north and smith of the Boot Sand, for ^ '<ttoi " (Island) read ** Tatoi ;"— and
in ihe directions for the S.iheen roek knd Mid Channel reef tlie aanie correc*
((i^n )fl to be made. • JV. B, For^^.Taheen." read **Saheen'* in the description
this of rtKjkV
i Mei6how -Sound; (Lat. 25. 23. Long. 119. 10.) in the bearing of the flat
rUtcb'Btated 'to-be .west n me. cables from^ the Nine Pin reck— read- £ast«
nner Harbor .rr-The bearing of the South rock .from Rugged Point, should be
£. } N., 3.8 milesv instead of W. {'N.- Add the final word » it " to the sentences
givjng the bearing of a Sunken <ock S. 57. W. U.\ cabled from the North rock.
^ The following are the corrected bearings of a Sunken rock off the East-point
of Honghae Buy. Tysamme Mound (which is the highest point of the Eastf
endof Honghae Bay) bears N. 36 W,. from it, — and Goat Island (the largest
of the iiniVgrpup of Islands to the South £nstward of the point) N. 50. E. 1.9
m'Ak*. •' •■ ' ' •• • . ' • • EDwxro \^kiA.iR,^ Secretary to A. E. the ffdinU
Penitng^^ January, 1847. . .- Commander 'in^ Chief H. M. Ship AgincourU
liUFibeisheei^ofcafft. Collinson*s new charts of the Chinese coast,
we learn by a letter from that igentleinan, are now ready for use and
haye been sqnt on. to Ciuna.
_ Fr^am,Dr, Biitelheim we have a note^. dated Nap n Hospital (Liu-
chiii) October SOth. 1840, with a continuation .of hia Journal up to
Viat date. He^meets vriih, obstacles, and with some that, he did not
autieipate; y^t his zeal remained unabated. He speaks in terms of
(li^h, commendation of the kindness received from English and
Freocb oaval officers who visited Ndpd ,'i^but was grieved aot a^ Uvid^
56 Jowmnl of Occurrentes,
at a report; that had just reached him, regarding a fact wbicli if true
would very likely to do him no small injury. The sum of the roport
was, that the admiral had declared, to the government of Liuchiii,
that he did: not know the Doctor and that he. was not an English-
man or a British {«ubject. He seems to have been the more grieved
at this,' inasmuch as he had been naturalized by a special act of
Parliament, and while in Hongkong introduced to the admiral by
colonel Chesney., If the report be true, and the. admiral has inad«
vertently said what was not correct it will surely not pass unnoticed
by. {he Soctety who have sent forth their messenger of peace, to heal
the^iick anti preach the gospel on one of the roost mteresting islands
of the sea. As requested, we shall forward t)r, Bettelheim's note
and journal to his friends in England, by an early opportunity.
i From Shanghai t^ie dates are to the 14th. By tha " Coquett,?
capt: Prescott, the Rev. R. Oraham, his lady and their child have
arrived,, on their way to the United States. They leave China on
account of his want of health. .We learn that two chapels have been
opened there for Chinese, one by Dr. Medhurst and one by bishop
B(ione ; the latter says : " The house is full every Sunday, say from
300 to 250, of whom fifty or sixty are women. At first it was diffi-
cult to keep order, but last Sunday (3d Jan.) and the one previous
they were as qiliet and attentive as any one could wish* Dr. Med-
htirsfhas overflowing houses. It has been estimated that a thousand
people in Shanghai, now every Sunday hear the gospel preached.!'
^ From Nttiffpo our dates are to Dec. 25lh; and by the kindness of
9 gentlemen who recently visited that place we have been furnished
with a C¥>py of the ''Chinese Speaker," by the lat^ Mr. Robt. Thom,
printed at the "Presbyterian mission Press, Ningpo.''
Frem Fuhchau letters are in Canton to the 7th. We have the
most pleasing accounts of the climate of that provincial city, and
'—the people, for the most part, seem peacefully disposed." Houses
can. be rented 'there, in the city. '-and in the suburbs, on eligible sites,
f^NTViTie fiflh of what the foreigner is compelled io pay here.' The
{lev. S. Johbaon, lat& from Bangkok arrived at Fuhchau on the 2d
instatiti He has rented a new house for $80 per annum.
In the list of Protestant missionaries given in a former article^ we
lh'>iJvehently V>iriitted the nam^ of the Rev. John'Cleldnd, Hong-
kiiiff, of t'he London 'Missionary Soii^ty. ' ^ * ' .
' '*iy^t^^Reol David Ahetl, — so well known to our readers, died' at
Albany, tr. s. A.,'the 4th last Oct. He first came to China in Feb.
tSSO,' and U''as grciitly esteemed and beloved by all who knew him. .
M <« C A « i
J » »'^ ^ • ..#.1 ft^*««. Ik ••' ■ ' *
THE
CHINESE REPOSITORY.
»^^>->^^^^^#^^^^i^i^^>^^^^M»^^>^M%^>»M»^l^^.^^^>^^
Vol. XVI.— February, 1847.— No. 2.
Art. I. Notices of a seven months' residence in the city of Ning^
po. By the Rev, William C Milne, (Continued from p, 30.)
April Ist, 1843. The whole of the city vraa up last night, in con-
sequence of a destructive fire which burst out at 9 o'clock, in the
evening in the principal street at a silversmith's shop, and raged for
fbur hours among the buildings on both sides of the street, threaten-
ing to envelope the whole neighborhood in one general conflagration.
.Four hundred separate apartments are said to have been destroyed,
.but^happily no lives were lost. ,. ^ .
,.^» aoou as the alarm was given, the ^lerks, apprentices, and part-
ners, of eaph establishment . were culled together ; the doors were
bolted and. the gates barred against crowds of rapacious volunteers,
who beset the hongs, professing the utmost readiness -to render every
assistance, while it was well understood their object was plunder >
and the goods and chattels were packed up and so arranged as to
admit of a ready, convenient, and. speedy removal, in case the devour,
ing element approached.
Amid the consternation of the neighbors and the hubbub of the
rushing mob, the city gates were closed and the soldiers and police
called out But all the assistance they rendered was to make the
confusion " twice confounded,'.' for the shop keepers refused to en-
trust, them with their property ; and. as they carried off their own
goocb- iw ohh' Iiknd'; they were seen flourishing their bludgeons in
the other, threatening a severe penalty on^ the heads of officious iu«
traders.
VOR; xVi. No. 1. 8
58 Seven Months* Residence at Ningpo. Feb.
As for fire engines no approved 'to such a machine was within
reach. True you could watch a few servants mounted on the roof»,
throwing on one bucket of water here and another there, but it
seemed only to excite the laughter or the rage of the element. It
ran hscourse, did its work, and ceased. Perceiving that the fire
was fast approaching my lodge, I gave orders to have my bag and
haggage removed into the back garden. No sooner was it done,
than I was informed that one wing of the front building was in
flames. I was at the time watching the progress of the fire from a
lofl that rises above the dwelling. Presently a shout was heard
''where i» Mei siensay 7 where is Mei siensay?" I hurried down, but
instantly a hand grasped my arm, and in spite of all remonstrance
dragged me through the back grounds, hurried me on the top of the
city walls, and there I heard a voice exclaim, *' now you are here,
you shall stay by my side." It was my landlord, who, in a fright,
lest my person should suflfer, determined that 1 should share the same
protectioii with his son, who stood close by me. I remonstrated with
nim, urging the necessity of looking afler my luggage. But he was
lirm.' So Seizing dry arm with an iron grasp, he led Ine on, bran-
^ishVng4ns'eudjrel as if tb say "nemo feimptcnr Aicf55i7.''' '
' We 'Wail hot gonre ' far when we observed a number 6f ^>eop)'e tol
'^ether 'dveV the east gate. Bright bu'tibus studded the company, kni,
-^he 'gFare of (he fi^e reflected on a large pink umbrella, notified tha,it
•^he-6^mnnaMder-in«6hfeT'iVas upon the spot Hi^ attendaiftA, on ob-
serving me, announced* that I was obliged to (fet for safety from ihk
'fikfties, ioti He invited ^me forward; biit, being in Undress, I beg-
ged to "be excused. 'He himself, then advanced, condoling with me
'oh my misibhune, and kindly Offered his house for a home, and invit-
ing ine to make use of his wardrobe. I acknowledged bis kindneta
and'tlien hurried on with my kind landlord to the suburbs, Where I
was to Tod^e For the night We were 'apprised at midnight of th6
nbatertfent of Me fire; and w^ returned home, where to my no Htfle
surprise, I found my rooms- all in good order, my luggage rearranged
and my bocikswrfl! snorted,, nothing having either been lost or suf-
fered <he slightest dlirtisge; *
' 'Durmg'^he whole of tliis -mornihg-, the excitement among the peo-
'(il^' hais 1>eeh very great ; and' the • congvatuhitions, among those
'whose warehouse escapisd Ihle 'destructive element, are most uoisy.
All ^ho rank th^mralves-as foH'nnate in escajiing hnve hastened to
the temple of thei^r patron idols' and :v</wed, as a public thanksgiving',
to set oa ibot a theatrical exhibition,, or to have recitect a prescribed
1S4T. 8eH^ Sbmih*' Rtddenct ai Ningpo,^. 5Q
number .of aeotjons frovh the saored hymns of Budhv.. Hence the
walb.of Ihe city are placaided over with gay adverttsemenMt of reci-^
tala and exhibitions to be eoadtictcd at certain times and m certain;
places.* • • : , ' 't. ..
Apnil 5tL,. Thi» being. the fourth day> of the third rno«»n. the,
Ts^ing'-mtig'. t^rm setsin^.a season commemorative' o| friends and
lehmives^ deceased^.. ;Theie fis a : great, gathering, qfim^ynbers of fa-
snilies,. usuiiUy: absent.; and;. aUhoHgh ib&fN'aclice pretaii* qnore or
km.fros^ thie endi of thQ second vt\ow to the conyiiencemeiit of the;
foqnth mopn, it is^e9()e^aUy fconvtheiSth to the lOib day of ^he pre-
qcwt ^SdOOfi, ibat whojie. family: groiipa m^y be Qbserv^d^ all iq neat
attire and decent order, proceeding into the; pouutry to v'csit their
fal9iiy vaalls, aind :Vo.pity< respe4^ to.the, niempry of departed rela-
p ^ V ^*^» ..,•1; I . t • ■ \ ..'. > • • , . , . , t . i , 7 . . i.lyl.ll<.«-- ^
^ As the willQW tree is. supposed to.he.emblenoiatic ofliiefand, health,
there is a, miisi^ extensive :uset of its lprsiiy;hes, twigs,iprigffi leaves,
9iid bMdsi. . Men, womea, .children, l^ld even douiestic anin^als, are^
all adorped with, this emt>lem. .Iti^ struck in the h^if, huf^g arounc^
the neck, put upop doorposts^ sli^i^ pyeir bedsteads,. an,d d^clfis up
f 2|ch apaftqi^tr int^ioatiug that the s^me ardent de$ii;e|. .which rule^
tbei: breasts of other peopli^,. has a place alsa in the bosoms of the-
Cbinesei and asks fiir "lengthi of day^^." Puring thi^ term grf^it prp->
cessjoQSrare got iip in town qnd country.. And, as this. is^ the aimual
period (09 dealing the tombsi apd putting. th<)m, in ord?n> the i{ei^iva>
Crommouiy goes; utider the: flame..(if jSiAiifa^^ajs •'*,g^fig -up*lo the
tomhs,'!' or Sd^'mik '* sweeping. the tomh^*' ,.
: April 6(k, As two instqiices have <kitely occurred of stones being
thrown at myself and other (oKeigUt visiiors in our pcrambulatiops, I
tpok. occasion last night to wait upon some of tho city officers, to lay
complaint against some person or persons unknown for insult and
assaulL Sueb maJicious tricks, however trifling they may at first
sight appear, if unchecked in the bud, m:iy l«ffd to acts mitst daring
and destructive.. " Prevention is better than cure,'' is a maxini^ which,
if it had been followed up by suitable, prompt, and diguified measures
on the part of the earliest visiters from the western woHd; would
hive saved their successors much of that labuse and contumely to
which they have been compelled quietly to submit.
.•One lari^ ^^tnbtishment htm bound itvlf. over to "fist for !0 days."
Ahdtlfer anounces that " in consequenoe of iiavinii; been prnt?ctf*d by the gnds
during; the confli^ration of last night it humbly engnefs tii have 4d books of
tlie FAh-lien-hwij recited before the idols; the day and the hour to be after-
wards fixed ; and a third promises to " get up a thealricul play and to look out
for a propitious day to carry out his vow."
60 Se^en Months' Rtsidaiee at Ningpo.
Oar early predeceaaors at Canton, by their pusillanimous and chick-
en-hearted cringing to official assumption and by their submitting
to |>opular insult, for the sake of their merchandize and their gains,
totally forgetting the future consequences of their weakness, entailed
on their successors a heritage of reproach, obloquy, and contempt
which they have but lately cast off after long, sevei^e, and repeated
struggles. Learning from the experience of the past intercourse
with China, I hare thought proper to refer to the resident authorities
the^r5/ case of vulgar outrage in Ningpo. The appeal I am happy
to say has been successful, and has drawn from them a pledge to
give instructions to the city constables, to keep a sharp look out on
natives, impertinent to foreigners.
April 7ih. Calling at the Mohammedan mosque, I got hold of the
sheet Almanack for the current year, published by the Mohammedan
priesthood under the sanction of the Imperial Cabinet, containing
directions to folldwers of the prophet for the observance of their set
days- of rest, fasting, and festivity. It purports to have issued from
Hingchau fu, th^ principal seat of Mohammedanism in China.
'. The table almanack is surmounted hy two maxims in large char-*
acters; "Receiving instructions be serious and reverential,'* 'and
** Strictly keep the fast and worship." According to it, 'the present is
** the I249M year of the honorable and sacred decease of Muh-Mn^
mdA'4dh;" a few instructions line the margin of the sheet, such as,'
** If you see the moon on the first day, it is especially important not td
attend to common business ;" " Should the first of the new moon be
seen, let business be anticipated on the previous day ; should it be
on the third, let business be deferred to the following;" and so forth.
Their weekly day of rest, which falls on Friday, and all the import
tent festivals are particularly laid down. Below is a specimen of
the calendar. ' '
■'•■. Month, ChinesB prommdaUon of nunUk. Araiie pronuneialion.
1st Mi'i-htl-tAn, Moharram.^
2d . . Sih-fi-lih, Safar.*
3d Lih«pih«y^u-lih-4u-wei-lih, Robuland.^
4th Lih-pl-au-lih-^*hah-lih, ; Robusauny.
5th Chi-mi»hih-lih-4*wl-lih, Jumadelavil,*
(t) 12th day the fast of Ashalih (Achurry) the appointed time for liberality
to the poor. ,
(2) Throughout thia n^ontb all buaineaf must be attended to with sacred-
ness.
(3) 3d dfy anniversary of the propl^et's sicknesf, 14th day of his death,
nth ike pt aa faata.
(4) 2d tfte birthday of the great and aage Urh-Ii-ali.
I
1847. Seven Mtmiks' Residenee at Ningpo. 61
6th Chf-mi-hiMib-i-wah-lib, Jamdiassany.^
7th Lih-cbih-f>ah, Rajeb,
8th Shay-'rh-pi-nah, Shabaua.
9th Lih*hab-zib*nah, Ramyan.*
10th Sh4o.wii.Iih, Shawil.
llth Taub-lih-kab-'rh-tih, Dhrilkaada.
12th Tsub-lib-haochih, Dhij'lhujja.^
April lOfA. A stranger on yisiting Ningpo, or any natire city of
this country, hat bis night's sleep disturbed by a medley of sounds,
the occasion of which he cannot at first comprehend. Their periodical
regularity and their multiplication as daybreak advances may suggest
to bis mind, while he lies on bis couch musing and wondering, a
probability that it may be the nighi patrol. Just so. The watch is
set at 7 o'clock, at which time the gates are shut and barriers put up
at the end of the alleys, and the patrol regularly distributed through
the several wards. The watchmen are paired off, two and two, to
each beat. But the rule of contraries is followed in this, as in every
other department, as the watchman must have a blazing lantern by
hiaside and a noisy bamboo cylinder or a clanking gong, as if to
warnthe bnrgler when he must prepare to enter or to quit.
' The noise, which disturbs the slumbers of the foreigner, is made
by striking the cylinder thrown over the watchman's arm, or the
gong swung across a pole and supported upon the shoulders of him
and his comrade. The strokes upon the gong denote the watch of
the night, one for the first watch and five for the fifth and last.
~ The reveille, with which the patrol breaks up at 5 in the morning,
in a truly animated manner, announces both the break of day and
the- pleasure with which the watchman hails release from his nightly
responsibilities. The setting and the disbanding of the watch patrol;
at 7 o'clock in the evening and at 5 in the morning, are both notified
by a gun, a second gun is fired at the close of the first watch, in
accordance with certain rules at the principal offices, about admission
and exit of clerks and secretaries. With the Chinese the day is
divided into twelve parts, consisting of two hours each, which again
are subdivided into 6 quarters. The Chinese modes of reckoning
time are various, but they can by no means compete with European
methods either for regularity or correctness. The following are a
(5) 5th, fast eommemorative of the death of the holy woman Fii^-<u-maA,
(Fatima.)
(6) Keep one month's fasting. ; i
(7) On I2th day observe K&rk-pirk feast.
69 Senen Abnihs' Residence ai Ninffpa. FbbI
few of their oietfaodi of calculating the boors of the day and of de-
noting time,, with, which I have met.
1st. The ckpsydra, or ** the brazm vessel that drips " is known
among thera, but not commonly used. They are to be found at some
of the principal offices in Canton. T'le following -is a bnief Inotice
of it by a native. "The brazen clepsydta is; made of six potd rising
the one above the other from which, the: water slowly percolate The
lowermost vessel has. a board over it upon which the watsi drops.
On the face of this cover there is an orifice into which: an bout index
is insetted ; as the vessel fills of water one. degree, th& index floaty
up one quarter. The hours and watches are aU. noted ip this maniier.".
2d. The dial, probably introduced, by the; Arabian,- or by the^
Jesuit missionaries, is every where used. It is exceedingly simple,
consisting merely of a small string .as the gnomon oyer a.iprfiiature
compass. ' By placing- the string pointrag to the north,, its shadow ^
thrown upon the hour marked along the edge of the con^asa. Theni
is. also another did upon the lid to mark out the hours of the, aight^
by the shadow of the moon. i-,:, -•
3d. The incense stick, oc '* hourly incense," as. it ia 9.alled,, ivbich
is very generally adopted, revives iu one's memory the atory of Alfre4
the Great and his candles. They a/e marked at equal distances
and the progress of the slow combustion upon the graduated m«tcby{
indicates the waste of hours.
AtL The revolution of the heavenly bodiea is the coiomoa. modc^
of determining the time at sea. ^ • i
5tJL The use of watches is now becoroixig very fashionable especi-
ally among the higher classes,, and the vanity of a Chinese dandy,
if he can afiord to purchase a pair at a time, shews off to his twii^
watcheti to the greatest advantage, by dangling from a gaudy belt,
around hia waist. , • i : .
, April 1 1^. At this seasoa the city and neighborbood» iMre in aoi
unusual bustle^ in consequence of the arrival of many strangers from:
the country to attend the military and. the literary exami^^io^s,:
which are to be conducted first by the local ofiicers ai^d finally by,
special commissioners deputed by the viceroy of the province and
under the seal of the emperor. It was tliis morning at 7 o'clock,
that the military examinations for the first degree opened, under thsi
inspection of the Chuhien. The arena of trial was outside the city
on the grand parade, a fine open space on the Eastern bank of tlie
river. Both the spectacle of the day and the fineness of the weather
drew a large concourse to the spot* Added to these inducements
1^17. ' SevtH Manths* Residence at IfJtigpo. 63
th^ewaa another latent in the minds of the people but working ufvnn
their eurioaity. The Inte war, the defeat of invinciblea and c ther
onatterable things urged them to look on, observe, and compare.
On entering the Held and casting a curaory glance over a mass of
two or three thonsand spectators, my attention waa directed to a
large building at the upper end, or south side of the ground, under
which sat the Chi-hien, surrounded iby a coterie of buttoned gentry,
sitting in slate smoking and looking as sage and dignified as possible^
occasionally lording it b> their words and gestures over some
bbnoziousmative more unruly and: boisterous than his neighbors.
The ^Nresident sat at a table with writing materials before him, to
take notes and give good or bad marks to the various competitors.
• At ihe^ttomof the steps, leading'up to the Chf-hien's chair, stood
the 'numerous candidates robed in -silks and satins of various hue and
flidmess 'armed with bows and arrowa and wearing ceremonial caps
profusely tasseled with red silk.
Between the rows of candidates and the other end of the parade,
hnd on each side of a course, wiiich extended over a space of several
iiundred yards and was only 7 or 8 in width, there stood the specta-
ton; young and'old, high and low, tall and dwarfish,. well dressed. and
fagged; eager to view the^seene and by no means slew to express
their 'approbation or the reverse, .on* the success or the ; failure of the
caDdidatea.: To keep the populace* ia order % number of policemen,
Ainaed. with whips, was distributed among the crowd. At the opposite
jend of the field was the* start for the mounted archers, whose perfor-
miaote was: the most novel atid interesting pan of the whole, scene,
(lust ai^er'I had taken my place among the spectators and had got
a general survey of the field the prcYceedings commenced.
• ' A drier made his appearance and vociferated forth the number
t>f each batch, and the names of the candidates in the several com-
paiMeSr who respectively came forward to answer to their names,
•at; the same time kneeling on the right knee and making obei-
«aiioe. The igeoeval orders and regulations were announced to each
.division as ■ it came 4ip. * The first trial was that of the mount-
ed-aTDhers, H'ho were sent down to the other end of the course to
jnount the ; horaes then held in readiness for them. These animals,
'wiih'one or two exception's, were miserably out of condition and
showed fbw signs of the curry comb and the brush. They werejan-
tasticnlly caparisoned; the saddles high and awkward, the bridles
■heftvy and rouge, and the stirrups unspeakably clumsy. -When the
4Uiudidate had mounted hi& horse, two' t^rumpeters sounded the aignul
64 Seotn Months* Residence at Ningpo, Feb:
for the start The course run over exceeded 200 yards, and on the
right hand there stood at equal distances and only a few yards from
the centre of the horsepath, three cylinders of sedgema which
were blackened all over with the exception of three large red balls
running down the column, and facing the archer as he rushed along
the course.
The centre circular spot was the bull's eye, to hit which was the
aim of the horseman as he flew by. As he advanced a small flag
waved to urge him on and as each arrow hit the mark, they beat a
small drum and a large flag was lowered to the ground. It required
some management, on the part of the competitor, to keep on his horse
without holding the bridge, racing at the utmost speed, and between
each sedge column arranging bow and arrow so as to strike the
mark in time, most of them shot admirably, some poorly. Every
man ran the course three times, and, on each occasion, waa^suro-
moned to the bar to receive the sentence of commendation or dis-
approval. The next practice was on foot and the candidates were
called up in small companies of four. Each shot six arrows, and
as often as the mark was hit at a distance of 100 yards, a billet was
thrown down, the number of which denoted the skill of the archer.
The third exercise was to bend keany 6otcr9 requiring a force ranging
from 80 to 120 pounds; The fourth, was the wielding of heavy
swords. The flflh test of strength and skill was to raise heavy
stones and thtrbw weighty mallets, and with this the examination
t^losed for the day. Only 22 condidates were present. But in a
(eyr days hence a more Important and decisive inspection will be
carried dil nnder the direction of the CAi/fi of the department, and
finally under ani.examini^r disputed by the provincial government:
April 12M. A regular system of postage would be of infinite
importance to a country lifce Chiiia, where so much business is daily
conducted, and the capabilities for an incalculable increase of trade
-are inconceivably great. T)ie transmission of letters among the
people is conducted on the obisolete and homely plan of the country-
carrier, formerly adopted in Great Britain. Hence in their impor-
tant cities a traveler will find a siu'chuh, or general '* letter office,"
for the conveyance of epistolary correspondence. For the convey,
anceof government dispatches, a courier is sent on horseback, whose
-swiftest speed is generally rated at 600 /i, or more than 180 miles
A day.
April 1 4M. The 'birth-day 'of " the god of wealth," is celebrated
4o-day, and has in- some places excited no little bustle. la the '* fo-
1347. Sev€H Mouths* Residenct oiNingpo. 66
reign good warehouse/' that haa lately been opened opposite iny
lodgings, there has been quite a gala season attended with singing;
instrumental music and much feasting. Probably this expression of
hilarity has been given by these speculating merchants, as much
from a retrospect, although short has been their career, of what they
hare already realised from a free trade with western visitors, as well
as from an anticipation, by no means groundless, of incalculable
profits to be gained in future years.
April \5HL It is not the military examinations alone that have
lately attracted so many strangers to this neighborhood. The literary
examinations have been set on foot at one and the same time, and a
succession of these has been conducted under the inspection of the
ehihitn or mayor. The same candidates are now transferred to the
thifk or the lieutenant of the department. This forenoon I passed
by the gateway of the public hall, where the competitors were assem*
bled. Admittance was denied me. A crowd of anxious friends
stood without, and, on one conspicuous spot, there stood a Budhisr
tic . colporteur^ distributing pagan tracts, several of which I carried
off. , The. theme of the sheet tract was on addressing prayers to " the
{^odde^ of mercy.". Brief forms of prayer were appended. . This
)ciifd ipf religious aggression is by no means a novel feature in the
history and operations of Budhism. On the introduction of that sys*
(euL into the empire of China, it bi)re an ambassadorial character,
and on- its progression through the territories of the empire an^
i^paQng the various classes of society messengers were sent from
•place to place, bearing with ^them translations of the religious works
that the first proeeiyters couyeyed from the soil of India. ^
., ^/rrt7 28M» After having been solicited, I called in the evening
pn! a respectable family resident in the city. The object of my visit
was io examine, the eyes of a young>girl about 12 years of age. The
•success of a plain application of a caustic lotion to numerous cases
of simple ophthalmic inflammation had been noised' abroad, andy
deapiteof all ray protestations, I was forced away to. see this most
painful case.. .The unfortunate child is evidently a victim of severe
cataract, but her case has been inconceivably aggravated by the cul-
pable rashness of someignorant nlitive doctor, who, on being called
in to cure the eyes of' his phtient, thinking that it waa an external
Flemish, commenced tbv remove' it by scraping the cornea with a
jBilicious stVaw. ThecoaV has been pierced and the matter obtrudess
presenting a spectacle at onbe exciting: mingled- feelings of liortuiv,
disgust; and pity.
vois. xvj: so. u 9-
66 Seven Mamths^Rtsidtntt ni N!hgpo: Feb.
Aijril IVth: ' I paid li risit to the ihaybr at his public ofR<^J and
I Tefl the court with feelings or indignation. For,' 'on taking Tearei
of my host, my attention vrna attracted td a group in the centre of
the pi'incipal area in front of hi's audieiice-room, where I saw an un-
fortunate culprit whom I had not observed on entering the magis<|
tracy. A poor fellow with his knees bared was kneeling upon a
coir of chains. He wns fixed in that cruel posture by having his
hands tied behind his back to a stake which wks held firmly by 'one
or t^o men. If he swerred to the l^ight or to ihe left; a ni^ii on
either side,' arnied with a' whip, by a lash or two on liis b^re pate
forced hitn tb the perpendicular posittoni The'agonies of the poor
'creadire were'ieHdent, froin his quivering lips, his pallid ^nd sense-
less iimiiitbn'alice, anid his tremulous voice imploring retief, whicK
wasriifdsed with a cAld linocking comtnatid,*' siiflei' Of confess." I
IbfV -the 'spot speechlew. '-;•'•'••• ' •• ^i/"^;-:- 1 •••• • • •'•;•-'' ^ •'»=•" J
" Thtk is this' first instance of actual torture by Chinese authorities
{hat h^s' come under my observation, si ribe t came under "the be^
hevoleht lind' peaceful sWay^' of the emperor Taukw^ng. In this
fbfUi of fdhneni there is sorhething so exquisite thht the trery idea of
it pierces one's inmcMt sbu). I have seed cHminals led kbout with
. '• ■ . . ... ..ill" '
chhiti' 6o]iM, ot cairried Ih Ibw and harrow cage^, 6r bearing the
ivobdien^ COllay", the weight blf which 'is pVo(Kirtiohied to the heinous-
ire^ 6f the crime, but certainly this refinement of judicial torture
'^iifeecds anything"! hav4 ye\ teen. * ' ' ' ^ - '; - .: :
'"'IVl ihe'colirsi of tH'e evening, T watted upon Ktt' Utijr^^ who cdin-
trt^tied ait irilet'esting c^hversation* oti''th'6 character and cidms of
the Son of Qod. Berhl infot'ined th4t I'wiis oVi the boiht of lekvini^
Nirt'^ tot the sootfar of China, he ex(iiiei»ed^much regret and pro-
jpoR^ that lAlibUld dt oncer Wld* both k prrVirte riesidence, ai^d' i
{>labe (br Chtlstiaif worship; TheHie si^ntiments I was glad t6 Wnr",
as^lRey shew 'thdt', iir the official ctrele, the hiituire and province of
ihy'irocAti&n begiiV ^t length to betinderstood. Air the close of out
boAtefsation 'he introduced me tahi# wife Md da'd|rhtisk'8, w^th whosl^
'^btidUet I was much pleased. AA ah illiistra^idn of Chinese €us^
Xothii t riiay hteremehtion* that, bir the* eh trance ofthe ladies;'! asked
afi^t their health, dcd/' Aniong other qu^tiotis, one of the itmsi
inii'poHtint was regarding tlie age of Mie* youngs ladies.' ThbVep)^
wiM^iven without the least hesitation^-' Bui wheh ^e" eld^r sisteir
respbhded that she Was ikihetebn years old,' a Cfiinese youth, who
was setting by me, gave -me a si^ntfica^nt piish arid whjspered *' wheii
! inquired lost jrhe was twenty year* of age !*' • ' -
/
/
1847. &tf€ii 3hnflu* Residence at Ningpo, G7
April 22dL . To rereri ta tl^e subject of the literi^rf examinations,
^hichy it has already been remarked, have at this sctasoi^ gathered
crowds of the learned and the fashionable into this city, I willaote.
the observations that I have. been able to collect during the past few
days regarding the candidates and Ujiej^rocess of examination with
miscellaneous iten^s. of information. The. first degree, which the
wpksai scholar airp^ at,:.as initiatory to -all ^honorary promotions of
any.coBsequeuceanc) influence, is the degi^oe o(,$iuhdit "elegant
shootB."-!. e. fine talents,-. perl^ips bearing some correspondence to
th^. degree of b. a. ia the -universities of. Great Britain..
• No limit is put on the number of candidates for this honor.- . With
certain eaceptionp, any one may enter the lists under the certificates
of individuals qualified ^nd selected as securities. Those who are
absolutely -excluded from the hope of literary honors are generally
divided into five classes, brotheKkeepers, play-actors, lictors,, jailors^
^nd slaves, with their children unto the third generation. Those
' who have violated the laws of their country and suffered apy former
punishment are also except^ It is also an established rule that no
one shall reap laurels in literature, but in his awn c/i/in/ry, . and
among bis own kiiL . Henc^ a man of the province of Cliehkiang
cannot stand on the same lists with the candidates in the province
pf Canton; and in Chehkiing a man of the district of Chiub«ii, can*
not presume to compete with a native of the district of Ningpo. All
this shows the caution adopted to secure the honor, pure and un^
miztd. This last arrangement must of course raise insurmountable
obstacles to the seal and ambition of many who, having pursued
their classical studies to an extent be it ever so great, may be preclud-
.ed, by distance aqd other circumstances, from revisiting their native
places to undergo examination, ^^y the laws of the empire a certain
fixed limit is assigned to the number of successful competitors that
may in any place, or at any time gain the degree. It matters .not
^ow'many or bow few offer themselves for examination, they all know
that an overwhelming majority must return to their homes disappoiiUed,
and that only a small minority can win the applause of the einpe rt^j*
and their fellow cpuntry^nen. Thus, out of the district of Ningpo
alone, 2000 persons have now come forward to compete for a prize that
.can be secured only by twenty-five of their number, and 5000 stand
on the lists for the six circuits of the department of Ningpo, of whf>m
no more than 139 can come off with flying colors. Froip native
statistics, now lying before me, it appears that by the triennial ex-
aminations, held throughout the empire for the degree of st'u^sa^^
@S Severn Months* Residence at Ntngpo. Feb:
no more than 25,311 names are raised to the first step of literary
honor ; and in the province of Chehkiing, out of a population of
20,256,784, one thousand eight hundred and fortjr-five individuals
are promoted to the rank and the immunities of a Chinese b. -a.
To secure justice to the ambitious crowd that press forward, and
at the same time to preserve the integrity of classical dignity, a com-
mittee or Board of 20 guardians is appottitedi from the class of scholars
who have already taken one of the degrees, for the purpose of ascer-
taining the legal qualifications of the various candidates. On being
satisfied with the qualifications of the several applicants, the board
has authority to introduce them by suitable certificates under their
signatures. In registering the candidate's names on the chancellors'
lists, special care is taken to describe his person, age, features, place
of residence, and his lineage, all which points are to be certified by
the signatures of 5 individuals out of the crowd of candidates, back-
ed by' the testimony in writing of one of the committee of guardians, to
whom the applicant must he personally known, and confirmed by the
sign-manual of a second member of the same Board. Should it hap«
pen that the unfortunate lad has no one on the Board, to recognize
him as an acquaintance, his name is at once erased fi^oni the books:
These regulations are enforced to transmit the degree withbut rc^
proach through a line of virtuous, able, and reputable characters: From
this fastidousness arises their rifirid investigation regarding the genea-
logical descent of ihe candidate, going as far back as his great grand-
father, and enrolling io the books all the particulars they may pick
up during that inquiry. It is worthy of remark that these competi-
tions are open to persons of all ages ; although, as it has been obsev<^
ed, not to d!l classes. A case sometime since occurred in the
province of Canton where a hoary headed grandfather of fourscore
years, stood a candidate for the same literary honors with his son
and grandson.
Having ascertained the correctness of the qualifications they deem
necessary that a worthy candidate for the fir^it degree should possess,
he joins his compeers at the break of day, and, as he enters the
important arena, rousjt suffer a severe scrutiny of his own person.
His pencil, inkalal^, ai^d s^ick of ink he must cariry with him, and also
a little refreshmeift to ei^al^le l^im to support a confinement of 15 or
20 hours within dosed doors. But his p<»ckets, his shoes, and his
wadde<^ garment must be searched minutely, and one by one, lest
percl^af^e any l^k, of ll^xi^s, or keys to composition, should be
1847. S^€fi MmUks* Rtsidenet at Nhgpo, 60
fllDOggled ID. Detection leads to instaat degradation and perpetual
exclusion from the honor of trial at future examinations.
' I believe, paper is provided for each individual by the authorities,
but only a limited supply is served out. A fter all have been quietly
seated — the wickets, windows, doors, gates, and avenues are ail
guarded, watched, and pasted aver (not sealed) with strips of paper*
on which are emblazoned the important words *' Sealed dispatches
(•to the presiding examiner) without exception must not be banded
in, as he is looking over the essays. Yoo who have any business to
transact, must retire and keep out of the way." After this it is
understood, of course, that you cannot get admittance to aid a friend
in writing his essays.
Still, with all this array of espionage and restrictions, they dq
manage sometimes to deceive even the shrewdest andr most wary
bench of examiners. But, when detected, the rogues are made public
spectacles of well merited disgrace, ft appears from stories afloat in
the circles, in which 1 have been moving for the last few days, thai
recently a gentleman, more ventursome than his fellows, carried into
the hall of competition a carrier pigeon concealed among the folds of
his wide sleeves. Afler the theme had been given out by the president
of the occasion, he threw off a copy, and entwining this around the
neck of the innocent creature, dispatched it through some opening
in the roof of the spacious hall.
^ It winged its way to its well known retreat, and, at a signal under*
stood by the parties interested, a reply was received (one cannot
divine how) putting the dunce in possession of an elegant draft of a fine
composition. The trick was discovered, a strict inquiry was: set a
foot, the fool reaped a shower of maledictions from his comrades,
was ejected from the ring, hauled up before the tribunal and punished,
while his outside correspondent (who turned out to be a siutsdi of
some influence) was also degraded, deprived of his degree, and is now
lying in prison, or was, but a few days since, moving about graced
with a wooden collar. But let us suppose they are all ** honorable
men." They are seated side by side on long, roomy benches, ac-
curately numbered and classified, with paper, pencils, and ink lying
before them on broad and massive desks made of fine pine.
The hall (at Ningpo) itself when empty, and unoccupied, i presents
a magnificent spectacle ; but, when filled and crammed with gaily
dressed and anxious competitors, it must exceed description.
At length by public notice^the themes are announced.* <. The subjects
are selected out of the Four Books and the Five Classics.; .
^
70 Seven MotUhi* ResideUce at Ningpo. Feb;
I have not been present at the late exaitainations, although I was
kindly invited by one of the preaiding officers, an attack pf illness,
rendering it, greatly to my disapp lintment, impossible for me 'to
venture out. I am therefore unable \\\ say, from personal observation,
what was the particular text ass^isrtif d for dissertation. But, fronv
all accounts, it would appear, that in general more than one topic
u proposed for discussion, and of course, more than one essay prepajr**
ed. However, this is not of much consequence. Triteness, brevity,
and a classical style, with clear and elegant: hand writing, will favor
the candidate (or the degree of itv/fdt. And, I may also mention
that no illustration or quotation must be given from the bdoka of the
TVttt religionists or of the Budhiats; at a certain time after many,
long hours have expired, a signal gun is fired, the closed doors are
thrown open, and the examination hall iasoon thinned.
- The first and the last time of competition has come to many of
thd candidates. Finding that it is easier to read books at their fire
side than to write compositions off hand in a public hall, with sa
m^ny checks, as well to eating and drinking, as to the prompting of
ready friends, scores of them vow for ever to give up the strife fur
literary promotion. And then again, when the literary judge haa
run over the papers sent in for inspection, he is soon able to reduce
the Bumbem to a select company of picked men, who are again call^
ed up for a second contest.
The reduction of the list goes on in this way from one day to an-
other, until the difference required is at last found. For the degree of
sttilrdt, there are three courses of examination to be undergone, thq
first under the eye of the chihien of the district, the second under
the superintendence of the chifu of the department, and the third
linder the inspection of the literary chancellor, appointed from the
Hanlin college of Peking. Thus there are three chances given to
every member, in the entire catalogue of candidates ; but the final
decision rests with the last official, whose judgment may, qnd nq
doubt will be somewhat influenced by the opinions of those who pre*
«eded him. . ,
The poor unsuccessful fellows are at liberty to renew the contest
at pleasure; but the man that carries off the palm, at once acquires
renown in his own village, has a prospect of moving on through the
world among the higher membera of society, and is exempt from
many of the liabilities of his neighbors^ But it is not enough only
to carry off the b« a. It will not do to disgrace the honor« There
are, therefore, two or three additional^ examinations that are held at
1S47. Se^en Months' Residence at Nlngpo, 71
various intenrels during the following three years, to prore the capa-
eltiea atid worthiness of the fortunate competitor. The Mts&i
hoei^tiates are thrown into three classes, which are graduated, ac-
cording to the talents and the accomplishments of the members,
l^he lowest is denomimated ft'tsang, the members of which just hold
the degree, and that is all that can be said of them. The second
order is tsidngsang^ a step higher than the former But lingsemg
mat 'Uhe top of the tree;" and. for these minor distinctions the
lately created siHtsdi, are to work hard during the next two or three
years, or be thrown into the class of the indolent, and reap the re<*
ward of the slothful. Unless by special permission, a man may not
e^ape these crowning trials. To shun them is to draw down the
rod of chastisement upon the naked back, besides expulsion from all
share in the honors of the "elegant shoots."' If one maintains hia
griMlnd in the world of letters and confirms his claims to this first
of Hierary degrees, it makes plain his path to ascend the steps of
Parnassus and bids fair to secure for him some station of importance
under the footstool of the dragon throne.
'< Thus much I have journalized about the initiatory struggles of
the'Ghifiese 4>ook<*worm to attain step by step the privilege and liber-
ty-of '*• roaming among the forest of pencils." To' dwell upon the
successive degrees of iS:u;tn»- "elevated men,'' f5s»-4x', "advanced
aeliolarB, -And •Adi»-/iVi, :" piincil-forests," severally eonferned after long
wnd severe trials^ would :be anrnteresting especially as the infbrma**
tioD'Oolledted might prove unsatisfactory, from> the absence of qua»
lified iixforrnints, sinue examinations for tiiese honors arexonducted
«t<a dktfeiuce'froin district towns or department cities:— ^that for the
first being conducted to provincial capitula and those for the last two
in ithe meti^opoiis: of the empire.*: ; ;.
.Of th^e public icoDte^ts that; one which thrills these vast doml-
ikioDs; with interest ..and ngitatea the general, mass of the population
with anxiety, is the first trial in the series, on which hangs, the fate
or the fortune of myriads. In addition to the preceding remarks
the following may be made.
Beside the periodical trials for literary degrees, the emperor may,
nnder peculiar circumstances,, decree* special examinations to be set
on foot throughout the empire ; and in history we find that, on his
ascending the throne*, or on the celebration of some grand era in his
personal history, or in the history of his reign, these marks of impe.
rial favor are conferred on the people of his realm. It is generally
understood in Europe, at leust it is commonly reported, that Ihe road
72 Seven Months' Rdidenct at Nikgpo, Feb;
of honor and emolument in China ia open to ali the aubjecta of that
empire by dint of laborioua atudy and by virtue of literary merit.
No doubt thia ia to a great extent actually the case, and it may be
in general said that such ia the law and custom of the land.
Bat, not to speak of the many that gain a place in official and
political circles by purchase, by favor, and by interest, an exception
ia also made by the standing decrees of government which shuts out
a large proportion of the common people from the benefit of the ger
neral law. It has already been remarked that brothel-keepers, lictors,
or policemen, jailors, play-actors, and alaves with their children and
their children's children are diafranchised.
There is also another class of the population, confined it ia true to
certain localities but in some of those localities bearing a large pro-^
portion to the bulk of the people, — which class ia entirely excluded
(root and branch) from the prospect of rising above their low eatate.
To that category belongs a great majority of the barbers^ ckairm
bearers^ watermen^ and musicians with their descendents. They are
called the ti'min, i. e. " degraded people," and are aupposed to be
'the posterity of some rebels who threatened the stability of the em*
pire in the time of the Sung dynasty (a. o. 9C0 to 1126), and failt
ing in the insurrection^ were themselves and their offspring consign?
ed to perpetual infamy and degradation.
Another piece of information' has also been afforded me, by some
of my friends who have themselves proved the accuracy of it by per*
aonal application. The degree of siiiisdi may be, and often is;
bought for about 200 dollars, with the full sanction of the imperial
government. Thia purchase admits the beneficiary to allr the. pri«>
'vileges of the degree, without the toil and anxiety of competition.
This is a stepping stone to his trial for the second honor. He beara the
name of kiensang and is entitled to wear a brass button. But afler
•this, they say, the man's own wits, industry, and merits muat work
his way.-
M • .
1847.
Macassar a Free Pvrt,
73
Art. II. Macassar made a free port^ by a decree given at Bui"
tenxorg 9th September, 1 846, by the govemer^etural of Ae-
theriands India. (From the China Mail, Dec. 22d, ib46.)
. PUBUKATIE.
Van Wegb cn in naam dks Ko
niNes, OE MinisTBn van Staat,
Go YBRIIBUIl-GEIfXRAL VAN Nx-
DBRLANUSCB InOIB.
De Raad van Nederiandach Indie
gehoord ;
Min, die dttt zullen zien qfhoortn
lezetL Salut ! doet ie weUn : —
Wendchende de ontwikkelingf van
handel en nijverheid der talriike tot
Nederlnndsch Indie behoorende ei-
landen en bezittingen, bevorderlijk te
zijn door het daanitellen van een groot
voor den ruilhandel geschikt middel-
punt,waardeverachillende voortbreng-
selen dier eilanden en bezittingen gc
reeden afzet kunnen vinden, en daar-
entegen alle derzelver behoefien in
geooegzamen, voorraad en aortering
voorhanden zullen zijn.
Overwegende, dat de hoofdplaata
Makaasar door hare voortrefTelijke lig
ffing, goede reede en den handelageeat
der bevolking, boven eenige andere
plaats in de Nederlandach Ooat-In-
discbe Bezittingen beatend achijnt,
oin een groot middelpunt te wnrden
van handel, tujiachen die Bezittingen
onderling en de naburige landen ;
Cn wulende alle binderpalen weg-
ruiinen, waardoor het volkomen ere-
not der natuurlijke voordeelen, welke
Makaaaar aanbiedt, belemmerd, en de
uitbreidin^ van acheepvaart en bandcl
geatnit of oemoeijclijkt wordt ; heeft
froedgevonden en ver«taan: te bepa
en:—
1o. — Dat, te rekenen van den eer
sten Januarij 1847, de atad Makasaar
eene vrijbaven zal zijn,alwaar alle goe-
deren zonder ondera^^heid, en orn het
even ondor welke i^ag, vrijelijk zullen
kunnen worden in^ eh uitgevoerd, zon-
der betaling, het^j van regten op dr
lading, hotzii vail- tohnen-, haven- of
artkerage-gelden' op de achcpen, en
»>nder dat de handelaren aau'
NOTIFICATION.
Tbb GovBanoR GBifBRAL OP Ne-
therlands Jroia du:^ dLc, d^c,
makea known, —
ccnigf
Wiahing to promote the trade and
induatrjr of the manifold ialanda and
poaaesaionrt of Netherlanda India, by
the eatabliahment of a main central
point suited for trade by barter, whore
the different articles of produce from
the said islands and possessions can
be readily realised, and where on the
other hand all their wants may be sup-
plied in sufficient quantity and varie-
ty:
Considering that the capital of Ma-
cassar from its excellent geographical
position, good roadatead, and the com-
mercial spirit of its inhabitanta, ap-
peara destined, in preference to any
other possession in Netherlanda India,
to become a great central point of
trade between those possessions and
tlie neighboring countries :
And wishing; to remove all the obs-
tacles precluding the full enjoyment uf
the natural advantagea which Macas-
sar offers, and by which trade and na-
vigation are impeded and obatruct-
ed — haa thought fit and nnderatood to
decide : -^
IsL— Thnt from and after the Ist of
January td47 the town of Macasaar
^shall be a free port, where gooda of
every description whatsoever, and
without reference to the flag, mav be
freely imported and exported witiioiit
payment. of duties, ei*heronthe cur-
go, or of tbiihatj^e, harbor, or anchor*
age dues On tnd ships, and without
the traders beUtg subject Ui any i'or«
voii. XVI. so. h
10
T4
Macassar n Ftte Port,
F*EB.
formal iteit ter sake van in en uitgaande
regten ziillen onderworpen zijn.
^o. — Dat dientengevol^e het regle-
ment op den invoer, den verkoop en
het bezit van vuurwapencn en bus-
kniid, gearresteerd bij Besluit van 8
Augustus 1828 No. 2(> (Staatsblad No.
58), voor de haven en stad van Makas-
sar buiten werking wordt gesteld, en
mitsdien aldaar de vrije in- en uitvoer
ool van oorlogsbehoeflen wordt tee-
gestaan.
3o. — Dat ook de in- en uitvoer van
opium aldaar aan geene regten of res-
malities on the score of importation, or
export duties.
2d. — ^That therefore the regulations
bearing on the importation, the sale,
and possession of firearms and gun-
powder, fixed by the decree of 8th
August 1826, No. 2B, for the harbor
and town of Macassar are abrogated,
and consequently the free admision
and exportation of munitions • of war
at the place. is granted by these pre-
sents.
3d. — ^That the importation and ex-
portation of opium at Macassar^ will
tnctieve bepalingen onderhevig zalj likewise be free, and subject to no
zijn, met dien verstande nogtans, dat gtrictive regulations ; with the under-
de handelaren in opium zich zullen
moeten onderwerpen aa,n de plaatse-
lijke verordeningen, in het belang der
amfioenpacht daargesteld.
4o. — Dat van de Chinesche jonken,
welke te Makassar worden gelost, niet
meer gevorderd zullen worden de re-
coffnitiecrelden, bedoeld bij art 20 van
standinir, however, that the traders
in opium will have to conform to the
local regulations in reference to th6
opium farm.
4th. — ^That on" the Chinese junks
which are discharged at Macassar, the
tax, imposed by article 20 of the pu-
blication of 28 August 1818, and the
de publikatie van 28 Augustus 1818 resolution of 4th October 1819, No.
(Staatsblad No. 58), en de Resolutie 20, will no longer be claimed, nor that
van 4 October 1819 No. 20 (Staats-ionbehalfof the Chinese hospital pre-
blad No. 76), nbch ook de belastingi scribed by resolution of 5th March
ten beliocve van het Chinesche hdsp-
itaaU voorgeschreven bij Resolutie
van 5 Maart 18^2 No. 1 (Staatsblad
No. II.)
5o. — Dat op de overige plaatsen, ge-
legen in de gouvemementi districten
naoij Makassar, geene inkomende en
uitgaande regten meer geheven zullen
worden van gaederen, welke met In-
landsche vaartuigen te of van Makas-
sar wordftn in- of uitgevoerd ; zullende
aldaar geene op Europesche wijze ge-
tuigde schepen worden toegelaten.
^ — Dat door den gouvemeur van
1832, No. 1.
5th.-'-Thaton the remaining places,
situated in the government districts
of Macassar no import or export du-
ties will be levied on goods imported
or exported by native craft from or to
Macassar, whilst no square rigged ves-
sels will be Admitted at those ports.
6tli. — That the ^vemor of Mncns-
Makassar aan vreemdelingen zal kun-: 8„ ^jn i,e at libertv to admit To^
nen worden toegestaan wch daar ter ^eigrneis and to allow them to establish
stede, tot het drijven van handel, tot
weder opzeggens toe, optehouden
J^ op dat niemand hiervan onwe-
tendbeid voorwende, zal deze alom;
zoowel in de Nederduitsche als in de
Inlandsche en Chinesche taleii worden
gepubliceerd en geaffisreerd,ter plaatse
waar zulks gebniikelijk is.
Lasten en bevelen voorts dat alle
hoogere en lagcre kolle^icn en amb-
tenaren, justicieren en officieren, ieder
voor zoo ve«l hem aangaat, aan> dc
themselves temporarily at the said
places for tlic purposes of trade. And
that no one should protend ignorance
on this score,, the present will be pu-
1B47. AnExcusion to Chdngchau: 75
•tipte nakoming dezer de hand zullen blidhed, and posted np wherever it ia
houden, zonder eenige ooglutking of cuatomary.
aanzien dea peraoona
Gegeven te Buitenzorg, deo 9den
September i84a
J. J. RoOHUSSEIf,
- Ter ordonnantfe van den Miniater Given at Buitenzorg iHh September,
van Staat, Gouvemeur-General van 1846.
Nederlandach Indie,
C. VMSCBEa.
^^^^^0t0*0^0^^*^t^^^0k^^0k^*^^^0^m0t0^0t0^0t0t^^^l^^^
Art. hi. Notices of an errursion to Change hmi^ chief city of
one of the principal departments in the province of Fuhkim,
By M, Isidore Hvdde^ an attcuhi of the late French mission
to China,
The Chinese Repository noticed some time, ago an excursion made
in the depnrtment of Suhchau, of the province of Ki«ingsiJ, by M.
Isidore Hedde, an attacht to the French Mission in China. We »re
happy to be able to give some details of another trip, undertaken by
this indefatigable traveler, during November 1845, through the
department of Changchiu, the principal focus of the silk m^oufac-
ture in the province of Fuhkien.
The French Legation, on coming back from the northern ports,
visited Amoy; the Cl^opaire frigate, under the command of rear-
admiral Cecile, anchored opposite the barren and inhospitable island
of Kul,1ng su. A pernicious fever had caused great havoc; amongst
the victims we have to deplore the loss of Mr. Tradescant Lay,
British consul at Amoy, a learned Sinologist distinguished by his
great abilities. The fever had almost disappeared, when the French
plenipotentiary permitted the commercial delegates to land and
explore this interesting part of the Chinese territory. M. Hedde, a
special delegate from the silk trade, took up his residence at the
house of the American missionaries, from whom he experienced, as
elsewhere, the most generous and cordial sympathy. Accompanied
by the learned physician, Mr. dimming, who has been a student of
the school of Medicine of Paris, and gives gratis to the sick medical
advice at the same time that he administers to them the consolations
of religion, M. Hedde has made severdJ interesting exploratory trips.
T(i An Excursion to Changchau, Feb.
Under the patronnge of the reverend Messrs. Young, Brown, and
Lloyd, to whom the Fuhkien dialect was familiar, he visited the in-
terior scenery of the island of Amoy. the erratic rocks spread on the
•
ditferent summits which overhang the sea, the nine-storied pagoda of
Nt^n-t^i I0M, 1728 feet above the level of the sea, and which is a
land-mark for sailors; he examined also the culture of the plant Toe
(vrtica nivea) a species of hemp or flax known by the Chinese name
of Ma, and the improper English name of Grass cloth. The nunnery
of }J(i'tsi/'po, remarkable by its porch, carved in the prosperous
times of the Ming dynasty, did not escape his notice, nor the celebrat-
ed Budhist temple of Lam'poU'tmt, which is seen far from the sea,
by means of four pavilions supported by gigantic turtles, and in which
the goddess Kwanyin, the holy mother of help and mercy, is
highly venerated.
Not far from thence is the tomb of che famous pirate Koshinga,
who in 1664 expelled the Dutch from Formosa, and to whom the
British nation owes its first commercial establishment in China.
There is also to be seen xhe Girl's Ditch, where a traveler may be
convinced of the reality of a barbarous custom (infanticide), an
incredible crime among people who pretend to be the most civilised
in the world. Above .t:ba:t abyss, upon rocks blackened by the un-
interrupted action of a ^un i>f 100 deg , are a thousand earthern jars,
containing bones coHected by children in memory of their fathers; a
singular contrast which is frequent in that part of the world, where
customs are so diversified and so different from those of Europe.
Amoy is a ching or city which is a part of the district of TVzn^-
an in the department Tsiuen-chau. This town lies in 24 deg. 28
min. north lat., and I IS deg. 4 niin. east long., from the meridian
of Greenwich. It is of first order, but is neither the capital of a
department nor of a district. It is the seat of a special prefecture and
admiralty. It is situated on the eastern coast of the Chinese empire,
in the province of Fuhkien, in an island in an estuary formed by two
large rivers. It is composed of two ciiies; tlve one small, and placed
on an eminence, and surrounded by a wall, the population of which
amounts to from 12,000 to 15,000 inhabitants; the other extending
on the sea shore, the population of which mav be calculated at about
200,000 souls.
It is there that maritime commerce is carried on in ail its a^ivity.
The port of Amoy is one of the most fnmous in China; 300 ni^r-
chant junks are employed by the natives; the whole island, wl)ich
is. ,ongage(^ in the same trade, comprises a total population of more
1847. An Exeurstmi to Changckau, 77
than 400,000 inhabitants. Amoy is the second port opened to fo-
reign trade; it is, however, but the third in ^commerciaj importance.
It is, about 1000 li (333 miles) N. E. of .Ca^Uou and 400 H (120
roiies) S. W. of Fuhchatt, another |>o:.t juat opened .to foreign trade,
but where it has been hitherto almost nugatory.
The principal trade of Amoy with the weslern nations has been
carried on through the intervention of the EnglislTagents connected
with the houses established at Hongkong. Opium h the staple com-
modity ; business is transacted at different neighboring points, to
which the dippers or ships laden with tha prohibited drug repair. It
is said that the sales of it amount to more than 5,000 dollars a-day.
The remainder of the foreign trade consists of woollen and cotton
goods, and other articles from the Straits, but in less quantity than
at Canton and Shingh.li. The staple article of export for foreign
trade is black tea, which comes from the famous Bohta and Anki
hills.
M. Hedde having examined the cnhure and indigo manufactories
of Killing sn, nd having found nothing, a^ au indust/iaJ concern,
worthy of prions attention, applied himself to look after jthe mulber-
ry plantations. He found indeed the MuIticauHs, in that richness of
vegetation which he had already admired in the eiimate of the
Philippines. He attentively examined this useful tree, in order to
recognize the properties which might characterize it upon what M.
Hedde supposes to be its native soil. He then resolved to visit the
interior of Fuhkien, and especially CMngchau f<i^ considered as
the principal focus of the silk trade in that province. Not wishing
to expose himself to the inconveniences incidental on his journey
to Stihchau fu, in Ki^ngsn, he applied directly to the temporary
British consul, Mr. Sulivan, who, with Dr. Winchester, was kind
enough to furnish him with all the information necessary to secure
the success of his undertaking. Nevertheless as Ch^ngchau was
far from the boundaries mutually agreed on between the Chinese
and British governments, it was resolved that a regular permission
should be demanded of the Chinese authorities. The tauiai of
Amoy, having been consulted, procured a passport and guides to go
to Chiokb^t a town situated near the boundaries of the department
of Ckdngehau, The journey was performed in a common country-
boat, with the Rev. Mr. Pohlman, an American missionary, who
seized on this twofold opportunity of diffusing the lights of the
gospel and of rendering service to M. Hedde, whom he looked upon
as a brother missionary, of course of another kind, but who had the
78 An Excursion to ChansrchaU. Fbb;
'O
same object in view — the interest of mankind, and the diffusion of
knowledge. Mr. Pohlman brought for distribution on his passage
numerous copies of those works which are the fruits of piety and
knowiege united; works capable of hcing understood by the common
people, and which diflfuse at the snmn time that Christian mornlity
and the knowledge which constitute the civilization of the western
world.
Having set out from Amoy on the 19th of November, the travelers
ascended the river, which bearo diiTerent names according to the
country through which it runs. The small island of Koua^soo is
surmounted by a nine-storied pagoda, which is at the mouth of the
river. They passed in front of H^iiting^ the chief place of a district,
a walled town of about 10 // (3 miles) in circumference, and remarka-
ble for iiH two storied temple, and reached Cliiohhi the place of
their destination. r
The river there is about 300 yards broad : its water is fresh at lo^
tide, and may be ascended at high water by junks of from 300 to 400
tons. MM. Hedde and Pohlman stopped at the custom-house, nnd
afterwards went on foot through the town to the tsot'ing^s the chief
officer of CAiVf 6^, who was very friendJy to them. On being admit-
ted to his house, they saw his s'^rvanta smoking opium, which caused
the Rev. Mr. Pohlman to remonstrate severely with them, and they
Baw his wives occupied in the arrangement of their toilettes, and of
their ornaments in flowers, precious stones, and gold.
The tsoidn^ thinking it useless for those gentlemen to stop at
Chiohb^t as little business was done there in silk, proposed to them
to visit Ck&ngchaufii. He gave them a new passport and new guides
to accompany them to that city. Nevertheless Messrs. Hedde and
Pohlman would not leave Chiohbi until they hid visited the principal
streets and citadel of that place Avhich is but a borough town. It is
said to contaui 300,000 inhabitants. In the vicinity there are 18
villages, whose populations are not included in the above number.
In one of these villages there is abmly of Christians, under the direc-
tion of a Spanish priest. Chiohbi is a great emporium of common
China ware. A number of people are occupied in the culture of the
land and in the fishery. The women are seen running along the
street; they are generally dressed in long hoods, and bear in tlieir
.hands long crook-sticks like a bishop's crozier. Chiohbi is a part
of the district of Leung-key remarkable for its extensive cultivation
of the mulberry trees, and the rearing of silk-worms. Along the
184?. An Excursion to Ckdngchau, 19
river are f arious furtifications ; they are generally about 5 /I (I. J mile)
apart. Not far from Chiohbc U one erected on a steep rock which
commands the river, and communicates with another mountain by a
singularly constructed aqueduct.
Tlie country is very picturesque, Fuhkien being regarded as the
Switzerland of China. The banks of the river and the valleys are
shaded by majestic fig-trees, (fims indicn^) commonly called pagoda
trees; by willows, bamboos, fir?, pines, cypress, and /t-cA», generally
known by the name of cat's eye fruit ; by pi an tains, gouyava, mul^
berry trees, touag mou, (split trees, from which is made that singular
kind of paper known in Canton under the name of rice pnper,) etc.,
etc. The soil is graniiei and, contrary to what has been asserted,
there is no volcanic appearunce. The low country is composed of a
very deep alluvial soil. The overhunging rock.n, blackened by agcs^
present hea|>s of a primitive formation; the ini^idc of them is a very
fine quartz and mica composition ; the staple articles of cultivation
are rice, grain, maize, sugar-cane, and tobacco.
- The country is very subject to inundations. The last in 1344 to-
tally destroyed several villages, and the borders of the river present
even now marks of great desolation. Three large burying grounds
have been established at Amoy, where the bodies of those drowned
In the inundations have been deposited.
About the distance of an hour's walk is the site of the city of Min^
things whose walls are still standing, and serve to perpetuate the
name of the ferocious Koshinga. Our travelers, often exploring the
remains of that desolated place, pursued their journey, and arrived
the same day at Chiingchau, the chief place of a department and the
object of their journey, favored by the most propitious weather, and
traveling by water G^ hours, performing a distance of 110 /i (33
miles).
Ch^ngchau is s«ituated in 24 deg. 31 min. north latitude, and 117
deg. 52 min. east long, of the meridian of Greenwich. It has been
visited by several American mi.ssionaries, amongst whom was the
Rev. Mr. Lowrie, who compared it in extent to New York. Uis
narrative is inserted in the Missionary Chronicle of May 1844, vol.
xii. At the entrance of Chdngchau is a famous bridge, but its
beauty is not equal to the accounts given of it. It is formed of 22
apertures, formed by pillars cm which are placed long granite stones.
At the ends of the bridge are several rows of houses ; at the west side
is an ancient temple, built during the T.ilig dynasty, and adorned
with. gigantic idols. Q^uays border the river, which runs from N.W«
so An Etcurswn to Chdngchau, Feb:
to S.C. There are large coal stores from the Hinghwd fu mines.
This coal is of a bituminous appearance; the Fuhkien anthracite
comes especially from iin-Aro.
Changchau is a walled town about 15 li (4^ miles) in circumfer-
ence, with four gates placed as usual at the 4 cardinal points. These
gates are formed of a door for foot-passengers and a canal for boats.
The streets^ are wider than any seen elsewhere, and are embellished
with fine and well-furnished shops. In many parts arc large and
well-ornamented stone gateways. A number of trees add to the gay
prospect. The people are very affable. In the suburbs are Urge
manufactories of tiles for houses, fire-places, and other uses, as well
as of conical jars for sugar. There are some sugar-manufactories in
the ricinity ; one in particular, which is very extensive, and has all
the appearance of an European building, is seen on the led side of
the river. The total population inside and outside this interesting
town is said to amount to one million. Our travelers, accompanied
by their guides, which had considerably increased in number, by
persons joining them through curiosity, and by whom they were fre-
quently saluted, as they passed, by the name of Ngnan^nang (fo-
reigners), afterwards reached the TcM'fou, or Mansion-house^ where
they awaited the orders of the magistrates.
In the mean time AT. Iledidc gathered all the information he could
relative to the productions of the country. He visited the soldiers'
house, took a pfeep at their arms, examined their spears, bows, and
rope muskets'; he saw with surprise guns which were filled with ru9t
and unfit to be' fired ; their two-handed swords, etc. He made inquiry
as to the arrangement of the military service, and found that it was
performed by men perfectly ignorant of the military art. M. Hedde
also made'inquiries about the production of silk, and the manufactures
of the country, and also about their dying establishments. While
he was thus employed the Rev. M. Pohlman was engaged in instruct-
ing .the people, distributing his books, and preparing the inhabitants
by his presents, and by his eloquent and kind language, to give a
favorable reception* to his^ mission. Those well-meaning people
were truly astonished to hear a foreigner speaking the Chdngchau
dialect with remarkable facility; the boys, who were generally the
.most inquisitive amongst them, asked several questions, which were
.answered to their general satisfaction ; but the oldest amongst them
remembered the last American mission to Changchau, and that
remembrance secured to the new travelers a friendly reception. An
.order having at length arrived from the authorities, our missionaries
1847. Am Excursion to Ck&ngfJiau. 81
were conducted by a large troop of soldiers and lantern-bearers to a
pagoda, where they were plentifully supplied with rice, fish^ sweet
potatoes, eggs, oranges, Hchi, plantains, tea and cakes ; spoons and
chop-sticks, cups and plates, were brought — indeed, nothing was
wanting. Numerous ser? ants were in attendance, and they were
surrounded by a crowd of talkative people, who seemed much by the
scene.
A sleeping-room was prepared for our travelers, on the door of
which was inscribed the character fuh^ which signifies happine.s.".
This was considered as a favorable omen of a good bed and a quiet
night; but! alas, what a bed ! what a night ! Scorpions and spiders,
mice and mosquitoes, had possession of the place, and felt in no wise
inclined to be dis»lodged. Instead of a bed, a plank was all that was
supplied on which to rest their now weary limbs. Suspicions of
intended mischief were excited. They asked themselves whether
they were to be made the victims of a desnicable act of treachery ?
M. Hedde had present to his recollection the facts which occurred
during his journey to Suhchau fu, and the emissaries then sent to
seize on him, and the idea naturally suggested itself that he had been
now permitted to proceed to Chingchau only to make him bitterly
repent of his excursion, and to disgust any other traveler from mak-
ing a similar attempt. The night appeared, indeed, long to the two
missionaries; but daylight came at length to put an end to their
perplexities. The striking of gongs and the opening of doors an-
pounced the hour of their delivery, and the approach of officers
bringing presents, and the arrival of p^ple anxious either to receive
instructive books or to hear an interesting sermon, removed all further
feeling of uneasiness. The pagoda soon resounded with animated
conversation and while engaged at their breaVfast, they heard the
sounding of the large gong, announcing a visit from the chief ma-
gistrate af ChingchaUi This unexpected event caused a great sensa-
tion in the pagoda, but the kindness of the officer soon established a
degree of intimacy which was advantageous to the mission. The
Rev. M. Pohlman presented him with some of his best books, which
he requested might be explained to htm. He approved of the object
intended by them, and said they should be used for the instruction of
his family, adding that,' if China had been always visited by such
missionaries, as Mr. Pohlman' appeai'ed Vo be, thbre would have been
more Christians in the country, ^t. fledde took an opportunity
of presenting to the o^cer' a rich specimen of the production
ul^ the Jacquard looms of Lyons, ivhich he brought with him ibr
yob. xvi. NO. I, \i
S3 Aa Excursion to Ckaagckau, Fab.
Uie pur(Mise. The officer 4ra»inttcli pleased witii the present, which'
he said. ahoiUd be deposited «n the govern aieHt-hovae as 9 tokea
of the fitieadly keVmfi .oC a town superior in science and arts to any
place in Chimin M. H^Mlde availed himself of the friendly dispositioa
evinced by this officer to solicit permission to visit the nuinufaetories
of the'oojjntry, and to .examine into its cultivation, which was readily
granted, and one of the chiefs of the corporation of silk- weavers was
requested to assist the vienrs of the missionaries •
The party was soon formed, and at its head proceeded the same
inferior officer, who was designated by the Rev. Mr. Lowrie in his
narrative as "a talkative fussy fellow." In advanjce of tiie purty
were soldiers Qn^rying gongs, whifM, ropes, and other signs of their
authority; and the rear was brought up by coolies, carrying chairsi
f.>r t)ie convenience of the missionaries when fatigued. They first
visited the famcme p^igoda of the TVis sect, situated at <the foot of
KaMJoaU'shoH' ' h- VRas formerly a celebrated nunnery, but is now
^eaerte^J, ^nd, jikieail theipphlic buildings in China, is iii a state of
dec^y. The granite jGandle.stioks which qdorned tiie front were portly
(jcstroy«^, the gigantic idols removed, and the whole place over*^
groivn iwith. grass and weeds. From .the belvidere whiich overhangs
tlie fpct.lficat4ons was an extended view over Chdngchau and. the sur-
rounUii^g country. The town does not appear very ilarge, though
intevsec^eii by panalsaod intermixed with groves and tiarge open spots.
Towards I h(e nortli, outside the walls, are barren hills, covered as
usqaj lyith tpmbs. To t|ie south, in the plain, are fields planted with
rjcc and sug^r canes. The walls of the town fre ip a tolerable state
vf rep*fir! B^ intervals there ar(e guns mounted on carriages^ but in a
very unserviceable state. On the guns are Chinese charapteiraf denot-
ing the name of the emperor. Along the walls on the west side, runs
the river Chang, with its two bridges-, and on each bank the Iti^urisnt
vegetation strongly contrasts with the high, imd barren granite
mountains which overhang it.
Qur jtravelers examined very attentively the plantation of mulberry
trees, which are gienerally of the muiticaulis kind, white. The wild
ones are not rare, and lobated leaves are frequently seen. The silk
>vf>rms are very ines^gre, iheir rearing ia very cwelessly attended to,
^nd the cocoons are so small that in* order to obtain, an English
pound of silk 10,000 of them are sometimes necessary. T lie reel is
theffame as that adopted in the silk territory okShnnUmKtoangtwtgT.
earthen furnaces and boilers, a spindle on whioiV the reel is tied, a-
eonimon reel on which the silk^ is to be wound, afiei hufing passed
1347. if A Excursion^ to Changehmt. 83
ihron^h the hole of a piece of copper in a coknmon cask. This is
the simple process employed to reel silk ; a silkthread which haronlf
one- twist, and which is very irregtilarry reeled, take* from 16 to 20
cocoons. To' the rich cuhure of Chekkidug' and J^tdn^fir visited by
M. Hedde, has succeeded* the miserable roiHine of the southern
processed..
Weaving is here better understood, though still inferior to that
of< the- Othef • pcarts of China. They- however, Enmt platni stuffs;
dfCBsed and ondresaedi taffetas' (Chdng-sae}, which were neither
wanting in suppleness nor brightiless ; cut and friezed plain and
figured velvets, some of ihem even with several warps, superior to
any other !of the same kind menufactaited in- China. FoU manofactur-
ing the latter there are some looms witiv a frame including: lrom»8 to
1009 bobbins'or small rolls for the warp. The drilw*loon*, as through*-
puff all ChiiMi- is the only process employed, with treadles and
heddles to form the figure of the stuC The only diffetence between
the Chinese: draw-loom and that in use m Europe consrvts in the
workman's drawing the ropes at the top of the loom instead o§ being
beside it.
Tbl9 dyeing establishments are very numerous at Chi^tigcheu. It
isUie only town in Fuhkien fitmous* fur the delicacy and variety of
ita colors; M. Hedde has got in his po8sessioi> specimens of di the
deyiDg materials there used. He particularly asked, as' in Canton and
Suhchau, the kung-kwa, a species of CarikamuSf from' which they
make excellent pink and scarlet, and four other substances'eroployed
with success in obtaining different shades of yellow. There, as
throughout all Chiua, the best blue is obtained from dry or wet
indigo.
While M. Hedde was engaged in examining every thing connected
with the silk trade, the Rev. Mr. Pohlman assembled a numerous
ttudilory around him,, whom he instructed* at the same time* that he
amused them fdoeei ridendo); for rhough the Chinese are a serious
people they are. fond of wit. They would not be amused by the big
words of a clown, but are fond of the fine allusions of good society.
Mr. Pohlman, notwithstanding his gravity of demeanfMin, possesreii
this^ulent, and is^ fully master of the means of exciting the laughter
of his auditory, The inhabitants of Chamgthwit will therefore long
preserve the recollection of this amiable missionary. THese> friendly
dispositions obtained for oun two travelers the most cordial reception.
They rambled through the town,, visited- the manufactory orspeetacles,
.which- are made of Chang-fou rock crystal ; the f\ii\ckm\^t «B^^\\^Vr
94 Nrw'Charis of the Chinese coast. Fbb.-
ments of Lung-ki and Ch&ng^ki, the great sugar works, and several
others.
The town is pretty well built ; the streets are wider than those of
the other places visited by our travelers; they: are from four to five
ynrds broad, and in some places there are squares planted with mul-
berry and lungan trees. Some of the portals are worthy the notice
of travelers.
The time now arrived for leaving Chtrngchau, and ' the departure
of the missionaries took place in the midst of an escort as brilliant as
ever attended a foreign envoy. Amidst the benedictions of a whole
population, their junk set sail, laden with presents of all kinds from
the principal magistrates, and in the midst of the universal acclama-
tions of the whole people. On the following day two of M. Hcdde's
colleagues, attached to the commercial mission to China (MM. £.
Renard and M. Rondot) arrived at the place, and, on the day after;
thu' French plenipiuentiary in person, attended by rear-admiral Cecile
and an escort of French sailors. We hope they met with the same
welcome as our travelers.
More details will doubtless be given, which will serve to make
those places better known. M. Hedde has brotight back with him
numerous specimens of the materials in use in the branch of com-
merce in which he is more particularly interested, as well as plants,
seeds, etc.; which will he disseminate in his country. We expect
with impatience a further detail of his laborious and conscientious
excursion^
H * it
Art IV. IVew Charts of the Chinese hast, by captains Kellett
and CoUinson: a Chinese Ponunercinl Gat fie, second edition,
revised throughout and made, applicable to the- trade as at
present conducted.
By the last overland n^aii we received a* note from capt. Gollinson,
dated October 13th, >846, informing ys that he had forwarded /»e
sheets of the new survey of the coast of phinar " which," he says,
'• wijtb .apot**®*^ ^^^^^ ^''' complete the charts pf the coast." And
be adds; •* I have no doubt, plans upon a larger scale, of different
portions, will be puWished as soon as practicable, so as to render
ib^. navigation U simple as possible. Yoa \yill pprceive that no Chr-
1847. New Charts of the Chinese coast. 85
nese names are as jet attached to these charts ; but this is a point
of so much importance that I intend to urge it strongly with the hy-
drograpber; and shall endeavor to obtain a general chart of the
coast, printed on two sheets, which will enable information regard-
ing the course of the rivers, &c., to be noted by those who may
have the opportunity." AH that our very worthy and much esteem-
ed friend desires and anticipates, we sincerely hope he may see ac-
complished, for the improvement of navigation in the Chinese waters.
We are exceedingly sorry, that any needless limits have been fixed,
so as to preclude the immediate extension of these surveys along
the whole northern coast of China.
Together with the five sheets which have just reached us, we hare
' — received seven others — all of them valuable. We will briefly notice
each one in order. These five sheets form part of a series : we will
take them up as they are numbered, from IV to VIII.
** Sheet J V, South cotut, from Chau-an Bay to Port Mathesan^
inrluding the Pescador islands ; surveyed by captains Kellett and
Collinson, r. n. 1844." This is a large handsome sheet, about 38
by 25 inches, extending from lat. 23 "" 25" to 25'' 5" N. and from
117* 15' to 120* 5" E., i. e. from Chau-an, ^ i^. Bay, on the
boundaries of the provinces of Kw4ngtung and Fuhkien, to Mti*
chau, \S /)jj» Sound above Chinchew (or Tsiuenchau fu); it con-
tains also a plan of " How Tow Bay," showing the position of Chim-
ney Island and Reea' Pass; and likewise a survey qf the Patighit,
jfc yfl, or Pescador Archipelago.
" Shut V, Eastern coast, from Port Matheson to Rugged Point;
surveyed by captains Kellett and Collinson, r. n. 1843." It is of the
same dimensions as the preceding sheet; and extends from 24* 54'
to 26" 32' N., and from 118* 55' to 121* 43' E.; of course it ex-
hibits the mouth of the river Min and the north end of the island
of Formosa.
" Sheet VI, Eastern coast, from Rugged Point to Pihhi shdn ';
surveyed by captains Kellett and Collinson, r. nI 1843." Thii
carries on the view of the coast from 26* 4' to 27* 39' N., or to the
frontiers of the province of Chehkiing.
•• Sheet VII, Eastern coast, from Pihki shan to the Hie shan Is-
lands; surveyed by captains Kellett and Collinson, r. n. 1843."
From the Pihki or Pehki shdn, i^^^ fl|, in lat. 27* 37' N. the
survey is here extended to 28* 52' N. The chart, stretching from
120*30' to 122* 18' E., affords a view of the river which tiowi
86 New Charts of the Chinese cotat. FebI
down by Wanehau, ^ i^|, one of the chief eitres of (TheMci&ng,
up to which place the survey has been carried.
" Sheet VIII, Eastern coasts Hie-skan isles to the Ydngtsx' kiang,
including the Chnsan islands r sorveyed by captains' KeHett and Col-^
linson, r. n. 1943." This carries the; survey from 2d' 44' op to the
Amherst and Ariadne Rocks, in 9V 9^ and £0* N'. lac,, and from
long. I2T'' 23' to 123' W £. This is a lirrge sheet, md exhibits
a great amount of work, presenting a compfete view of the Chusan
Archipelago.
The remnintng sheets are of narrower dimensions, bot atfTord «
more minute and extended survey of partieufar portions of the coast.
We* wiFF take* them up in order; proceeding firom the dotith.
r. **Amoy Harbor, surveyed by capt. Keftett, c. b. 1843. CI*
tadel 2'4*^ 1X9' N., 1 18* 4' E. High water Fl and C. xii: 61 Rrs^
16 feet." This survey is carried quite scrbund the island of Amoy j
and to the south, extends to the Ndotar WiS sh&n ; and to* the east
so as to show a large part of the great Quemby Island.
2. ** CMnchtw Harbor, surveyed by capt. R. Collinson, n. W.
1844. Pisai Wand 24' 49' 13" N., fl8^ 41' ET. High water K
and C. xriA. 25iii. Spring tides rise 17 feet.'''
• 3. **' The River Min, from the entrance to the Peigada Aneho^
rage; surveyed by captain Kellett, r. n., c. b. 1845. Off the Tem^
pie, high water full and change xA. Ibm,- Spring tides rise 19 feet."
This survey terminates mne milee below the city of FubciiauL It
gives an enlarged plan of the river at the Kinp4i Pass.
4. " The Kintang Channel; surveyed, by captain R. Gollinson,
R. Si c, B. 184tK-43." From the west coast of Chusany we here bave»
to the south and. west, a complete survey to the mouth of the Yung
kidttg (of riiMSi of Ningpo) and aiso of the rrver itiself for some miles
from its mouth.
5. '* North Bay of Chusan island; by lieut. Byron Drury, r. n.
1842." Here,: in addition to the north* coast of Chusav„ is given* an
outline view of Chang Peh tsliand.
6. " South amd East Islands of the Saddlis Group;. I j Jieut. M^
Nolloth, R. N. 1842. Rocky islei (betweeik the two) lat. 30* 4 If
46" N. an* long. 12a* 47' 15^ E."
7. "Fto/i. of Chdpu.r Thia gives a view of tlie waters, at the
mouth of the H4ngchau river from " Canpoo " to Cb.ipii;
A Chinese Commercial Guide, consisting of a. collection af details
andy regulations respecting foreign trade with China,]' second' edi-
1647. Canton British Chamber of Commerce. 87
ticHVi «r«s pablishAd -in Macao, in the summer of 1844. The work
was prepared with much care, and comprised a large amount of verj
valuable information, filling 280 cloeely printed octavo pages. The
whole of the second edition having been disposed of, a third has
been undertaken.
m0^^t^i^^0^^i^m0a0^m0^t0^0tmatmm»090tm0t0^0t0*^»^
Art. v. Rules and Regulaiions of the Canton British Chamber
of Commerce, established January Sth^ 1847. With a prefa-
tory note. Communicated.
Iff publishing the Hules and Regulations of this association, which was
estftblished here on the 8th ultimo, it may be desirable to fpve some par-
ticulars connected with its formation. The want of duch an institution has
long been felt by many members of the British community, who, however,
were desirous that it should be composed of all foreigners, wiUiout distinc-
tion, engaged in trade in China ; and with the view of carrying it out on
this kroad principle, preliminary meetings were held to decide upon the laws
required for the government of a Gfenf ro/ Chamber of Commerce. These
)aws were submitted to a public meeting of Uie foreign community in
Pecerober last, convened by a circular issued by the gentlemen who had
prepared them. At that meeting those rules were adopted^ with some slight
aitemtions, and a resolution passed that they should be circulated for thd
mformation and signatiure of all who wished to become members ; .and that
another public meeting should be held on the 8th January for the purpose
of electing . a committee. This was accordingly done, and the result was,
^taXforty4wo British firms, one American, one Dutch, ont German, and one
Btrian, subscribed as members of the proposed Chamber. In submitting this
result to the public meeting on the 8th ultimo, the chairman, Mr. Blenkin,
made the following observations : —
**' In oonsequenoe of so very limited a number of other foreigners having
come forward to join the British merchants in establishing s Chamber, it
may be desirable that the institution should be purely British. If carried
out as it is, it would in reality be a British Chamber without the name; and
as the four, not English, who have subscribed, did so under the impression
that Uie Chamber would fairlv represent the whole foreign community, they
have been communicated with and of course see the propriety of withdraw-
ing. Although it may be regretted on some accounts, that this attempt to es'>
tablish a General Chamber of Commerce has failed, yet it may perhaps even-
tually be advantageous to the British portion of the community. They can
now establish a British Chamber without being subject to the charge of
illibemlity or exclusiveness, and if properly conducted, they will possess in
the -committee a permanent, efficient body, ready on all occasions to repre-
sent their interests, but particularly in communications with their own autho-
fitfe^ in -China; who; it must! be remembered can only treat on -public
matters with a body representing British subjects alone. Chambers or Cooh
merce, besides, beine institutions recogni^d by the British government,
both at home and abroad, are on that account not liable to the objections
which might be ni^d against committees appointed in times of public
88 Canton British Chamber of Commerce, Feb.
excitement and for special objects. In this point of view the impor-
tance of the Chamber to the British community can hardly be over-estimat-
ed, since all measures calculated to better their position here either commer-
cially or otherwise, can only be obtained through their own authorities ; and
representations from such a source, respectfully made, must come witlrmore
weigfht, and receive more attention and consideration perhaps, than if made
in any other shape. A British Chamber may also be occasionally useful
to our own authorities. It will at all times afford them a ready means
of making known their wishes or notifications to British subjects, and of
obtaining their opinions on such matters as they may submit to tlie con-
sideration of the Chamber. With these views it is proposed that the associ-
ation we are now met to form, shall be denominated ** The Canton British
Chamber of Commerce," and if approved of by this meeting, alterations will
be required in some of the rules adopted at tne last meeting."
The rules were again reconsidered, and the following finally agreed to.
The committee for J 847, as given below, was then elected. Wiu such a
committee there can be little doubt that the af&irs of the Chamber will be
most efficiently conducted, and that under such management it will be pro-
ductive of much good. In accordance with rule X., a special meeting has
since been held at which Mr. Edmund MoUer was duly elected Searetary.
RULES AND RBGULAT10NS OF THE CANTON BRITISH
CHAMBER OP COMMERCE.
T. That the object of the Canton British Chamber of Com-
merce is to protect the Commercial and General interests of British
subjects in China, to collect and classify useful information on all
matters connected with the foreign trade, and to establish a court
of arbitration for the purpose of adjusting such mercantile differ-
ences as may be rferi'ed' tlo it*.
II. That all British subjects engaged in trade in China are
eligible at its folrmntion- to become members of the Chamber, on the
payment of 50 dollars for the current year and an annual subscription
of 50 dollars while resident in China, payable in advance on the 1st
of January, which sum shall be devoted towards meeting the requisite^
expenses of the Chamber.
III. That all candidates for admission subsequent to the establish-
ment of the Chamber, shall be admitted on being proposed by one
member and seconded by another.
- IV. That all visitors to China interested in trade may become
subscribers, on being proposed by a member of the Chamber and
seconded by another, and upon payment of 15 dollars per quarter,
but siich subscriptions shall not entitle the subscriber to vote, or to
have access to records or correspondence appertaining to British in-
terests only. •
• V. Thai the affairs of the Chamliel* be m^iiiaged by a committee
f>f thirteen members, to be elected by ballot from* the body at each
1847. CtaUon Brituk Chdmb& of Commerce. 9^
Annua] General Meeting, and each firm belonging to the Chamber
shall have one vote only.
VI. That members shall not be allowed to vote by proxy, nor if
their subscription, fees, d^c. are in arrear.
VII. That it shall be imperative on parties elected, to serve under
penalty in case of refusal of one hundred dollars for each year, when
that party shall be again eligible, and iu the same manner be liable
to fine for declining service, unless, in all cases, a reason be assigned,
that may be satisfactory to the committee.
VIII. That the first Annual General Meeting of The Canton
British Chamber of Commerce do take place on the second Mon*
day in February 1847, and afterwards on the second Monday in
January from year to year.
IX. That .only one member in any firm shall be on the com-
mittee.
^ X. That the committee shall be empowered to receive the names —
and testimonials if necessary— -of such parties as may become
candidates for the office of secretary, and shall submit the same to
a Special General Meeting of the Chamber called for that purpose,
with their recommendation as to the salary to be paid, when the meet-'
ing shall proceed to elect from among the candidates such officer
by show of hands, and arrange the remuneration to be paid such func-
tionary.
. XL That. the committee shall elect by ballot their chairman and
deputy chairman, who shall, exK>fficio, preside at all General Meet-
ings of the Chamber.
XIL That dye members of the committee shall form a quorum
who shall meet on the second Saturday of every month for transaction
of general business, and all questions shall be decided by the majority,
the chairman for the time being having a casting vote, besides his
vote as an ordinary member ,*-and in the unavoidable absence of chair-
man, and deputy chairman, a chairman for the occasion shall be
chosen from the committee assembled.
XIII. That it shall be imperative on the members of the commit-
tee in rotation to meet in order to constitute a quorum, failing which,,
a fine of five dollars to he paid on each occasion of non-attendance,
unless a satisfactory reason be* assigned or a substitute be provided,
being a member of the comknittee.
XIV. That the chairman or deputy shall have the power to call*
a meeting of the committee when he shall see occasion, and it shall
be imperative on him to do so, on a requisition being made to him
VOL. XV J. NO. 1. . V.l
CuuUm British Ckatkher $f Commerce. Fin.'
from two mtmhert of thfe oomniittee, but it 'n reqiiirpd thnt notice
of such, meeting and the purport be particularly expressed, and that
ifttcti tiadee ^hittl be delivered in writing at least three days before
the meeting, unless on occasions of emergency, when it may be dis-
penfit'd with.
XV. That on all oecoiions a minority, on a division in committee,
shall hhve a right to state their reasons o(^ disaent, in the records of
the day's prf^eedings, wheti they may wish to do so, provided the
same be done within forty-eight hours of the closing of the meeting,
and a certified copy of such dissent shall be granted them Unrequired.
- XVl. That ill thi* evtnt ofiny yncHntj occurring in the commit-
tee it shaH b^ filled up so soon after as possible by balUH at a special
meeting called for that purpose.
XVIL Thht the secrttarv, uhdfet the direction of the committee^
shall take charge of all correspondence with Foreign Associations,^
and with fihjr tjthei* parties with whom It may h€ desiHble to com*
tounicaie. H^ shall aUo superirftetid the preparation of all 'MatementA'
^bnnlected With tirade, &c.
XVIII. That a committee of arbitration, consistiris: of three, shall
be elected 'by ballot every month, but their power sh.ill be continued
so -lon^ hn afiy business entertained by them, dut'fng th^ir period of
service, is undecided ,' it shall appolbt it^ own chairman and confine
its functions to cases where its interference or advice are requested,
iiid oki no ^^e^siOn ifhaf I it proceed on any case unless both the par*
ties giv^ ah obligation thut they Will ^bid^ hf the debision of the
comnrittee ; ?fn\ should the dispute relate to a sum of money, the
Whole otr siich part thereof as the committee desire shitll be paid into
the^ hands of such parties as they shall name, before they undertake
to investigate the case. In particular casea they shall be authorised
to accept security.
XIX. That th6 Chaniber shall not tnke cnghiiance of any dispute,
linleM one of th6 partFes at leant, inter^nted therein be a tnembek- of
the Chamber.
• XX. That art office shall be open daily from to to 6 o'clock where
the secretary shall keep a journal of all- proceedings, prepare atate-
ments of trade, d&c, and personally attend at mich houhi as the com-
mittee shall determine.
XXI. That all com muni cat ion* «hall be received and answered
thrOoghjlhe secretary.
XXII. That the chairman or deputy, Of in their abJs^nae Siiy threft
members of the committee, or six niewbera oC the Chmriiber, shall be
}S4(7. Canton BritUk Ck^mier ^ C^mmtree, 91
empowered tp eonvcinQ|» general meeting, the secH^ej^ry s^tifisf the
purpone fof which such meeting ia called, twenty-four houra previous
to the day of meeting.
XXIII. That funds to provide a suitable establishment and to de*
fray requisite expenses shall be raised in the following manner, viz;
Isi. By subscriptions. 2d. By fees and fines on arbitrations and refer-
ences as the committee may hereafter determine. 3d. By voluntary
gifb, and contributjcms either in money, miip^; boolcs. pr anything
which may be useful to the institution. 4th. By fees for certified copies
pf the records and other documents in the archives of the Chamber.
XXIV. That all disbursements shall be made on orders signed by
the secretary And co^nt^rpigoeU >y the chairman or deputy chairman
of tlie oomniittae, and all iiccounts shall be submitted to, and audited
by the members t>f the Chamber at each annual meeting.
XXV. Th:it in special cases the Chamber reserves to itself the
power of expulsion of any members by a pi.ijority of four to one, a^
certsiined by ballot at a general meeting convened for the purp^ise.
XXVL That these rules may be revised and altered by a majority
of two-thirds, at any general meetini^ convened for the purpose, -four*
teen days previous notice being given through the secretary of the
alteration intended.
XXVII. That in the event of any question as to the construction
or application of these rules, the committee shall have power to de-
cide the same, submitting \he matter to the next Ant^ual jGrcnqr^l Meat-
ing of the Chamber for its final decision. .,.> w
XXVIII. That the committee shall m.ijce^ucl^ regulations and by-
Jaws^ aa shall epsure responsibility, regularity and di.'ipi^tch.
0^tf^>^0^^f^i0^m^*0*^^m0^0k0*^^^'^ ■■i^^<»^»a^<^#>^^^
COMMITTEE FOR 1847.
Chairman. .W. W. Dale, Esq.
Patid JARDiNe. Esa.,
Df/nUy Chairman,
CUAB. S. COMPTON, EmQ.
William Blbnkin^ Esq.
Edward Boustp.ad, Esq.
Daoabboy BYKAauBE, Esq.
John Oisnt, Ehq.
Patrick Dudgeon, Esq.
JottBrH F. GooER, Esq.
RlCHAllD J. GiLMAN, EsQ.
liENRY R. Harker, Esq.
Thomas D. Nravb, Esq.
John Wise, Esq.
Treasurer*,
Messrs. Dent 6l Co.
Sexretary.
Edmund Mollbk, Esq.
9-2
Asidiic Sotitiy of China.
T^i,
LIST OP'MEMBBRt OF TITR CHAMBER AT ITS FORMATION.
Agabeg, C.
Agassiz, Arthur
Bar net, George .
Blenkin, Rawson dc Co.
Birley, Francis B.
Boustead 6l Co.
Chalmers 6l Co.
Ct^mpton 6l Co., C. S.
Dallas 6l Co.
Dent dc Co.
Dirom, Gray &, Co.
Fischer Sl Co.
Fletcher & Co.
Gemmell dc Co., W. 6l T.
Gibb, Livingston 6l Co.
Gil man Sl Co.
llegan &, Co.
Henderson, Watson Sl Co.
Holliday, Wise 6l Co.*
IJughesdon 6l Co^ . .
Jamieaoo, How dc.Co.
Jardine, Matheson 6l Co.
Josephs, Levin
Kennedy, Macgregor 6l Co.
Lindsay 6l Co.
Lyall, George
Maclean, Dearie 6l Co.
Macvicardb Co.
Man, James L.
Mouldc Co., Henry
Murrow 6l Co.
Nesserwanjee Camajee dc Co., P.
dt D.
Oriental Bank, The
Pestonjee Framjee Cam a 6Lf Co. •
Ratbbones, Worthingtondc Co.
Reiss 6l Co.
Ripley, Smith 6l Co.
Rustomjee 6l Co., D. dt M.
Sassoon, Sons 6l Co., David
Seace dLiCo., Benjamin .
Turner dt Co.
*^ ■ ■ — »* ■ — -|. - — j-^ —j^^-yy^^-^^-^-^^-^^^-^^p^^^^j^-^^
M
Art. Vr. Aiiaiic' 8oHtiy of China, its Idtas and office-hearers^
as approved at a meeting held in Hongkong , January 19/Ay
1847. (Prom the ChiriH Mail, Jan. 2 Is/, 1847.';
At a meeting of the Asiatic Society of China, 'held on iSietday 19th Jan-
uary 1847, and numerously attended, — Colonel firereton baring been called
to tb'f chair, the following report of the oommitlee appointed at the preliminary
meeting, for the purpose of framing the laws and selecting office-bearers for
the approval o( the members of the Society, was read : — ** Tour committee
held their first meeting at the rooms of the Society on Wednesday the loth
instant — Present, — Colonel Brercton, Hon. C. M. Campbell, Capt Kennedy,
the Rev. V. Stanton, Drs. Balfour, Kinnii, Young, and Borland, and Messri.
C. J. F. Stuart, Bowring, Mercer, Bevan, Melville, and Shortrede,— when the
first subject taken into consideration was the name to be given to the Society ;
and afler some discussion it was agreed to recommend that it should be called
The Asiatic Society of China. In order to facilitate the farther operatioits
of your committee, it was resolved that it should be divided into two sub-oom-
miltees, the one to select ihe office-bearers, and the other to frame the laws
of the Society, their respective reports to be received and considered on Monday
the 18th. Your committee having requested Mr. Shortrede to frame a draft
of the laws, founded on the rules of the Boyal Asiatic Society, to be submitted
1847. Asiatic SifcUty of China, 03
to Its next ineMinff, that gentieroen furnitbed topiwto each ofthc members,
and on Friday the 15th, the draft was fnlly and ftarefully eonaidered. SeTentl
amcndmenta haring been adopted, the anb-eommittee met next day^ when
the lawa were again subjected to a careful revision, each clause being put
separately from the chair. On Monday the 18th your committee met toge-
ther to receire and consider the reports of the two sub-committees, which,
with the modifications agreed to, are now submitted for the approval of the
General Meeting of the Society.*'
The Chairman then read to the meeting the proposed laws and list of office-
bearers as follows :•—
Laws or the Asiatic Socictt or Cri^a,
SubmiiUd to a general muting of the Society held at Hongkong^ on TViescby
the 19th January, 1847.
■ I. — The Asiatic Society of China, is instituted for the investigation of arts,
■ciencea, and literature in relation to China.
II.— The Society shall consist of resident, honorary, and corresponding
members.
III. — Members residing in any part of China shall be considered 'resident.
' IV. — Eminent individuals, and persons who may contribute to the objects
of the Society in a distinguished manner, are to be eligible as honorary
members.
' v.— Persons resident in China may, upon special groands, and with the
recommendation of the council, be elected corresponding rocmbera.
' VL — ^Honorary and corresponding memben are to be admitted to all the
privileges of the Society, but are not to vote at its meetings, or be elected to
any of its ofSces, or take part in its private business.
- VIL — All members, whether resident, honorary, or corresponding, shall
^e elected by ballot A candidate for resident membership must be proposed
4nd seconded at a goneral meeting of the Society, but cannot be balloted for
until the. next succeeding general meeting. Honorary and corresponding
members, if approved of by the council, may be admitted during the meeting
at which they are proposed and seconded.
VIII. — No candidate shall be elected unless he has in his favor three-
fourths of the members voting.
IX. — Every member, on his election being intimated to him, shall signify
his adherence to the laws of the Society by inserting his name in a book to
be kept for the purpose, or, if absent, intimate his readiness to do so by letter
addressed to the secretary.
X. — ^The office-bearers of the Society shall form the council, and shall
consist of, — A President; four Vice-Presidents ; six Councillors ; three Secre-
tarieSf-^general, corresponding, and Chinese and foreign ; a Treasurer; and a
Curator; wha together shall have the direction of the afikirs of the Society,
u XL — ^The office-bearers shall be elected annually, at the anniversary
meeting in January, and the two senior vice-presidents, and three senior
councillors shall be ineligible for immediate re-election to the name office^.
04 AdiotU JSofUijf of Ckitm. t*«s.
XIL-^Tbrce iliall form a Quorum of the council, and five of a fpeotral
meotiog.
XIIL — The functions of the office-bejirera ahall be aa follows :•«
' I. The President shall preside at nii^ptiiif^ of the Society snd of the council,
keep order, state and put qaestiona, and cause the Isws of the Society to bo
enforced.
2. One of the Vice-Presidents shall, in the absence of the president, azcreise
all the functions of his office.
3. The Gsnerml Secretary shall arrange and attend the meetings of the
Society and of the council, and record iheir proceedings, and shall exercise a
general superintendsnce under authority of the council. — The CorreMptnd'
i%g Secretary shall conduct the correspondence of the Society, and obtain for
'members all requisite information on subjects relating to the objects of tlie
Society. — The Ckinete and Foreign Seereiary shall be interpreter to the
fSoeiety, and conduct the requisite interoourse with China and foreign eouHtries.
The Secretaries shall together superintend the printing and publishing of the
'TMsaetions of the Sooiety. in the abseooe of one of the seorotaries, either of
the.otliers may act for him; and in the event of all being absent, tl\e ceunoil
.shall appeint a substitute.
; 4. The Treasunrr shall receive and pay out all moneys on behalf of the
Society »: keep an account thereof for the.s^-itisfaction of the council, and submit
a statement of the pecuniary affairs of the Society to the anniversary meeting.
5. The Curator shall have charge of the muse^um, arrange the specimens,
and preserve the preparations and donations ; and, in the meantime, he will
ht called upoa to take charge of the library, keeping a list of the bo9ks,
.giving them out to members, in the manner directed by the council, and see-
ing that they are returned in proper time and in good condition.
XTV.«<^Each resident member ^hall pay to the Funds of the Society on
•admission a fee of ten dollars, and an Annual oontribution-of twelve dollars,
nnlees be is elected between the 1st July and tlie Anaiveraary Meeting in
January, in which case half ihe annual nub^oHptioB only will bo payable for
thatyear.
XV. — Honorary and corresponding inemben may be admitted without
•^ying any entrance fee or annual subeeriptioD.
XVI. — Resident members, upon giving notice in writing of tlieir intended
departure from Ch'ma, shall, on the riseommendadoo of thec^fioiUbe placed
on the list of honorary or corresponding members; and in the event of their
return to Chini, may be replaced by the couneil on the list of feaident merebem
XVII. ^l*he general meetings of the Society, eball be held on the firs^
Tuesday of every month, and at eucfa other tiniea as may be resolved on, and
duly notified to members. ^
XVIlI.<<-The course of business at tbe-Creneral Meetingn shall be^as ibli-
•lotm, (the ficat three eectioati ooraprising the pri vata businesa) ^_ . . ^
' 1. The minutes of the preceding meeting shall be read, and aigned by the
president, or whoever may in his absenoe ooeupytho chair.
1 847. AmUc Society of Chini. 9S'
• 0. All J vpeeific or p^rtiettU# bdsiikew wbieh thpeotineil may hArv appoioted
fbr Uis consideraiion of the meeting ahall be proceeded with.
3. Candidates duly proposed and seconded at a previous meeting shall b6
ballotied for« and ncir members may be nomrnated.
4. Donations shall be laid before the meeting.
*5. Tiiles of papers for consideration of next meeting shall be annoanced.
6. Papers and communications Bhall be read and discussed.
XtX. — Strangers on a visit to China may be admitted to the sittings of the
dociety, but shill not be present during the traMACtion of its Private
Business. They may be proposed in writing by any member, and the
question being put from the Chair and carried, they shall be introduced.
XX. — Communications and papers read to the Society may be printed by
order of the coumsil, and at the expense of the Society, under the title of
TrcmMacHona of the ^sialic Socieiy of China.
XXL — Every resident member of the Society shall he entitled to a copy
of any paper, so published, subsequent to his election^ and the council shall
have authority to present copies to other societies and distinguished indivi-
duals.
XXIL — General Meetings and the Council of the Society shall each have
power to pass bye-laws for the regulation of their respective business.
rCXIIL-^The council shall have power to fill up any vacancies that may
occur duriil^ the year.
XXIV.— The laws of the Society shall not be altered unless npon a notice
giwn by two members, one month, at least before the subject is taken int<»
consideration ; and it shall farther be necessary that nine members be pre*
sent, and two thirds vote ior the measure ; or it shall be adopted if unani-
mously approved of at two general meetings.
OrricE-BEAaEHs.
PruidenL
Ilis Sxcellency sir John F. Davis, bart, r. a. s.
yiee-Prendrnft.
Majdt j^D^rsI D'AoiTiLAR, c.b. John SrswAax, Esq.
Mijor H. P. BiSMi Dr. Kinnis.
t
CouncUhm,
Lt-col. BacRETo^, royal artil- W. T. Mercer, Esq.
leiy, c* B. and ■ jl, Hont C. M. Campbell, Esq.
Peter Youno, Esq., colonial A. H. Balpour, Esq., surgeon.
surgeon. J. C. Bowrino, Esq.
StcniMrie^
General^ .And. Srortrepe, Esq. Chinese kfomgn^ T. Wade Esq.
Corresponding^ Capt C. Kbnnedt.
Treaaurer, Wiluam F. Betan, Esq.
Curaior.C T. Watkins, Esq.
OS* Rviaarks yon tie Opium Trade, Vej^}
dist. In our own country a similar transaction would be condemn-
ed ; but in the eye of HIM who searcheth the heart and judgeth
by the intention, there can be no excuse.
It is further urged, in defence of the Opium merchant, thai the
trade is now a fair and open one ; for the drug is undisguisedly
brought up from Cumsing Moon by mandarin boats, regular fees
being p:iid to the mandarins. That all this is openly done is true ;'
but these are only petty oificers of the government; and because
they are corrupt and break the laws, that is no excuse for foreigners.
I need hardly observe,' the pleai would ilot be admitted in an Ehgllsh
Court of justice.
But' the most' plausible defence of those engaged in the Opium
trade 7^ thls---tli^i*k hew tariff of duties has been arranged in which
Opiunlis not prohibited; ^nd' further, that it is therefore adniissibfe
to duty under the head of" articles unenuirierated in thi^ tariff to pay'
5 per cent, ad valbrem.'^ But we tacitly acknowledge the old taws'
respecting its imp6rt to be still in force, and the trade to be illegal'
by the way in which it is condu(ited. The receiving vessels are
stationed ontsidej ^o that tlie custom-luiuse authorities have no power
over them ; and we dare not openly import the drug and offer to pay'
duty on it, weirknowihg that it will be confiscated, and fines impos-
ed oti-a'll cfoncerned.'-^But let its defenders carry out their principle,
for'if i^is'coi*rect With respect 'to one commodity, 'it miist be equally'
sb WHK ill, and ih es^ry country! What would lie the result?
UnivePiafbyibery and' corh'jptidn ; good' government would' be at an'
ebd; iti^'ISuh'daiWri' being' thel-eby sappeii. ''fhoae wfeo had the set-
tfer/i'ehtbNtiet'i^eaty at Nan icing, wjio in fact dictated the terms, of
it!, iir^' most culpable for aflo'wiiig tlie question of, the iegal importn-
tion of Opium to r^mnm unsettled. The Chinese government was
at that time'^o iefi'ifitd' that there could have been but little c^i^culty
in' makiiig such* a' desli-ed arrangement. What were the motives for'
avoiifrng* tHfe snbjeb't so Entirely' 1* canrtbt imagine : for it is notorious '
that the principal object of the war was to obtain compensation for'
the opium seize** by tfife^ authorities, ahd which was, in my opinion,
justly forfeited.
It is a general excuse of the Opium merchant, that the Chinese
must and will have thedirug; and supposing the English reHiiquish
the trade, other nations will ncft be so scrupulbUH. I do not for an
instant suppose that it is possible to abolish the Opium trade— the
interests involved are too many and too powerful- to render such
an event probable. But a is the duty of all Qn^H^cd in it to
TS47. Chinese Terms to denote tht Deity, 90
make every endeavour to eflfect its legralisation. '* A merchant "
appeals to our home-governments to interpose their mediation with
the Imperial court of Peking: but unless aroused by public opinion,
I am afraid they will not stir in the business. Now it has been seen
what societies, le^tgucs, and associations have effected' elsewhere*
insignificant as they at first appeared. Why should not a society be
formed in China with the object of agitating this question, by con-
tinually bringing the subject before the notice of the public? We
ishould at length arouse our fellow-countrymen at home also to ac-
tion. The people of Great- Britain and the United States are un-
acquainted with the demoralising efTects of the Opium trade; to most
of them its existence even is unknown, or they would certainly in-
terest themselves ; and it is the bounden duty of Chose acquainted
with its details to give them every information.
The foreign resident should deeply reflect that by bein^ engaged
in this illegal trade he indirectly afT^rdi employment and encourage-
ment to the very worst of characters, the Chinese pirate, murderer,
lind robber; for they are all smugglers when there is suflici'ent in-
ducement. We are placed by a kind Providence in our several
situations; some have five, others ten talents, committed to their
charge. .When called, to give an account of the way in which our
Lord's money has been employed, the servant who hid his talent in
the earth will be more excusable than he who misuses his riches.
' Your obedient servant,
A. D, C
. JfoiB, The subjecst of legalicing the trade in opium wav hot for^ten bv
Sir Henry Pottinger ; nor was il his fault that audi a measure was not seeurea.
riipa and Kfying were different men from Ha N&itsz' and thev dared not listen
-to anjT argumenuH. fi. M.'tf plenipotentiary -eould urge.' v£i<ii(ar.
VIII. Chinese terms to denote the deity t views of Drs. Mor^
rison, Milne^ Marshman, and others, communicated in former
volumes of th*.. Chinese Repository.
Our readers will perceive that, a diversity of opinion exists, and has
long existed, on this subject. Even the same individual, at different
periods, has held different views. Nor is this- strange, when the
nature and circumstances of the case are duly considered. • The
fact doubtless is, as it has been often affirmed, '' th&t lVi« CVvvtvRH^
1^0 Chinesfs Ttnns te denote Deity. Fkk
laiigifage posscssea no single nppellation expresiiive of the ideas
which Christians connect with the words God, deity/' dLc; and we
m'ly add,, that.it not only posaessctt no single term, but no coinbina*
tion of terms, no phrases, containing, or expressive of, such ideas a^
the inspired writers give us of the one, the only living and true God^
ilic-eteruul Jehovah. We do not say, nor do we admit, that the
language has no terms suitable to express these ideas; but, excepting
only those who have derived their knowledge from Christians, the
Ghiueae, ancient and modern, seem never ta have recognized such a
being as is revealed in the Bible, as the onfy Oue to whom relir
gious worship is due. They have now, and they have had from time
imiuemorial, Gods many and Lords ma^y. The ground of difficulty
seems to be not in their language,, bt|t in them3eives; fof ^hile thf
invisible things, even the Creator's etern;il power and Godhead, may
be known and are clearly seen, being under8too<l by the things (hat
are made, yet it must bp said h^re as it wis said of the ancii^nt
Romans, *Mhey dp not like to retain God in their knowledge,'.'
The present emperor, who styles himself " Reason's Glory," has
declared that his ministers do not know what truth is. Aufi. with
all earnestness we ask. What do tfi^y know, what do the people
know, and what have Xhe'ijr wise, n^en.ever taught of the deity?
Take their highest deity-r-if it be possible tq ascertain which is
the highest^ — and contrast their descriptions, of the san)e„ ^ith th^^
records given in the Old and New Testaments, of the true God, and
what can be more dissimilar!
Take the much extolled phrase Shanf ti, " the high ruler,^' or
more correctly "the ruler on high," and how does it appear in the
Shu King, their most ancient Bi)ok of Records? Dr. Medhurst (see
our last number, page 35) says, "Shing ti is not the name of the
chief idol among the Chinese, but (when standing alone, without
any prefix) always and invariably, in every Chinese book of note
and worth, means the Supreme Bring and him only." This needs
pr(K)f. We are exceedingly anxious to learn the truth regarding
this very difficult. subject, and we feel much obliged to those Cor-
respondents who have favored us with the results of their research
and observation, ar^d are taking cire to ascertain for ourselves how
the case stands. Before the very valuable artvcle from our Corres-
pondfini at Ningpo came to hand, we had gon» oi«f»r the whole of
the ShCi.King, with. a Chinese assistaijt, and hud marked every pas-
sage io>hich -SA/in^ H, Jt ^, **high ruler," occurred. These
assfoui^ U^ thirti/Ttwo, ^}d we b*ve i^^d them all copied outi with
1847. Ch'mest Terms to (Icnotf Daty YO:
the notes of their ablest ooinraentators — and perhaps may hy and by
deem it expedient to publish ail these, giving the Chinese text with
a translation in English. And oh, hnw little of divinity — how very
little of any thing that is like the Godhend, do we 6nd in all three!
The Chinese commentators, on their sacred books say that shang
ti is the same as f *t>n, ^, " heaven," and ihni t^ien again is synonym
ID0U8 with /i, J^, *'rea8«Hi," or, " primary matter."
But we are diverging from the plan proposed for the present artr-
c!e, viz. to review briefly what has been said on this subject, in our
own pages — a plan suggested by the following note, from Dr. Med-
hur^t, dated Shanghai,* Jan. 4th, 1847, in which he thus writes :
** Dear Sia — Will you have the goodness to republish in the Repository,
the remarks of tlie Rev. Dr. Milne, ono of the first translators of the Bible
into Chinese, foimd in the third vol. of the Indo-Chinese Gleaner, pp. 97-105,
on the subject of the proper terms to express the Deity in Chinese, tnforminf
your readers at the same time that in the latter part of Dr. Milne^s mie-
sionary career, he saw reason to adopt ShAng <i, in a tract he published on
the ordinance of baptism, as the most appropriate term.
" I am dear sir, yours truly, VV. H. McDHuasT."
By turning to our VII vol. p*. 314, the reader will find the entire
retnarks of Dr. Milne, to which we will by and by revert, after hav-
ing first noticed several articles in the earlier volumes uf the Reposi-
tory, in which he shall find some illustrations and facts, going to
show what are the objects of religious worship among the Chinese,
and what are the terms they use to denote deity, or the persons and
things by them considered divine. See the following:
'Vol. I. p. 112, A ^od proraoted by the emperor; p. *201, Worshiping at thie
tombs ; p. 296, Prayer for rain ; p. 3 )7, The god Budha denounced ; p. 438,
7Vm«, meant the true Ood ; p. 4U9, Tombs of ancestors ; p. d02, The worship
-.of Confueius.
Vol. 11. p. 217, fiudhism and its priests despised; p. 265, The systems of
Bttdha and Confucias compared ; p. 32>>, The Buddoo form of religious wor-
ship; p. 554, Doctrines and practices of the Budhists.
Vol. ill. p. 49, State religion of China; p. 141, Remarks on translating the
Srriptores.
Vol. IV. p. 2491, Chinese version of the Bible; p. 251, Manuscript in the
British mitseum ; p. 252, Version undertaken hy Dr. Marahraan ; p. 256, A
second by Dr. Morrison, p. 259, Assisted hy Dr. Milne ; p. 393, Remarki un
the revision of the Chinese version.
* Shitkfihni^ high sea, i. e. the Upper Sea, which is so oonsidered in rela-
tion doubtless to some other, designated as the hid A<vi\ the lower sea ; just
like I^ike Superior, Upper Canada, &c.; not suprenm sea ! nor most high aeii\
In his Dictionary Dr. Medhorst gives the following definitions to shdnje ;
»♦ hi^h ;•* " eminent ;" •• exalted ;" " above ;" »» on ;" " upon ;" and, as a verb,
*' to ascend ;" *^ to go to ;" ** to put on paper *," ** lo ««Vet\i\ Vi'\^\\\^ .''
lO-i f-hinese Ttrms to denote Dtity. Fe^.
Vol. VI p. 50, The Chinese Penal Code requires idolatry; p. 559, Reiigioui
obaerranees of the Chinese government.
Vol. VI I. p. 314, Remarks on the Ciiinrse terms to express the deitj, hy
Drs. Morrison and Milne ; pp. 505, 55:^., A general account of the gods and
genii of the Chinese.
Vol. X. p. 67, Researches concern in.- ihe gods; p. 185, The goddess of
mercy; p. 305, Sketch of Yuh-h wing Shangti.
Vol. XI. p. 421, Sketch of the life of Confucius; he worships heaven; p.
434, his silence regarding the gods and spirits.
Vol. XII. p. 551, Revision of the Bible in Chinese undertaken by the Pro-
testant missionaries in China, minutes of their proceedings.
Vol. XIII. p. 552, Philosophical opinions of Ch6 f6tsz* regarding the imma-
terial principle /{ and primary matter k{ ; p. 6!)9j And regarding Taikih or the
Great Extreme.
Vol. XIV. p. 54, Versions of John's Gospel ; pp. 101, 145, Remarks on the
words God and Spirit; p. ^O^i, Eternal Lord Jehovah; p. 233, Deified men;
p. 423, History of fiudhism ;. p. 436, Man the only spiritual being; p. 439,
Divinities of heaven and eartfi.
Vol. XV. p. 41, Chinese divinities; pp. lOB, 161, Versions of the Holy
Scriptures; 311, Terms for deity ; p. 319, God of physicians ; p. 351, A Bud-
histio Tract; p. 377, A Confucian tract; p. 464j Terms for the deity ; pp*
568, 577, Remarks on the words and phrases best suited to express the names
of God in Chinese.
Our limits will not at present allow us to do more than call the
attention of all, interested in the subject, to a very careful review
of the papers referred to above. Those in the earlier volumes were,
most of them, prepared by Dr. Morrison. As a translation of Theos
and Elohim Drs. Morrison, Marsh'man, and Milne seem to have pre-
fered Skinio all other terms, and they all used Shin, and not Shfing-
H in. their translations of the. Old and Nevkr. Testamenu. , We are
dissatisfied with the phrase Shdng ti, as. a: translation of the word
**God," because its meaning does not correspond, in any proper
degree, with the words Theos and Elohim. in expisnations, in com-
mentaries, dtc, we can say of the true God, that he is T'icn ckH,
•* Lord of heaven," Shdng tf, ** the Ruler on high/' dtc, dtc. In an
edict addressed to one of the Popes at Rome, the great emperor
K^nghl declared that TUen means " the true God ;" and we know
that thouslands of the (/hinese now worship l*t>R, or ''heaven;" but
'they pQl'heaven^ earth, ^nd ancestors on ia level. See vol. III.',
** State religion of China," by Dr. Morrison. But to the phrase
shdngti, we do not find attached the idea of aught that is 5/>ir7/iia/
or divine.
. I
1847. Journal of Occurrtuces: . ^OQ
. .7
Art. IX. Journal of Occurrences : arrival of the steamers at
Canton ; popular feeling ; multitudes of vagabonds ; decapita'
Jion of criminals; cold weather and ice; deaths by cold and.
ppinrescion; de^rrtdaiion of H. £. governor Hwang Ngantung ;^
tragedy at Chimmo Bay ; Jtftadows* Commercial Reporter ;
, Chinese new year; failures; a Chinese steamer; meeting at
.^. /Sjtdngl^i for the revision of the Ntw Testament in Chinese;,
Revenue and expenditure of Hongkong. . , ..
{*BBftUARy 5th. >A( ran early hour thii mnroins^V.H. C. steamer
Plut0^ Airey cotnraABcler, anchored off the factories,: li. M. steamer
Vulture, McDougal, and H. M. S. C/ii/cien, .Pitman, being at Wham-
poa. These. arrnngements are as they oiight to he, and will do
much towards preserving order and giving security. Solong as the
present unsettled stale of public affairs continues, it is to be hoped
thatsimilar measures will be continued.
• 2. Popular feeling here is always very eitcitable, and «t present is
far from being what it ought to be towards foreigners. In this re-
spect,! as the new year holidays approached, it was daily becoming
worse and, worse; I the prepuce :of an efficient forqe,, thecefore, at?
this juncture, is exceedingly opportune. . • n , , ,
3. Multitudes of vagabonds, ready for any mischief, a^e congre^
gated in and about the city.. So far as human* agency goes, nothing
but physical force can keep these bands in check ; let that be re-
moved, on the fear of punishment be taken away,. and they would
sack the factories at once.
4. Forty-one Chinese criminals ^ on the 9th inst., were decapitat-
ed at the rotter's Field near the Imperial Landing place. A similar
scene was exhitiited thei^e on th^ 5th ; we passed by the place short-
ly^^after the eicecutioh, while the blood was yet fresh, and one of the
victims iyingjiJist as he fell beneath the sword that severed his head
fromi his body.. .... .
•5. Exceedingly cold i^eolAer prevailed up to the 12th,- and ice
was seen on 8<everal successive mornings.
6..peoths among beggars and criminals, (or persons detained as
such) have been numerous,, during these cold days and nights. In
this magistracy, which includes the western half of Canton, there are
said to be at present not less than two thousand cases unadjudged.
Many, of these persons are made to suffer extremely; and not a few
weal^ened by cold and oppression, have died during the winter.
^ 7. Thursday the l\th. To-day a dispatch has arrived from Peking
announcing the degradation of H. E. Hwang Ng^tung, governor
of this, province. To-morrow he will deliver over the seals of his
qffic«; to Kijrtng. The'c'aHse oiTthis, as we understand it, does not
a^gue much' against the man — though it does against the policy he
has been foremost in supporting. Very soon foreign governments
will find it necessary to be their own reporters at the court of he-
104 JoHrnai vf Occurrences.
king. There is already, we believe, a policy working at court and in the
provinces, fixed and determined, to put things back where they were
previously to the war. True it is concealed as much as possible, but
it is spreading like leaven of iniquity.
8. At Cfiimmo Bny^ on the coast of Fuhkien, a most horrible
tragedy was enacted on the evening of the 5th, in an attack by pirates
on two reciving shipy, the Ome/^a and Caroline, The loss of life and
property must have been considerable.
9. Meadows* Commercial Reporter, No. I . has reached us. It il in
Chinese, seems well designed, and is very well executed. He has our
best wishes for success, in his laudable interprise.
to, Monday Feb, IBM is the first day of the Chinese new year,
the 27th of his mnjesty, who succeeded his father Kiuking in IH21.
Tuukwang was born 175)1^ on the 10th of the Sth moon, and of course
on the I8th of next September, if spared till then, will complete his
sixty-seventh year.
II.' Cwnmiereial failures have damped the joy of the season among
some of the native merchants, who have found themselves unable to
liquidate their debts. Fungtii' hong and Aming are among those
whose prospects are thus overcast.
Id. A fteamtr is being built by one of our Chinese friends in
Canton *-of small size, and designed as an experimental thing. The
completion of the work is likely to be somewhat retarded, by the
recent death of the shipwright.
13. A mertinff of Protestant missionaries at ShdngkM, for the
revision of the New Testament in Chinese, is to be convened on the
Ist of June next. We give this notice at the request of those who
are engaged in this work.
13. RIVESUI ASU EXPXIIDITIJRB IN THE COLONY OF HONGXONO,
During the year 1846. (China Mail, Feb. 4th, 1847.)
RETEKOX.
Taiek, police assesainent i^l,575 4 4.^
DiiVi^s, 2^ per ct.on goods
sold by auction, - 4.^9 14 7}
Rant, r * 15,573 8 4|
Li^censes - - • 7,102 17 5J
Fees of offices, for signa-
tares, affixing public seal
i&« , &c. . 643 4 9)
EXPENDITURE.
Civil Government, . £14,340 17 6
Ecclpsiastieal Establish-
ment, - - - 760 6 3
RcvenM Onpartmehta, 6,614 3 5
Judicial and Police De-
partmenu, - • 19,365 14 10]
Medical Department, 702 18 11
Public Works and Build-
Judicial tees, of supreme I ings, ... 17,ri75 4 6^
and police court - 920 16 6^ Compensations for remoT-
Judicial fines, of do. do. 56^) Id 9J ing houses and for a
rorftitures, - - 18 16 5^; marketplace, - 53719 11^
Surch&r^res, • -• 12 11 4} Miscellaneous, - 454 4 2A
Stores s^ld, - - 28 It) 6i|
Sailing Letters and P&sses, 35 4 2
Sums recovered, - 116 13 2}
Tutal Revenue received Total' Expenditure dur-
during 1846% £ Stg. 27,047 0 8^^ ing 1846^ - £ Slg. 60,351 9 Sj
W. T. Mrrcbr,
Victoria, Hongkong, 1st Jan. 1847. Actmg.colonuU Ireamptr.
THE
CHINESE REPOSITORY.
^^^^^^^■^^^^J^IV^i^. ^*^W*i^^.^^
Vol. XVI.— March, 1847.— No. 3.
Art. I. Noiicis of a Seven months' residence in tht city of Ning*
po. By the Rev, William C. Mtlne, (Concluded from p. 72.)
Mat 4th. A young candidnie for literary honors in cooversstion
with me said that, although he had no belief in the idols, worshiped
among his countrymen, still he held them in great fear. How fair
soever may be the profession of infidelity in the stoutest disciple
of Confucius, yet his feelings are easily wrought upon by the system
of Budha, and by the numerous superstitious practices of its priest-
hood. Most heartily hated and contemned as the bonzes are, they
are exceedingly dreaded, and the practical religion of the Budhistic
theology, be it ever so much despised and paraded as the confidence
and worship of silly women and children, is that religion which, of
all heathen establishments among the Chinese, works most effectual-
ly on their feelings and credulity. The popular notion is that only
to touch the idol will provoke infinite wrath and instant punish-
ment. When the English landed at Chingh^i after the bombard,
ment of the town, the troops entered one of the large temples, which
was tenanted by many idols, and commenced to lay ruthless hands
on the gilded semblances of deity. The Chinese spectators looked
on in amazement and watched in full expectation of seeing dire and
fell vengeance inflicted on'the riide intruders. They saw one dagon
dethroned aft«r another, but the sacrilegious barbarians remained un-
touched. And they retired* from' the scene exclaiming, ** Well, we
fear pusdh, bvt ptisah fbars the B^itinh!"
VOL. XVII. NO. It. 14
100 Meven Months* Retidtnce ui Ningpo. Mar.
May 6tk. This is the Lih'hid term, or the opening of the sum-
mer season, and is attended with great feasting and much merriment.
The temples are all open and bustling. Theatrical exhibitions are
got up in most of them, and no charge is levied for admission, if we
perhaps except the galleries where the respectable classes sit hi
their fine array and spend the passing hourj in eating and drinking.
May I \tk. There being a great deficiency of '* the grain rains "
this season, there has been much ado the last few days in " praying
for rain." All parties, magistrates, priests and people, feeling interest-
ed in the cessation of the severe drought that threatens the staff of
life, hasten to the sacred edifices, set on foot processions, parade the
tutelar idols of the land and the gram through streets, set out meats
and drinks, proclaim fasts, dress and decorate their gods, sweep the
temples, and, wearing the garbs of mourning and sackcloth, offer up
long and frequent prayers that the rain may descend to nourish the
seed sown.
' May Id/A. Walking down an alley J descried emblazoned iu
large characters ui)on the sides of a miserable building *'^ a warm
baiJL" — I wished to enter. The door-keeper freely admitted me.
and showed me into the dressing-room, a large chamber, with various
box-compartmeuts fitted up as wardrobes running .along the wall
for hangiiAg up the vestments of the bathers, who had each of them
a box allotted to this service.- There were several persons in the open
room, who had just emerged from the warm bath, and without shame
or fear, " naked as from the earth they came," were rubbing them^
selves with dry and dirty napkins.
The next scene was in the bath-room itself^ The charge was onlj
five cash, or somewhere about out farthing a bath. As I went in
merely as a spectator, I gained admittance gratis. The door opeaed,
a volume of vapor poured forth, and enveloped in the cloud of steam
1 could spy out three or four naked men, fitting opposite to each oiher^
in a sort of tank scrubbing themselves and splashing the filthy look-
ing water about them. The liiiuid usually must be abominably
loathsome; for the keeper himself told me that his rule was to pour
in the water early in the morning. It is then used throughout the
day without any change, whoever and whatever the bather may be.
Imagine the same element used for one entire day to clean and purify
a multitude of filthy, itchy, and diaea.sed human beings I
Of course the odour generated and pent up in this confined cham-
ber wiw overpowering. I resisted it as long us 1 could ; but it was
1647. Aven Months' Rendtnck at Ningp^. 107
impotsiUe to stand it any longer, and therefore I rushed for the door
At the back of the bath-room I found a stoves in which a flow fire
it kept up during the whole day by a stoker constantly at his post.
Leaving this spot I finished my round for the day by visiting the chief
temple of Confucius, a magnificent range of capacious buildings in
the northern quarter of the city.
It is the temple for tlu department of Ningpo, and was occupied
by our forces during the campaign of 1841. The edifice of the same
name pertaining to the dietrict and city of Ningpa is near the
west gate, but much inferior to this erection. Its first foundations
were laid, in another part of the -city, in the 8th centuryof the Christian
era. . It was reroored to its present site three hundred years after*
wards. At present it looks desolate and is partly overgrown with
weeds and rushes. There is little to interest the eye* "here' beyond
the extensive grounds, the capacious and imulted halls, the gilded,
carved, and decorated roofs, the pillars, walls, and tablets comme*
morative of the virtues and honors of Confucius and some of his
earliest and most renowned followers. The central tablet of all,
raised upon an elevated stone pedestal bears the following inscription ;
viz : " The Spiritual Seat of the Most Holy Teacher^ Confucios.*'
Before this, tens of thousands have paid divine adoration and worship,
and a native of Ningpo informs me that " annually, at the opening
of the spring and the autumn seasons respectively, they before this
shrine, offer up to the most holy sage one cow, one sheep, one: pig,
with a certain number of pieces of silk and a variety of sacrificial
vessels filled with grain, dried fruits, and vegetables/'
May 19M. The vice lieutenant of the department of Ningpo
invitr'i Capt. Kennedy of H. M. 18th R. I. and myself to dine with
him thir evening. As it was a season oi puhHe fastings rigidly
enjoined by the official proclamations so strict indeed that my
servants were under the necessity of smuggling in animal food, I went
with some degree of curiosity to know how this high official could
manage to feast his friends in these times when all kinds of flesh are
interdicted and vegetable diet alone allowed. To my astonfli^hment
the tables were laden with all kinds offish and fowl, and there was
a profusion of the choicest viands the msrket could afford.
. Such is an instance of the deference which '* the powera that be '■
pay to the laws of their own enactment.
May 22il. Two Chinese officers, about to enter upon -new: sphere*
in a remote part of the country, called on me to take leave prior ta
108 Sevtn Maniks' Residence at Niugp§, Mam,.
their departure. These marks of kindliness and courtesy are tnilj
agreeable, in contrast as they stand with the stiff, frigid, rude, and
forbidding aspect the official circles wore towards foreigners prior to
the war with> China. In the course of the afternoon, mj landlord
returned, after an imprisonment of two months; with the connivance
nf two or three more immediately connected with the local govern-
ment, he had made use of some forged certificates to secure to him-
self the use of the badge adopted by the lowest official rank. The
Civil. Board had, with the imperial pleasure, offered that honor to
all who could prove that, during the war, they had achieved warlike
exploits in defence of their country. It was to one of these honors
that my host was aspiring. He adopted false means and trifled
with the dignity of the emperor's benevolence. He was detected,
tried, imprisoned, and fined, and withal had his pockets well squeez-
ed by the petty officers of this neighborhood, who were glad enough
of an opportunity for extortion.
May 23c{. There is a lake in this neighboarhood, called the
Taifi^-^steii lake, some 20 miles to the southward of the citys
Hearing z. good report of it from the natives, I have for some, time
determined on making an adventure to it. In,, company with my
intelligent friend Capt. Kennedy, I' engaged ? two boats for our
passage, the one to be reserved for ourselves, the other for our guides
and servants, and we embarked this morning at sunrise.'
Our starting post was the wharf of one of the canals on the eastern
bank of the river. Our course up the canal lay east by south, and, for
the first mile, was lined on the left bank with a long range of shops
and dwelling houses. Although Ningpo was held for many months
by the British forces, and, since the restoration of peace and good
order, repeated visits have been made by subjects of different foreign
conntries, the curiosity of the people to see the face of the stranger
seems still tf> be insatiable. We were much struck with this when, on
the slightest intimation that foreigners were at hand, men left their
counters, boys threw aside their work, women rushed in crowds to
the brink of the water, and all the dogs of the neighborhood barked
in concert. The canal here was yietj buHiling, in consequence of
the large number of boats, passing and repassing, the majority of
which were poisenger-ho^XM^ crowded with motley groups of all sizes,
ages, and coiuplexion. In such company we steered along for a mile
or.two,'l«d«nd water passengers all evidently deriving much pleasure
(rum the enlivening weather that bai> set in after a dark and cloudy.
1847. Seven Monihu* Residenee at Ningpo, 109
After eroning over the sabiirban limite, we came in full
view of loftj hiile that skirted the extensive plain, in which our boau
were tracked. Ahead there was before us the ^ |^ ^ T^dupek
sk&m in the direction of the Tung isitn Lake.
While we were musing over the bustling scenes we had left behind,
the countrj suddenly burst upon us, and we found ourselves sur-
rounded by the insignia of rural scenerj. On everj hand, and at
everj interval, the eye met the implements and the employments of
the husbandmen. Large farmyards struggled to posh themselvet
into observation from behind closely packed thickets of the tall wild-
rose, or from the heart of groves of Br, harping with the coo of pigeons,
the notes of blackbirds, and the chatterings of magpies and minors.
Farmyard boys and women were engaged in winnowing the grain
that had just been gathered in, talking, laughing, and singing as they
laboured; and in the adjoining fields,, men were sedulously occupied
in clearing the soil of stones and weeds.
The rice fields in the' neighborhood were bearing the second
crop for the current year. The adult laborers were chiefly engaged
in them. The paddy is grown in long parallel ranges, separated by
a rut for the flow of the water poured into the field by the irrigating
machines. That the rice alone may derive all the juices necessary
to its proper nourishment, every weed and hidden root is sought ont
and torn up. The mode of conducting this peculiar operation is the
following. The sleeves and trowsers of the husbandman are tucked
up and the peasant crawls on all fours between the different beds of
paddy, as he moves on working with his hands the moist earth around
the roots of the rice stalks. The task is rather laborious. The limbs
of the workman are thus exposed to wounds from the shatp flints
among which he crawls, as well aa to severe bites from numerous
leeches ; we could see this as the poor fellows raised themselves to look
at the passing strangers.
Drawing the eye from the farmyard, across the fields, to the bank
of the canal, along which our boats were slowly dragged, it fell upon
the irrigating implementa. These were scattered throughout onr line
of journey and were at times seen in such numbers, as to indicater
the extreme distress which the reigning drought threatens, if it should
continue, and the intense anxiety felt by the farmers to water their
grounds with sufficient and regular supplies. The irrigating mach-
ines are of several kinds. In districts that are not favored with a
river or canals, wells are dug or reservoirs filled up. In the \AiM
110 Sevtn MoHthi Residence al'Ningpi* MiHe.
ease the water is conveyed to them by aqaeducts and gutters running
from the adjacent hills or some distant stream. At the month either
of the well, or of the tank, a lever is raised which at the one end
bears a stone weight and at the other a swing backeL This bucket
is lowered, filled, and, on being elev ited, empties its contents either
directly into the field; or if the patch of ground be upon a higher
terrace, into a rut that stands on an elevation with that patch. ■,
Upon the banks of their canals, rivers, or lakes, the following
varieties of water engines are in use, " the silting wheel" ** the. foot
wheel," *' the hand wheel," and " the buffalo wheel." There is a trough
that is carried down to the water's edge» and ia it a chaln«pump, or
a set of wooden paddles linked together, is worked to raise the water,
ovei- the bank. The power generally used to set the machines in
motion is indicated by the names already given. At one time you.
find a man at work seated and using his feet, from which it is called
**the sitting wheel" The second, or " the foot-wheel," requires the
laborer to stand upon the machine, walking upon it as on a tread-mill,
supporting his chest and arms upon a bamboo frame. The thirds am
its name indicates, is set in operation by Me hand. The fourth is
a more complicated machine, worked by the buffalo. Of these. the
second and the fourth were used along our course more frequently
than the others.
In working these water-wheels, the energies of every household
appeared taxed to the most vigorous exercise, as if each individual
was convinced of the necessity of his personal eSbru in securing,
a good and a plentiful crop. We could see the old and the young
leaning on the same frame and treading the same wheel, with steady
step, humming their rustic song as they trod. Boys six years of age
kept the step very well with men of forty ; and, if too small to mount
the wheel, they were placed on the ground to work the paddles with
their little hands ; and women, whose tiny and compressed feet put
it out of their power to tread the mill, stood at the feet of the men
keeping time with their hands.
The wheel turned by the buffalo was more easily managed ; but,
ID this instance too, activity was the order of the day ; and, on the
principle that he who did not work should not eat, the tardy animal
was not suffered a moment's idleness. A. man or a woman, a lad or
a chUd followed him in his routine, goading him oi^ with a pike-staff
and starting him into fresh activity- by an occasional shout Yet,
however anxtoos they might be to keep the docile creature sedulous-
If 47. Seven Monihs' Residence at Ningpe, 1 1 1
(jr^t^abfu*, hit infirmities were not forgotten, and the? took care
to lighten hia toil by snitable feeding, occasional resu, and othes
precautions, such as blindfolding his eyes to prevent giddiness from
tbe tnceasant rotations of the engine. The dii'ision or sharing of
labor was peculiarly observable in the regularity, with which the
buffalo was kept in perpetual rootioo. Fathers, mothers, brothers,
and sisters, all aided each other in watching the lazy but steady
movements of the ponderous beast or in leading him to green pastures
and still waters.
None were indolent There was no cessation ; there was no ex-
emption : and while they fought amongst the thorns and thistles with
which the ground had lieen cursed, and with the sweat of their brows
isnder a blazing sun sowed, weeded and watered the earth, no mur-
murs were heard, save the unduhting sound of the husbandman's
song as it waved over the field.
In our fatherland, aAwe u^ed to look upon the smiling cottages
and cheerful peasants, we fancied the rustic life a happy one; so,
while we sailed towards the lake, from the homely appearance of the
Chinese farm houses, from the waving ornaments nature had thrown
around them to conceal their humble and rude appearance, from the
warbling notes of the birds of heaven delighting and soothing the hearts
of the laborer, from the busy activity of the farm servants, from their
homely smiling countenances and the beelike hum which they kept
up, we could also conjecture that the Chinese is happy and contented.
Afler having been tracked a distance of twenty five /t, with the
wind right in our teeth, we deviated frbm the £. by S. course and
struck into a canal that branched off to the southward. At this bend
we passed a small village, Tten^lung tsemg, only five miles distant
from the Lake. After a few windings, we at length headed south
west and crept through a most fruitful valley, lying at the base of the
Lukshdn^ a hill studded with' young firs. Several extensive patches
of wheat skirted this plain, some still green, the rest ripe for the
sickle.
' At four o'clock in the afternoon, we reached the borders of the
lake and anchored at the bottom of the draw sluices, common to the
canals of the country ; on looking over the sluice, great was our disap-
pointment to find that the sheet of water for which we had been
booking, was converted into an extensive green " campo,'^ the water,
in consequence of the fong continuance of dry weather, havmg been
for some lime dra^n off to supply the surrounding fields and oanals.
119 Seven Monihs* Residence ai Ningfo,- MAki
The only running stream discernible was a shallow canal running
down from the southern head of the lake. At the upper boundary
there was an artificial bank, which from lining that edge of the lake
for a mile and a half is known as, " The Five li £ £ jSt (one
mile and a half) bank." At either end of it, there is a beautifully
arched bridge named, '* The BamhoihArck Bridge AoC f||. The upper
arch was perceptible from our position at the sluice ; and we judg«
ed that the running water in the narrow canal, must pass under this
o|>ening from a basin further up. On our ascending a neighbouring
height our conjectures proved correct. We discovered a sheet of
water extending to the south-west as far as the eye could reach.
Numerous boats of various sizes were plying on it. And at length
we found that the lake divided itself into two portions, the greater
called Tung hii $ ]£Q *' '^^ Eastern lake," and sometimes 7\cit^.
tsien &<2 1^ It ^ *' ^^ Eastern cash lake," the lesser ifei hii
;|^ ^ ** the Plumb lake." We were now at the latter ; and we
spent the rest of the day in endeavoring to make our way into the
former. We found, however, that our boats were too large and bulky
to be drawn over the lock or to float in the narrow canal. Besides,
the boatmen were either timid or unwilling. Worse than all there
was no boat of smaller size immediately available. And the only
alternative lefl was to scour the margin of the basin and seek for
some other suitable conveyances among the numerous hamlets that
skirt it, or by a circuitous route to enter some of the openings of the
upper lake.
As the day was fast advancing we chose the former. Our walk,
iu the cool of the afternoon, occupied us until the -shades of night
covered in the surrounding scenery. The walk was peculiarly refres-
hing after the close confinement in our boats during so many sultry
hours. We passed' through various hamlets, planted at the foot of
low hills, which sloped down towards the lake. The hamlets and
villages are named after the families who are the tenants of the soil,
as the *< Ling family," the " Wu family," d&c. From the close and
compact union in one village of the different families which bore one
name, we had a living representation before us of the pristine econo-
my of clans.
We. were not the first Europeans to visit the ifst hii or " Plumb,
lake;" for Sir Hugh Gough had, in the year 1841, visited it on hear-
ing a rumour that a Chinese army was- encamped- on lU banks, und.
1847. Seven Months' Residence at-Nlngp^. 113
•iiice the esiabiiahment of the peace, several gentlemen hare spent
one or two days upon it in sporting exercise. But most probably we
were the first foreigners to roam among its hills and rales. The
civility, with which we were invariably received was great, and
seemed more free from that awful dread which one is distressed to
.observe in the streets of Ningpo. The women (locked around us to
see.our faces, to examine our clothes, and to watch our movements.
Instead of flying front ua as from hurtful blasts, they escorted us out
of their villazes and conversed with us in words both-kind and friend*
ly. The very dogs also semed to have more civil tempers than their
tribe generally. They would come at our call, wagging the.ir tails with
confidence and deliirnt. All this formed a contrast. to what we h^d
experienced during our stay at Ningpo. We could account for it qnly
on the ground that they were removed from the seat of tlie late waj;,
and out of reach of the numerous rumours so prejudicial to the inte-
rests and character of the English. In their manner there were
developed those. expressions of kindliness, which are so essential to
true hospitality.. The object of our visit to the people proved quite
unsuccessful, and no recourse was left us but to return to our boatj
for. the niffht. We rose early and crossed a wide marsh to reach a
remarkable i5?<fmc Quarry to the lefl of the.i/ei hu lake, two miles
distant, where we arrived a little after sunrise. At the foot of ao
elevated hill, we passed by a group of houses and stone sheds, erected
for the, residence and the shelter of the workmen. Winding our way
up to the top, a number of quarrymen met us, rolling clumsy wheel-
barrows.. It wiis here that the first wheelbarrow in China met our
eye. . The stone slabs and columns, hewn out in the quarry, are
transported to the base of the hill down an inclined plane, which was
the full length of the hill-side. And the rapidity with which the
pillars shot dow;n the slope was frightfuL
After a fatiguing walk we at length reached the top. Here we
found a large party of laborers at work, excavating, quarrying and
smoothing the. stones.. Their tools were very rough. Powder is
occasionally used for blasting, but the operation of detaching the
blocks is effected principally by means of wedges. The workmen
behaved with great civility, and treated us with much respect and
kindness, giving us any infornnitinn we wanted, and volunteering
their services over the different parts of the quarry. In the centre of
it there rose a lofiy perpendioular rock about 160 feet high. Prom
this spot we had* a fine clear view of the city of Ningpo. We reuim-
vol. avii. wo. 111. l&
Ilk Amu Mmhs* kdnOenct at Nihgp0. Mxi.
ied to our boat's to brienkfaM, ktler which we ttrolied for an hoiir' oir
two on the Mn M hill, which rises kilt the mouth of the lake, studded
with tfees and 'shrubs, and presenting to us from its summit a splendid
View of the surrounding country.
We got ahd^r Weigh about 12 o'clock, sailing along with a fine
breezie. tt inras our object to take the nearest route to the Upper
lake. As We glided iLlodg the smooth river, we espied a beantifol
temple, peeping but from above a grotto. It ^as the Si^ifig midu
^ '^ fi|. W6'Uhd6d abd 6n our Way up we^e met by tlie neigh*
bors knd a few'bftne priests, who received^ us with great kindness.
Chrifitian tracts were readily accepted, and our convesration was
'iibiramm'ered. Tins 1>uilding is modern, being only seventeen years
bid, iiind is built upon a rock. It is situated in the heart of a bamboo
'grove ; and the hills heyoud are covered with iSrtrees and graves.
Thfere was little within the edifice to attract our attention, beside
Mthe carved ceilings and the images in process of manufacture. The
latter combed a singular group of perfect and half finished, ornate
and unornat^ images. Many of these had a sort of shade put over
'theit eyes to blindfold them. Oh inquiring the reason of this, it ap-
peared that the application of that bandage is supposed to exclude
the divlttity, — if the idol should be already occupied by it, or to pre-
vent \t3 bein^ possessed. A superstition that obiains much credit
among the common people, causes them to apprehend the must condign
'pun ifehrneht if they should touch, disturb, or any wise molest the
'image, Without such a bandage over the idols' eyes; whereas, with
it, they fear nothihg. On this accout the manufacturers of idols in
-making or remodelling the images, invariably adopt this precaution to
save thetn from molestation in their handier a A.
Leaving this pretty sp6t we traveVsed a well-wafered plain, occasion-
ally sailing on the canal and sometimes walking on the banks. This
curiosity of the peasantry, who were laboring in the fields, was in-
tense and their conduct invariably becoming. In li'o instance were
'we insulted. We freely rambled ataong the fields throughout escort-
ed by a group of inquisitive and obliging boys.
At length we arrived at the village JUuk Cki yen, Tfc |$ ^
where we found the lock or sluice, that pr6tecU this northeast entrance
into the Tiing Tdien lake. The village itseff looked dean and the
people behaved with wonderful decorum. While arrangements were
making to hoist our boats over the sluice, we mired with the curious
crowds and walked about the village and- its neigliJborhoo^ Here
1847. ^tn Mi(^ih9' Residenci at Ning.p%, 1 1^
alto Christian traeta were receired with esgerpess, but tt^ey were
giTen opi J to tho9e who eiriqcjed a readini^ss and ability to read. The
moat interesting acene of the h^ur vfraa the hauling up of our boats.
There are two inclinecj planes ^pon the dam, extending ^Cfosa this
9i|tlet of the lake. The one is for the ttph^aving of boa^ from the
canal below to the basin fiboye,.and the other for launcking from the
basin down into the cf^nal. These places are laid with fine stone
slabs. T^^P^^'^Rff of b^i'ff^ >A effbfsted by i^ thick rope, which
j^flibraoes the boat astern and is at both en^a secured to a windlass.
Thi^se windlaasess^ clumsy though they are, are |iet in motjon by a num-
ber of men, (lired for the purpose by the lock-keeper. By working
ihe two windlasses, the one on this and the other on that sidf of th^
iflMice, the boat is slowly raised to the top, whence it is Ifinnched into
the basin. During the process, we had to Uah every piece of fi^rniturp
tnd baggage to prevent damage to our persona and oqr prpp^fty ;
fn4 holding on as tightly as we could, it U^^d all oqr strength and
oqr vigilance to aecure both from injury. In the launching of boats
from the can^ jqto the upper lake, the operation was simply to work
the boat round and round, gradually screwing it down the pifm/^ into
the channel below.
When the final arrangements had heen completed, we prpc^decf*
The channel, or the track for the passage pf boats qret the. lake wa^
marked ofi'.by yoqng treea cot down and planted in the water, wbere-
jpypt there was sufficient depth. Qefpre. the shades of evening had
gathered round us, we anchored at the west end of the lake by thp
yiliage celled Ying kid wan. ^ ^ '^. Numerous visitors flock-
ed about us; bel the darkness shut us in. Late at night we called
on the fenerable headman of the village, aged eighty seven years.
if ay. 25/A. The rillagers awarmed around our boats at a very
eaely hoar, and seemed much surprised and delighted as they watch-
jed-qs washing ^nd dressing. We walked about the village, which
ciontains (they say) 2,000 families and 8,000 inhabitants. The wotnen
jshewed no fear or hesitation in approaching us. They came in crowds
to the boat and were the first and most forward in talking.
JLeaving the anchorage at nine o'clock in the morning, we soon
arrived at another village, as thickly peopled aa the former, and every
one. was equally curious to see the foreigners.
Qur great object being to cross the lake and reach the village Hdn
^^ B&^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^' poled along as the boatmen best could.
£atreme difficulty, however, wasoecasioned by theahallowness of the
116 Seven Months* Residente at Nlngpa. Mak.
water, which has been during the preTailing drodght three, and
oAen only two, feet deep ; in conaequencie of which the boat occaaion-
ally ran agroand and stuck fast in the miid, so that the boatmen had
frequently to jump into the water to stiove it off, a taskj which they
performed with the greatest reluctance. 'As the lake deepened, w^
proceeded with'knbre facility and ii last a fihe bl'eeze came up towt
ast^istance. --V6t tiie boatmen began id take in'sail; giving utterance
to their fears,- and pointing to the blotids' that 'lowered' 'in the west.
They said i' storm was cbmFng, b'dt it was only a' squall. Notwith^
stantiing, the trepTdatioii of these "fresh water sailors ^' was great ,-^
that of the policeman, our guide, excepted. The latter threw himself
on his knees, begged for merey^ and with upliAedeyes and hands impl^
ored* the gods fur assistance, and, on reaching port safely, he -" khoclr-
ed head" as an expression of his gratitude for their protection. - - '
On reaching our destination, we were received by a multitude of
spectators, who waded up to their waists or mounted the^ trees to catch
a glimpse of the strangers. The sudtieii squall was the'preciirsor of k
tremendous fall of r^in; but, despite of it, trowd^ of villagers 6ame
down to the bank of the lake. When the rain had ceaied, Ciipt*.
Kennedy and myself went to the piincipal temple of tfdfift'yi^/whibh
was speedily '6rammed With anxious spectators, where we were enter*
tained with tea^ cakes and sweatmeats, sent by the principle Inhab-
itants, eachpiresenting a separate tray.'Frbni this tehiple we walked
into the* town, which seenis a closely packed -and busy place, ahd
leadixrg out 'of which we fbuiid a long, firoad arid beaten -i^6ad-,ranrnn^
-over the m(ittntaii»» to Lishii^ another populous ilnd bustlih^ towh
'a^butSfX/f distant. Returning to. the boat; Idter in the -etemnff,' Wft
ascended a^^tea'MII;" that overhangs the town, and 'is b^hutifiilly
jpihnted with the shrub,''in terraeesi rising on^ %btive another;-
- May 2GM. This, morning we made for the-^^maU village* -df
Pthpu %kdn^ 1^ '^ |J_j, which we could spy out among the treefe
on the bank of the* lake to the >ivestward.' 'Our prinicipal object in
visiting this spot was to ascend thePtatr'of P«A/^r2, t>r "Cenlipede
peak," which looked like a shat*p needle, pointing up to the very clouds.
The village is small and insignificant, btit prettify situated. As soon
as we landed, the headman •of the Village fibfained fur us the services
of two lads, to act as guides. > W^ soon discovered that there were
several paths leading to thesummit of the mountain. * To "the- right
a good road atruck off, comfortablyl shaded by: trees : tbtit as it seem-
ed circuitous and. we hoped another, might be found . neanrer thb
1847. Seven Manthi^ Residenee at N{ngpi9: 1 1t
centre of the iDOuhtaih, we took a middle course: Thi8''lini5 wa^
rotnantici^but rough and but little frequented. At we proceeded up
the bill, the ascent became more and more toilsome, and on reaching
theaummityin imitation of'greater travelers; we nained it ^* Discovery
Peak^'* we being, as we supposed, the first Englishmen who had
ever trod that height. Looking back, we foi^nd that the direct dis-
tance, from the -bottom to our present elevation, could not be more
than two miles, while the ascent had occupied us anhour and a half
The peak is narrow, barren, and rocky. Its sides, here and there are
planted with young firs. - And the prospect f\rom it is- both' extensive
lind inspiriting. But it is difficult to describe the eflfecrof the objects, as
seen from this point on a clear sunny day tike the present; The entire
department of Nihgpo with its mountains, boundaries, large towns,
hnmerons villages, and well watered plains, lay at our feet; the distant
parts of the provinces of Chehkiing invited bur ' view^' to^ the north
and nortlv-west;' whili the^easl and south spread before us • salt fake,
and the sea broken by many a rocky islet. ;/!^ - -^ ! '• *
" 'Before descending we determined to erect a monument' on 'this
Peak, in commemoi'ation of the feat of the day. We collected heaps
of stones, and, by dint of hard work, we raised i pile, in the heart of
>ivhi6h, we lodged a bottle, containing a written record of our achieve-
ineiit, with our autographs, dated on *' Discovery Peak,"
Otfr descent was rapid. Our sail across the lake, returning home-
wards, delightful. From various points we had takena survey of the
lake and ascertained from native estimates that its circumference was
about twenty-two miles. Its greatest depth is said to be only six feet,
and the bottom is lined with a bluish clay. It has altogether six but
lets^ from each of which there is an open and clear water passage to
the city of Ningpo. There are, it is said, seventy-two villages; which
encompass the lake, all fertile and populous. Fro/nr the niimierous
fishing and trading boats we saw plying about, there must be consi-
derable traffic upon the waters of the lake. And we were told that,
'through its northeast opening, and across the lake, a Considerable trade
'is carried on between the city of Nihgpo and a village on '^the ^alt
lake " to the southward of -flfii/tif^. * . i^. « . ; '» i
' 'JUAe'Bth.^^M, 7th: These three days have passed, in visiting two
renowned temples, in the neighborhood of Ningpo. Thtf' one called
^Yuhwdng^'^, and the other Tien tung ^ ^^^^^he first lies
about 17 or 18 ^iles eastward of the city, our track upon the canil
leii bhiefly' through the 'sbenery' noticed under the last date. The
1 18 Sivtn Honihs* Resiehna a< fi'iugp^ 1^A^^
▼ioinity around the sacred grounds and the sit^ Qf the t^mplft itself
offered many pleasing and eurious objects. The edifice itself, its famir
ture and its contents in general correspond so much with the descripr
tions of Budhistic temples, that have else were been given, that it apr
pears needless to enter upon details.
Our line of march to T*ientung was partly by water and partly by
land. When by land myself and my two companions, (who wer9
Chinese, quite ignorant of the locality and perfect strangers in thp
neighborhood) were carried in sedans. The aspect of the cotintry
differed much from that to which hitherto I had beei| accustomed.
The ground rose in frequent undulations, afid the road waa reiparks--
ble for its ascents and desoenta in some places, both steep and rough.
We pasaed through several villages, whose inhabitants had n^vef
seen *' a white faced foreigner." The villagers seemed to vie, not iQ
the expression of their curiosity only, but in kind attentions tp th^
stranger from a far country; and every where Christian tracts w^re
gratefully received.
When we reached the vicinity of the temple, called 'JTi^ntt/Mg^ the
scene was truly so fine and so gra»d that I dare Qot attempt tp describf
it. The site appears as if it had been designed to be a aacred, spp^
As far as the eye could reach hill rose after hill, covered with treep
of every variety ; and the temple lay concealed within the bosom of f
circle of lofty hills. The avenue leading to the sacred edifice was
one mile in length, all along shaded on both sidee by a row of tal)
firs, growing at equal distances. At the top of the aveq^e the teipplf
suddenly burat upon our view, a novel and a noble aight, rising up
the side of a hill, one flight of steps after flight; roQn* upon roQip;
halls within halls : corridors beyond corridors. But pver Qur surprise
there fell the gloom of sorrow, as the thought that we were now tread*
ing pn ground desecrated by idolatry^ and occupied by one of the
seats of paganism, a '* school of prophets" themselves deceived and
promoters of a delusion. Kind reception awsit^d us, and. .we were
invited into f the visitons room," where was laid out before us refresh-
ments of every kind and quality, admissible by the dietetic r^l^ cf
the Budhistic religion. The remainder of the day was spent ip tajking
a view of the premises, from the cellars and store-roo^is up jip the
sanctum 8jauet0runL
Although, this was the first time that an Englishman had stepp^
within their precincts, or come. within their reach, where they; were
able to offer explanations and unravel difiSouities, instruction wiyi
1847. J8t9€H Months* Rtiidtnct at Ningpo, lit
)^Hin by tbe prinl* in the moit police and rvspeotfiil style, and in-
formation commanicated with the greatest cheerfuineas, without the
ihow of tb^ alightebt timidity and without any affectation of reaer? e
or aeerecy. It Would be tedious to drag the reader from this lobby
info that cloister, and throughout the entire range of buildings ; and it
Would prove equally desultory lo detail all the incidents that came
ubder my observation during the short sojourn under the roof of this
noted tetoiple. ft will suffice to select a fbw of those particularly
"Worthy of notice.
Ea¥ly ill the afternoon the priests, whose present number does not
^iceed sixty, were Called to their closing repast for the day. Not
only is the pioHty and the qutaiiity of the food -regulated by their
canoii«-law ; foot the rules of monaatic life, among the priests of Budha,
extend also to the times, the courses and the frequency of" daily food."
The rice ttkd other provisions are doled out with a most sparing hand
to the oooks by a cofnptroller appointed by the order to look after
the carnal things of the store-room and the kitchen; and by a certain
liou^ the meals must be upon the table. The call for dimer is made
kij- a suctession of slow -strokes upon a sonorous stone suspended at
ihe'do6r of the dininiir.hall; and the sound no sooner rang through
'the kybrhithio corridors than the priests, of all ranks and ages,
%allied <>ut -to satisfy the cravings of hunger. A stanza or two was
iehaunf^ by all standing up, and the dinner was devoured in solemn
ilifMce.
' I had beerd in various quarters, that, within this noted temple,
there were six or seven devotees, who knew nothing of the world
¥rbund them, for they had so been long, and were now so complete-
ly ifbsorbed in idolatries that they appeared always in the posture
of devotion, or seated etery man in his own nitche in the wall mnt-
terifng conversation with Budha, that they were so much occupied with
thoughts of their service that they had neither time nor inclination
Wen to whisper a word or glante ^ look at a bystander. On approach-
'ihg the hermitage, its few inmates were found engaged in their
ire^itations. They looked fillhy in their habits and were f«r from
-pfepoiBSessing in their manners. Nor was there «ny thing approach-
ing that external form of sanctity which I had been led to understand
\he)r "assuhied. The religious exercises on this occasion were marked
•With hefrry, indifference, and levity ; «nd no sooner over, than they
Ifplpro^ehod the streiiger tb handle his person and his raiment One
of thetii' according to a practice frequent amongst them, had exsciud-
120 Meoen MotUhs* Residence at Ni$igpQj W^iq.
ed lome of his fingers in order to fulfill a^vow .which be had made to
his patron idol. .. i. ,. . . ; ' . . i
Comrurtable apartments were provided for me for the night. At
my request, I was aroused at three o'clock in the morning to attend
the early* matins of the priesthood. . The .*' thunder-drum " and. the
** sounding bell *' both announced that it wa» the call to prayers. The
principal hall, for worship is the most capacious and magnificent of
the kind that, I have seen. The Budhistic triad stood in the. centre^
surrounded by the ordinary satellites, of demigods and gepti. Before
the centre altar-piece the priests stood in several rows of eight and
ten, each with his mat before him on which he sometimes bent hi«
knee or knocked his head. The ringing of bells, the frequent bowing,
the slow chanting, the smoke of incense, the rosary, the shaven head,
and the general garb of the priesthood, struck me as bearing a close
resemblance to the rites, ceremonies, and paraphernalia. of Popery.
The service lasted abotU an hour, aAer which having taken breakfast
with some of the priests, I returned to Ningpo. v -i ;
■ Among numerous refie(itions on; the V wickedness. in high places'*
• which I have witnessed during the last few days, (most of them sad
and sorrowful reflections) <me grateful, anticipation has- arisen which
has kindled tip the bright prospect that, when the glorious gospel; shaU
ultimately* run its '* free- course," ,theae» halls of idolatry shall he
consecrated to the. service of the. Saviour of the world and converted
into colleges for Christian ministers, who shall run to and fro as ao^*
.bassadors forChrist in this vast empire and perhaps also in neighbor-
'ih|^lands. • • ••-.i ■.. : i • •,'.'/ .■ . v ., i: :•••', -n /.- ■. »j -i-. .-.j
■ Jufy 7^Ai A small crew of shipwrecked Japanese sailors have iieeii
lately* sent <up; from Madao, by Mr. S.. W. Williams, with the request
-that I would use all my influence with the authorities-: of Ningpo, to
>ha«e these, shipped on board one of the CM^pU juuk9f, trading . with
Japan, and returnedi to their native island. They reached Ningpo
-tliia morning ;.and4 as this waa the last day of m]^/ 1 esidence .bere^ I
calhediupon the chief oflicers to pay my farewell visit. They receiv-
>edime most kindly, eapreased regret at my lea?ing the place, and
•begged to- know if they; could be of any assisunce to me« I Improv-
led !the occasion to. bring forward the ease of these. unfortunate
lJat)tanese4 They at once responded that, if I would leave, the. matter
witii fchem,.my wialies should be: attended to. As speedily, as pqMible,
rtheipoor follows were brought up beforQ:them ; and. I saw, with. my
•own eyea, the chief authorities paying them the mos^.ki^d:Ol|ic^,
1847. Chinese Terms far Deity. 131
iiipplying them with. food, assinging them rooma for lodging, clothing
them with decent Chineae dreaaea, and condoling with one 'Of the
aailora who waa sick and to all appearancea a dying man.
With auch a reminiscence I cannot but look back upon the last
day of my residence in the city of Ningpo with feelings of pleasure
and exultation. .
■-[^^■■"■'■'■"'^i-i- ■ i*^*- ~ 1 "i-^i ■ [-■■ii-^ 'W> %ii.1 - -> "
AftT. II. Chinese terms to denote the Deity ; note from An Impartial
Reader ; views of Drs. Marshman, Morrison, Milne, and others,
eommunieatedin former Numbers of the Repository.
BcroRB resuming the reriew of papers relating to the terms in use
among the Chinese to denote Driiy, we have t6 call the atten*
tion ofour readtrrs to another short note from an unknown Correspon*
dent, who thus writes :
Dear Mr. Editor. — Every one must be deeply obliged to you
for the trouble taken in recording the opinions concerning the use
of Shdngti J^ 7^ and Shin i^. As an impartial observer, th6
sum of all that has been said upon the subject appears -to me the
following. (I.) Your valuable Ningpo Correapondeni and others
have sufficiently proved that to us^ Shin, would' be idolatrous.
(2.) That the only term for the Supreme Being, used by the Chinese
tiiemseltes to express their niost imperfect notions of God, is Shdng*
^,'tb^ which Milne and Morrison latterly subscribed. Gonsalves;
in his Dictionary, gave his confirmation, which every Sinologue, theo-
retically' and practicHlly acquainted with the langnage, will never
call into question. (3.) For Shdngii J^ ^, subsequent writers
have used THen J^. and the philosophers tAi^kih, ^ ;^, k'un'skin
'^,||)l^, etc, and the vulgar, t^enti, 7^ |^, words entirely inad-
roissable on account' of the gross dualism they convey. (4.) As
this is the only term your Correspondents are aware of, the use of
it is no longer a matter of choice, but of necessity ; for to substitute
■any< thing that does not originate in- the usage of the language,
would be pr^posteroQs. . In one of your phpers, ling ^ tLndfung
^ are suggested as substitutes for Shin, TS^; but none of the
quotations justifying such meaning, we must rost cunteuted with
VOL. xvi: NO. 111. 16
122 Oinise Ttrms for Deiiy. Mah.
what the Chinese language furnitheB, how inadequately soever ttmajF
answer to our notious. Yours d&c.
An Impartial Rbadbr.
If lire mistake not this note and three others from '* A Reader
and '* A Constant Reader/' are all from the same author ; at least they
all contain the same ideas ; and without going back to the former, we
will notice a few points in the one now before us.
1. Our Correspondent at Ningpo has not proved, nor attempted to
prove, that the use of Skin, in the Chinese version of the Scriptures
would be idolatrous. On the contrary, he has endeavored to show,
and has succeeded in showing, that the term Shin corresponds to the
Theos and Elohimr o£ihe Old and New Testaments, more nearly than
any other in this langqage.
2. An Impartial Reader, in saying that the plirase Shdngtt is the
onlif itrm used by the Chinese to denote the Supreme Being, assumes
two points that require proof: (I.) it remains to be proved that tliQ
phrase Shdngti^ *' the ruler on-high," as ui>ed by the Chinese, does
refer to the true God ; and (2.) if it does — as Dr. Medhurst declares it
does, a^ays and tfivart'i6/y when standing alone without any pre-
fix,— it then remains fur An Impartial Reader to prove that it is " the
only term."
. 3. T^^^ ^ ^ ^^^ the only term (admitting here for the sake of argu^
meut that it does refer to tl^e Supreme Being) used by tl^e Chinese to
express their most imperfect notions of God, is sufficiently proved
by An Impartial Reader's own declaration, when he saya thai sub-
^quent writers and philosophers have tised the phrases ^teii, tdi'kik,
kia^shin, and ^^ten ^i, instead of 5Aiifi^/t. , That these four phrasep
are inadmissible we grant ; and that they -arc used as synonymous
with Shdngti is, wq believe, admitted by all without controversy.
4. That *' Milne and Morrison latterly sqbscribed " to the state-
ment that Shdngti is the only term for the Supreme Being," is
not in accordance with facts, so far as the sentiments of those two men
are known to us. In their version of the Bible they never used
Shdngti but Shin for the word God. We have now before us a
form of prayer, written in Chinese by Dr. Morrison not long before
his death, in which the single word Shm, |^, is repeatedly used
for God. Dr. Milne, like many others, seems not to have been fully
satisfled on this subject ; and though he continued to u^e the word
Shin till the very end of his life, still in one of his last tracts (which
we have not seen) he is said to have used abK> Shdngti; and
1847. CJUnue Term fir Dtity. 128
in ab article, writtea oot long^ before his death (and published in the
Indo^hineae Gleaner, and repiibliaiied in the aefenth Tolunie of the
Chiaeae Repository,) after giving several reasons in faror of the
(»hrase Sk&mgii^ he Ihoa eonci4»dee ; *' Th^iugh we thus give our
reasons in favor of this term, we wish it to be understood, that we
ittt fwr from tonsidiring it fit to express all the names of Deity.**
Whether Dr. Milne was prepared to substitute Shdngti for Shin
io the translation of the Bible« we do not know ; but certainly he
did not uraintain that it is " thexmfy^t&M for the Supreme Being."
' ^6. What. An impartial Reader means when he say s^-** as this is
the only term your Gorrespondenta are aware of, the use of it is no
lohger a matter of choice but of necessity," we leave for him to exv
plain, and beg he will do so and give us his own namCk
. 6. It is singular that, after having maintained the proposition that
using Shin for the Supreme Being would be idolatrous, he comes to
.the conclusion that ^* we must rest contented with what the Chinese
language furnislies : " this is strange, if we rightly understand him.
Does be mean to say thmt the use of Shin is idolatrous, and therefore
cannot be used for Theos and Eiohim, maintaining at the vtctne time
that- we must rest contented with it to express the Third Person of
the Trinity f Does he mean that, in translating the Holy Scriptures
into Chinese, we must rest contented with such ideas^ and only such,
as this language contains 7 Are not words and phrases to beemplo)(-
ed in new combiaations, in new connections, in new posifions, so
that new meanings will be attached to them, and they thus be made
to convey new principles, new sentiments, and new opinions ?
. Let us now turn to the pages refehred to in the.TKi.Art. of oui*
last, number, -and. see what opinions and facts are there recorded.
We* will not weary our readers with long quotations, nor occupy
muob.time with our own remarks. What we have to say shall be
vrranged under a .few distinct heads.
. 1. Method of translating the Scriptures. The last words ,Dr.
Mocriscm ever wrote for the Repository, were penned only a few (Ihjb
before hie death, and related to this subject. See Vol. :iii. p. 141.
-We quite concur with liim in the remarks there inirodnoed. In the
choice of native wor.da for our translations the terms: used, irtust often
het-^ as it were, coined for the •OccaSbn ; and " the .meaning of ithese
new words, or what is the same: thing, .old' words in d. new sensr,
must, (and will) be understood by the native from the context rather
than the. text." In a similar strain, Dr.. Milne remarked in one of
12i CJdntte Terms for Deity, Mar.
his iatest papers : " As there is no term, in anf language, adequate to
eoDtey the full meaning of the awful name of Deity, so it is in itself
of comparatively small consequence what term be used for that pur^
pose; provided it be well defined, and obtain the sanction of general
U8r" Vol. VII. p. 320.
Since writing the foregoing, we have met with some remarks bear*
ing on the same point by Professor Stuart, one- of tbe ablest Bibli-
cal scholars of the present age. He is treating of the use of the word
xupiof in the New Testament, end maintains that it is no more objection
to such use, " because the heathen employed the word to .designate
his false gods, than it is that tkeos should be used by such writer; since
theoM was also employed by the heathen to designate a false god.7
After some explanatory remarks, the Professor thus concludes:
** All: words of such a nature, when employed by a< foreign nation,
are used in a modified senne; and although they designate somer.ger
neral idea that: is common .both to them and the nation to whom the
words are vernacular, yet there must of course hie a specific difference
between the same words as employed by the one nation and the other.
Every critical reader well knows how plainly ihis is the case with a
multitude of words in the New Testament, which, in passing from, a
heathen to Christian use, have become modified ; so that they . may
be fairly said, and in a very intelligible sense too, to h&ve acquired a
new meaning." Bib, Bepos. vol. 1. p, 744
2. Chinese deities or divinities. These are innumerable and ex*
ceedingly diversified in character; and as they are false, the descsip^
tionsofthein are necessarily vague. See Vol.-zv. p. 41. All thai
has been written of Qreek and Roman mythology; and much more,
might be written about the gods of the Chinese. See Vol. i it. p. Aik
This article, on the State Religion, was written by Dr. Morrison ;'and
he takes occasion to show .what are the objects of religious worship
among the Chinese. " These are chiefly things^ although persons
are also included.'! Ader enumerating the principal, he remarks,
''The material uiiiver;ie, as a whole and in detaily is. wosshiped.; and
subordinate thereto they have gods celestial and terreatriaf, and ghosts
iufernal;'they worship the work of their own hands, not only as im*
ages of things divine, but human workmanship for earthly purposes,
as in flags and bsnners,'' &c. : Such has been, and such is the condi-
tion of the Chinese mind,— so darkei^ed, so degraded; sosuperstitionsi,
so alienated from truth, and so mt^oh oiider the dominion of the
.world, the flesh ai^d the Devil— thai apparently there is no objeev,
1847. Chinese Terms for Deity. 125
real or imaginary, within the whole circle of their knowledge, that ia
not, or has not been, or maj not be ele?ated to the rank of deitjr.
Bat in all their writings, ancient and modern, judging from the
•references before us, there is no explicit recognition of the one 8u*
preme Being, as Creator and Governor of the uniTcrse. In their no-
tions of deity f the Chinese rank far below the ancient Greeks and
Aomans. Anaxagoraa and Cicero and their disciplea recognized a
/ creator of the universe, a God who was omnipotent, spiritual, eternal
andrsupreme. Bui can the same be affirmed of Confucius, Liutsz',
Budha and their followers 1
3. Gods of the Three Sects. The Chinese have no generic term
for religion : they have their San Kiau, by which terms they designate
the followers of Confucins, of Budha, and of Liu-tsz% with the doc^
trines and instructions which they receive and inculcate : the word
Iddu means to teach, or the things taught; but tjiey do not apply it
to the State Religion, for that does not consist of doctrines which
are to be taught, learned and believed, but of rites and ceremonies.
See Vol. hi. p.. 49. This article, on the State Religion of China,
was one of the last productions of Dr. Morrison's pen : and though
short, it gives a fair view of the subject, a more complete one than
is elsewhere to be found. But neither this article, nor any other
published in our pages, presents a three-fold classification, correspond*
ing with the-iSiiii Kidu^ or three sects. The gods enumerated there-
4n are worshiped by all, whether they are followers of Confucius,
-Budha, or L^u-tsz'. [n the General Account of the Gods and Genii
of the Chinese, (See Vol. vii. pp. 505, 553), and in the Researches
•concerning the Gods (Vol. x p. 87.), and in all the other works we
have seen in Chinese, we find no three-fold division of their gods. .
- We have before us a letter, of recent date, written at Sli^ngh^i,
in which our Correspondent says, "It is the belief of the people
of this, place, and so far as. I know of all the Chinese of the present
day, that the chiefeat of the j$Atit, are inferior to Budha.V Thk
references given in our last ^number, (See Volj t. p. j317; Vol. ii.
p. 217, p. 265, &c.)) show 'that Budha does not hold a very* high
place in the records of Chinese mythology.
But we will not speak .very confidently regarding the rank of thesf
creatures of imagination, beings that have no real existence. In
'regard to such^ there must of necessity be a great diversity of opia^
ion,'ftnd:it is not easy to^determine which is high and which is low
in the scale of power and dignity. On receiving the -letter from
126 CkiHtse Terms far Deity. MaeI
Sh4ngh4t, abore alluded to, we reqaeeted a Chinese scholar, who
chanced to be sitting by us at the tima, to write dawn the iiatnes of a
score or two of their gods^ commencing; with the greatest, and proceed-
ing down the scale. He did so, and wrote out a list containg thirtyi-
nine namea The first and second were of the T&u sect ; then came
four of the Confucian dreed ; ihen three inore of TAUf next a Con'>
fucianist, with another of TiU ; while Hiuen sken TAi &\ the foun-
der of the Btidhistic school came in as the iweifik ; and onl j itx of
this seei were found in the whole list, while Ho&ntjf-iw^ were of the
Tau, and eleoen of the Confucian sects. So hr as our p^emnt know-
ledge goes, the niytholdgy of the Ohinetie is a Complete ehaos^
4. Ternis for denoting ike true' God. Thi9 is a subject of great
importance,— to be approached only whh feelings of reverential love
^rid a#ei such aS become thechildreh and worshipers of the only true .
God, the Great I AM. Our present object is not a discusstoit Of this
difficult subject, but to draw attention to it, while we briefly refer M
a few of the leading arguments alrea«iy adduced in 'forrtier volotaiesi
To such of our reader's as are especially interested in this Subject, w6
recommend a careful perusal of all the papers referred ta in -out
last number. ThCtoe^frotta the pens of Ors. Morrison aiid Mitne and of
our Correspondents at Ningpoaud Bangkok are among the laostoom^
plete and valuable. ;!>'...;
Drs. Mifrshman and Morrison were from first to last, we beHeve^
uniform in their use of S/iinf both in their iransfationa and in com-
mon parlance. We know of no one, familiar, with the Chinese lari-
guage and conversant with their religions phraseology, who does not
use (be phrase Pdei' Shin ; and what do these two words mean ? Con-
sidered separately, they have a variety of meanings, well established by
Jong usage. Pdi l^eh^ is to visit a friend or friends ; but used in a reli-
gious sense, pai has quite a different meaning, as well understood
and as weH defined, probably, as any word in the Chinese language.
7^'tii^ shin, in like manner^ is in daily and common use; to possess
tsing sAmistobe: in good health and spirits; snd to be withoui
ising shin is to be in poor health and spirits. These phrasev are
never misunderstood, by the Chinese. So the phrase Pdi Shin ip
prefe6tly intelligible. Used by the pagao, with reference' to the
religion of his fathers^ it means religious homage paid to some oiiet>r
move of his deities ; but when used by the Gbristtanv or by the pagnti
witb^ireference loilcf^ of Chfiiitian devotion, the meaning of the. two
(W«rda is as clfear and^efinite^ as tbat of any .wordsv in- an^y Ungilagei;
W% Chinese Ttrms far Deity. . 127
Ihai meiining 19 to worship God. And to in th^ translations of the
Holy .Scriptures by Morrison, Milne, and Marshman, the meaning of
Shinc9,nnoi be mistaken, any more than the word God in English,
ThfQS in Greek, and Elohim in Hebrew.
The word Shin was also used by the earliest and some of the most
learned missionaries of the Romish Church. In that translation of
the New Testament (almost entire) in the British Museum, a copy
pf which is BOW lying before us, Shin is invariably used. Subse-
quently they used Shgngtt ; but the use of this term was soon discarded ;
f nd they published a treatise in Chinese, of which we hare a copy,
giving their reasons for rejecting the phrase. Finally, instead of
Shin and Shdngtl, they adopted T*iVn Chfi, '* Lord of heaven," or
Celestial Lord, which is still in use, — a use defended not only by their
misionaries, but by such scholars as R^musat With the phrase
Tfitn ChU many of the Roman Catholic missionaries were dissatis-
fied:; and they were supported, in their preference for the single word
y^ien, by such men as K^nghf, one of the most enlightened sove-
feigns that ever sat upon the throne of China.
Among Protestants the question now rests, as our readers generally
knoWf between Shin and Shangti. And a very grave question it is.
^s we have already stated, the first translators, Morrison, Milne and
Marshman used Shin. Near the close of his life, after he had been
.a stpdent of the language ten or twelve years, Dr. Milne, while lie
stil) adhered to the use of .5Atfi, as a better phrase for Deity than
'pim chik, came to advocate the use qC Shdngii, T^tVii and Tau.
Xhe only objection he found to the former was its infrequent use'.
As.mat stress. is laid 011 Dr. Milne's opinion, we will repeat here the
summary of his argument in favor of using Shdngtt. (I.) It has been
used in China, from the very earliest ages, to denote the Supreme
Ruler ; (2.) is always considered as above the celestial %nd terrestrial
gods, in dignity and authority; (3.) the sacrifices offered to Shang^
ti were always very select and peculiar ; (4.) Sh^ngtt is said to love
aqd pity the people, and to be angry with, and take vengeance upon,
tyrants and oppressors; (5.) the term is used occasionally by all the
S&n Kiou ; (6.) inspires great reverence in the minds of the Chinese ;
pjoA (7.) is not represented as leaving any being that cooperates with
him* See Jndo'CMnese QUaner, Vol. hi. p. 09.
{(ow, in addition to its infrequent use, Dr. Milne had to admit " that
jlbis language is not explicit in attributing selfexistence, eternity and
unity to ShdngH;*' and also that "Shin very generally signifies
128 Chikese Terms for Deify. Mari
t spirit, an intelligeDt Spirit, a spiritual existence, something di?ine ; "
none of which attributes, he might have added, *seem ever to be
recognized; by the Chinese, as belonging to Shdngtt ; and in conclu-
sion he sajs : " We think that all that can be said against the use of
Skdngti, can be urged with equal force against each and all of the
other terms, while more can be said for it than for any of the others."
Had Dr. Milne'lived to pursue this subject, a^* he' hoped to- haver
(done, he doubtless would have cleared it from that obscurity in which
he lefl it and in which it is still enveloped.' His declaration, regarding
the use of the term Shdngtt, ** that more can be said for it, than for
any other" is a strong one, and it is matter of regret that he* did not
fortify it by strong arguments, bringing forward, under the several
headu enumerated above, proofs sufficient to establish his opinion.
Had such proofs been at his command he doubtless would have adduc-
ed them. This, which he hoped to have done at some future day, he
never accomplished. And we think it never can be accomplished. If
however the position which he took can be maintained, by fair argu-
ments, it behooves the advocates of the term to bring forth their
strong reasons and without longer delay put this question at rest
After the above was in type, we received from a Chinese Corres-
pondent more than a score of Essays, all evidently written for the
purpose of showing that ShAngti is the proper phrase to denote deity.
Strange indeed, that in every one of these we should find the phrase
chin Shin, meaning literally " the true God. " This, being done unwit-
tingly, shows how very exactly the word Shin denotes Deity, and how,
even with those who advocate the phrase SMtngti, the use ot Shin
will be erQployed to denote the true God. If, as An Impartial Rea^
der inaintaiiis, the' use of Shin is idolatrous our score of Essayists
are idolaters, ignorant of the true God, or else they have purposely
or unwittingly, used the term Shin as synonymous with Shdngtt. But
we. will not charge them with being idolaters, though they speak oif
Shdngti " sitting enthoned in the western heavens," and say othe^
things of "the ruler on high" wholly incoinpatible with the Biblical
account.of Ood; nor will we charge them with purposely using Shin
as a synonyme for Shdngti; because they would not designedly con-
'tradict themselves. Hence we conclude that thW Essayists have
unwittingly employed Shin as a fit term to d<en6te what the Greek
lan^ Hebrew writers have expressed by the words Theos and Elohim.
We will qyote a few words from their Essays in proof of whit we
have said; * ^
1847. Meadows* Commercial Reporter. 129
^^^ •
The first and second lines below are from one writei*, and the
third is from another :
(2.) ±'/&i:^b^pr^^iPi*
Thus we have Shin and Shdngit used as synonymous terms; and
iu common parlance we do not object to using the phrases Shan^ii
and "Pien Chu, to indicate him who is " the ruler on high/' *' Lord
of heaven," &.C., but as a tranlation of Tkeos and Elokim we are m^t
prepared to use either of the two terms. It is correct to say of
God that he is King of kings, Lord of lords, Governor of the universe,
d£.c., d£.c., but neither of these phrtises can be used as a translation
of the word God»
As the Essayists have, if we mistake not, written at the suggestion
of An Impartial Reader, we will give from them one more quotation,
in which the term declared by him to be idolatrous is used thrice in
reference to the Trinity ; we give the text and the sound of the char-
acters, and beg him, as Au impartial Reader, to give us the transit*
ction :
^ m m X lsi!> T -. fi ^ E - n
Shing iShin, Shin Fu^ Shin Tsz\ san wti hoh wei yih Ti.
Art. in. Meadows* Commercial Rr porter ; a periodicdlin the Chi'
nese language, published every Saturday at Canton. By John
A. T. Meadows. No. 3. Mingqua's New Hong.
Anxioi/s as we are to give every possible encouragement to all
laudable efforts for the promotion of useful knowledge among the
Chinese, we think we cannot do better than publish Mr. Meadows'
Prospectus, together with a communication, prepared at our request,
and ccmtaining a synopsis of the first four numbers of the Reporter.
P^r OS p'e e tv s .
Oh Saturday, the SYst November diext, the First Nimiber of a Weekly
Periodical in' the Chinese lantfuage ^ill be' ^blished at Cantor by the
Undersigned^ under the title of —
VOL. XVI. Siy, III*. ^7
' 130' Meadows^ Commercial Reporter, Mar.
M ^ W ± -^ «
" MEADOWS' COMMERCIAL REPORTER,"
''The JouRfiAL will be devoted chieflj to subjects of a Commercial
nature, and the Undenigned hopes, that it will be found a useful medium
of communication with the Chinese mercantile community — in particular as
a vehicle for AovKRTiscMR.fTS and Notices. The Undersigned trusts,
however, that it will ultimately be found still more servicable in another way^
namely, as a means of creating a better feeling among the Chinese people
towards foreigners — an object that becomes peculiarly important now, when
signs of incressing powerlessness on the part of the mandarins are plainly
thickening, and there is some reason to apprehend a ixHal anarchy at no very
distant period. The Undersigned will, indeed, publish no articles on ex-
pressly the policy of China, nor anything in fact likely to be offensive to the
mandlarins, because teiiding (however slightly) to weaken their authority •
but he entertains the firm conviction, that unobtrusive statements of such
iimpkfaciM concerning foreign countries and their relations with China, as
the Chinese may be able to comprehend, will eventually remove many of
(he hostile prejudices now existing among them, and lead them to believe a
free and equal intercourse with foreigners a great and unalloyed benefit to
both parties. The Undersigned hopes that the JooariAL, viewed in this
fight, will be deemed worthy of support by the liberal minded. Copies of the
JoaRNA.L will be printed off for circulation at Hongkong, to which a Supple*^
MRirr will be affixed, containing PaocLAMA.Tioifs of the . Canton Manda-
rins, Placards^ and any Canton News of interest An Agent will be
appointed to distribute these copies, and receive advertisements. The
Reporter will be printed on octavo sheets, of the same size as tliose used for
the ** Peking Gazette,** and each Weekly Number will contain about 25
sheets.
Price to SuBscRtBERS. — Per Annum, Two Taels; Six Months, One
Tael, Two Mace; Three Months, Seven Mace; all payable in advance.
Single Numbers, Seven Candareens each.
If Advertisements be sent in Chinese, the Charge will be One Cent
^ Character, and One-half Cent per Character for Repetitions ; if sent in
English to be translated by the Publisher, Four Cents per English Word,
and One-half Cent per Word for repetitions.
No Advertiaem«uit will be repeated unless so ordered ; and all Charges
are payable in Advance.
" JOHN A. t. MEADOWa
No. "3, Mingqua's NeW Hong,
Cattton, 30lh X)ctobcr, 1846: '
Synopsis^ Sp'c.
* 'The R^orter is printed onoctavd sheeu stitched and pasted Into a
yellow cover, in the tnanner of the (/hinese; It cbntaiiis on sfi ave-
rage about twenty-live sheets. The cover has iiv Uk froiit ihe name
.-4L
1847. Meadows* Cumnurcial Reporter. 131
of the Paper in Urj^e characters, the number, date of the issue, d^c.
dE.c; and at the back Tarious extracts from the much prfzed writings
of Mencius. These extracts uphold the good treatment of strangers,
and the abolition of restrictions on trade, as a part of good govern-
ment, belonging by their nature to political economy. The first and
second sheets or leaves of the Reporter (which are the same in each
number) contain the Regulations according to which the periodical
is issued . and is to be obtained, and of comparative tables of tho
weights, .measures and coinage of foreign countries, for reference by
the Chinese readers.
Synopsis of Na 1. published Saturday the 6th February 1S47,
consisting of 31 sheets, or leaves.
Part L Regtilations and comparative tables, as above described. Gene-
ral index. Arrival of the Bragunza and accident to the Corsair in bringing
the mails to Canton. Discnssions respecting the tea duties in England
Sir Henry Potiinger appointed Governor General of the Cape Colony and
^ Imperial Commissioner ** to repress the incursions of the CaflTres, dz.e. Mar-
riage of the Queen of Spain, and the newspaper- discussions respecting it
Revolution in Portugal. Execution of a Chiniwe pirate at Hongkong. No-
tice of intended publication, by the Editor, of a map of tlie World for the use
of the Chinese readers of the Reporter. Advertisement for a Chinese teach-
er. Advertisement for paper. Foreign vessels of war in Chinese n«atcrs-
Account of the manner in which the monthly mails are forwarded overland
by steamers to Hongkong. A notice of the British government, introduced
by a short description of the despotic, republican, and mixed governments
generally, in order to render it intelligible; the nature of the legislature, as
composed of the sovereign and the two Houses of Parliament; and of tlie
executive as composed of the sovereign and the principal ministers, is briefly
described in this notice. Two sheets of Chap I. of a translation of De Foes
Robinson Crusoe, (Edition printed by A. Shortrede in Edinburgh 18^,)
which is inserted in tlie hope that a tale which has proved so universally in-
teresting, may help to increase the circulation of the Reporter by rousing
the attention of even the Chinese, many of whom are extremely apathetic
for foreign matters.
Part n. (Commercial.) Notice regarding the publication of an Extra (com-
mercial)^ on>^e arrivahof the monthly English mails, and of a Whampoa
shipping list on Tuesdays. London prices. Bombay prices. (Jdlcutta prices.
Singapore prices. Arrivals of vessels at VVhampoi and Canton. Departiirea
from Whampoa. Vessels at Whampoa, Hongkong, Mdcao and Cumsing
Moon ahipping lists, arranged in the same manner as that for Whampoa,
Arrivals from China in England. Vessels expected from England.
Supplement, containing Chinese nows (appended) to such numbers on/y
ss are intended for circulation at Hongkongr, Macao, &c., or for foreijrners at
Cantoa Copy of a bill of rewards olTered by the pawnbrokers of Canton for
/
1 3*3 tteadows* Commercial Reporters Mar.
the apprehension or killing of robbers. Copy of a proclamation issued by
Hiring, governor of Kwangtnnof, against robbers. Public execution of 45
robbers at Canton, &,c. Expected arrival of the new district magistrate of
NinhaL Proposed building of a bridge between the two gardens by the
foreign community and opposition of the shopkeepers of Hog Lane.
Synopsis of No. 2, published Saturday 20th February, 1847; consisting o^
24 Hheets.
PirL L Regulations and comparative tables, as in Na i. General index.
. Intimation from the Editor that the cause of no number having beeu publish-
ed on Saturday 13th February was the absence of all workmen, on the occa-
sion of the Chinese new year. Enumeration of vessels of war now fitting out
at Sheemesj. Piriicy committed on the Omega and the CaUiaint in China-
no Biy- Seizure by Mr. Younghusband at Hongkong of his cook, when
stealing copper. Theft committed at Hongkong by a Chinese lodger from
his landlord after having given the latter an opiate. Piracy committed on
a fastboat when passing from Hongkong to Macaa Piracy committed on
the YovMg Hebe schooner. Two amusing anecdotes. Vessels of war in the
Chinese waters. Continuation of Robinson Crusoe.
Part. H. (Commercial) Hongkong, Macao, Cumsing Moon and Whampoa
shipping lists, arranged ad in the first number. Calcutta prices. List of
goiods now on the voyage from England. Manila prices.
Supplement, containing Chinese news. Failure of the Tea-broker Aming
and of two money shops in consequence. Extracts from the Peking Gazette ;
1st, An Imperial rescript, in, which Hwang, governor of Kwingtung. is
severely censured for having recommended an aged military graduate for
promotion, and his case referred to the Board of Office to be judged with in-
creased rigour; 2d, A rescript appointing Sii Kwang-tsin, now governor
of Yunn4n, to the governorship of Kw&ngtung vacant by the degradation of
Hw4ng, d&c; 3d A rescript grunting Lin Tsehrti (the celebrated commis-
sioner Lin) three months sick leave instead of the final retirement from ser-
vice, which he had requested. Copy of a placard against the erection of a
bridge between the two gardens.
dyuopsi'v of No. 3, published Saturday 27th Febuary, 1847, containing 20
sheets.
Part I. Roguhtionf* and comparative tables. General Index. Monthly
mail not yet arrived. Short notice of the Punjanb and of the late war there
with an abstract of tiie last Treaty. Fine infiioted on the master of a vessel
at Hongkong for non delivery of the mails. Attempted rubbery of the fast-
boat between WUarnpoa and Cumsing Moon. Amusing anecdote. Foreign
vessels of war in China. Continuation of Robinson Crusoe.
Part H. Shipping lists arranged as iq the firet numbers. Supplement
Copy of a proclamntion of Chang, the new destrict magistrate of Nanhai, is.
sued on his entering upoi^ the duties of bis office. Copy of a proclamation of
the district magistrates of Nanhai and Pwanyii agaimt bands of people pa-
rading the streets with lamps, n^usic, &c., after Uie new year.
1847. Meadows' Commercial Reporter, 133
Synopsis of No. 4, published Saturday 6th of March, 1847, containing 28
sheets.
Part 1. Arrival of the Ijady Mary Wood. Reported loss of tlie ^ei/tao,
on the Manila coast Sir Eklward Coffin, formerly commissary general at
Hongkong, sent to Scotland to make examinations, respe«2ting the scarcity of
food. Trade between Denmark free in consequence of tlie abolition of tlie
Danish Asiatic Company. Assembly of a large army by the Russians to
the north of Turkey. Account of the late disturbances in Nepaul, preced-
ed by ^ short geographical discription of that country, a notice of its invasion
by the Chinese Imperial forces in the 57th year of Kienlung, and of the Brit-
ish war in the 21st year of Kia-king. Notice of the trade carried on at
Nagasaki in Japan by the Dutch and Chinese, the restrictions under which
it is placed, the letter lately written by the king of the Netherlands to the
emperor of Japan, the answer of the latter, and the probability of H. M.'s
Plenipotentiary at Hongkong being sent there to try to establish a British
trade. Foreign vessels of war in Chinese waters. Continuation of Robin-
son Crusoe.
Part II. Hongkong, Macao, Cumsing Moon and Whampoa shipping lists,
arranged as in the preceding numbers. Vessels arrived in England from
China. Vessels departed from England to China. Prices current, bitMight
by last monthly mail steamer.
Supplement Copy of a proclamation of the Superintendent of Customs
against false revenue cruisers. ESxtract from the Peking Gazette, of an im-
perial edict in which the emperor, after giving the report of the Boards of
war and Civil office, on the case of Hwang Nganuing, sentences him to be
CBshiiered for having recommended the military graduate, but at the same
time hands him over to Kiying, with whom he is to remain for employment
in apecial commissionii.
Note. With respect to the sort of articles prepared for the Reporter, it must
be observed tliat, although there are many much more important aabjects
than those discaMed in the numbers issued, quite new for the Chinese, still
it is absolutely necessary, that as much as possible such should be chosen as
are likely to interest them. Now many articles in the European papers, very
interesting to us, would be left unread by the Chiiime, because the latter do
not possess the general information requisite to make them intelligible ; and
the best written and (intrinsically) the most useful article becomes nseless, if
no one reads it. Other articles, again, by which we are scarcely either amus-
ed or informed are read by them with some eagerness, and indirectly convey
instruction to the naturally intelligent among them ; such, for instance, as the
account in tio. 2. of the Reporter, of vessels of war fitting out at Sheerness.
This gives them tome idea of the extent of the British navy, in a way that may
lead them to fte/ietM ii large, which they would hardly do if npreMsly told ao.
They learn hereby that China is not tlie all i0iportant place whioh most of
|heai imagine it is; for they perceive tliat a number of vessels larger than
that in China is being fitted out for sea without referenoe to this country.
134 Remarks on tkt Cotton Trade. Mar,
Art. IV. Remarks on the Ctttton Trade, as it is at present carried
on by foreiffners in China. (Communicated for the Chinese
Repository, by H. R.
'to the Caglish the Cotton trade has long been one of the most valu-
able branches of their commerce with China, as well with respect to
the amount of capital invested, as the shipping engaged in its trans-
portation, and the thousands dependant upon its cuUivaticMi and
preparation for this market. Accordinir to Henchman^ as early aa
1799 and 1600, the annual imports from India were 60,000 bales, valu-
ed at ^£720,000, and occupying 20,000 tons of shipping. The trade-
continued for a long time in a flourishing condition, and the imports
nearly doubled after the abolition of the East India Company's mon-
opoly; but within the last few years it has gradually languished. In
1836 the quantity importer] w;is 494,666 piculs, and valued (according;
to the official returns of trade) at $8,357,394 ; while in 1845 the
itnports were 543,000 piculs, valued only at $4,930,523; so that prices
have fallen nearly 50 per cent., — an immense reduction in the price
of a raw material. — ^The following is an accouirt of the imports at
Canton since 1841.
In the year 1841 total quantity imported 209,066 bales
„ 1842 do. 320,102 „
"■ „ 1843 do. 359,306 „
„ 1944 do. 342,206 „
„ 1845 do. 2:KS,136 „
„ 1846 do. 23'J,798 „
At .Amoy from 10,000 to 15,000 bales are annually disposed of;
but nothing is done at the other ports.
The decline in the Cotton trade has not attracted the attention
that the subject demands. The increased imports of manufactured
Cotton goods, since the treaty of Nanking, interferes with the sale of
the raw material. But there must also be rery great competition
from native production. Debarred, as all foreigners are, from visit-
ing the interior, there are no means of ascertaining to what extent
the cultivation of Cotton is carried. Canton men say very little is
produced ; but with a population estimated at above three hundred
millions,* I should doubt the truth ofthe assertion : for the foreign
imports are small compared with the quantity annually consumed in"
* The Chinese generally are suppoied to wear cotton clothing.
1847. Remarks on the Cotton Trade. 135
Great Britain. In 1845 the deliveries in Canton amounted to 111^
niiliion pounds, and in EngUnd during the same year to 005 million
pounds. I think we may therefore reasonably conclude that this
article is cultivated to a great extent in China. And the native of
this country must have every advantage, considering the saving in
freight, interest of money, duty and landing charges, commissions,
dLC, — amounting in the whole to about 50 per cent on the nett
value ! But when, in addition to this, we consider how enormously the
prime cost of the Indian Cottcin is enhanced by the excessive land
tax imposed on the cultivator by the East India Company, it is surpris-
ing that the trade has not long ago become extinct. The following
calculation respecting it it extracted from Messrs. Trueman 6l
Cook's circular : —
*'The East India Company's tax on Broach Cotton amounts to 43 Rupees
per Surat candy of 7 cwt, which at thi exchange of 29. tlie rupee will give
1§dl per lb. The highest price for best quality in Bombay, ready for ship-
ment, was, at tlie date of the last accounts, 80 rupees per candy, which would
be 2.45 or 2^ per lb. nearly ; so that the tax on the land is more than half
the valuo of the Cotton, with all the expenses of the growth, transit to the
coast and by sea to Bombay, screwing ready for sale, &c. Taking all these
expenses at 12 rupees, adding the tax 43 rupees, and deducting the sum of
tlie two from 80 rupcies, the net amount that remains to the cultivator is 25
rupees ; the proportion therefore that the land tax bears to this latter sum is
upwards of 170 per cent ! which has to be paid in money to the collector of
the district before the Cotton can be removed from the ground. At the time
when Broach Cotton was worth 150 to 200 rupees per candy, this tax could
be borne, for it still left a large sum to be divided between the cultivators
and those engaged in the trade ; but with the prices that have been current
during the last two years (antecedent to the late rise) the remuneration is
totally inadequate to the continuance of i he cultivation. Taking the average
price of Surat Cotton in this country for the above period at 3^d. — ^the charges
for the transit coastwise, packing in Bombay, freight, landing charges, &.c^
at IdL, and the land tax 1|</-, and there remains only a fraction over ^ per
lb. to pay tlie grower, the inland carrier, and the merchant's profit"
The aliolishment of most monopolies in England has taught us
that increased consumption is the result only of a decrease in cost
price ; and in this age of retrenchment and commercidl reform, the
government of India will do well to make some alteration in their
policy beibre it is too late : it is unnecessary to predict the conse-
quences should they not remain Batisfied with the " golden egg."
But the knguishing etate of the Cotton trade is caused also by the
high duty imposed here, together with the heavy expenses in the shape
i:{6 Notices of Canton and Whumpoa, Mar.
of linguiiit's fee:t, rent, 6lc, I find that during six months in 1846 —
from 14th June to 19th December — the sales of Cotton consisted
of 104,842 bales (according Co Chutong Ahoo's report) of which
quantity the greatest part — >59,97l bales was sold at and below 5^
taels nett : so that the charges were as follows :
Duty, landing charges and rent, 8 mace per piciil, equal to 14 J percent;
Linguist's fees, $15 per 70 bales, nearly equal to 1 „
Total duty and landing charges 15} per cent.
But nearly one fourth of the entire sales — ^20,384 — were made at
and below 5 taels nett: therefore we have the following result :
Duty, landing charges &c., 8 niacf« per picul equal to 16 per cent :
Linguist's fees, $15 per 70 bales, t^ual to 1 „
Total duty and landing charges 17 per cent
and this while the expenses on the article in a manufuctured state
do not amount to more than 5 to 6 per cent — is it not too absurd ?
Chinese customs and ideas are in many instances very different from
those of Western nations — but such a mistake in their commercial
policy is unaccountable. The Chamber of Commerce will, it is to be
hoped, take the business in hand, as it is a legitimate subject for
their interference. The present improvement in the Cotton, market
cannot be of long continuance, and will only make matters worse
ultimately, as the natives of this country will extend its cultivation.
Art. V. Notices of C nton and Whanipoa and of the foreign
commtrce with China in the year seventeen hundred wid ffty-
two. By Pkter Osbbck.
Pktrr Osbbck was a native of Sweden and h pupil of the great
Linncus. In the year 1750, he was chosen by the Swedish East
India Company to perform the duties of Chaplain on board the Prince
Charles, a three-decked ship of 390 tons, with 132 men, bound to
Canton. As chnplain his duties were, ** to read prayers in the morning
and everning, to confess the people, to administer the Lord's supper,
to catechise, to visit the sick, to bury the dead, and to preach on
Sundays and holidays." For amusement, ** during so tedious a voy-
age," Mr. Osbeck applied himself chiefly to objects of natural history ;
and while in China he was, to use hisown words, ** exceedingly attentive
to the exleior aspect of the inhabitants, their dress, customs, religion,
.1847. NiUiuiloJ. Canton and' WJutmpoa. 137
manner t}f subsistence, trade, &c., but especially to the eondition of
the country, the soil, the quadrupeds, amphibia, fish, birds, insects;
likewise to the trees, herbs, plants, seeds,'' &C. He -embarked in
November, 1750, and arrived at Whampoaon the25tb of August the
following year, " after a voyage of five months and four days from
Cadiz," and more than eight months from Sweden. The ships at
Whampoa that year, 1751, were 18 in number, two Swedish, tuo
* ' . • • • • ' •
French, one D.iuish, four Dutch, and nine. English. -. ,.
At Whampoa, in those days, the foreigners were allowed; to erect
warehouses. Each ship was obliged to. pay the comprador fbjr erpct-
ing these and alsato giveia sum'4>r money for the site, of ground
."occupied. These warehouses were built of bamboo andimats, and
^sailors stationed in them to protect property from robbers.
A few> notices from M'r. Osbeck's volumes will be read -with none
the'less interest, because written a century ago. Some part of tKe
first and second of the following, paragraphs, were given in our first
.volume, but at the present timevthey are worthy of being copied
.entire, to show the march of improvement. r
>Therfactory is the first place in the suburbs to which the Eurapeant
•curoer Uiis is a general denomination' of the hotises built toirards the' river,
or over it upon piles, and; which are Jet by the CAiimm merchants to the £ii-
• npean ships during their Slav : iliis time w aoinetimes five months, and some-
times a year ; which long delay,. though it may arise from accidental causes,
ii often by desiij^n, lest several ships i coming home at once should glut tlie
market with Chtnue goods: during this time the Europeans lend money tu a «
great advantage in CAino; but a person who has not oorrowed considerable
sums himself runs great risque, when he lends his money in a place where
I the debtor is often sought for in vain« Commonly each ship takes a factory
•fbr^ itselft but. sometimes -iwo ships ^ of a nation, may'be togeth^, and tbas
itim0/it happened so to XwoStotdith ships,-and if L remember right,, they paid
900>taeU for it .T.he abovemientioned houses :are .hut two stories ihtgh, but
-very>:long ; and one end of them stretches, towards the river, and the other to
.the fkctnry f street ^ some are built of unburht bricks, others of bricks and wood
-laid croese ways;. but the •partitions aiid' upper floors^. &r%' are- eoroetunes
entirely'of:W(x>d: therefore thev are? so poorly provided against- finv that on
the aeventii of />ecem5er 1743, In three or. four hcuni, more than 150 hoo:*es
were reduced in ashes: the fire, for want -of proper regulation, woold have
spread farther, if it bad not .been for commodore .^luon and his men i the
-inhabitants, who believe- an inevitable destiny, were merely spectators, not
attempting to extin^ish it . The •factories look like two houses buill parallel
•and near to each'o£er, between which there is a courtyard ; tl»e floor of the
lower story^ is covered, like die court -yardj with square or rather oblong
stones-; in these stones are here and: there little holes, dirough which the
-water may run into theiriver; the stair-cases arc either of stoue or wood ; the
:rooms are hi^h, and ihoroois are sloping snd coVered with tiles, like those
' in Spam, Windows are made in the roots, but they are* square; and * ' less
•than<«tho8e in the walls: there- aro no*ceilings up stairs belbW tberoof : a
room has seldom windows on more-thanonie side : these are loncr^and narrow,
.with wooden bows, and have square panes* of mother of pearlj but the* poorer
VOL. XVI. NO. III. 18
1 38 .' Noiicet of CaniaH and • WhumpiM. M ak.
sort make use of other »helU ; Hrhich »Te ibe -breadth of a hand ««ch way.
Lead and glass are never to be met with in a CA<Viesf window : thene windows
stand open in day time, because they do not give sufficient light; at night
thev are shut, to keep out gnats, &c. In the lower story are few windows,
and those look into the- inner court Near some of the rooms is a little garden,
of the size of a middling room. The doors, when opened, give sufficient lisrht
to these apartments; for the side towards the garden is quite free. The
garden encroaches no farther on the court yard than the projection of tlie
building. Frur^i the excessive heats, Uie doors are -mostly kept open ; buU^
Mmking: curtain is commonly hung up before them, witii three pieces of wood
plated with brass ; one of which is at tlie top, one in the middle, and one at
.thehottooL Our hangings consisted qf white CAtfMM- paper, pasted to the
wall. Though this paper is very smooth, yet lizards {lacerla Ckinensis) run
with such agility up and down the walls^ that they can sc^arce be caught In
'SQinnier tbie they abound in the honses, but in winter they disappear: tliey
^do. no harno, but merely seek for their food, which ia .mill-beetles and other
insects. The Cfdnut padlocks sre made in such a manner that many of
them may be opened with one key ; and therefbre it is a proper precaution
to hripg^ome r from Europe. The company find; in every room a. table,
chaijrs, and a bed, with curtains of gauze, or blue JSTanking stuff You %xp
obliged to draw your curtains quit.^ close, to keep out muaqviiots^ a species
of gnats, which is very troublesome at. night; and whose stmg is sometimes
the cause of incurable complaints." Fot h pp, 204, 207. • . ' •
"A factory is mostly built in tlie following manner: near the entrance of
the street of the factory, on both sides of the gate, is a little apartment, upon
which are commonly some papers with figureslike arms, and two round Ian-
. thorns of bamboo, covered wkh -skins; for glass 4>r horn lanthoms are quite
uuuaoal here. . The gate of the fmotory is on the inside built «ver: directly
behind it stands a iiigh board almost as broad as the^ntrancet to hhnder the
people in the streets from looking into thei»yard or court, without being any
obstacle to those wha pass lo and fra In almost all comeis are buckets. The
foremost. looms on the sides look like kitchens, and have rails before them.
Further on, quite across the court, in the second story, is an open hall, witli
a soft of galleryi upon which is an altar covered with -flowers and incense,
provided with a gilt picture and a table. Behind this the yard is quite open
intfnint, but. on the sides are rooms both abeve and below. In the side
-Toofs ace here- and there some lanthoms of painted" gauze, in some of which
they bum lamps atnigbt. • Before the side roofb, and on their sides^* are Ut>-
tle ga/dens, with. bamboo trees, citrons, and pl«intains, and other trees alrea-
dy mentioned.' The rwail about these trees towardsthe yard is made of brick,
>whioh, except the.ibundation, are laid like lattice work: Next lothese gar-
dens is an inclosed coert-jrardi and then an^open.oae, with rooms and gardens
for pleasure on ihe sides: 4he last of all is a hall in the second story across
the yard, having rooms on its sides, and another haU goes towardS'the water,
which we fitted up for a dining-room. Below it ii the kitohen^ the watch-
house of the sailors, and the lodging of the captain of the ikctory. The
captain of the factory has a mate, w1k> is to take care that the sailors snd
Cmneie workmen do their business: and htt notes down those people who
come from or go to the ships with sampanes of bardeik In tlie factories live
the snpercargo, the assistants, the pucaem, the cooks, and other servants, dur-
ing the whole time of their stay ; and besides them, those who come oc«?a-
sionally tliither from the shtps. There are eontiaoally some sailors, who waicii
with drawn swords in their nands, to hinder those iVom entering who h«vo
no right * Tliey indicate the time upon the gmiywig; and beat upon it as it
were uptjn o. drum witli sticks, when dinner or supper is roady. Every thing
is carefully kopt in the factories, both effiM;t8 coming fium ther ships, nuic(tcd.
1847. Noiiees af Ctmimt and Whimpaa. 139
money, le&d, cloth, raistiw, almonds, &c., and thoie which ace lo be endmrked,:
as porcelane, tea, silk, and many otiier thinga, which are hfOUffht -on board
by the dampanea of burden, after some mandarin^ appointed for that purpose^
have weighed them, and stamped a seal upon theok In each aampami( loaded
with theae and other thingar flfoea a mandarin and aome armed nikRS from,
the fectory to the ship to guard them, lest the master of the aampane should
defraad them, as often luippeoa notwithstanding these nignlation&* The
8apercar|fo always sends a letter to the captain, or whoerer has the command
of the ship, with an account of all the boxes aiuL packs, and the sailors bring
aa answer back; The %Mm of the factory standa on the waterwside, and is
hoisted o» all festivala Our ships axe obliged to have tsfiadar^ fat that
purpose one of the richest and most respeetahle metehants is generally cho-
aen^ who is answerable for aH damages to ^he company ; and in case an £t»-'
i«pM» should wronff a Cftmese, must make up mattera in the beat manner
possible, &c. Omfiadm'9 name waa SfBLqyia. The .name we give to tha
CM^Mte servants is kwHer. - These wait at table in thd thctOries^EriBg^ in the
meat, wash the dishes, 6lc^ clean 'the knives and forka,t fill- the - lamps tin
the yard and rooms-ovith oil at nighty clean the vessels, and! do* the like.
businese; which the C&inese valets de chambre look upon astriflirig',.mTegard
to sweeping the rooms, assisdng in carrying the tett-chesti« and cShef waresr
in and out, dec. These, and a Chineat cook, are paid by the company. Be-%
sides these, every one, or several together, hire a* CAmese servant^ who is paidS
some dollars ftr month. This peison buys every thing you want^ atvd fre-
quently by this means avails- himself more than by his wages. Happy is the
man who has not the misfortune of hiring a thief into iiis house ; but often
however it is the case.** VoL h pp. 210, 214
** Taylors offer their service as soon as any EuropeimB arriivev as almost
every one wants waisteoats of satin, paduasoy, or taffe^ ; for which die black
colour is commonly chosen. All JBwropetms go here, as well as- aboard, only^
in their waistcoats, with a white cotton cap, and a hat over it, ewrryinff evtick
in their hands. Coats are only made -use of when one Eunpetm visits ano-
ther. The tajrlors commonly find the stuffs^ and are paid for all together after-*
wards: a waistcoat and a pair of breeches of satin came to five taeib* The
Ckmue taylors scissors are small, but exactly like ours in eveiy other respect
Their needles have round eyes, 100 of them cost a mes. Pins are not made
herSL Instead- of the smoothing iron^ they have a little pan, without feet of
braaS'Or copper, into which they put some burning charcoal, and rub the
seanSy>or all that must be smoothed with it Their silk buttons and button-
holes are strong and weH made." VoL I. p. 234
** It is almost incredible what quantities of tea are annually exported into
J?firope and other parts ; and what innumerable hands are employed in so
unnecessary an article. The countryman must with great care plant and nurse
the tea shrubs ; pluck every leaf in due time ; separate the new leaves from the
old, and drr them with extreme accuracy. The green tea is said to differ
from ^e ooierv only by consisting of young leaves, or by means of repeated
dryings. But since some sort of brown tea likewise consists of tender young
leaves, the afore-mentioned reason is not probable. I imagine the difference ar-
ises from the plates on which (according to their own accountB) the tea is dried.
It is not unlikely that green tea is dried on copper plates, and brown on iron
plates: which is the more likely, since green tea occasions purging, which
seems to be tlie effect of verdigrease : but brown tea hath the contrary effect
At last when the merchant has got the baskets of tea, at a low rate, from
the country people, he must often take care of it for years together; and is
always uncertain when or at what price be shall sell it When the Europeans
have fixed upon a place where th^y will make their bargains, rhey empty the
basketti (but let it be noted I am now speaking of Bokta Ua^ for the ticicc
1 40 NattdB: of Cnian anil Wkampoa, MXn J
MortiAtb Bold in cheata)*; and if any bad tea ur foiind in these- baaketa, it is
aeparated from Ihe reat :. The 'good tea is then packed up in new cheats^ the
weight «f which ia •deducted i^and theae cheats are < marked, and lined with
lead in the inaideii nA .Chinue gets into these cheata, and : treada • down -the'
tea>a8 itis emptied out of the baaketa : thia ia very bard laboinr^and throws'the"
trteder, who ia almost nakedv into a profuse perspiration. Though greatcare'
ia.taken to prevent any thin^ fronhcoming into^ tne:tea, yet ttia^hanlly (oibe»
avoided : and aoinetimea their feet- are wounded and bleed. - But the. tea- -bar-
ftlruady paaaed tbrongh so manydirty handa, thatthoee who uae that 4mg have*
no roason to be ^diaguatedi with: this last mark' iof indaiicacy in -ibe ipabkagei?
As aooa as some of the«hests ari9<pac)Qad byitt number of iWeert or"CAdMSCi
acffvanta, they are pMted over -witiipaipen andtcanried outof tbeiwanshoose'to?
tha-faetof ies) whiBie theymre weighed by 'the iCIUnak cuatom'-house •officers,^
in* tbe ^presence- of the interpreter^ and marked ^red with ai stiff bnish^' or with*
a*<wooaeff/8tamp.*'- • FoL li'pp. S&U 3S3;<
'iiK fkpUmhkir'lltkiih bad aimind to have a ncrarer right of the"«Mborf«ft /vi«
godm (iklubrivniiJI'kiwitiAmmfi which is aft a good diatanee^rom the Europe**
onligrmvesbfopthiireasoniilieftthe tbwniby theeameroad we had takeTi cbe<
day 'before^ in company ; with Mr Braaet^ Whtoe attention toaHUtatis^enrioua
is well known, and two other gentlemen: On' the roadv a O^iiese coverevi'
only with rags run after u% and desired KamfOHi or alma^ * We did not mind
hini,' but went on as last as the great heat would allow ; but he came nearer^
and pulled one of ua bytthe coat^ and would not leave hia hold -till he had
money 0veR^ him. • We did not know how to act; for though we could have*
made him depart, we were afraid that by hia cries he would bring hundreds
of tiie Cy^ineae, who were every where working in the •'fielda around us ; to
whom we conld not have proved our innocence aince none of ua understood the
laaffuage. When we were in doubt what we should do, another^C^fiese came
and lashed our follower aboat 'the lege wiih a whip, which made him cry out
exceedingljr* and jump into the rice fielda, where ne waa up to' the knees m
mud. This man called himself luid hia comrade ofiicms of the government ;
be afterwttrds accompanied ua to the Pagodtt^ which lay upon aJiigh rhoun-'
tain,' and ita inaide was somewhat different from that of the Cfdnut 'temples.
Having observed all the trees that were planted hereabouts, we made haste
back.'* VoU I. pp. 839, 340.
': *^ January 1st 1752, having taken in our cargoe in porcellanc, tea, silk, 6iC4^
according to the fb1lot«>ing account, and provided ourselves with water for
our return as fkr as Jbwi, we yet took in this day some ChxneM potatoes,*
turnips, yams, carrots, cabbages, and other garden stuff.
Bia of Lading,.
..... ..... .TEAS . .,.
1,030,642 pounds ofBohea-tea, in 2885 cheats.
96,589 lb. CangO'Uoj in 1071 large, and 288. leaser cheats.
67,388 lb. Soatdunm-ieoj in 573 large and 1367 leaser cheats
17^205 lb. PecAro-tfo, in 323 chesta.
6.670 lb. Bifucrtea, in 119 cheats.
7,930 lb. of Hyson-Skinn-Uoy in 140 ehe«ta.
2^206 lb. of I^nrUa^ in 31 tuba.
3,557 lb. of several aorta of tea, ia 17^0 canisters. .
SI1.K 8TDPP8*
961 Piecea of poiaiea damaak.
67 Piecea of ditto, of two colours. •
14:) Piecea of damask for furniture.
673 Piecea of aaUin. .
15 Pieces of aattin, of two coiour&
)6 Piecea of ditto, coloured flowers.
IS47. Noiicesof Cantim and Whampoa, 141
681 Pieces of paduasoy.
192 Pieces of gorfforon.
1^1 Pieces of taflety.
16 Pieces of lampasses.
5f3t9 Pieces of yellow cotton Mmkin stufis.
5,047 lb. of raw silk, in 33 chests.
KUffORIES.
35,314 lb. of Galanfca njotM.
6,359 lb. of China rootii.
2,165 lb. of mother of pearl.
6^325 lb. of thin canes for hoops.
10,7091b. of sagoe.
4,171 lb. of irhubarb, in 24 chests.
9,314 lb. of painted paper.
1,250 Pieces of flowers, dtc.
3,400 round jettoons of mother of p«^rl, 140' in each' set
62 ditto, 10 in each set
108 japaned play-boxes, with mother of pearl jiettoons.
18 japahed tablets, or boxes for a toilet
10 japaned tablets.
6 tons of arrack.
PORCCLLAIIK.
222 chests, 70 tnbs, 52 lesser chests; and 919 packs.
.'^The ship was twenty one feet ten inches behind, and twenty, feet five
inches before, in the water.**
*^ The 4th of JantUMry, Afler a stay of four months and ten days in Ckina^
bar feihip and the other Sicedi»k ship began their voyage home Every one
leaped for joy, and my Tea-thrub^ which stood in a pot, fell upon . the deck
during the firing of the canons, snd was thrown overr board without . my
knowledge, afler I had nursed and takeii care of it a long while on board the
Mp. Tntis I saw my hopes of bringing a growing tea-tree to my country-
mca at an end ; a pleasure which no one in Europe has been able as yet to
feel, notwithstanding all possible care and expences. Some have brought
tea>>nutB as they get them from the CAtnese; but in case they could get
them fresh (whicTi I very much doubt), they are spoiled on the voyage :
others have bought tea-shrubs in pots, which they con^monly get in flowers
J list before their departure from CAuia, but they withered abbilt the Cape of
Good Hope."* Vol II. pp* 36, 39.
Wie hare ho more space 'for extracts, and must refer the reader for
tbrther particulars to thie book itself. The Prince Charles returned
to Sweden, 26th of June, 1752, having lost eight men^-one of
dysentery, one of pleuresy, three of agues, and three- by accidents,-^
bringing back- T24 to their own courttry , aftefe* a voyage of alhiest three
years. The Swedish East India Company, if we correctly remem-
ber,'6btained its first charter in 1731. But the age of monopolies
is past', and those thdt still exist must toon expire. The: trade be<-
tween Sweden and China is now free ; and his excellency, Mr. C. F:
Liljevalch, will no doubi by treaty obtain for his government and
nation all the privileges which have been granted to England^ France
and the United Stkteii of America.
143 NotUioJ a Trip to FoAsUn. Mjim
Art. VI. Notice of a trip tQ Fahskan^ in a Chinese fast-bofU,
on the twelfth of March, 1847. Written, for the Repository
by one of the visitors.
Having been invited by several English gentlemen t(v accompany
them on a trip to Fuhsh^n, a large city sifnated about twelve miles
distant to the west of Canton, I set out with them in a fast-boat,
which was hired for the occasion, at 7 o'clock in the morning of the
12th March. We called at the steamer Pluto, which was lying in
the riveroff the suburbs of Cantonj and* took on boani- an English
gentleman connected with the naval service in this quarter. We
then proceeded with a fair wind up the river, which here separates
into three forks. The one on the lefl is only a narrow creek at this
place, but widens somewhat as we ascend. Following this we pro-
ceeded on our way to the city of Fuhsh^n, without molestation or
drffieolty, except the running aground a few times, and moorecf Che
fast-boat on the bank of the creek, about a mile from the city. W^
then entered our smail boat, and, having passed a long, line of houses
and boats onr each side of the creek, soon found ourselves in the
midst of men and close upon the borders of the city proper. Hun«-
dreds of faces, staring upon us from- every quarter, instantly appeared
as soon as we had arrived at the landing- place, which is here a nar-»
row part of the creek, with small wooden buildings on each side and
the city in front.
Having landed, it was proposed by one of the psrty that we should
proceed at once to the office of the.ebief magistrate of the places
and- pay our respects to htm. So we inquired of a number of per-
sons if they could direct us to his office,, but'they only; pointed to«>
wards the place of his residence, leaving jt fer us to go by ourselves
and find the way as we could.. At last we found a poor man of the
laboring class, who ounifested. & kind and friendly disposition, and
offered to guide us to the office of the magistrate. Following, him
as our leader we passed along nearly the whole length of the.city^
which appears to be much longer tham it is broad, and having
marched half or three quarters of an hour,^^ fonnd ourselves in an
open court in- front of the magistrate's office.. A rabble had followed
us through the city, though but few had collected unti^ we arrived
at the magistrate's, when the whole square in front of the residence
IFJ15 in a few minutes crowded with hundreds of people. The whole
iSa. NoiM 0fa Trip to Fuhskin. V4S3
«paoe was fili«d, the oumeroua bodies of the Chinese with their yei-
-iow fnoes peering above them, forniing one solid and continuous
; The offiee itself covered a large extent of ground, and had a very
antiqaaled and no doubt to the Chinese a very imposing aspect, the
walls in front being emblazoned with huge pictures of mandarins
and> various devices, calculated to iil^ the minds of an ignorant popu-
lace* with feelings of dread and a high notion of the importance of
ihfrjpowers that be.. Some stones had already been thrown at us by
Uieirabblie,' and several* of us had been hit by them as we were pass^
ittg .through: the streets, though no one was seriously injured.
: On arriving at the office, a gentleman, who seemed friendly and
irfealed ns. very courteously, made his appearance and inquired of us,
who^we were .and what was our object in coming. We gave as good
4ur> account- of ourselves as we could, saying that we were a com-
pany :of Eeglish and Americans, who had come to pay cmr respects to
the-magistrote.. He inquired if we were officers of governmenL We
told -him we were not^ He then wanted to know, what businers we
had there, and seemed . U>^ wonder somewhat why auch a. company of
private individuals had come in this manner to complifnent a ChL-
neae mi^ptratev THis perhaps, wast very natural, .as some of the
CMNnpeny had. gunt^ nni the whole affair was such as probably had
never beat known before to the people of Fuhshin.
! : We'«aked.ta be admitted into the interior apartments of the office,
ortitieast tobave the pleasure of an interview. But ^ we were told
that' we eouki; not be permitted to enter, and were' soon informed
ilhatithe magistrate was not' at home; this we found before leaving
to have been a literal feet.
.We had hardly commenced' these preliminaries, when a very n«-
tural inquiry was started by some of oilr company, how we were to
make our escape. Ar we could not see the officer nor enter his
apnrtments^^jof course we 'had nothing to do but to ret«rir. .But how
eouid'we do this in the midst of such a noi^ and impetuous rabble,
who hadr el ready, manifested some hostility, and from the time of our
arrival had kept up a constant clamor end assault, and had been kept
eut'of the court only by the vigorous e3certions of the mew about the
office with whips and stones. Some of the company were for start-
sng/biadtist once, but this did not appear practicable.
"I At:length we were invited to be seated in a small apartnfent on
^meside of the court i close and dark; with but one door and no win.
4ow» ThCiappreheusioDe of someof the oompenf mfAZ «il^vv^^
\
this procedure, fearing that such lik confined :inclo^ re 'fluight be tuffr«-
ed jnto another '* bl ack!. hole,! Iiandl that it> would; be easier to secure
an entrance than an exit. Here we found ourselves sheltered froni
the /rage aiid.thegazeof the rabble, and. weihadleisurei^ to: think of
our condition and 'Consult as to the. best means of effecting a retreat
.. tThcMroom was -crowded with/ Chinese who made mdny. inquiries,
but ..showed : little di9|>o»iuoaF toi .favor or assist us, being -more intent
upon grati fying* their own curiosity thaa* confei'ring any benefit upon
us. >: I .'A; few of. our number, proposed; that wc. should takecleaw lat
once,'and make our ;way' back as. well asi we could ;" but; this • seemed
to be a father, dangerous policy v and It was; judged- better to wiiitei!ii
^equeisitito the: magistrate,, wheu! he > shoixldiretorn, fiirnnumh^^ of
^en, to protect! us from the rabble and escort ns safely back to the
boa|. >. Accordingly. we asked fur a paper end pencil, which being fun-
•ntahed the fnterpreter. of the company wrote -a statement < of our crr-
^umstaiices^' with'n request ifor an escort of ten flieu', and • sent it in
to Ahei magistrate, 'who ' with two of his subalterns hadiri the mean
timev returned. 'It was interesting to see how easily the rabble 'was
cleared'at his: approach^ fleeing like so many cattle before scourges
-and stones'Which'were lavished -upon' them without mercy:. < < - - " i
•?:!We had'^been about 'af|>hour in oar'clocie quarters; When the ma-
^rsirate appeared' with' the number of guards: requested to escort ns
back. The crowd opened! before < us/ the -guards' leading the way
And :t>he: officer, -himself mounted -on .aiwhite pony following -us in
the rear;/ .Thu^ escorted ^ likeiprisoners of war^ we comtnenoed<oor
taiwreli iback* to- the.boat. . The sice^ts through- which vtre; passed were
4iiied dn both: sides with X^inese^ who were drawn i out fvith asimucik
order as if it had been intended to honorMisai with a march) of 'tr»-
^imph'out of the oity^ and dbservediia t^emarkaMenandtverytiahexpect-
«ed'decorum/ at! a aigjiti to ilhemselvea so; noveliasd interesting, i To
oneiofrtheipartyikt leastMiheitspeCtacle of so/ manyCbinesef^thus
arrangcid, aAiif ^^^ wbol^afTaff ihadfbeenr previously:' conoertedi<|to
>feh44d ^Uieitstrtangerscasithey ipassed, presented !anaspect> quite* as
imposing and ? grand 'as* tbe; scene was to« them : novel, and-: intiBrestiiig.
jThfeiinumben bf the :peopte.: we passed in thestreeuofthecit'yr wu
:ph)bahly iMlilesSttiianiriweiity, and it/ may hav^ibeen as* mv^ytiss
-thifty thousand. Vi* At iioneiof the cross streets t.V!olleyi of stones- was
hurled at us, but did!'Usi(noi.4laiDage;! i/rhei^uarda were larmedi wish
isliielda made of rialtami\ilrAllled arid* about twio feet- in. diamet^n/. In
their, balidti alsothej^ carj'ied/shoirA da()9ger8,4jidt whenever 4he crowd
vbecAinc . tstMiuKuoua or : tcoubiesotne^i thef were: tau'ily i imimiUated aiid
1847: Notiu of a Trip to Fuhshdn, 145
made quiet by the sight of the daggers brandished before them. In
this manner we arrived at length at the landing place, and found the
boat as we had lef\ it. We however got into another boat belonging *
to the Chinese accompanied by the magistrate and one of his sub*jl-
terns, our own boat being employed to tow us along.
The people followed us out of the city, and we had not proceeded
far when the storm of brickbats commenced. Such a scene as en-
fiued has not often, if ever before, I think, been witnessed in Chin.i-
It was splendid. Here were seven of us, six Englishmen and one
American, in a small boat with two Chinese officers, and a few
oarsmen, with a small guard on shore to protect us from the rabble.
On both sides of the creek there were thousands of people, the whole
city in arms against us. The banks of the creek were covered with
stones, and the motley crowd had only to hurl them upon us. This
they did with no little violence. We kept as near the middle of the
creek as possible which was here but a few rods in width. The
stones fell in showers upon our poor boat. The slight texture which
covered us seemed every instant ready to give way under such im-
petuous discharges; but being very elastic it broke the force of the
stones, so that only one of them came through, though many came in
at the ends of the boat. Some of us were hit, but none badly
injured except a boatman, who received a severe cut upon his head.
The rowers in the open boat were most exposed, and many of the
stones seemed aimed at them with peculiar violence, as if it had
been intended to stop their rowing and thus prevent our progress.
The chief officer, who was with us, conducted himself with great
dignity and a most noble magnanimity, standing outside in the
midst of the flying missiles without fear or trepidation. The other
also was not deficient in generosity and energy of character, behav-
ing in a very undaunted manner. Receiving a gash upon his head,
from a stone, he made light of it, and once he was nearly up to his
waist in water helping the boat forward. The tide happened to be
in our favor, and thus, though the men were prevented much of the-
time from rowing, we were able to move slowly along.
Afler much labor and confusion we succeeded in reaching the
fast-boat. We got on board of this and were now less exposed
to the stones, which still continued to be thrown. The officer fol-
lowed us in the boat we had been in, descending the creek with us
to some distance. At length our fast-boat ran aground and could
not be got off. The crowd discovered it, and came on in great num-
bers. The gun9 were shot off into the air to intimidate them, but
VOL. XVI. NO. JJJ. 19
\
146 ^ Notice of a Trip to Fuhshdn. MiR.
it only provoked their ridicule and made the matter worse. Our
faithful officer now came along aide and ordered us into our small
boat. To this we accordingly repaired, and with the aid of tide
and rowing we moved on quite rapidly and were soon out of reach
of the multitude.
Before leaving we asked the magistrate his name, as it was pro-
posed to make, a representation of his conduct to the higher authori-
ties, and if possible have him rewarded. But he declined telling
us, satisfied no doubt with having rid himself of some trouble and us
of some danger.
Having descended a mile or two in our small boat, we were over-
taken by a large one with about thirty men and sails. We request-
ed them to give us a rope and tow us along. But they politely in-
vited us into their boat. We gladly accepted the invitation and in
this we arrived at Canton not far from six o'clock in the evening.
This adventure may give rise to speculation in the minds of some.
There are only a few points, which I shall notice here. It was, in
the first place, a very fortunate circumstance for us, that we proceed-
ed at once to the magistrate's office, forasmuch as we seem to have
been entirely indebted to him for the accomplishment and safety of
our return. We had got into the place, whether prudently or not,
and we should have found it difficult if not impossible, as the cir-
cumstances proved, to effect a retreat without his assistance. If it
had been intended for this very purpose, it would have been no con-
temptible stroke of policy, for a company like ours in such circum-
stances.
Another point to be observed, in this connection, is that when we
put ourselves into the power of the Chinese, we should let them pro-
tect OS in their own way. The conduct of the officer, from the first
to. the last, .was most praiseworthy. Everything appeared to be ma-
naged with a high degree of skill and coolness, without the least
fear on his part, and with a perfect knowledge of Chinese character.
He seemed to know the extent of the danger and the Jbest- means of
escaping from it. His^xposureof himself for our safety excited our
gratitude and admiration. .. _^ ,. _ . .,
V A third consideration is whether foreigners, have a right to make
such demands upon Chinese magistrates for protection. True,. the
gavernment ought to protect us. But ought an individual magistrate
to be made liable by them, as this man < was,, contrary to his own
wishes "and without any advantage ,to himself? The mob spirit is
what it is in China as everywhere else, and if a single magistrate
1847. Protestant Missions in China, 147
cannot prevent or restrain it, ought we to expose him to danger and
trouble by exciting it? In the present instance there was the
strongest disposition manifested to protect and befriend us, and a
true nobleness of character evinced, such as is rarely witnessed, iu
effecting it.
A fourth point, with which the writer will conclude this notice, is
simply to remark, in view of our peril and escape, that the protec-
tion of heaven is better than all earthly defences, which puts singular
thoughts into our minds« turns the hearts of magistrates to do us
favor, and restrains the rage of the people that they harm us not.
^*MA^^IAAMMAMi*A*WW*«WW«M^««W««MMWta^
Art. VII. Protestant missions in China: extracts from a printed
letter^ dated Ningpo, January \st, 1847.
SiRCX this letter was written some changes have occurred in the missions,
and we have taken the liberty to correct accordingly. Borne further cor--
rections and additions we make here. The Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Graham of
the Sh&nghai missioii, and Dr. Gumming of the Amoy mission, embarked at
Macao^ in the Horatio^ capt Crocker, on the 17th instant Mr. and Mrs.
Young sailed for England in February. The Rev. Stephen Johnson, late of
the mission in Siam, airived early in January at Fubchau, where he has
commenced a mission ; and the Rev. L. & Peet and family, also from the
mission in Siam, have proceeded to Amoy, either to ren»in there or to join
Mr. Johnson at Fubchau. And the Rev. Messrs. Happer and French have
removed from Macao to Canton, and the school of Chinese boys has come
up with them to the provincial city. We now turn to the letter; the writer
thns commences :
**Tbe providence of God seems to mark the present period, as one of the
most remarkable in the world's history. The eyes of the whole civilized world
are turned with expectation to the future. The current of passing events is
apparently carrying us rapidly onward to some wonderful consummation ; and
the Christian philanthropist, and infidel philosopher, alike await the result
with the deepest interest A revolution is going forward among men, which
differs, both in its nature and its extent, from all that have before occurred.
It relates to great principles; and in its extent, it embraces well nigh the
whole family of man. It is felt in every country in Europe; and is carrying
the states of the New World to a destiny which we dare not anticipate. In
the Mohammedan states of Western Asia, events are developing a state of
things which must lead ere long to important results. In central Asia the
eyes- of the world are fixed upon the progress of the British Empire in India,
and the results to which it will lead. Even the barbarous tribes of distant
i-V^ls are beginning to be brought within tiie sphere of new icvfUi^tyic^a^^xA
148 Protestant Missiens in China. Mar.
to rank themielvet aa nations- tn the midat of political changfea evcny whera
jn progreaa, another power ia at work with which theae changes are closely
connected. It ia ths gospel of Christ While the world ia engaged in a
threefold atruggle, for deapotiam, for liberty, or for agrarian anarchy, the
gospel iTopemling ailently but mightily upon the minds and the hearta of
men ; and the struggle which has ever been waged between the powers of
li^Iit and of darkneas, begina to aasume a form which indicates a more dea-
perate and vigorous contest, than the world haa yet witneeaed.
^'It ia a matter of deep tntereat, that just at this epoch China ahould be
brought into the struggle. ' The set time, appointed in the counsels of
eternity, having arrived. He who ia Head over all things to. the church over-
threw the barriera by which China had hoped to protect herself horn exter-
nal influences, and opened the way for the entrance of the heralda of aal-
vation. At the aame time, a atate of things ia found to exist within her own
bordera, from which it may be presumed that the course of events which
commenced with the war with England, will result in aome wonderful,
though perhaps gradual revolution. At all evenca, China, with her hundreds
of milliona, has been brought within reach of the mighty influencea which
agitata the nationa of the Weat, and when theae influences begin to be felt,
this unwieldly, overgrown empire, weak, decrepid, and wrinkled with age,
muBt be shaken in all its members. Thus China too has at length among
the last, though the oldeat, taken her place in the ranka of the nationa, and
will henceforward march hand in hand with them to fulfill their reapective
deattniea.
** But it ia not as a field of political strife, that the eye of the Chriatian ia
now directed to China, tt ia rather aa a field for the triumpha of redeeming
grace— -aa a wide and open door to which the Lord ia directing hia peoplei
commanding them to enter, and proclaim *^ peace on earth, good will to
men.** In thia view only we propose to consfdor it
<« When the armiea of Israel went forth against their enemiea, their num-
bera were aometimes diminiahed by the expreaa command of God, and a
large portion of the fighing men were aent back to their homea, or left where
they could take no part in the battle. They could not therefore take to
theraaelvea the glory of victory, aa though they had achieved it by their own
courage and strength. Thus it ia in the great apiritual struggle in which the
Locd^s people are now engaged. A mighty work is to be accompliahed
among the heathen, in which the church ia to be instrumental. It must be
made evident, however, that she is but an instniment — ^that by her own
strength she can do nothing. The means employed therefore exhibit a strik-
ing disproportion to the resulta to be effected — a disproportion so great aa
to excite the contempt of the world. The labourers are few. A small and
feeble band is sent to attack a countless host But even of this small com-
piny, the numbers are diminished every year by premature death, or by the
attacks of disease. Thua the world will be taught, and the church will be
made to feel, tliat it ia God alone that can effect the result The history of
Protestant miadions iu China, aa ehie where, ofibrds abundant illu8trati«^of
1847. Protestant Missions in China 140
thorn remarks. During the past year, as in previous yeara, some of those
who had entered upon a course of labours for the welfare of China, have been
called to their rest, while others have been compelled for a season to leave
the field. Of those who have, during the past two years, returned to their
native lands in search of health, many hope speedily to resume their work^
and some have already arrived in China.
•« We give a brief view of the present state of the different iUtions, so far as
onr information enables os to do so.
^ The laboarers at Canton are the Rev. E. C. Bridgman, D. D. and Mrs.
Bfidgman, Rev. P. Parker, M. U. and Mrs. Parker, Rev. Dyer Ball, M. D. and
Mrs. Ball, the Rev. J. 6. Bridgman, Mr. 8. W. Williams, and Mr. 8. W.
Bonney of the A. B. C. F. M., and the Rev. I. J. Roberts, the Rev. Messrs 8.
C. Clopton and George Pearcy with their wives, and the Rev. J. L. Shuck, of
the American Baptist Board. Messrs Williams and Shack are at present
temporarily absent in the U. 8., but expect soon to retnrn.
** in Hongkong are stationed the Rev. Wm. Gillespie and the Rev. J. P.
Cleland,.of the London Missionary Society. Mr. Cleland has charge of a press
and font of metallic type, which has recently been removed from Singapore,
and the Rev. Wm. Dean and the Rev. T. T. Devan M. D. of the American
Baptist Board. The Rev. J as. Legife, D. D. and Mrs. Legge, and B. Hobson,
M. B. of the London Society, are at present on a visit to England.
The Kev. S. R. Brown, who bas had charge of the flourishing school of the
Morrison Education Society, has returned to the U. 8. on account of the ill
health of Mrs. Brown, leaving the school in charge of Mr. William A. Macy.
** At Macao there is a boarding school of about twenty boys, under the care
of the Rev. A. P. Happer M. D. of the Am. Presbyterian Board. A reinforce-
ment, consisting of the Rev. J. B. French, and the Rev. Wm. Speer and
Mrs. Speer, has recently been sent to this mission from the U. States.
•« At Amoy, in connection with the A. B. C. F. M. are the Rev. W. J.
Pohlman, and the Rev. E. Doty. The latter is at present absent in the U. 8.
but is expected to return very soon with a reinforcement of several missionaries.
W. IL Cumming, M. D. is not connected with any missionary society. The
London Missionary Society supports the Rev. John Stronach, the Rev. Alex-
ander Stronach and Mrs. Stronach, Mr. William Young and Mrs. Young. —
The Rev. John Lloyd and tl^e Rev. H. A. Brown are supported bv the B. F.
M. P. C. ; and J. C. Hepburn, M. D., of that Board, with Mrs. Hebburn, is
temporarily absent in the (J. States. Mr. and Mrs. Young have also left the
field for a time, and may be compelled to visit England.
•« At Shdnghai are stationed the Rev. W. H. Medhnrst, D. D. the Rev.
William Milne, W. Lockhart, physician, and their families, supported by the
London Missionary Society — the Rev. T M'Clatchie and Mra. M'Clatcliie, by
the English Church Missionary Society — and the Rt. Rev. Bishop Boone, the
Rev. J.'Syle, and their families, with Misses M. J. Morse and E. G. Jones,
by the Am. Episcopal Board. Drs. Medhurst zuA Boone have erected chapels,
in which they preach on the Sabbath to large audiences. Dr. Lockhart's
facilities for alleviating the aufierings of the diseased, have been increased by
the erection of a building suitable for an hospital.
** At Ningpo, the English Baptist Society supports the Rev. T. H. Hudson
and the Rev. Wm. Jarrom and Mra. Jarrom ; D. J. Mac^owan M. D. and
Mrs. Maegowan are supported by the Am. Baptist Board. A girls school of about
twenty pupils is sustained by Miss Aldersey, an English lady not connected
with any society. The school has overcome many obstacles, and is gradually
gaining in the confidence of the people.
«' The missionaries of the B. F. M P. C. are the Rev. R. Q. Way and Mrs.
Way, the Rev. W. M. Lowrie, Rev. A. W. Loomis and Mrs. Loomis, Rev. M.
8. Cnlbertson and Mrs. Culbortson, D. B. McCartee M. D., and R. Cole,
printer, and Mrs. Cole. Mr. Loomis returned to this station from Chtisan when
that island was restored to the Chinese. It is expected that the Rev. John
Quarterman, who has been appointed to this station, will reach his field early
150 Journal of Occurrences, MarL
in the ensuing spring. The lehool in connection with this mission eontaini
thirty hoys. A female school has recently been commenced, under the care
of Mrs. Cole. A young man, a native of Nin^o, has lately been baptized, and
admitted to the communion of the church m connection with this mission.
The truth seems to have made some impression upon the minds of seyeral
others, who it is hoped will yet approve tiiemselves sincere believers.
<* Protestant missions io China, are yet in their infancy. Few of the mis-
sionaries, enumerated above, have yet been on the ;^ground long enough to
accomplish any thing more than that preparatory schooling in the knowledge
of the language and the people, which must constitute the foundation of
successful labours ; and even in this preparatory work, the greater part are
hut beginners. Although iii one sense it is true that the fields are .white to
the harvest, it is equally true in another, that the seeding time is hardly
arrived; the breaking up of the follow ground is scarcely yet complet-
ed. Thoee however who have prayed for the millions of this populous
empire, will thank God that he has at length vhrought into its territory so
large -a body of men, who are making those acquisitions which will fit them
to enter the wide doors of usefulness, every where opening around
them. Already a beginning hss been made in the public preaching of the
word. In all Uie ports thrown open by the late treaties to which missionaries
have been sent, the gospel is now regularly and publicly proclaimed. It is
a further ground for thankfulness, that those for whom a way has been open-
ed by scenes of war and carnage, and the terror of foreign invasion, have in
general been received with so much favour by the people. Although in the
city of Canton the old hatred and contempt of foreigners, which has been
gaining strength for two centuries, continues with all its bitterness, in the
northern ports tlie popular feeling partakes but little of this rancor; and the
missionary may pursue his labours, secure both from violence and insult
<<The topic of greatest interest to the missionary, and the friends of mis-
sions, is the religion of the people. To delineate this would of coarse require
volumes. We shall but attempt to throw together, in what follows, a few of
the most prominent features of the religious feeling generally prevalent
Art. VIIL Journal of Occurrences : seals of office opened ; new
year's festivities; rights of foreigners : decajntation of crimi-
nals; trips to Fuhskdn and other neighboring places; a third
instalment paid to government by the hong merchants ; Peking
Oaxetles ; degradation of Hwang Ngantung ; murder and riot
in Canton.
March 5th, being the 19th day of the Ist month of the 27rh year
of his majesty Taukw4ng, the seals^f the provincial oflicers, closed
since the 20th of the last Chinese month, were opened with the
usual formalities of salutes, congratulations, d&c. K(ying's name
appears in the Canton Court Circular ta governor-general and acting
governor, while that of his last colleague, Hwdng Ngantung, is
/r/
1847. Journal of Occurraues. "^it^
wamiiig. The festivities, usual on the commencement of a new
year in China, have passed without any outbreak of popular fury.
There has been no lack of dissipation among all classes of the people ;
but by the precautions taken on the part of the provincial authorities
and the presence of three foreign vessels of war-^one near the fac-
tories and two at Whampoa, quiet and order have been preserved
uninterrupted.
As things are in Canton, with thousands of the basest sort, poor,
idle, and half famished congregated in and about the city, a very
little matter may easily lead to the most fearful consequences. This
was twice exemplified last year, once in the demolition of the prefect's
office, and again in the attack on the factories in July. Fond as
the' Chinese naturally are of quiet and order, these cannot be enjoyed
here, without great watchfulness on the part of both the native and the
foreign authorities. While we continue to urge the constant exercise
of circumspection and forbearance on the part of the residents, we
feel that the time has come when governmental authority should in- ^
terpose with a strong hand and secure to foreigners their rights^ — %
iaftiy from insult emd injury^ freedom and liberty in eTureise, with ^
healthy and convenient residences^ — rights provided for by all the
late treaties.
Twelve hundred Chinese criminals are said to have been beheaded
in Canton during the last year, and many thousands are now in pri-
son. Since the opening of the seals of the provincial officers on
the 5th the woik of decapitation has been renewed. Causes are in
operation among the Chinese that must year afler year continue -'
to swell the tide of evil and hasten on some — it is hard to say whal-^
dreadful calamity.
The trip to Fuhshdn, on the 12th inst., has excited much talk both
among the foreign and native communities. Other trips have been
made, some in boats and some on foot ; and we trust they will be
continued and extended. It is folly to think of forever limiting fo-
reigners to the Thirteen Factories and the narrow space in front of
thoiji; and . if one steamer is not enough to secure quiet, others
douDU^ss will l)e put in requisition.
A third instalment, of 60,000 taels, was paid into the provincial
treasury by the '* Hong merchants" on the 12th instant. This is
for the expenses of the army on the '* New Frontiers," the extreme
west of the celestial empire.
^ FVom the Peking Gazettes we learn that Pt^dn Sz*shing is to
take a superintendency in Kw^ngsf, and that commissioner Lin,
being in poor health, has asked for leave to vacate his office; the
emperor gives him a recess of three months, " to repose his heart
and to heal his body/' but does not yet allow him to vacate. It is
said that-Kfying has memoriaKked the emperor in favor of Lin.
- Respecting the degradation- of our fate governor, we make (wo
exluacts from the OaSEettev ; the 'two edicts, which we quote, were
isued at Peking about the end of December 1846.^
• ^L-. n . Imptrial Edict JVi^i- 1.-
HwanfT ^ganiung has presented to us a memorial, requesting that a
title of office may be conferred on an aged cadet, who, at the late mill-
152 Journal of Occurrences,
m
tary examinations (in Canton) on three successive trials, carried off the
palm. This presentation of the memorial is exceedingly rash and inconsi-
derate. Our government, in establishinior examinations for the election of
scholars, had originally etjual regard to both the civil and military services.
But at each triennial provmcial examination while titles of office have been
conferred on aged scholars of four different grades, they have been restrict-
ed to literary exercises, which differ from the military where the trial is
made to depend on age and stren^i. Hwang Ngantung, fully aware that
no law has ever existed for granting titles to aged cadets, must need wish to
present his request in the most plsusible terms. Having sole regard to re-
putation and fame, he has allowed himself to be deceived, and has willingly
thrown old regulations into disuse. If all the governors and governors-ge-
neral, vie with each other in these deceptive practices, and are willing strive
to put forth their specious documents, or what advantage will they bo to the
government ? That which is proposed in the memorial, it is impossible to
grant By making such an irregular request, in opposition to the laws,
Hwang Ngantung has greatly disappointed our hopes. Lict him be deliver-
ed over to the B^rd of Civil Office to be tried and punished with severity,
as a warning to those who traffic in favor and hunt for fame. This is from
the emperor.
Imperial Edict. J^o. 2.
Hwang Ngantung, trafficking for favor and seekinj^ for fame, having sent
up to the throne a disgraceful memorial couched m the. most plausible
terms, and in opposition to the laws irregularly requested that a title of office
might be conferred on an aged cadet, our pleasure was sent down on that
occasion, delivering him over to the Board of Office to be tried and punished
with severity. Likewise commands were given to the Board of War to ex-
amine and clearly define the laws (bearing on this case); accordingly that
Board has made a report, stating that the age of military cadets, presented
fbr examination, is limited to sixty years ; and that the said Board, on two
occasions, in the 9th and 18th vears of Kienlung, deliberated and reported on
memorials from Tsiing Pii and Tolun, and recommend that the regulations
should be fixed so ss not to allow cadets above the age of sixty to enter on
the examinations.r
Now the Board of Office has reported that, according to the laws for the
punishment of those who irregularly present memorials, it is required as the
utmost extent of severity that he be degraded three degrees, removed from
office, and retained in the public service ; and that the cadet, Fa SAtnginet!,
being 64* yean of age, ought not to have appeared at the examination.
Hwang Ngantung in this carelessly allowing htm to enter on the examina-
tron has not only acted in opposition to the laws ; but being himself in high
office, by having such sole regard for reputation, by presuming to set aside
the rules and reo^lations of the state, and by begging for an extension of
favor, has acted m a manner the most irregular and erroneous. Let him be
at once deprived of office, and delivered over to Kiying to be employed in
the service of the government And let the literary chancellor and the
governor, who, in opposition to the laws, allowed the said cadet, above the
age* of sixty, to appiaar at the examination, be delivered over to the Board of
Office, and according to their respective offences be tried and punished with
severity. This is from the emperor.
Murder and riot. The Manohu and Chinese of Canton are in
collision. The aflVay commence in child's play. The extent of da«
ipage to life and property 'we have not learnt The loss has not been
great ; and we are glad to learn that all troubles are likely to be setti*
ed speedily. The particulars^ so far as they may be worthy of no«
tjce^ will be given in our next (Canton, March 35Mj i84T.^ .
. *
THE
CHINESE REPOSITORY
Vol. XVI.— April, 1847.— No. 4.
wf r i~^<^rf^~ywM~n^<~<~^^i~i'*i'^'' "rlf^r^y"' ~ ~ " ^ ■ ■ - » >. ^ ^
Art. T. An accurate relation of the first Christian missions in
China f collected from the best authorities eiiant in the writings
of the Oriental and European historians. By Thomas Yeatcs.
London, 1818.
"^iiKTBER the gospel had reached China in the times of the apostles,
^8 an important question. Certain it is, however, that the apostles
bad received a verj high commission, and the fullest powers for ex-
tending the kingdom of their Divine Master, to the utmost bounds
of the habitable earth. They knew the force of those words of
Christ, "Go ye forth into all the world and preach the gospel to
f^very creature," and they, doubtless, fulfilled the sacred charge,
either personally or virtually, in all its extent. The wonderful gift
of tongues, and miraculous powers, wherewith they and their imme-
diate successors were endowed, qualified them for the work beyond
the calculation of all human conception ; we are not, therefore, at
liberty to reason about human possibility, for the gift of tongues is
alone sufficient to silence the whole world itself, as to the supply of
means for the accomplishment of the divine purpose : as far as these
went, they went; and where those were withhold, they went no fur-
ther : the ways of the gospel being first explored, and marked out
by them, were then lefl for their successors in afler ages, to pursue
and follow up in every part of the earth.
Indeed, when we reflect on the vast country of China, and also
how rapidly Christianity made its way eastward in Persia, ludia«
and Tartary, it is scarcely possible tu deny via euViwc.^ \\iv^ vYv^i^s^
VOL, XVI. PiO, IV, 30
154 Christianity in China. April,
vtst dominions. The only rational' impediment is the distance of
place: but are not the eastern parts of India also distant? and we
are certain from history that Christianity had, in the apostolic times,
reached those countries ; so that the distance of China could not be
unsurroountable. . .
The Syrian chronicles relate, that Thomas having gone through
Mesopotamia, Chaldea, Persia, and Parthia, and Tisited the churches
in those countries, went to the utmost confines of the east :" and in
the epitome of the Syrian canons, quoted by Asseroanus, they name
" Thomas the apostle of the Hindoos and Chinese."
The Malabar Christians, says Antonius Goirea, relate, "that St.
Thomas, having arrived at Cranganor, he continued some time with
the king of Malabar ; and when he had founded many churches at
Cranganor, he went to Culan, a city of the same country, and there
brought over many to the faith of Christ Then he went to the country
over against Malabar, which is now called Coromandel, i^nd remain-
ed in Meliapore, where he converted the king, and all the people,
to the Christian faith. From thence he went to China, and preached
the gospel in the city of Cambala, and there he built a churc^h."
Another point to be remarked ie, that the tradition goes so far as
to name a city of China, where the apostle built a church, said to
be* the city of Cambala, supposcKl by some to be-'^a city of 'i^orthern
China. Cam, or Cham, Cambala, and Camboja, aire doubtless of Chi^
nese origin; but since the situation of the' ancient city of Cambala^
seems doubtful and uncertain, we may ais well look for it in the king*
dom of Camboja, with which name it hath sonie affinity. '
As for the conversion of the king of Meliapore, mentioned in An-
tonius Govea's report, that is also littesied by the Syrian writers,
"Thomas baptized the king and his brother, and a great many
nobles." He then made his expedition to China as related ; " From
thence he went to China, and preached the gospel in Caniibala." On
inspection of the maps of those lands east of the Coi^bmand'el coast;
the shore? of Siam were the first land the apostle' fnade, supposing
him to have tnken a course by sea directly east ; from ' Whende he
might easily make excursions into Camboja, and Cochin-China; all
which parts formerly belonged to China, and are by the Syrian wri-
ters called Ma9in, Matsin, or Sonth China.
" When the Orientals," says- De Herbelot, ** speiik of China iii
general, they call it Tchin and Matchih, in 'the same' manner as
they call Great Tartary, Jaghrg and Magiug, or Qog and Magog, as
mentioned in Holy Scripture. Tliere wre\ (says he,) geographers who
1847.- Chrxstianitjf in China, 135
contend that by the name Tchin, a certain northern part of China is
ligniiied, and which moat writers suppose to be the same as K hat ha
or Kathai, but that by Matchin is to be understood South China,
which comprehends Cochin*China, Tonquin, the kingdom of Arian,
together with that of Siam and Pegu." Vide Assemannus, Tom.
Ill* par. ii. page 436.
"There is/' says Mon; Cerri, (in his Account of the State of the
Roman Catholic religion, whroh he drew up for the use of Pope
Iniiocent XL) ^' in the kingdo.n of Camboja, a very ancient temple,
18' famous among the gentiles, as St. Peter's church is at Rome,
among the Christians.* Many Talapoins, who are their priests, live
in the temple ; and all the neighboring- nations resort to it to con-
sult the oracle, and go thither in pilgrimage. The king of Siam
himself, though an enemy, sends every' year an enffbessy to that
place." Such an extraordinary reuAration observed towards this
temple, and the pilgrimages, and oflferings annually made there, de*
note some superior sanctity. It is in the possession of the pagans:
but was it always in thetr possession? That place may formerly
have been Christian ground, and many others, where, now of a long
time, paganism and Mahommetanism have reared their temples, propa.
gated their doctrines, and obscured those places with their primitive
darkness! It should be a matter of strict inquiry, whether any, and
what remains, or vestiges of Christianity are discoverable m China. *
Now the preaching of the apostle Thomas, in the remote country
of 'China, being a* point in ecclesiastical history little known among
our writers, and deserving the most scrupulous inquiry, I shall col-
lect what further notices I can from the purest fountains of inforina*
tion on this subject. (I.) That the apostle Thomas, having preach^
ed the gospel first on the Malabar coast, and afterwards on the coast
of Coromandel, from whence he went to China, hath already been
stated. (2.)< The apostle's return from China to the coast of Coro-
roaiidel, and to the city of Meliapore, where by reason of the innu-
merable conversions to the faith of Christ, he exposed himself to
the hatred and envy of two Bramins, who having raised an uproar
against the apostle, buried him with stones; but -another of the Bra-
mins, when he perceived that he was yet alive, thrust him through
with a lanrcei and he expired. So says the Syrian historian, ''Tho-
mas baptized the king, and his brother, and a great many of the
nobles; and began to preach the gospel with great boldness. Then
hC'Went up into a mountain of India, and there proclaimed the gos^
pel'ofGod: and being thrust through with a. lance by one of the
15(5 Christianity in China, AfAiL,
heathens, his sacred body was conreyed to Calamina, and there
buried. This Calamina is near Meliapore, and is no other than the
sepulchre of the apostle hewn out in a rock in the mount, afterwards
called St. Thomas's mount. (3.) According to the Indian tradition,
the martyrdom of the apostle happened in the sixty-eighth year o£
the Christian sra, and in the reign of their king SaliTahan, or SaU
bahun. (4.) In the year of the Greeks, seven hundred and five,
(i. e. A. D. 380,) in the month Ab, (i. e. August^on the twenty-se-^
cond day thereof, they deposited the coffin of Saint Thomas thci
apostle, (which had at an immense expense been brought from In*;
dia) in the great temple dedicated to him in the time of St. Cyrii
the bishop." The city and cathedral of Edessa was ever after held
in the greatest veneration on account of this sepulchre of St. The*
mas: though the Indians will have it, that only his coffin was taken
from India, but thai his sacred dust remains with them at this day.
Even the day of the removal of the body of St. Thomas is commer
morated with great solemnity at this time in India, when even the
pagans unite with the Christians, in the celebration of their apostle
and martyr.
Rufinus, who went into Syria in the year of Christ 371, and re-
mained there tweuty*five years, makes mention that the remains of
the apostle St. Thomas, were in the city of Edessa in th^ time of the
emperor Valens. '* Edessa, says he, is the city of the faithful people
of Mesopotamia, enriched with the relics of the apostle Thomas."
Lib. ii. And here we remark, that as the removal of the body of
the apostle, from India to Mesopotamia, and from Meliaporei to
Edessa, is sufficient proof that he had been in India, and was martyred
in the vicinity of Melispore; so what is said of his going from Corop
mandel to China, and of his return from thence to Meliapore^ appears
a relation altogether consistent, and to be depended on, that the Chris-
tian religion was preached both in India and China by Thomas " the
apostle of the Indians and Chinese," as he is emphatically styled by
the Syrian writer in the epitome of the canons, quoted by Assenra-
nus. "The fifth episcopal seat is Babylon, in honor of the three
apostles, and great teachers of Christianity, Thomas the apostle of
the Hindoos and Chinese; Bartholomew, who is Nathanael,'of the
Syrians ; and Addeus, who was one of the seventy,- the master of
Affh^us and Mnrus, the apostle of Mesopotamia, anii all Persia."
In the Chaldean ritual there is an office for the celebration of Si.
Thomas the apostle and martyr, and particularly that in use with
the Christians of Malabar, quoted by M. Riccius, and Nicolaus
1847. Christianity in China. 157
Trigautius, wherein are the following reraicles in praise of their,
apoaile : " Bjr the bleaaed St. Thomas, the error of idolatry vanished
from among the Hindoos. Bjr the blessed St. Thomas,*the Chinese
and Chvshiths were converted to the truth. By the blessed St. Tho^
mas, thejr received the sacrament of baptism, and the adoption of
sonsL By the blessed St. Thomas, they believed and confessed the.
Father, the Son,, and the Holy Ghost By the blessed* St. Thomas,
they kept the faith of the oneClod. By the blessed St. Thomas, the
Hlominationa af the life-giving doctrine arose upon all the. Hindoos,
Bf the blessed St Thomas, the kingdom of heaven was extended^
and opened to the Chinese^" And in a certain anihiphocre, they say
after this manner, ''the Hindoos, the Chinese^ the Persians, and
other regions: they of Syria, Armenia, Greece, and • Rome, offer
memorials of celebration to the sacred name of Thomas i" See
Aseom. vol. III. part ii. page 61G. -^ . i
lioaght to be noticed that the Indian bishops and Metcopoliitana
of the Christians of St. Thomas, have ever retained' the name of
China in their titles and subscriptions. When tJie Portuguese first
came to Cochin, Mar Jacob, the bishop of the churches of Malabar^
at that time, subscribed himself Metropolitan of Hindoo end China."
In like manner also did the unfortunate Mar Joseph, his successor,
wba< died at Rome. " M^opolitan of all Hindoo and China,'!- is
the. most ancient title of this churcbr aays Trigauiius* > >
The traditions of the Christians in the east deliver. tha^(he,i^qetl^
Thomas. preached the. gospel also in China: so writera AMtoaiui^
Gorea of the traditions, current amongst the ChristinDs'Af<^A|iali9bar|
-'Thomas the apostle, say they, having converted the king of Melia*-
pore, and. many people to the Christian faith, he went from thence
inta: China, and preached the gospel in the city of Cambala^. aod
there built a church." — " On his return from China by reason of chq
innumerable conversions of people to the fnith of Christ h« .stood,
exposed to the hatred and envy of two Bramins, wha having raised
annpiroar against the apostle, buried him with stones*;- but i another
of those Bramins, when he perceived he was yet alive, thruat hini
throogh with a lanoe^ and he eipired."
" It appears from the ancient tables of the diocese i^fAngamalp/'
says the same Anton ius Govea," that it used (brmerly to send from tha^
coast a superior, and two sufflragans, to that part aver which the name
of the archbishop now -bears rule : one in the island -Socptora,, w4
the other in the country of Masin, for so is that country called in the
ancient titles." , That is to say^ the ancient records of the episcopaj
*
15d Christianity in* China, April,
church of Angamala, on the coRBt of Malabar, shew, that it formerly'
used to send toOoa a superior, under whom were twasuflfrajgrans; one*
rn the great island of Socotora, in the gulf of Baba*lmandel, andonet
in the southern China." . .. / i .
According to this account, the churches of Corbmandel were de-:
pendent on those of Malabar, which had th^ right of noihinating
iufTragans. It is well known that Angamala is a very ancient city;
and famous for being the residence of the bishops of St. Thomas,
in former ages. It was in thisicity, as being the anoient seat; of the:
archbishops of Anganala, that AlexnS'MenezeS' opened his first co»-i
-ference with the Christians of St. Th^imas, * all which,' I observe;
perfectly agrees with the account of the fisst preaching o^the apostle
Thomas in that part of India. i : r • i •;>
The celebrated Du Halde, in his > deacrtption of Chin«, 'hairing
made some valuable remarks on the rise and progren of Christianity
in thaleountryi and which account opens with the second volnme>of
his work ; it may be acceptable here, to insert from that author,* what->
ever may conduce to elucidate a subject hitherto so ob8ettTely:under<J
stood, but of such great religious importance as the 'first planting
and labors of Christianity in that vast empire. . < : * -
"Thdugh the Jesuit missionaries,'' says Du Halde, ** whe firsit^ en-*
t^red China, about the middle of fifteenth century, found no traces of
Christianity there, this is no proof that it never had beett' enlightened
With the*' tr^th of the' Christian religion: for' two* venerable monu-
ments make it plain, that anciently the gospel was' preached -to thiii'
mighty people. The first is a. very ancient Breviary of the church of
Malabar, written in Chaldaic, where, in tf lesson of the second noc-
turn of the office of St. Thomas, are these words, fit. was by
means of St. Thomas, that the errors of the Indian idolatry/ were
dispelled. By means of St. Thomas the Chinese and Ethiopians
■were converted to the faith and embraced the truth.. It wais by means
of St. Thomas that they received the virtue of baptism,: and>the
adoption of children; by him the kingdom of heaven penetrated even
to^ the empire of China." i ..••;..; ..^ .,
<'In an anthem of the same Breviary are read the folldwingwords^
'the Indians, Persians, and China, o£fer to the memory: of St. Tho-
mas the adoration due to his name.' •' < • • i > ^ i ; .,. i .-;:;• .
In the nineteenth chapter of the second part of the synodal .consti-
tutions there is a lesson of the patriarch Theodostus,- conceived in
these terms, " In like manner the bishops of the great. iprovincesi
0uch as are for the must part Metropolitans of China," d&e^i j >. ..^
1847. Christianity in China. 159
*' When the Portuguese came to Kochin, they found there Don
James, who presided over the churches in the mountain of Malabar,
and assumed the title of Metropolitan of the Indies, in which China
was included/'
"The famous Quan-yun Chang who lived in the (beginning of the
second century certainly had a knowledge of Jesus Christ: as the
monuments written by his. band, and afterwards engraven upon
stones plainly prove. This may be gathered from copies found al-
most everywhere, of which nothing can be made unless he speaks of
Christianity ; because he mentions the birth of the Saviour in a
grotto, exposed to all the winds; his death; his resurrection ; his
ascension, and the impression of his holy feet; mysteries^ which
are so manyTiddles to the infidels."..
"If the image of this great- man., was worshiped after his death,
this error of the people proves nothing against Christianity, and is
only a testimony of his virtue. But whence could the Christians
of China, in the beginning of the second century, pome? unless
(roin the instructions, either of St Thomas, whom every body knows
to be the apostle of the Indians, or of his disciple! which last is the
^ore probable opinion. However that be, there is not the least
footsteps to be found of the time when the Christian religion ilou«
rished, or what success these apostolical labors met with: as the
Chinese history seldom speaks of any e.vents, but those that concern
civil government : all that appears by it is, that about that time, an
extraordinary person arrived in China, who taught a doctrine purely
spiritual, and drew the, admiration of the world upon him ; by the fame
of the virtues he possessed ; by the sanctity of the. life he led, and by
the number of the miracles he wrought." Du Halde, .whose words
are here quoted, declares himself very plainly respecting thisriirst mo*
nument of Christianity in China which is comprehended, within the
first two centuries of the Christian sera, according to the Chinese
histories.
" The second monument proves, that a long time after, that is, to-
wards the seventh century, a patriarch of the Indies sent missionaries
to China; that these evangelical teachers preached the truth of the gosf
pel with success; and that their ministry was both respected and
countenanced by authority."
. The. particulars relating to this noble monument are as here under
carefully collected from the works of the learned Kircher and Assem-
annus to which I. subjoin the circumstancea of its discovery from Du
Halde and Le Cumpte.
160 Christianity in China> April,
Syrian Missions in China.
SiicK was the stRte of the Syrian churches in the seventh centurj,
that they were not regardless of missions for the extension of the
Christian religion. Of which a famous example is left on record to
this day in the Chinese empire, engraven on stone; whereof take
Che following brief account.
Ill' the year 1625, there was found in a town near Si-ngan-fu, the
metropolis of the province of Shen-si, a stone having the figure of a
Cross, and inscrptiona in two languages and sorts of writing, which
on examination, were found to be Chinese and Syriac; the latter in
the ancient character, called the Estrangelo. The lines of the in-
scription are thus described. The title consists of three lines, of
three words eachy in Chinese, whereof the signification is given as
follows, "This stone was erected to the honour and eternal memory
of the law of light and truth brought from Ta-cin and promulgated
in China." Reneath this title which is written in form of a square,
and composed in nine words, are twenty-eight lines, each line con-
sistiag of sixty-two words, all in Chinese, so that the number of
words or characters, is about 736.
On one side of this inscription is a colamn of Chinese words, in
number twenty and five. On the other side is a column of Syriac •
which two columns form margins to the inscription above mentioned :
and at Che bottom forming a base to the whole, is likewise writing in
the Syriac language.
Thii body of the inscription is divided into twenty-one sections or
yerses. The first contains a summary of the fundamental articles of
the Christian faith: the rest form a sort of chronicle of the design,
labbufs, progf'ert, and snccess of the mission from its first arrival in
Cftlnia«-'to the erection of the stone, viz. from a. d. 636 to a. d.
780; The* chronicle mentions. (I.) That the mission entered
China, in the reign of the emperor Tai-cum, i. e. a. d. 636. (2.)
In the twelfth year of that emperor, i. e. a. d. 639, an rmperiai
edict passed in favour of the Christian religion. (3.) A grant fur
building a church at the imperial charge, and an appointment of
twenij-ohe attendants to Olopuen, or chief of the mission. (4.) The
suec^of the mission nnder the reign of the emperor Cao-cvm, son
of Tai-cvm, who reigned from a. d. 6&0, to a. ». 684, when Chris-
tianiiy was promulgated in- the ten provinces of China, and churches
built. (5.) Perseeotion against the Christians in China, a. d. 699.
(6.). A second persecution, a. d. 713. (7.) The happy state of the
Christiaus uader the emperor Hiven-cvm, who put an end to the
1647. Chriitianily in China, 161
persecution. (9.) A secood mission arrived in China whose leaders
were Kie-ho, John, and Paal. (9.) Grant of the emperor So-cvm, fur
the building of a number of churches. (10.) State of the Christians
in the reign of the emperor Tai-cvm, who reigned from a. d. 7G3
to A. D. 780. He used to honour the commemoration of Christ's
Nativity with a profound respect; abounded in charity towards all
men, and observed an especial regard for the ministers of the sacred
law, bestowing on (hem many munificent gifts. (IL.) State of Chri:^-
tianity^under the reign of emperor Kien-cvm or Te-cvm, whoreigiicd
from the year a. d. 780 to a. d. 805. He was a great favourer of
Christianity, through the preaching of Jesus. He had the churches
repaired, and new ones built ; was very munificent to the Christian
priests, and eminent in all the acts of charity. (12.) Then followetli
the date and erection of the stone in the Chinese language, as fol-
lows:—
" In the second year of Kien-cvm of ovr imperial family Tarn : on
the seventhday of the month ofavtvmn: on the Lords day : this stone
was erected in the ministration of. Him-civ bishop of the chvfch of
China : Liv-sie-ctven bearing the title of Ciao-v-cum : who in oflice
svlMseeded to Tai-ciev-sie-sv-can-kivn wrote this inscription."
The second year of the emperor above named, corresponds with
the year 780 of the Christian icra.
The Syrian inscriptions on the border of the above table have been
interpreted and arranged in the following classes: —
Class 1. 1. Mar Jofaanan, Bishop. 3. Isaac, Priest a Joel, Priest 4.
Michael, Priest 5. George, Priest d Mahadad, Priest 7. Christian, Priest
8. Ephraim, Priest 9. Abi^ Priest 10. David, Priest 11. Moses, Priest
CI.ASS 11. 1- Acbaicus, Priest aoil Monk. 2. Eliaa, Priest and Monk. 3.
Moses, Priest and Monk. 4. Ebejeau, Priest and Monk. & Simeon, Priest
and Monk. 6 John, Priest and Monk.
CI.ASS IIL 1. Aaron. 3. Peter, a Job. 4. Luke. 5. Matthew. 6. John. 7.
Jesueme. 8. John. 9. Sabarjesus. 10. Jesudadus. 11. Luke. 12. Constantine.
laNoah.
CI.ASS IV. 1. Adadsaphas. 2. John, a Enoe. 4. Mar Sergius. & Isaac.
6L John. 7. Phuses. 8; Simon. 9. Isaac, la John.
CI.ASS V. 1. Jacob, Priest 2. Mar Sergius, Priest and Chorepiscopus
of Sniangathus. a George, Priest and Archdeacon of Cumdaa 4 PauV
Priest 5. Simeon, Priest & Adam; Priest 7. Elias, Priest a Isaac, Priest
9. John, Priest, 10. John, Priest 11. Simeon, Priest
_ Class VL 1. Jacob, Priest 2. Ebedjesu, Priest a Jesudadus, Priest 4.
T^cob. 5. John, d Sergius. 7. Sirneon. 8. Epharim. IK Zecharias. 10. Cyr-
iacus. It Baccus. 12. Emmanuel.
VOL. XVI. NO. IV. HI
162 ChristianUy in China. April,
Class VIL 1. Gabriel. 2. John. 3. Solomon. 4. Isaac. 5. John.
Also, 1. Constantino. 2. Saba, Cushe^. 3. Mar Sergiua, Tabennita. 4.
Isaac, Cushe^. 5. Paul, Priest 6. Simeon, Priest 7. Adam, Priest 8. Zu-
han, Mizreite. 9. Matthew, Cashed. 10. Annania, Gyotus. 11. Gabriel,
Priest 12. Luke, Priest 13L Susen, Bishop. 14. Jacob, Priest 15- Mahadad,
Priest Id Arius, Priest 17. David, Priest. 18. Asba, Cushe^, Priest 19.
Aies, Syriis. 20. Abraham, Priest 21. Simon, Pri(6t 22. Peter, Priest 23.
Luke, Priest 24. Matthew, Priest
Here follows the Syriac Subscript : —
''In the days of the Chief Father Mar Uanan leiT. Catholio Patriarch.
Adam the Priest. Chorepiscopvs and|Papv8 of tlie Kingdom of China.
'* In the year of the Greeks, One Thousand and Ninety and Two, Mar Jazed*
bvsid priest and Chorepiscopvi of Cvmdan a royal city, aon of the Meek
Mailas, Priest of Balach a city of Tvrkeatan aet up this Stone Vable, whereon
is inscribed the Dispensation of our Redeemer and the Preaching of our
Spiritual Fathers to the King of China.
'* Adam Uie Deacon aon of Jazedbvzid ohorepiacopvH.
'* Mar Sergivs Priest and chorepiacnpvs. Sabarjeavs Frieat
*' Gabriel Priest, Archdeacon and Eccleaiarch of Cvmdan and Sarsg."
The year of the Greeks, 1092, corresponds with the year a. o.
781 , and as the names of the several Chinese Emperors in the Inscrip-
tion of this noble monument of antiquity are found to agree with their
9wn histories the precise time of the erection is indisputably deter-
mined.
This mission is supposed to have consisted of seventy persons of
three orders, Olopuen, the name of the chief and superior, appears to
be a compound of two Syriac words, Aloho tindpunoya, signifying the
convtrsion of God, The country from which they came is called in
the said Inscription, Ta-rchin; which the learned Kiroher interprets
Judea, but Assem anus explains it to mean all Syri» and Palestine,
at^cording to the Chinese geographers. The Chinese having notiame
for the true God in their language,, this deficiency, it is observed, is
supplied from the Syrian Aloho, expressed in the Chinese characters,
with several others belonging to l^heology.
In the chronicle^ aforesaid, we Inive a notice of a second mission
which arrived in China soon afler die persecution of 713 had cessed.
The names of the heads of this mission are mentioned, but we have
n » account of their company, nor the number of them, unless they
are enumerated in the seventh dassr This circumstance carries with
it all the marks of a genuine history. The persecutions which had
arisen against the preachers of Christianity in the year 6dd, was fol-
lowed by another more fierce in 7i:), when* a great many Christian
1847. Christiana y in China, 103
churches were destroyed, and doubtless numbers suffered martyrdom :
an account whereof reaching the Christians of the West, they sent
into China a supply of evangelical men under the guidance of Kie-
ho, John and Paul : a grant was at length obtained , and religion
revived under the benign government of the emperor So-cum.
The success of the first mission, as mentioned in^the chronicle,
deserves a remark, consistent with the design cf these sheets, and,
that is, the extension of the Gospel in the reign of the Emperor Cao-
cum, when it was promulgated in all the provinces of China, and
churches built What progress it had made in the course of one
hundred and forty-four years, viz. from a. d. 636, to a. d. 780, can
alone be obtained from these records. It is very possible, that every
part of this account may be authentic, and that yet in a few centuries
afler, Christianity should become unknown in China. New governors,
and new edicts, probably excluded a succession of those evangelical
men for the supply of that empire, and Christianity became at length
proscribed. Here is, however, sufficient evidence to prove that Chris-
tianity was known in China in the seventh century.
Christian tstablishments in India, Tariary, and China,
A. D. 800-1200.
In the Episcopal canons, the canon of Theodotius, bishop of E-
dessa, who lived about a. o. 800, appointed six Metropolitan Elec-
tors for the ordination of a Patriarch chosen from the six principal
and nearest seaU, viz. Elam, Nesib, Perath, Assyria, Beth-germa, and
Halach. This canon did not prohibit other metropolitans the right of
election, and enjoined that the electors should convene with the
Patriarch every four years. *' But the other metropolitans, says the
canon, namely, of China, Hindia, Persia ; of the Merozites, of Sciam,
of the Raziches, the Harivns, and of Samarcand, which are far distant,
and which by reason of infested mountains and turbulent seas, are pre-
vented journeying as they would ; they send letters of salutation to
the Patriarch once every six years, in which letters also they make
known all the public affairs of those regions, which require direction ;i
when all cities, great or small, according to their ability, and the
precept of the canons of the Fathers, send to the Patriarch what is
appointed for the maintainance of the Patriarchate."
The above mentioned six Metropolitan seats I also find in a list of
Metropolitans of the Nestoriansof that period; and it belongs to this
place to insert that list, as in some measure it brings within view the
1G4 Christianity in China, April,
great extent uf Christianity furmerly in Asia : and the same is taken
from the Oriental collections of Assemanus.
Metropolitans formerly subject to the Patriarch of the Nestorians.*
i Metropolitan of Blam, residinfir at Gandisapor, a city of Chusistan.
2. Metropolitan of Nisibin, Nesib or Soba in Mesopotamia.
3. Metropolitan of Pereth-mesin, or Bassora.
4. Metropolitan of Adjaben and MosuL
5. Metropolitan of Beth-germa (Begerraa, or Beth-selucia) and Carach.
({. Metropolitan of Halavan or Halach, a city on the confines of Media.
7. Metropolitan of Persia. , ■ ■
8. Metropolitan of Mara in Chorasan.
9. ' Metropolitan of Hara in Camboja.
10. Metropolitan of Arabia.
11. Metropolitan of China.
12. Metropolitan of India.
l!i Metropolitan of Armenia.
14« < Metropolitan of Syria and Damascus.
J 5. Metropolitan of Cardo, or Adorbegen.
1(1 Metropolitan of Raja and Tarbistan, on the shores of the Caspian Sea.
17. Metropolitan of Dailem.
18. Metropolitan of Samarkand and Mavarelnahar.
19. Metropolitan of Cashgar and Turkestan.
* 20. Metropolitan of Balacn and Tocharestan.
21. Metropolitan of Segestan.
22. Metrepoiitan of Uamadan.
23. Metropolitan of Chantelck.
24. Metropolitan of Tanchet or Tangiith, a country of Great Tartary.
25u Metropolitan of Chasemgar and Nuachet
To the foregoing list of the Oriental MetropoHtans, there is also
another list of Episcopal seats, formerly subject to the See of An-
tioch, shewing that both east and west the ecclesiastical jurisdiction
of the Syrian Church did widely extend about a. d. 1000, which list
was taken by William an Englishman, and first prior of the Canons
regular of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem, after-
wards made Archbishop of Tyre. I shall only insert the names of
the respective seats, with the number of Bishopricks depending on
each, and those who are curious for the particulars, I refer to the au-
thor from whence the said list is taken.
* The Neatorian Christiani of the Syrian name are not to be confoandrd
with the Greek Nestoriana, aa they too generally are ; -for although both have
onn common tenet respecting the one nature of Jeaua Chriat, yet in other
things they materially differ; and even in the article, of the one nature of
Chriat, they have a partial differance ; so that the Neitorian name ia the on.
happy brand applied to a great maas of Christians of those timea. It is true,
indeed, that the Syrian Nestoriana hold with the one nature ; yet it is so qua.
lified, that they consider the nature of the humanity abaorbed in the' glory
of the divinity ; nor do they differ in faith from the Athanasians on this head,
whi*n pro|)erly understood. As for the Greek Nestoriana, see thoir doctrine,
und<*r the name o£ Jfestorian^ in Theolugiral Oictionaries, and other books o£
all Religions.
1647. Chri$tianUy in China. 165
List of Cliurclies, or Archiepiscopal Scats, formerly drpending on the
Patriarch of Antioch : —
1. Tyre, havinjr XIV Bishopricka.
2. Turstia, having V BMhopricka.
3b Edeflaa, having X Biahopricks.
4. Apamia, having VII Biahopricka.
5. Hierapolia, having VIII Bishopricka.
6. Boatra, having XIX Bishopricka.
7. Anerverza, having IX Bianopricka.
8. Seleucia, having aXIV Bianopricka.
9. Daroaacua, having XI Biahopncka.
10. Amida, having Vll Biahopncka.
I J. Sergiopolia, having IV Biahopncka.
12. TheodoeiopoUa, having VII Biahopncka.
19. Emiaaa, having IV Bishopricka. Beaidea which are reckoned VIII
independent Metropolitans, and XIII Archbiahopa.
Marcus Paul us, who lived some years in Tartary, mentions the
Christians in those parts as quoted by Brerewood. " The Nestori-
ans inhabit a great part of the Orient, for besides the countries of
Babylon, and Assyria, and Mesopotamia, and Parthia, and Media,
wherein very many of them are found ; that sect is spread and scatter-
ed far and wide in the East, both northerly to Cathay, and southerly
to India" so that in Marcus Paulus, his history of the East region,
and in others, we find mention of them, and of no sect of Christians but
them in very many parts and provinces of Tartary. As namely in
(1.) Cassar. (2.) Samarchand. (3.) Carcham. (4.) Chinchintalas. (5.)
Tanguth. (6.) Suchir. (7.) Ergimul. (8.) Tenduch. (9.) Caraim.
(10.) Mangi, &c.
Marcus Paulus relates, that, " in Tenduch were many cities and
camp-towns, where formerly the so called Presbyter John had his
residence, but afterwards that province became tributary to the great
Cham, having a king of the family of that name : * and although
there are there some idolaters and Mahommetans, yet the greater
*AboQt A. D. 125n, William de Rubriqne was a^nt by Ludovictis IX. king
of the Galli, to tlie Great Cbam of Tartary ; who relates, that at the time the
Galls took Antioch, a certain one named Con Can held dominion in Kara
Kithay, and adjacent regions to the north, whence the Turks emerged. In
the same Kara Kithay, a certoin Nestorian, named Opilo, was a mighty prince
of the people of dayman, and after the death of Con Can he invaded the king,
dom of Kithay, called JoAn by the Nestorians, of whose greatness manv fabnlnus
things have been narrated, whence all those fables about Presbyter John h&ve
originated amongst the Europeans. He had a brother named C/ii/, who dwelt
beyond the mountains of Kara Kithay, three da^s' journey northward from
his brother: his subjects were callecfCrits or Mirkits, and were Nestorians;
nis city was called Caraca : but he departed from Christ to idols, and succeed;
ed his brother John, who died without issue, and took the name of Chan, dtc.
But the learned Hyde, from the relation of Paul the Venetian, who penetrated
intothoae regions, pla'^nly shews from his book, Lift.'I. cap. li. lii. that he
who is called C/mI, or more properly Unduly was the real John, vulgarly and
improperly called Presbyter and Prester John : but in the Tariai V^iv^'OAL^tb^
Frestar Gkan, Vid. liyde^s A'uU^ itinera Mund'i. C^^. xxn . ^^. \^*i»
166 Christianity in China, Aprti.,
part of tliein hold the Christiiiri Faith, and these Christians have the
chief places in the province/' Lib. I. cap. Ixiv. Agheus brought the
Gospel into these parts, called Go^ and Siofrag^ but by the Tartar
nations Jagog and Magog, also Lug and Mongug, Vid. Kircheri
Prodromus, cap. iv. p. 91.
Comestabularius, an Armenian, who, about the year 1248, wrote
a letter to the king of Cyprus, concerning the Christians of Tanguth,
says, "This is the country out of which came the three kings to
Bethlehem to adore Christ ; and the people of this country are Chris-
tians. I myself have been in their churches and seen paintings of Je-
sus Christ, and of the three kings ; one presenting the gold, a second
the frankincense, and the third the myrrh. Through these three
kings they had the knowledge of the faith of Christ, and through
them the Cham and all his people were made Christians. When
they go to salute the great Cham, they first enter the church, and
salute the Lord Jesus Christ, and then go to salute the Cham. We
found also many Christians dispersed through the east country, and
many goodly churches, lofty and ancient, which had been despoiled
by the Tartars. The Christians of the country, when they come into
the presence of the Cham, who now reigns, he receives them with the
greatest honour, uses them liberally, and suffers none to annoy them.
And though by reason of their sins, Christ hath none to preach his
name in those regions, yet he himself preacheth for himself, and de-
clareth it by his own most holy virtues in such manner that the nations
of those countries believe in Christ."
Marus Sobensis writes, that ''Agheus illuminated with the Faith
Gebal and Huz, and the coasts of Sindia, and the adjacent countries
as far as Gog and Magog." Ebedjesus says, " All Persia, all parts of
Assyria and Armenia, and Media, and the regions about Babylon,
Huz, and Gala, to the confines of India, as far as Gog and Magog,
received the priesthood from Agheus, the silk-weaver, and disciple of
the apostle Addeus."
Magog was one of the sons of Japheth, (Gen, ch. x.) his land and
people were also called Gog, and his seat was in the northern parts
of Asia. Ezek. ch. xxxvii. He is called the chief Prince of Meshech
and Tubal, names implying drawers of the bow, and leading cattle,
\ so justly descriptive of the hordes in Tartary : they are also describecf
as warriors, and famous horsemen. Ibid. ver. 16. The Togarmahs,
or western Tartars, were famous for breeding horses in Czekiel's
time, as they are to this day ; they supplied the markets of Syria and
1847. ChrUtituiiiif in China, 107
Palestine with horses and mules. Bzek. xvvii. 14. There can be no
doabt of the identity of these people, and that by Gog and Magog, we
may understand the whole of the Tartar nations.
As for the decline of Christianity in the whole of Asia, the continu-
ance of heathen and idolatrous practices, and the progress of Moham-
medanism among them, the reason is evident to all who have the least
knowledgeof those countries: even what is said above, of their chur-
ches without priests, is enough to convince any one who credits that
report, that whatever was the state of Christianity formerly in those
parts, the want of Christian priests has been the ruin of religion
there, as in other countries, especinily Persia and India, as hath been
already remarked above. To complete the ruin, revolt and war
desolated those countries, and left them an easy prey to the Moham-
medan conquerors, under Ghengis KhiLn, in the twelfth century^ since
which period Islamism has greatly spread in all Tartary.
The destruction, and almost extcrminntion, of so many Christian
churches in the East, must be looked for in the histories of those na-
tions, and the wars and revolutions which caused such a fatal over-
throw. The spirit of war against the Christian powers of Asia and
Africa, which, within a century after the deatltof Mohammed, began
to shew itself in enterprises on other countries, already strengthened
by the reduction of all Arabia, first discovered itself in the exhorta-
tions of Abubekar and his followers, by a general incitement to a holy
expedition against Syria, to wrest from the Christians that fine and
populous country ; anci such was their success, that in a short time
they carried the religion of Mohammed from' A-rabia to Syria and
Persia^ and by their subsequent conquests all the towns of Syria and
Persia possessed by the Christians, became subject to the Turkish do-
minion. Temur, called Tamerlane, who in 1370 began to spread his
conquests over a great part of Asia, Tartary, Persia, Syria, and Egypt,
gathered immense treasures. He sent ft^m Damascus eight thou-
sand camels, laden with the spoils of that city, at one time ; and is said
to have conquered more kingdoms in the space of thirty-five years, than
the old Romans did in eight hundred years. He carried his victories
to Babylon, Mesopotamia, Syria, Persia, Parthia, Egypt, India, and.
China ; and boasted of having subdtied three paru of the world. He
had his palace at Samarchand, where he celebrated his victories,
blended with the Scythian festivities of Atlila and Ghengis, and those
of the Ottoman court. Ghengis ravaged all the eastern Asia, making
conquests in China, TransoKauia, Syria, Asia Minor, Siberia, Kara,
1G8 Biography and Obituary, April,
dLC. Gliengis Khin and Timour were the scourge of every Christian
and Mohammedan state which invited or resisted their ambition ; the
Christians of those unhappy countries visited by their victorious
sword, were scarcely allowed a choice offered them by the Koran, of
tribute, or of death.
Art. II. Biography and Obituary, with notices of the iate Sirs.
PohtmoH, Mrs, Doty and Mrs. Stronach of Amoy, of Airs, Fair-
brother of ShAnghdi, and Mrs, Hobson of Hongkong.
(In our number fbr January was given a list of the Protestant mtaaionariea to
the Cbineae, but it was confessedly incomplete. We should be glad to ^ee
a fVill list, and think tliat most of our resders would also like to have some
notieesof all those who have been engaged in the honorable service of give-
ing a knowledge of true religion to tiie Chinese. Had we at hand short bio-
graphical notices of those who have died in this service, we should he glad, now^
and then, to diversify and enrich the pages of the Repositorv with such, pa-
pers. Our views, regarding this matter, quite coincide with those of the writer
of the fallowing remarks, which we borrow from the second volume of the
Indt^Chinese Gleaner : see page 94. They were written, we believe, by Dr.
Morrison, and are very characteristic of his style and manner of writing. In
the Gleaner they served as an introduction to an Obituary of the lale Mrs. Dr.
Milne of Malaooa^which we may by and by transfer to our own pages.)
BiofiitAPNY, every one acknowledges to be « highly interesting and
useful species of reading, when it records a life full of iDcidents,
Of virtues of an extraordinary kind, or the great actions of persons
distingaished, either by the obscurity of their birth, or by the elevs*
tion of their rank* We also gladly admit the truth of this remark ;
but we hesitate to subscribe in full to the inference which is often
drawn from it, vii. that biography is insipid and oaeleas, when it nar-
rates the principles^ conduct, and death of those who moved only in
% oommon sphere, whose talents never rose above mediocrity, and
whose Wh was marked by no unusual vicissitudes. No; we believe
that the real beneAt to mankind, firom the relation of that which is
extraordinary in the livee i^" great and even good men, n exceedingly:
smalU The (kithAii am) mi¥lest exhibition of the Christian character
embodied, and of the virtues reqnisile in our every day*s duties and
triale^ tnd of th^¥« tem|H»r« which eonslitute the ebarm of the
•\ii\)«titl »ltl« or the aolaee %^ human lill^,-*tt of vastly more beMlit
l\ir the iH«ir^KMi\Mi \^' readers in ir^neraK than the memoirs of an
AWxaud%>r, a C)«\^Miir«^ a Ta^calv or a Brainavd. And the re»Q« is
1847. Biography and Obituary: 1G9
obvious — things in themselves extraordinary^-or common things car-
ried to an extraordinary degree^^-equally cease to be fit models ftit
general imitation. They are considered impossible to the greater
part, and perhaps unnecessary to all ; hence, except in a very few
minds, formed by nature for unusual exploits, they merely excite a
temporary astonishment, but produce no practical impression. Th:it
which is common, being within every one's reach, and suitable to the
condition of most persons, cannot be so easily evaded— convictions
are more easily fixed on the mind — and, by the biography of a con-
sistent, though ordinary Christian, the forgetful children of men are
put in mind of duties which conscience feels binding ; of afflictions
which are their common inheritance ; and of death to whose gates
every passing hour brings them nearer. Let not the reader conclude
from this, that we consider extraordinary characters as unfit subjects
for biography — no : but that there is often much in the lives of ordin-
ary persons, worthy of being held up to the imitation of others who
are similarly situated.
Were it the sole object of biography to preserve from oblivion the
genealogy of families, the distinctions of rank, the names and abode
of individuals, the eulogies of endeared relatives, the tears of mour-
ners, t)ie apostrophes- of eloquence, the epitaphs of tombstones, or the
desolate state of survivors, — were these the sole objects of biography,
we should never dip a pen in ink to compile them. . For, while we
believe that a little of these gives anJnterest even to C^hristian bio>
graphy, and helps to fix it more easily on the memory, we are also as-
sured that it has a nobler aim — to make men wise^ and good, and
happy. The moment the biographer loses sight of these ends, and
suffers his pen to run wild in the unqualified praises of the dead, he
perverts his talents, and defeats his proper object Forgetting, as
much as the nature of this class of writing will allow, the person of
the individual, he should fix on those parts of the life and character
which are most pregnant with instruction and which furnish, by
natural and unforced inference, the most useful lessons to thelivinnr.
Among the readers of every periodical publication, there are va-
rions classes — some who l.)ve religious biography; some who sneer at
it ; and others who care nothing about the matter. Though very
imperfect, it will generally be acceptable and edifying to the fir»t
class; to the second, however well written it may chance to be, it will
furnish matter for jocular remark and laughter; by the third, it will
perhaps be read, and perhaps not. The aversion of some to religious
biography, particularly to obituaries, arises, it » lo b^ f^^\^^^^\Q\Ti ^
VOL, XVI. so. IV. an
170 Biograyhy and Ohituary. April,
iecret aversion to religion itself. Christian obituaries present to their
view subjects for which they have no relish ; and excite apprehensions
about a future world, which they know not how to calm : Christian
obituaries lead them into the chambers of the sick, and call them to
listen to the dying counsels of those who are taking their leave of ter-
restrial things; of those to whom the once glowing charms of youth,
beauty, riches and honor, — are for ever become insipid ; of those to
whose view a life prolonged (were it possible) through as many ages
as the world has existed, and its every year, month, day and hour
well spent, — would seem scarcely enough to furnish an adequate
preparation for that interminable portion of human existence which
lies beyond the grave! To the irreligious mind, scenes and subjects
of so serious a stamp, cannot be welcome. Gan those whose con-
stant aim seems to be, to put death and the grave, and the resurrection,
and the judgment, and eternity, as fiir from their thoughts as possible,
feel pleasure in being brought into so close a contact with those
dreaded though unavoidable scenes?
It has been frequently remarked, that Christian truth is never more
lovely and instructive in the estimation of the wise and good, than
when it appears embodied. Jiving, and acting in the conduct of its
friends : perhaps the very reverse of this is the case with those of whom
we now speak. While religion rests quietly in the Bible, and the
Prayer Book, or confines herself within the walls of the church, mak-
ing only her weekly demands for an hour to prayers on the Sabbath,
"^her claims are bearable with a large proportion of her nominal
adherents; (though even these moderate claims are quite intolerable
to not a few;) but when she takes up her abode in the heart, influen-
ces the actions, moulds the character, regulates the family, and at
last pours her celestial balm into the heart of some dying person,
known to them^ — then her requirements are considered exorbitant —
her pretensions, hypocrisy — her friends, self-righteous pharisees — her
consolations, enthusiasm— -and the writers of Christian biography, are
stigmatized as a mean or a deluded set of men, determined at all
events to canonize a father, a mother, a wife, or friend ; — and who
will not scruple to give an honorable place in saintly calendar, even to
coblers, black-smithSf and maid-servants ! Such are the views of
some on this subject. Perhaps, however, could we follow them to
their solitude, afler they have been entertaining their gay and thought-
leM associates with such remarks, and did we understand the lan-
guage of sii^hii, we should not nufrpqtiently henr secret approbaticm
uftlic i/idividuals with whose hi:5tory they have been arousing the
1847. Biography and Obituary, HI
company, and many a silent wijIi to die as I hey died. Happy for
them, would they but listen to the noiseless lectures of wisdom, which
she delivers in retirement !
Well written biography proves commonly more instructive to sur-
vivors and the friends of the deceased, than the same length of a
sermon or essay. The reason, we apprehend, is not because it really
contains more instructive matter than is generally combined in an
equal number of the pages of a sermon or essay; but because by
sketching the early character, the domestic circumstances, the public
life, and the last moments of some endeared friend, it raises most
vivid and powerful associations in the mind, by that innate power
which the human soul possesses of identifying herself, (if we may so
speak) with the things and occurrences related : thus we see when,
where, how, and by whom those virtues held up for imitation, were
displayed; and being interwoven in the actual history of a friend,
they take a much more powerful hold on our remembrance than
if delivered abstractly, though set forth in the most glowing language.
Moreover, having been practiced by persons in circumstances nearly
aimilar to our own, they appear practicable to us also ; and we feel
condemned if we do not make the attempt. We feel that we are also
subject to affliction and death. We are, if not furnished with new
subjects of knowledge, put in mind of important things which the
harry of the world had jostled out of thought. We trace the steps
of the consistent Christian in the time of his repentance, and learn
how the penitent feels. We enter his domestic circle, and learn how
to bring up our children. We follow him to his employment, and
learn to manage our affairs with discretion. We see his errors,
imperfections, and foibles; and learti to take hcjd to ourselves. We
attend him in his afflictions, and learn pntienoe. We follow him
through life; and we feel ash-imed. We behold him die; and we
are filled with salutary fear, or ch<>erinrr hope. These are some of
the advantages that result to the pious readerM of biography and
obituary in general ; and to pers >ns of nearly the sime age, and plac-
ed in the same domestic relations, the instructions imparted have a
peculiar suitableness. They come home with more force to the heart.
In how many instances has the religious history of a young person,
been the means of rousing the attention of juvenile readers, to the
importance of eternal things! How frequently have mothers been
excited to a due care to their household, and a proper concern for
their children's best interests, by perusing the history of some pioug
mother, who is now gone the way of all the earltvX TVkft ^^ >^
It2 Biography and Obituary, April,
counsels of Christians, tend not only to edify their own families, but
others also. Our dormant souls need sometimes to be quickened,
and our general belief, that life is short, requires to be made operative.
The views we obtain through the medium of persons in the dosing
scene of life, powerfully tend to direct our thoughts to that period,
when our own lives also shall close, and to stir us up to make timely
preparation. •
The longest life, is but a short preface to eternity : The belief of
this, inviests every hour of the former with an indescribable impor-
tance ; while it presses the unchanging realities of the latter upon our
roost serious consideration. Death opens the passage of human be-
ings from time to eternity. To see, in as far as surviving mortals
can, how their fellow-creatures conduct themselves on this passage
— what their fears — what their hopes — what their joys — what their
regrets — what their ideas of both worlds are* will generally furnish
important lessons to those who must shortly pass the same way. This
gives a peculiar importance to obituary. We would not lay undue
stress on the dying words and penitent confessions of those who have
unhappily spent their days in immorality and vice; nor do we think
they ought ever to be recorded merely for the sake of preserving
them from oblivion. But when we think of the good which they are
sometimes calculated to do to the living, (putting the state of the
dead out of the question,) especially to relatives and acquaintances,
we cannot but consider the practice of occasionally inserting obitua-
ries in periodical works, as upon the whole a very useful one. This
explicit statement of our opinion will, we trust,, be considered a suf-
ficient apology to our readers, for our imitating a practice of which
we think there are so just reasons to approve.
When the editors of a periodical work are called to this melan-
choly labor, by the death of persons within their own immediate circle,
it will' be difficult for them to escape the charge of partiality from
the fastidious. It will perhaps be said : " they will doubtless try to
secure an honorable niche for their relatives, and the members of
their own society, and their fellow-laborers, dtc." To which surmise
it may be replied : that, in the cases supposed, it is perhaps nearly as
difficult for the writers to be perfectly impartial, as it is for the reader,
not to suspect them of partiality, if it is known that they were related
to or connected with the deceased. To remove everf objection
would be endless. To lay but little stress on the notoriety which the
press gives to the names of individuals ; to be sparing in those fuN
some eu)ogitB which often render biography and obituary so disgust-
1847. Biography and Obituary. 183
ing; and to exhibit, &8 above noticed, such parts of the life nnd cha-
racter as are fullest of instruction, and best adapted for edification,
— these are the best means of rendering the charge of partiality,
groundless, and we may add also, of rendering biography and obi-
tuary worth the reading.
The death of an individual, compared with some grand event af-
fecting at once the whole social system, seems no great matter — little
more than as the dropping of an autumnal leaf from the trees of the
forest, on the boughs of which myriads more hang, ready to fall in
quick succession, by the next wind that sweeps across the desert.
Yet to the individual himself, death is big with consequences. It
closes the ' drama of life ;' it opens his eyes on a world of realities ;
it removes him from all that is visible, sensible, and tangible; it
fixes him in a state of spiritual existence, where objects are perhaps
no longer measured by their length, breadth, or height, or time cal-
culated by days, years and ages; it finishes the term of his probation,
and settles him either in heaven or in hell !
Death, thus awfully important to the person who falls by its resist-
less shafts, has also a certain aspect towards surviving friends — its
electric blow is felt through all the domestic and social circle.
When death cuts down one who stands alone, without those relative
ties from which most of the endearments, and many of the sorrows
of life, spring — the event may be said to affect an individdual only.
There are no surviving parents to suffer by the loss-^no brother
or sister to weep in sorrow over the grave — no children to feel the
want of parental guardianship— no near relatives left without any
source of dependence. In this case the work of dying is, humanly
speaking, much lighter.
How widely different is the case, when death steps into the family
circle, and carries off one of its more important branches^-or one
who, by a distinguished course of beneficent actions, had become a
father or mother to the indigant ! How many hearts are pierced with
grief! How many are, by the fall of such a person, shaken over the
grave, if not cast into it !
Females are the life of society : a prudent and virtuous woman,
who is also a wife and a mother, gives a zest to every domestic enjoy-
ment, and imparts a charm to life itself. She increases the virtue,
the comfort, and the respectability of the family. She is tenderly
loved at home — greatly respected abroad. The general tenor of her
conduct, fixes her more deeply in the affections of her nearest friends
— renders her life almost necessary to the existence of the Coinvvl^ —
-^
174 Biography and Obituary, April,
and her early removal from the world, a siihjcct of most earnest
deprecation. Suppose such a one cut off in the midst of her days.
She has hut just seen enough of her chilren to feel the cords of ma-
ternal affection firmly twine around the heart. Ten thousand anxie-
ties about her sons and daughters — ni)out their education — virtues-
comfort — and eternal felicity,— have often swelled her maternal breast,
pressed the flowing tears from her eyes and drawn the agonizing
supplication from her heart. She must die; and the affecting scene
approaches. Looking round on her dear little ones, her pale and
languid eye speaks volumes. (Reader, can you form an idea of the
state of his mind, who must now take his leave of such a companion !)
They come, or are carried to her bed-eide, there to receive her dy-
ing blessing. Inconscious, however, through extreme infancy, of the
nature of the event which is about to deprive them of a mother's care,
they not only cannot mingle their tears with those of their father ;
but even play about the expiring parent's bed ; and when her breath is
departed, carry the news from room to room with an air of childish
amusement; yea, and shortly afler talk of Mamma's clothes, &rC.,
as destined for their ornament in riper years ! A character more
amiable, a death more affecting, can hardly be conceived : Such
was the character — such the dying circumstances of the individual
whose memoir is here subjoined. . . u
Thus worte Dr. Morrison in 1819; the memoir of Mrs. Milne we
must defer for the present, but hope to give it in a future number,
while we subjoin in its place some brief notices of others, who have
more recently deceased.
No. 1.
The following letter dated Arooy September 30th, 1845, was addressed to
the Rev. Dr. DeWitt, New York, u. s. a.
** Rto, and Dear Sir, — Death has visited as, and the remains of one of our
little number was la^t evening committed to the silent tomb. Dear sister
Pohlman is no longer a pilgrim with us, but an inhabitant of heaven ; no
longer a mourner in this vale of sorrow and tears, but a glorified spirit before
the throne of God, and rejoicing in being with and like Jesus. This, to yon,
we know will come most unexpected and sad tidings. We too have been taken
by surprise. Death has come upon us as a thief in the night, and borne off
his victim. Mrs. Pohlman was confined on Sabbath morning, the 2Jst ult,
of a daughter. . At the time, all things were favorable. Her labor was of
. short duration, and in no respect was there any thing unusuaL But on the
22d, she was very nervous, had obtained no sleep, and during the day had
fainting fits, Afler this she continued to sink away, and though there were
1647. Biography nnd Obituary, 175
no alannini; symptoim, and the physicians, (Dr. Cummin^ of Uie Mission,
and Or. Winchester of the British Consulate,) did not seem to have apprehend-
ed any decided danger, yet under all their prescriptions and medical applica-
tions, she did not rally. There had been febrile action, but on the morning of
the 29th, the physicians thought all symptoms favorable. In tlie aflcmoon, at
five o'clock, a change came over the sufferer, and it was soon evident that
death was near. She lingered until the morning of yesterday, Sept 30tli,
three o'clodk ▲• m., when she breathed her soul away, we have every com-
forting reason to believe, into the bosom of Jesus. Her grave, and tliat of
her little son, buried only about two months since, now form one — and the
mother and child sleep side by side, waiting a glorious resurrection. Our
afllicted, brother is comforted in feeling that it is the Lord, and that Ho can
and does sustain.
** It Is with us, dear brother, a truly dirk and sorrowful time. What the
Lord intends to do with us, we know not, but we do know — and thanks for
his rich grace — ^I never have enjoyed a deeper, heartfelt conviction, a soul-
calming realization, that what He docs, and all he can do, is and will be
nothing but rig! it — tor the bf^st.
** My own wife is lying aiaiost as helpless as an infant, on a bed of sickness,
and I fear, it must prove of death. She has been ill of diarrhoa and constant
indigestion for two and a half months. The opinion of the physicians now
is, that there can be no recovery here, and we have decided, with all possible
speed, to be away from this, and, according to the doctors and all our bre-
thren's advice, on onr way to America. But I now very much apprehend
that my own dear wife will soon be with our departed sister. We have no
prospect of getting from this, much, if any, short of a month. The Lord
reigns — ^yes, Jesus reigns— and shall we not rejoice? We feel that all is
darkness and desolation aronnd us, but <*unto the upright ariseth light
in darkness,** and Jesus feels a deeper — ^yes, an infinitely deeper interest, in
his canse and glory, and for the salvation of the heathen, than we can. Shall
we not commit all to Him, and lie sweetly passive in His hand ? Not our,
but His will be done, is I do feel, the prevailing, almost only desire, of my
heart. Your brother in gospel bonds. EL Dott.
No. Sl
This, dated Oct 8th 1845, was addressed to the same Gentleman.
** Reo, and Dear Brother, — It is only a few days since my associate in
labor and in suffering, had a sad duty to peHbfm for me, which I have now
to perform for him. Truly the hand of tlie Lord is heavily upon us. A
new thing has happened to us, though it is no ndw thing in the earth. We
know that the same God reigni, and the same event happans to all. Our
dear sister Doty lingered with us until Sabbath morning, the 5th inst, when
her happy spirit was released from its clayey tabernacle, to join the blood-
washed throng in heaven. I need not say tliat we are in deep affliction.
Once, again, and still again, within a short time, has God spoken to us. The
first victim- was a fond son of tWo years, who came forth like a fiower, and
176 Biography and Obituary, April,
was oul do«rn as with a stroke ; then followed the beloved mother and wife,
in the bloom of health, and the vigor of life— fleeing away like a shadow ;
and now we have to record the departure of the friend and sister of the latter,
who was associated with her for years, in labors of love — in life and in death
not far separated. . Last Sabbath they together entered upon their first Sab-
bath in heaven— that eternal Sabbathism of rest which remains for the people
of God; where they ** shall hunger no more; neither thirst any more; neither
shall the sun light on them, nor any heat : for the Lamb, which is in the
midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains
of waters ; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."
** Mrs. Doty> was the daughter of Mr. Hezekiah Ackley, of the county of
Litchfield, Conn. She was early impressed with divine things, and at the
age of thirteen, made a public profesiion of faith in Christ In June, 1836,
she had the desire of her heart, in being permitted to leave home, and kin-
dred and friends, for Christ's sake and the gospel's. She was one of the first
band of missionaries, who went out from the Reformed Dutch Church, to
establish a mission in Netherland's India. When the five porta were opened
in China, she removed to Arooy. In about fifteen months after arrival at this
new field, where the prospecta are bright, and brightening, she has fallen at
her post Her health was never very vigorous, and her decline was graduaL
About midsummer she began to fail, and had a deep impression on her mind
that as God had suddenly, last summer, taken to himself a beloved son, so he
would come for her this season. In all her sickness she cheerfully submit-
ted to the will of God concerning her. All was done for her recovery that
could be done. Besides our friend Doctor Cuinming, Doctor Winchester,
of the Brirish Consulate at this port, was called in. The result of the con-
sultation was, that the only hope of her restoration, was an immediate return
to her native land. This step was determined on, but before it could be
carried into effect, she was removed to another, and a better land, were the
inhabitant shall not say, ** I am sick." Mrs. Doty, was in her 39th year, and
has left two young daughters.
' *«That God, whom she had chosen in early life, did not forsake her in the
Irying hour of her dissolution. In view of death, she was calm and compos-
ed. She had a well grounded hope of a glorious inmiortality, and was ena-
bled to give her dying testimony to the faithfulness of Jesus. No doubti har-
rassed her mind. Her experience was not cxtaiic, yet had she clear, decided,
happy views, of the land that is afar o£^ and could say with all the heart,
^ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear
no evil ; for Thou art with me ; Thy rod and Thy staff shall comfort me."
^ Her funeral took place on Monday, the 6th, with appropriate exercises
at the house and the grave by Mr. Lloyd, and mysel£ She was buried in
the Missionary's burying ground, Eolongsu, near Mrs. Boone, and that sister
who, five days previous, preceded her to glory — and by the side of her only
son, Ferris— there to await the resurrection mom, when all, we confidently
expect, shall arise to everlasting life and glory.
1B47. Biography and Obituary, 177
" Thejr sleep in Jetus, and are bleit,
How ■weet their alumben are :
From ■ttffering and from ein released,
And freed from every care."
" And now what, shall we say? We feel that these are the ehasteninga of
a kind Father. They are for our good. They are designed to draw us to
himself— to drive us away fW>m our poor, half-hearted serrices, to pnre, holy
andaceepuble offerings in righteonsness. Oh, these dark and deep waters,
they most be waded throngh, in order that we may be cleansed, purified, and
made meet for the Master's serriee. We do not murmur. No ; by God's
graee, we can bow in sweet submission. We kiss the rod, and Him who has
i^ipointed it. * Be still, and know that 1 am God ; 1 will be exalted among
the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us ; the
God of Jacob it our refuge.'
*< Brother Doty is now considering the question of an immediate return
to America, with our poor motherless children. These loved ones are now at
such an age as to require the most constant and assiduous attention. If they
remain here, they will be neglected, their education will be but partially attend-
ed to, and they will prove a hindrance to us in the great work we have to do
among the heathen. It seems the part of wisdom to send them at once, where
they can be watched over, and trained up for society and usefulness.
•« The field here seems to be rapidly whitening unto the harvest How
painfulf just at this time, to have our number lessened ! To the eye of sense,
all is dark; but to the eye of faith, all is bright and cheering. God can easily
raise up his own instruments. What though two of us are sitting in the weeds
of widowhood ; what though five children are thrown upon the world without
a mother's care ? God is on the throne. He can cause more souls to be saved
by the death of our dear partners, than by their lives. He will take care of
the orphan and the stnnger. •* Blessed be his holy name forever; and let the
whote earth be filled with his glory." We ask a renewed interest in your
prayers to God fi>r us, and as many laborers as you can send.
' **Tdttra, in sbrrdw, as in joy,' W. J. Pobliun."
The followiDg brief notice of Mrs. John Stroaach is from the pen
of the Rev Dr. Legge, who was a follow passenger with her from
Hongkong^ and mast have been waitten about two years ago.
■•!•'■•-• ••'-•• 'No. 3. .....:.
** Yon are a'ware that she embarited with her four children in company
with tw on b<Mffd' the Duke of Portland, on the 19th November, 1845,
hoping that a visit to her native land would restore her to the eiyoyment of
health, and enable her soon to rejoine her hnsband in his important sphere
Qft.Uhottr.4 It seemed. goody fhowever, to the Supreme Disposer of all
events that her hopes should niot be realised. The long sickness and many
privations, which she had endured in the missibnary fiel^ had exhausted the
energies of her constitution. She' was not privileged to behold again the
shores, which, nearly ten years before, she had left on her mission of love to
the heathen. Oh the 7th of March, more than a^montli befo^ the conclusion
VOL. XYll Nd. IV. 38v
/
178 Biogtayky and Obiinarf, Afril,
of the Toya^, her life on earth termiDated, and ahd entered into the joy of
her Lord. There waa much in her cireumatancea to depreaa her mind.
Separated from her devoted husband, auflfbiingfrom diaeiie in varioua format
called to resign the guardianahip of her dear children,— she felt that all
these thinga were against her, but underneath her were the everlasting anna
and ahe possessed her soul in peaces"
Mrs. Fairbrother had been in China only a few months, and had
-%. salTered much on her outward voyage. The following paragrapha
are from a letter addrieased to the Directora of the London Mission-
ary Society, written by Mr. Fairbrotherl
. No. 4. , :;• • ■",•'• •.. •; •
^T have to communicate the melancholy intelligence of the decease oJrm.y
dear wife. When we arrived here, she waa weak from the excitement produc-
ed by the cooslandy varying and try mg circumstmcea in which w;e had been,
placed ; but I indulged the hope that a temperate and perfect rest would re-,
store her to health. About a fortnight after we landed she had an attack of
diarrfa(ea; but then I had no serious apprehensionB of any. danger. She was.
much better, though ahe had not recovered her usual strength^ when the:
disease returned with Increased violence: It continued several daya^ andr
she expired on the' evening of September 18th 1645.
^ For several years she had indulge the hope of barrying the Gospel- to thes
Heathen, and lived to reach her deatiiiation, but died before entering* upon her
work.
** Her piety was unobtrusive and aincere; the best evidence of U is in the'
sacrifice, ahe made, and the holiness and consistency of her life, Though
we could not hold intercourse with her during the hours which preceded her
death, yet we doubt not her end waa peace: her countenance indicated a
composed and happy state of mind. .i • : .
''I abstain from. saying anything about my ow!n feelings. You will feel
certain that I am: almost overwhelmed with sorrow, yet a divine power sus-
tains, me to a degree which t could not have anticipated. . The thougfhC of
her happiness, and knowing^ that it was die will of Ghod, forbid* me toihurmur,.
and the hope of ro-union iii bkppiercireumstances 'supports taiy mind -in my
desolate condition. It remains my duty to ** follow them who through faith
and paliddce inherit the promises f doing the will of God, and waiting„'with
cheerfurness atid resignation to the divine will, the time of my great change^
wheh, likis thd deHr now sainted partner of n^y every enjoymeni «nd everyi
sorrow, I shall find that ^to die is gain.?^ ,.(.•<
The following paragraph irfVom a -note to the eaAie Directors,
^' written by Dr. Hobson, Dec. 24th, 18^. Dr. and Mi^i H<:>bbod
left the Chinese waters on the aSd of Juljr. '' '^ '''• " • '
'Na'& "■ ■•''■■■■'- --* ••-' •" ■■■- "-y
It is my painful duty to announce to you the death of my^ disitr wife; bii
the morning of the ^d inst, at 4'oH;lockf when anchored^ aifl^r heavy weather^
1847; The Opium Trade. 179
ofT Cuageneai, a little louth of Dover. The object of the vojrage has entirely
failed, and our most laoguine expectations have been disappointed. Fever,
chiefly in an intermittent form, continued unabated and unsubdued till within
a few days of our reaching ^gland ; it was then succeeded, as I always fear-
ed it would be, by diarrhoBa, which, with the previous debility and emaciation,
soon terminated her existence on earth. It seems mysterious that, when on
the point of accomplishiiig pur voyage, having sailed upon the mighty deep
ibr nearly five months^ a distance of ] 7,000 miles, ovr native shores just in
sight, her spirit should be then summoned to its heavenly rest But it was
.the Lord's will, and what He doeth must be right Her end was peaceful
and calm, She died in faith, resting on the promises, and was content to die-
1 am thankful in being able to commit her mortal remains to the earth, and
surrounded by my fnends to bury my dead, with the sure and certain hope
of its resurrection in place that she desired."
Art. III. Tlu Ojnum Trade: increased produetian of opium;
iroHsii duty on Mahoa ; remai^M on ike eharacier of ike traffic,
by a Resident.
On what we suppose is good authority, it is said that the production of Mai wa
opium this year will amount to 30,000 chests ; ^nd the transit duty, from and
after the 1st of July next, will be on it 400 Rupees per chest-^giving the
government an annual revenue of 1^200,000 .rupees. The product on the
other side of India will hardly be less in quanity or yield less in revenue.
Nearly all this— ^fty-five or sixty thousand chests, will find its way to the
markets of China, where it is sold and bought nominaUy as a contraband ar-
-ticls, and usually commanding ready money — say 60,000 chests at $600 per
chest (more or less)— $36,000,000.
We have been asked to give our opinion on the propriety, or otherwise, of
itd being legalized. Considering the question in all its bearings — apolitical,
commercial, and moral — it is not easy to give an opinion. Excepting as a
medicine, we consider the use of opium as highly injurious, and always to
be deprecated. As its trafiSc is contraband, forbidden by the laws and sta-
tutes of the empire, it too is to be deprecated. But is the article^ dt fitcto^
contraband in China ? Since Lin's discomfiture the law has been a dead
letter. Without legal forms, the article is dutiable — and the duties are levied
in a manner the worst possible and in the highest degree injuroiis. Let the
aiUiMrtum of the drug, the trtfie in it, and the um thereof— so far as they
minister to evil — be abandoned. Though we cannot, (at least for the pre-
sent,) give our opinion in favor of legalization, still we are not prep-ired to
say that, if the trafiic were legalized, its evils, and the evils flowing from
the use of the drug, would be augmented.
180 The Opium Trade. April,
One thing is clear to ue^^e whole fubject is worthy of the most careful
disenssion in all its bearings ; and we invite our readers to take it np^ and
put the whole question in its true light The conditions of the premium, for
which ** A Resident " inquires, will be found on page 573. vol vol V. The
following are his remarks addrsssed to the Editor m the Repository.
Dear Sir,— Seeing some remarks in your late periodical on the
opium trade, in which almost the whole mercantile community here is
concerned, I as one of its members do not consider a few observations
on the character of our pursuits out of season at present, being not
indifferent about the iniquities of this nefarious traffic so justly con-
demned ; and I think it culpable to preserve silenoe, considering my
duties towards my Ood, my fellowmen and myself.
Commerce is acknowledged by many to be an enlightened and
honorable pursuit, and the precursor of light and civilization to the
distant parts of the globe. An honest merchant possesses the means
of doing good to mankind far superior to those of the men of any
other profession. Placed by Divine Providence between the cul-
tivators and manufacturers in one country, and the consumers in the
other, employing many thousands of beings in the transport of his
merchandise, what a wide field lies before him for benevolence and
charity. Being accountable to the one only omniscient and all
powerful Master, how does he stand envied by the political, literary,
and other classes, whose masters are so zealous as to require the whole
man for a very sparing remuneration, making them dependent upon
and subservient to mortals like themselves for reward and success
in life. Independence ! the greatest of blessings, is enjoyed by no
class of people so purely as by merchants whether rich or poor. Oov-
ernraenta are employed by them to look afler their property and per-
sons by land and sea, for which they are liberally paid and supported.
Scientific societies are formed to explore nnfrequented countries and
to navigate the remotest corners of the sea, to open the bowels of
the earth, and to seek the bottom of the deep, clearing ways and pre-
paring new resources for mercantile enterprize. What class of peo-
ple is so well paid for an easy service as that of merchants whose mere
command is sufficient to ensure success in trade, " where money
breeds money." This is perhaps the season of spring and summer
of the outward voyage; and had not our mercantile weather been so
precarious as to have an untimely autumn and a severe winter in the
duties of the homeward voyage, we should have had members who
by their example could have shed lustre on our profession. Every
1847. . The Opium Trade, 1 W
coantry is delighted to draw merchaDts to its shore, as the messengers
of peace and comfort; and why China groans and sorrows for its
commercial intercourse with foreigners, is a probleih painful to be
solved. In vain we go. to the beautiful Flower Gardens to bring
comfort to the soul disturbed by this heart-aching question, but the
opening of the numerous blossoms of spring and the amiable faces
of youthful children dressed in costly silks of variegated hues can
impart to us no joy. " O conscience/ 'thou mighty tribunal iik
our intellectual circle, thou first tribunal in the moral Empire of the
world, thou art at once the effect and the certain proof of the ex-
istence of a God.'- We are not all opium merchants, but alas—'
** all are men,
Condemned alike to groan,
The tender for anothera pain.
The unfeeling for hit own.
Previous to our leaving home we had no idea of eur predecessors
being so cruel as to have thus bestrewed our path with thorns so as to
prevent our reaping any harvest in this distant country to which we
so eagerly traveled for honorable commerce. " But honesty the best
policy" seems the golden rule in all parts of the world,' with the ex
ception perhaps of Old China, on which we have brought sorrow in
its*dotage. England, proud of her valor, supports the folly of her
bhfldren in corrupting the morals of the sonaof Han, Assisting theni
to break the laws of their government, quickly forgetting the fate of
her enemies, who excited her own children against th^m6ther coun-
try. It is true 'that God may not always give victory to the strong
and the race to the swifl. Mighty kingdoms, exercising their domi^
nions far and wide are now no more, because they abused the power
vested in them by the Almighty.
'' Where there is a will there is always a way to do, and if our fa-
thers have allowed the opium question to pass unnoticed, it is absurd
that it should remain so in such an enlightened age as this ; and I
hope your correspondents have not appealed in vain to the befi^volerit
public, and particularly to that respectable body the Chamber of Com-
merce, to get redress for this horrid wrong; for if to do were as easy
as to know what were good chapels would have been churches^ and
poor men's cottages prince's palaces. : < i • >
I have given only one side of the character of a mercantile life',
which might be justly called partial by some whose conscientious
scruples have prevented thcmjfrom entering it, did I liot take^it for
granted that the other side Will be fully understood by its true touch-
18S Partieuhur of tU Late Uovement. Aftii^
•tone, the preacnt opium. dwcoiuioQ. — If the premium of J?1QU» left
with the Society ibr the Diffusioa of UaeAil Knowledge, remeiite uor
eppropriated, the beat way of using it will be to oolleot aad publish
all: that haa been aaid about the opium trade, in one volume, as a
aeaaooable guide, to young merehanta coming out to Cbina^ If you
will oblige ua by reprinting the proposed conditions of the Essay, I
hope aome of ua wiU* interest ihemselvea about. it, having fpr their
jrewurd the hope of fbrgiveneaa for their past errors in tmding iu
a contraband and most pernioioua article^ opium^ :rr
. ..Your obedient servant, I
Canton, March, |847« ,, > A RasiD^VT. i
1:
Art. IV. *' A Demonstration;" pariieulars of the laie movement to
and from the provincial city . of Canton, under mt^or^generaf
D'AguHoTf. accompanied by U. E, sir John Francis Davis , if.
B. M. plenippientiary ^c, ij^c.
Again we have had to. witness one of thoae exciting scenes,. almost
inseparable from such a state of undefined relationa.^qs now exista
between China, and the rest of the world-^iindc/CnccI only becauae
there haa been wantipg a diapoaiiion or-power to fulfill theprpviaiona
of the late. treaties.. On the 30th ultimo there waa pubijwhed at
Hongkong aa extract, from a public dispatch ^ wherein it appears
that; the British government ''will exact and. require from the Chi-
neae that Britiah subjects should be aa free from raoleatatipu and
insult in China as they could be in England," while the awd govern-
ment will exact and require from the aaid subjects "that they ahall
abstain as much from offering molestation and insult to others aa
they .would if they were in England." When thia ia accompliahed a
great change will have been effected, — a great change in the conduct
of multitudea, of almost all the Chinese, and of foreignera not a few.
With a view to supply our readere with aa full a detail aa possible;,
pf the particttlara of the late: movement, we shall, so far aa tbey have
come to our knowledge, narrate them in the order in which, they
transpired.
: April 1st, This evening a party of troopa of the Ifith Royal Irish,
and42d Madras Native Infantry, embarked at Honkongon board H.
M. steamer Vulture, the H.C. steamer i'/tifo, and the chartered stea^
1S47. Pariicularsofihe Laic BlovemenW 183
iher C&rsair. His excellency, Sir John Francis Dnvis is known to have
been engaged, till a late hour that night, in councif with the heads
of the principal departments of the government; and the Pluto ^
which had been lying for some weeks oflT the factories, had only
just returned from Canton, bringing down major Aldrich and colonel
Phflpotts, who had been up to the city reconnoitering.' In Can^
ton it was only whispered that they would shortly return.
ApfU^. Before dawn this morning the three steamers, with H.
M. brig CsptV^fc and aome boats^ were under way. Ow passing the
forts at the Bogue, troops were toaded and most of the guns spiked'
-kittle or no resistance having been made, for the Chinese bad beeo
taken wholly by surprise. . •!:
iSSitltirc^ay ^fiiriiM^, Me 3//, rumors reached Canton of what i had
bee» done at the Bogue, and an oii>ciai report is said to have been
made to Kiying by some of his own officers at an eariy hoai".
The honorable mnjor Caine had already been appointed Acting
Governor of Hongkong; and we copy from one 6f the papers of the
day the following, appointing him Commandant.
No. 1.
Exiraci from^ Geutral OrdgwM
[ . By Mu ktmarakU Majar-fTural D^^g^tUar^Q b» ...
Head:Qaartert H. M. St. Frigate Vulture, off Whampoa, 2d Aprii, 1847.'
WitJi tJie eonourreoce of H. G. Sir Jphn Francia Davti,. Barooet, 4dc., Ac,.
tbehMajorgaaaralcommaiuliaggi^dly avails himself of the lenricet. of the,
hooorabla.M^OK^Caioef and appoints him Commandant of Hongkong, during
that •beeM«r of tha Major gea^ral and the .main, bofly .^f the jiroopt^on if rvCce
at ^iJitoii'.' . ■- ■
> vr'.iSy order J.J^KacM^Capi^nfJs9t,^dit.qeneral.
By fiineo'doek,' with the aid «f glasses- from the io|M of the fFac«
toriee, the sceaftiers were seen moritljy^ up the river, towards the pro^
vincial city. All the guns in the forts, alonff the banks of the river:
shared .thetisame .trealment^ as ^thos^fit the Bogue— ^not exceptihg
thbee tn< tbeiFreaoh Folly off the. aoiith'-east, i6oroer.;of the cityj,,and
the#effn'the tittlls red round fort oppoaite. the Faotoriea.. Every ,one
denied id be ttiketi by surprise. It wae said ^that even- the Baitiah
consul had no cenain (offi^iaF) ' information of what was 'about to
transpire.. Aboiit 'noon H.^E. Sir John Francis Davis, IT. B. M.'s
plenipotentiary^ .4^c.,. &;q.,. I{|pded from the Pfuto^ _ which^ with the
Cofwirshadi^Mien Aacbore4^Qffit,h9;Bri|,if)ivCon0ulateK,w|ij|le the Vut-^
lin^md the iSspt^^ (were left at Whampoa; In course of the af-
ternoon tlid' troops were'landed in front of the New Factories, in
whicli they ^ere lb have their quarters: A smaH detachm^til.it«^
164 Partkubxrs of tht Latt JUotftmeni, Aphil^
stationed in the Conso9 house, at the head of Old. China Street, and
guards elsewhere so as to command all the avenues to the Factories.
As yet nothing transpired to inform the public whst was the end.
andaimiof all the extraordinary movements then in progress, »hile
all msnher of rumors and reports were flying in every direction.
Tb^ excitement and the anxiety were considerable in certain quart-
ers ; but night came on and all was quiet ; the Chinese governmental
gUlards, at several posts,* had disappeared ; and the heavy tread, and
challenge " who comes there," were heard during the night-watches.
The common watchmen^ however, were not disturbed, but told off
with'the beat of their bamboos and drums, the hours of the night
in their usual manner.
• The following Government Notification (No. 2.) and proclamation
(NoJ3.) though they were not made public till the 4th, come under
this dsy's d'ate.r = » u .
-■-,.*■■. rt • '; r ... /( . ..• • No. 2. .....'
. ;< - ... .., Diplomatic Department.
' ' GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
Hit Excellency Her Majeity'i Plenipotentiary, &o., Ac, hail the satiafactioa
to publiah, for the information of British lubjeeta in China, the annexed letter
from the Honorable the Major-general commanding Her Majeaty'a forces, just
received, on the arrival of the expedition at Canton. The rapid and suecesa-
ful oourie 6f operation!^ begun and concluded withih a period of 36 houra, by
the small military and naVal' force under the direction of Major-general
D'Aguilar and Capt. Macdougall, the senior naval officer,' is calculated to
teach a lesson to the people of Canton which they will hot soon -forget ; and
it is His Excellency *s intentionnot to quitthisplace until he has placed matter*
on ^ footing consistent with treaty engagemente, and worthy of the Britisb
nation^ ' tie feels that the moderation and justice of all .his former dealings
withithegovemment. of ! China lends a .perfect sanction to measures, jwhiehf he
has{|>eeD feluotanily compelled to adopt afteia long.ppurae of misinterpreted
forpMnnee, ;. .: • „'^ ••..!.:,• ..;.t ........ . /.' .
His Excellency Sir John Francis Davis, bait., &«., ^c, &c.
V..i.|j /. I -- .. Heiul Quartet, Caiton, 3d April, 1847, 4 F.w. '
iiir,— ^I have the honor ti6 acquaihiTduir Excellency that itt> pursnanoe of the
arrihgements agreed tipoh between- >us on t the. let instant, 1. am airived, witb
the < assistance I of Captain Maodougidl . of the; Royal Navy, and Her fftajesty 's
•hippi under his ]Command„at.the Bjritish Factories, and have established my-
self here, with the Iroopt ,\i|ider my orderSf— having in the course of the lasC
thirty rsix hours assaulted and taken all the prinoipat forts at the Bogue, and
in the Canton river, and kftst destroying the' gateways and vblbwihg ttptlWf
nalLgasines, spiked Slight hundrM ahd twenty-ierea pieeOs of hsiairy «aiimMi4 . .
- ' Ai your exoelleney ' did ne the • ho^or of aeeompaay ing me in these . opeca^
tions andiKa^ yourself witnessed the. 4el*ilst> I »>l>^lAot enter upop them ii^
Uii^pl«jBej|,|^fitshfil jujeseire; them for the ^information of Her Majesty's Secre-
1817. Patiicular$^0f4he Late Movemeni, 1?4
ttffvf State for the Celoniee, Ukin^ care to lupplj Tour EtotUenry' wilii a
popy Qf my poniBiuBkPation. . -> -^ i^
1 congratulate Your Exce^ency on this reuilt of our Na^al an4 Military
operations, and the more especially, because, notwithstai^di.ng t)ic fire of seve-
ral of the Chinese batteries, w)iile Uie troops were en^a^d in the ass^utt, wc
have had the good fbrtune to Ukc ponession of them all withoiit the tvi'ts of
a man. . I4i»vethe honor, &c.*tc.^' ' J- : Jl-^iiii
(Signed) GEOflt«« D'Aguilar, Major- fenerai^
'* ComwuMdimg the troopr in China.
-: . . > . <- Byerdery '" '" "' ■" ^
'■.:■'.' •' "A. R-'JoHMSTOir;'''
L'-j ViU
' British Comialate,^aiHon, M April 1847.
No. 3. -"'' - • • -'^'-
• ' GOVERNMENTAL PROCLAMATION. ' '
Yeh terniorial commissioner^ ifc^ and Hioanf^ chief supienniendeni of the
commissariatj ifc^ toUk Yen judieiai comminipner^ $fc 9/ Pfff^ftn^Jffiflfbf ififvt
these instructions for the purpose qfqiuMiing ike heorts ijfffffppf^^., / ,■
To-'day, it having been reported that st^amera hfui^eqipne4:;^hp.riY;eyr*Q4,
CQ.n[i9Jip tp M^e^ity^ we inimedia^y iQode caxeful inquiiy .an^ 4pok the pro-
per action thereon. As all nations have been in the. enjoyment «f^«e €umf
roercial intercourse, all enjoy ^uiet repose, and .weiConceiKe thai tAieie can
be-jioiieaiMe for«oliciUide< - t - , - ".i > ^ -"ifi-.a -.. ^
&l9n»pver,Ah9rease/near;tbe city tens ;iof thousMkb x>f>Tniii>iai tmmectoii
with the colleges, who are banded togetheiv and hawe in tinMs^f petce-beeii
They have strength, are acqusinCed with the milittury ul,"ttod' are pre^
pared alike for peace or war. Neverhave they giveh rise to tiroables. This
we Jtiave Jtnowii eyc^ sipcQ w» fypniL . c^ipe t (to , QfllitDik;' Ufm^ mMksm^ and
people, pq^iit.tp ^^idc in.yQUf.own pkce^Ai^d^; 119 ^ou-J^ve j49<^>a^!i4<Wfii|
mutualiy protect and fieffii^ ^ii^Ji other. If la^^.l^s y^ijffifs>n^ jtak^ a^veii^
tage^or the occasion to create trouble, and you are unableto jremain io th^.
quiet ';^^ possession ofyour property, we will seize the disturbers sud instantly
punish them wtthotit mercy or lenity. Let each tremblingly obey, llictte
aie iftUr preBsmg eonNnvnds. Aprii (W, 4847: ' *" ' * ' ' *^
:: T^U pasted mpdt the TkiHkenFaxiories.
l» i - • • I
^ SabScUhf April ith. Early in the morning it was generally under-
stobd there would be a conference, at the British consulate, be-.
' - - .. -^ . ■ • ■,' f • ii '• •' '■ * *^
tween the two coinniissioners, Kiyiiis: and Sir John F. Davis. At 11
o'cfock'A. M., the' appointed hoi^r for'th^ meeting, the'(roop8 wiUi'«|rtit-
fertV&c, were drawn up forliisreeeption, whei^ only tw6of.hj9tiubal-
ternv; Chau "Ch4ng1ing and Tw-^n Sz'shin^ arrived ; and as.it was
apposed that they came Oiily in' Kfyings' stead and npt to announce
his approach, the troops were accordingly removed, so tliat on bis
exceffeiicy's arrival there was only the guard at the consulate to
receive htm. He was accompanied by Hw&ng tH^^ivV\xiv^ ^\\^ o>>Ci^x^^
VOL. XVI. NO. IV. 31
169 P.wiicuiars\9f\ik6 LuteJUavtment Apail,
andi the coDfercnce listed about three hours. During the day great
crowds of people assembled in the streets adjacent to the factories,
and were exceedingly noisy and clamorous.
The following memorandum was furnished (we know not from!
whom) to sir John Francis Davis, before Kfying's arrival at the con-
sulate; we borrow it from the China Mail.
- -^ '• ■...■.'..,: ; Wa» 4, •
.. t ff%fAe« and VUw of the BriUtk residents at Canton.
1st. A distinct recognition of their right to go such distance into the
surrounding, country m may be traversed either by land or by water in one
day out and home, and full protection iOn their perambulations from insult and
attacks by the populace.
Sd. A space of ground of about fifty acres at Honan, or in some other con.
vanient part of the suburbs, for the erection of warehouses and dwelling-
houses.
^.^^ A sit^'for a church and in churchyard for British residents.
4th. A lite fbr a burial ground for the Parsee community, either on Danes
or French island j of an ar^a of '40^000 square feet
btb.' A bridgef, to be thrown across the passage of Hog Lane, to connect
the two- Factory gardens. " '
: 6th. * A .cook-house for Lascars in Hog Lane.-
7th. The railing-in of Lower China Street and the lower part of Hog
Lanv^-and the garden walls' toi be kept free from Chinese buildings, ■ ezceping
tlia military and police stations: already erectedv .'
8th. Removal of the stationary boati which at present encumber the ave-
nues tp the. Factory gardens from the river>Bide. _r'..-j} > •
British Consulate, Clinton, 3d April, 1847.
Dtvine service was'hehl at ll'o^clock a. m. as usual; but th6 at-
tendance was small. About two o'clock, a party of the military wisre
called out to repress the mob, and to. drive them back from the space
in front of Old and New China streets through the avenue leading
from the south end of Tehhing kdi (or Danish Hong) into Lwdn
king street, where captain Sargeant received a blow oo his temple,
from a stone thrown' by one of the mob. These proceedings created
no small excitement. Major Aldrich and Major-general D'A?uilar
.■.II"'' !'•■'. I • ■ . • ' I < • ^ O . .
were both upon the spot.., The stone or brickbat was said to have
been, thrown from a house, in Lwauhing street, which was .forced,
open; and, as all the inmates^'professedtptal ignorance, an ill-look-
ing feilow was dragjjed out anji flogged at the door." And " another,
who had been seized by major Aldridi's party, for a similar offence,
was taken to theg[ate of the British Consulate, and there received a
dozen lashes." , , ' • • • .' •-.•.••.,.,..'■'''.
The excitement during the remainder of the afternoon was gr^eat;
aud, as the numbecs oflheiuob couataiuly increased,, they became
1947. Particulars of the Lati Movement, 187
more tnd mort Tociferous. At lefngth ' orders were giVen to the
■eDtinels, if thejr could not seize tbem, to fire on any and ail who were
leen in the act of throwing stones or brickbats. As the darkness of
evening carae on, the clamor and noise died away ; and we are not
aware that any shot was fired, or any Chinese or foreigner injured,
excepting in the cases above named.
Monday, April 5th. Soon after daylight an armed party was sent
down the river to demolish the principal parts ' of French Folly,
which was blown up ; and the guns in the Dutch Folly spiked.
After the troops had breakfasted, they were served with ammuni-
tion; pistols were loaded; the artillery, &c., &c., were all put in
readiness for action ; the Corsair arrived from Whdmpoa with addi-
tional troops; the Pluto got up her steam ; and most people werie ex-
pecting an immediate attack on the city. At this juncture, |)etween
the hours of eleven and twelve a. m., the following circular came out.
. . / .. I* No. '5. ..■•i.j • •• ■• u 1 i
firitiih Consulate, 5th Apri!; 1847.
I have been direeted by his exeellenoy her majesty's plenipotentiary, to in-
form you, that as a considerable portion of the troops may be employed to.
morrow in ooereive measures against the city, it becomes necessary for you to
be prepared for defence, in the event of any attack being made on the foreign
Ikelories by the populace. — I have the honor to be, Ad.
Faaifcis C. sMAcenseoa.
Fastboats and lorcbas, and every thing of the sort, were now in
great demand. Books, treasure; etc., were put on board. "All the
streets and avenues leading to the Factories were barricaded. Guns,'
swords, and all sorts of ammunition were in requisition. Sttir'some,
who could speak very confidently, declared that *' every thing Jwpuld
most assuredly be amicably settled." Great numbers of th^. Chi-
nese, perhaps all who bad it in their power, removed from the vicinity
of the Factories ; and a few of the foreigners, including most of the
ladies, went on board ship at Whompos.
In the evening the Gentlemen Volunteers, comprising nearly the
whole of the British community, were inspected by major general
I^Aguilar, " who explained to them that, in the event of operations
being commenced. against the city next day, ho confidently relied on
thefr protecting the Factories from any. j^ttack on jll^i^ part of the^
mob; and that he would leave with them twenty-five men. of the
Royal Irish and an equal number of the 42d/'^ ' ; • o,: ■.
During the evening, a small party of armed Chinese was found
secreted in one of the buildings in the rear of the Factories, and no
far from the Consoo house, " nearly forty of whom were taked^^xv-
}S9 Pmrtioulars affhe. LaU Alav€meHi\ AfieiL^
Sonera and seni ie one of the guard stations ; the rest escape Jeaviitg,
thetc arins' behmd-theafi^" These proved to be a.pvt of the *' im*
p«rUiKlbf<^8^*.who on. the evening ofthie 3d got joslled out of tlieii
pi -ice in the (DonsQo; andibfthd night they were safely housed id one
of'tlMiuipper rpolB^ in Mincjua'-s Uongi . r -. i ■
In the course of this day and evening several placards appeared oi»
theJkvalis of th^ ettyi and sCre^ts, three of wRich tv*^ subjoin. Nd.:6.,
<jleHoUnein^<Kfytngf w^jborrow from the Ohtna 'Mail ; Nos. 7 and. 8
h»viiilfeQn;iMinitl(tt0d foi!;us by ft friend. : ; .; ^ i •.
..• \:. ] \\i: OT37/ ..z:.j P«Mt!lcUTt6!f-0P' KiTlko. -'<,:■' :r n
The ^n^iah have. rebeUed. againat us, disobeying our laws and bringing
disorder and. injury on the ^'Flowery Nation.'* Kiying's heart is inwardly^
inciihe^ towards fheio: tie drirfegardsoiir families, and, trampling on the peo.
|(W;'K<^tNei^&y degrades thi^ nat?on. tl\i (nrinie d^i^rves (o be (iCiiiUhed with
deith ; it ii lliAii<rer<» desirable thatl every ohe of ns should exert himself} that
all uniting togetlier, we may set fire to hl4 palace, and then cast his dead body
intot the street. . To do thia fS not eaeeeding the law.
, ..J . TMtwAngv 87th yeat^ 2d mOon, UOtb day. (Ailrtl6th,.lb47;> .
. An^appeal ijtom the whole province. • :
It has been represented .that the foreigners have long* boasted ef their nnw
tention ta enter Uvet cil)r, contrii^ing means to levy and collect duties on the
yessetoiof all. nations. )Ia donseqnehce* of ai^latecetttroVe^Vshoutpassing
afi^irf^jtheyiha]i(9'at length ventured to colle<et:.from.HI&ngabanT!aM Siu-
n^^^a tho){|^(i fur more.outlawa apeaking the.nativ:^ tongue^ but clothect
in a foreign dres% who proceeding directly up the river of :CantoD have
burned up uid destroyed the forts. They have take possession of the foreign
^cteriiee^ki^ ^^^^i^^g^^^ ii^ the offices. They then con8traiae<i ttic authd-
f Kie^ td'ktld^ theih hoiiey and extorted from them ib Hie amohiit oVsdrhe t6h^
0f'thciuiteLni^ttfd6Uars;' Those truly fortefi^drswer^ViC/rii/ore thiin about it
birodilod. By these protteedin^ the citizen!^ bedanie 'greatly alansted Law-'
less vagabonds of this sort are oftemthus ploftingi against thsc kit0rfMat>f tlie
pepplei and audaciously contrive to league togetheir>i» order to eoforde com-
pliance with their requisitions. . They tlierefore .commit theur ravages upon
the inhabitanlB residing both within .and without the city. . The great bo^
of the people snd the soldiers .are not able to Restrain their indignation at
auch prbceeilings.' On th^ night or the J 8th inat(April.3d} the gentry were all
eh|(agdd^li hotiQring ih^cbuiitry militia at the placMbfassembllng^'td be in
M^in^to & jfaltiM: the tririife kppofntbd.' Th6 cititeils fi(om ill ptfrts bf the city
were also u> be on the alert and fifc/p&i^d tobif^Kthdlr ^ti^A^^tShkilaimin^
tMheit people to conid from all >quarterS' td eati»rmihaM^tttid kili the TlHahis.
IffJt ^am take-tiiese.falto itrsitore,' dressedJn foieigniicilother and; dut them
oflf,fift9fliffa}y.Mnd not aUoir jthein to proceed a step into the city. < This is
1S47. Pariiciilars of the Latt Muvtmmt. 189
tb« decree of the great body of the citizens. Let it be observed without
tardinees or reluctance. It is thus urgently enjoined. The gentry of the
city generally unite with tlie militia in this representation. (No date.)
No. a
From the Gentry Sfc^ of Canton.
Whereas we have heard of opposition to the authorities, and not permitting
them and the aggressors to dwell under tlie same heavens, it is not possible
that both should subsist together. The English barbarians take occasion to
excite trouble, and make a great dlisplay of arms. By public consent they
have taken possession of and occupy upon the river-side a tract of ground
as a place for trade, in all thirteen separate hongs. They wioh to build a
temple for public worship ; and also, across the river, in Honan, to take posses-
sion of a tract of ground and to. build a fort There have lately been fo-
reign soldiers measuring off the ground for a site. Our citizens hsvii^ met
to take the matter into consideration, immediately they opened a thundering
fire of artillery upon them by which many persons were injured* In spch as
this there is no law • noc principle of justice. The whole body of the people
cttn-ionly gnash their teeth with rage and indignation. . N<rw^ th« gieal body
of masons and carpenters in the two cities (the old and new) of Canton have
Held H public coositltation and have agreed together that if the Knglish under-
take the prosecution of their works ss aforesaid, the men employed in these
trades shall none of them be permitted to engage to complete their works on
their own responsibility. And if at Hongkong, Macao or Whampoa there
ftfaould be men who are willing to undertake it, the people of our two trades
will ta&ke it their business to dearch out every tvorkman of this sort bjr name
A Ad kill him, and to notify tK^ inhablUnts of the district to born tip the dwell-:
ing of every man who ventures to assume such a responsibility, which witf bd
done without the least delay^ This among the citizens of the ^ capital it is
considered the reasonahle duty of every, faithful and obedient person to seek,
to have carried into effecL The emperor hesring. and knowing of it will
also certainly afford some additional commendation and encouragement It
behooves us to regulate our minds and to chastise those who- refuse to com-
ply. It will by no means answer to be inconstant in our purpose^ coveting
the wealth of these rebels and aggre/isors. The citizens of- Canton have
issued this notiflcitioo. If any persons venture to tear it down, that is, any
vilfr traitors, the citizens will have them seized, and sent to the ofiice of the
Kwangchan fu. Let such citizens assemble at the public office anH they
will each receive a reward of two dollars, certificate money. . (J>to date,)
• '.■''■ ' . ■ . ' * •
Tuesday April 6fh, General .Orders had been issued to the troops;
a movement was to be made on the "City of Rsms " at daylight,
unless the assent to certain ** Reasonable Demands " were gained
by that hour ; the reconnoitering had been completed ; the attack
was'io be made at three points simultaneously ; one party was to
moant the walls at the southwest and another at.the southeast corner
190 Pdriiculart of the Late Movement, Apiuii
of the city, while the Pluto was to take her station midway between
— when, at the given signal, to be run up at the British consulate, the
work was to begin. At day-break some of the officers were on the
walls ; and had the signal been given, and had the bombardment been
driven on for a few hours — but • - - but the assent came, and the fol-
lowing was proclaimed by circular in the course of the forenoon :
No. 9. Diplomatic Department.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
Hit Excellency her majesty*! Plenipotentiary, &c., &c., haa the satiafketion
to announce, that at the laat moment, and when actually awaiting the asaault
on their citj, the Canton authorities have assented to his reasonable demands,
and the impending ruin of this populous place has been happily averted.
The following are briefly the heads of the new agreement.
1. At the fixed period of two years from this day, the 6th April, the city of
Canton shall be opened to British subjects.
2. Her majesty's subjects shall be at liberty to roam for exercise or amoae*
ment in the neighboring eountry without molestation, returning the same-
day, as at' Shinghii, and any persons molestating them shall be severely
punished.
3. '.The' agresaors on the two seamen in October last^ and on colonel
Chesney and others at Puhthin on the 12th March, shall be made examples
of. The Utter being already apprehended, will be brought to Canton and
punished in the presence of persons deputed by her majesty's Plenipotentiary.
4. An adequate space on the Honan side of the ri?er shall be granted on
lease to British merchants and others, for the erection of dwellings and ware-
houses ', and his excellency will ascertain the site and extent before he quits.
Canton.
5. A site for the erection of a Church shall be granted on lease in the
neighborhood of the space now occupied by the foreign factories ; and spaces
for Burial Grounds shall also be allotted at Whampoa.
6. The flying bridge and another building between the two gardens shall
be erected as desired, and sheds shall not be permitted against the walls.
7. For the better presenration of order, and for the general conrenienee,
the river ft'ont before the factories shall be kept clear of boats.
British Consulate, Canton, 6th April, 1847.
By ^rder A. R. JoHirsroir.
In the afternoon of this day Sir John and Captain Macdongall,
along with two Chinese officers, proceeded across the river for
the purpose of fixing on 'an adequate space' for the erection of
dwellings, &c., on the Hon&n side of the river. This site, as fixed
upon, will extend from the front of the Foreign Factories to the Macao
Passage, and from that corner of Honin to the Creek near the fort
on the east bank of that Passage. How far it will extend back from
the river we do not know ; but if we mistake not a large part of iu
surface is already covered with dwellings, warehouses, d&c.
1847.' Particulars of the Late MovtmeiU. 10 1
* Tlie prisioners/ taken on Monday, were released to-day ; and the
house in Lwdnhing street, from which the stone was thrown on
Sabbath day, was ' razed to the ground,' ' also one in Shoe Lane (?)
where the sailors were mauled in October last.' In the mean time
the two Chinese custom-houses, foreign boat-houses, etc., near the
Gardens before the Factories, were removed. The excitement among
the Chinese people and militia was now very great; and it was
rumored that the latter were about to make an attack on the Bar-
barians. Sand and sand-bags were pouring into the city, designed
for blocking up the gates. Cannon were also to be brought- in from
the country. However the day and the night passed, and " all
things continued to go on as usual."
Wednesday the 1th, For the particulars of a scene enacted at a
very early hour this morning we are indebted to the Editor of the
China Mail, who was in Canton during all these late proceedings,
and may have been an eyewitness of the 5 o'clock scene, which we
give in his own words. The demand had been made and acceded
to, under the third head of the '* New Agreement," that the aggres-
sors on colonel Chesney and others at Fuhsh^n, '* should be made
examples of ;" this was now about to be fulfilled.
. ** Towards midnight a meitage wbi received at the Consulate acceding to the
plenipotentiary's peremptory demand that the men shonld be given up at
day-light. Accordingly, at 5 o'clock three men were brought to the Consoo-
bouse, .a Chinese mandarin of high rank with other officials being present on
the part, of the Chinese, and the Hon. A. R. Johnston, Captain Macdougall,
Captain Bruce, Messrs. Gutslaff and Meadows, and a number of others, on
the part of the British. The men were bambooed in succession by the Chinese
officers of justice, and on leaTing the Consoo-house, the mandarin, on being
required to do so, explained to the people, who crowded about the barriers, why
the men had been punished ; and it was added, that for a similar offence they
might themselves eipect a like chastisement.'*
Barricades were now removed; parties, who had left their houses
or shop% began to return with their effects; and the British troops
prepared for embarkation: and in the afternoon the Corsair , having
on board a detachment of the 42d, moved down the river to Wham-
poa, where the Vulture had remained, while the Espiegle had been
brought up, above Napier's Fort, almost within, cannon shot of the
city. The four following documents appeared during the day.
r : No. 10.
GOVERNMENTAL NOTIFICATION.
If{yia^, member of the Imperial Hbuse, guardian of the heir apparent, an
assistant member of the Cabinet, a president of the Board of War, and go«
vemor-generai- of Kwangtung and Kwangsi, issues this proclamaiiovk^
ifH Particulars of ihe 'Late Movement. Apmr.^
Ai< mil tlie affairs of the prorincial city at prvaent are beisf eondueted in
their uai^al qnanner, there is aasiuedly no cause for anxiety. Toa| • yf people*
wbether abiding in your houses or in ypur shops, ought all to remain quio^
andj[nyful in your respective pursuits. And if there be lawless vagrants,
who' spread abroad exciting rumors, create troubles, and deceive the multitude,
it being clearly ascertained who they are, they shall be seised and severely
punished.' G'rre heed to this special proclaruatioa and oppose ii not.
Canl0fi, Apnl 7th ItUr.
N4>..1].
Rulu an^rud upon, at a public meeting of ihe gentry of Canton^ for
defentfi against the entrance of Barbarians into the city.
RuLK I. The inhabitants of all the shops and houses must hire militia, who
will keep a constani patrol, and who, if a barbarian enters a street, will hot be
freightened, but sound the alarm, so that^itmay spread and be oomnutnicated
from street to«treet, andAll >wJth imited strength be ready to beat back And des-
W<oy the intnider.. ...^ , ,| .. .» ,,
Rule II. Throughout the whole city, all the people must. remove the
boards and planks ijom the roofs of their houses, and place instead many
jars of water, ready to act against incendiaries ; and mUst have ready prepared
pots of lime, brickbats; stone, /k^-f and if they see a Bat'b&rian enter the eityy
they must throw tliese duwn with thundering force, and.not allow a single one
W-fsemptifrom Uwiirnpt. . . : .; •. .^».-v.^ t -r.-. . . ■ • -r
RoLK 111. There must he.no &ar nor ;9emQviAg la i>thef places, lestlhey,
give rise to plundering, and lest in Uie absence of our people, the fiarbarians
get possession of the country, ^t all the people attend to their respective
avocations, mutually protect and defend each other, and forever guard their
own. possessions,
, RoLg IV. If any spread the report through the streets, that Uie 3ai^hariahi
are entering the city, they must be traitors, doi/gnrng by such reports to asoer.
^in the acUaal condition of the city, and perhaps are ^ek^ing .opportunities to
plunder and rob. Let the inhabitants at once sefise upon such and deltvei*
them over, for examination, to the chiefs of the gentry'; and if they are truly
traitors, they must be sent to the proper authorities for trial ;^and if fdlilid to be
good people, they must obtain firom their neighbors and cTlders bonds for their
good conduct, and ^hen they may be liberated.' /.•>-•/ -r if. . ^ .^
Th^ above rulei most be pat injprackice by - the irihabiianiaoralltlie' streets
atid lanee howeirer small ; aiid all must wateh and.guard W4ih.eat»y in order io
protect themeelvee andlSam^lieSf.^lMl ito;shev ^ sendMiefP: to fulfill ^e^graiuQui^
det^gpis of eux. august soverign in his love tp-^lthe people.. Although the
foreigners- may enter the provincial . cities of the other, maritime provinces .
yet great is the strength of this profvibce; and it behooves lis to quit ourseivea
hke men, and continue watchful to the (end. Th^' all will be''w«^Ii; ' ' ^ i *:
•.ji •- •''■•■"'•' tf«?'18i-^*"* ^iiiffiiu^k lu^-i .;i ^:o
Canton, 7th April, 1847.
Sir,— The undersigned, Srilish residents in GuiUmi, beg-respectfully to call
your >exoeMeney's i^te»tion-to ihe followifig mntlers, in connection «wi^ihe
tri»iigemtiiCS''yon may sA pveeont'be >oono4odiftf wMr the? CUtmeer mnthatitieeM
7*he shops in Mog lisne *Mid ihe thoroisgiifase the ware 'thar ocoMioo.of
1847. Pariiatlars of ike Late Movement, Y93
gretft inconFenieiice, annoysnee, and danger to the foreign eooimnnity; The
shopkeepers there are always ready to tempt the seamen to drunkenness^ and
it will no doubt be remembered by your excellency that most of the distur-
bances, which have occurred in Canton, have originated in that neighborhood i
while on all occasions of riot or fire our danger is greatly increased by -the
assembling of low characters in the place alluded to. We therefore requcat
that your excellenoy will obtain for us the removal of the houses in Hog Lane
and the stoppage of this offensive thoroughfare. ' •-
We further suggest to -your exeeilcney that the space 'thus: cleared will
afford the best site wiijoh can b^ found for the erection of a Church,, and ap
the Chinese authorities have agreed to give spac^ for one, and must be pu^
to considerable expense in removing buildings ona-suitable locality, we think
it biit reasonable, that as they' will be saved this expense, they should be call-
ed upon, instead to compensate the owners of the mSserabTe habitations in
Hog Lane ; but to obtain such a desirable object, as that in view, we would be
willing ourselves to pay the owners the reasonable value of the buildings if
the matter can be* arranged in no other way. — We have the honor to be, sir,
your lilxcellefkcy's most obedient humble servants j
• (SidNXD sv FV>RTr-vi9rE BainsH Rrsiixrivts.)
To his excellency Sir John Fri(ncis Davis, Baronet, ^c.;'&e.',&c. '
No. 13.
British Consulate, Canton, 7th April, 1847:
Gentlemen, — I am directed by His Excellency Her Majesty's Plenipoten-
tiary dtc., &e., to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day's dftte, and
to make the following reply : ''
' Out the 3d iiisUUt^ on reaching Canton, his^ekcellency'reeHted-ffomFMr.
Consul Macgregor a paper professing to embody all the principal •^Wishes and
Views of theBritish Residents, and these were therefore sl^prtly included in
the list of demands made on the Chinese government, and since assented to.
It is plain that his excellency at that time negoc^ated under circumstances
peculiarly calculated to obtain successful results, add he therefore much
regrets that the subject of your present Letter has been postponed until the
negotiations are concluded. '
At the same time he must observe that the objects now sought eould never
be urged as' treaty rights, since none of our conventions with China entitle
us to insist on the stoppage of thoroughfares and the obliteration of whole
lines of houses. These in every c6untry are' very serious <|uestfomr^ involve-
ing vested rights, private and public, and it may be questioned whether ^as
far as the thoroughfare is ouncemed) the government of China has power to
remove a right of way contrary to the public wish, for more than a limited
time at least.
This circumstance may render your objects diffiicult of attainment^ and h^s
excellency regrets it the more, as he is fully alive to the evils attending the
existence of the lane in question, and the- advantages which would accrue
fVom its removal. He will,, however, use his best endeavours to persuade the
Chinese minister of these respeotivo evils and advantages, and if the Britiih
community can raise funds^ which will induce the -owners of the shops to give
them up, the other obstacles might probably be surmounted^
VOL. XVI. NO. IV. 35-
194 Pariiembri of tki LaU Mowemmt April,
It ii altDfetber a miitake to luppote that the Chineie tuthoritiet are to q«
at the ezpenie of the propoaed aite for the Church, and it would he h^^X
woithj of the Britiah goTeminent that they ahould. I hare, die.,
A. R. JoBaaroN.
The above, (No. 10,) was the first expression ^iven to the public of
Kiyiqg'a sentiments; he is known to have been greatly perp|exe4
and distressed, unable to eat by day or sleep by night. It iai g^
nerally believed, by those who have the best means of knowing the
truth in this matter, that he has been left te stand quite alone-— and
even opposed by some of the hi^h officers of the province.
T^^r$dag the 8/A. The following correspondence, &c., we bor-
row from the Hongkong t^egiaiier.
No. 14.
Flead-Quarters, Brit^h Faotoriea, 8|h April, 1847.
Ga9Ua|n^fi,-r-:I a^ 4il^^4 hy Major.Qeiieffal D* AguMar, CQumaoding the
troope in China, to acquaint jpi| that he ia|eqda Xu^ leave eaptaiii Qravta^ and
one leijeant of the IdMi R> I- vegtment, and i*iei;|L Pa Qoeta, of the Rojal
Engineera, with, one eorpprfi aiid three privatea of the IU>yiil Qapp^ra and
Minora, behind in the Factoriea, ontU fhrther ordera, for the parpooe of render.
ing joiQ ever; aniatance in thetr power, aa regards the completion of yonr or-
ganisation^ and other defensive anangementa. — i have the honor to V^ d^e.,
J. fiauci, JSstUUuitJidjw^f^i Qmurml*
To tho Aatociated Gentlemen Volanteera, Canton Faotoriea.
r AH' Ibiffiote left.«Q iqfipreipion that the whole pfthe troops were to
be withdf a woy a meeting w^s held to remonstrate against such proceed*
in^, and the following address was adopted and had been signed by
seventv-sit persons, when captain Bruce arrived and stated that the
Mg[bt Compapy of the 18th were tQ be left with captain Cjfraves :
Canton* Sth Aprils 1847.
8is,-hThe underiig-aed, Britiah«qhjee|a,heas.with alarm that itiathe inlen.
tion of ypqr E^oellepojr tp lemuve^ immediately the whole of the Military and
Navtl ^rpea from Canton.
l^^ire/ipeptftiUy fepraaaa^ to Toor Exoellanoy that in our opinion the ceecAt
proM^ingy oaiinol fiuK to. hfive c^reatod aueh feelings in the Chinese popalaqe
af to. fffniisff thit tempQcary presence of a portion of the. tcoopa abaol«talji
f^i^atial t^ ^ur fafuly, and we therefore eameetlj aolicit Tour EzoeUeooy ta
afibrd us that protection which we cannot hope for from the Chinese aotho*
^itiefy, av^^edly- unable to control the popnlaoe.—
..I. M urj We hav^ the hppor to he.KAo..
.. SlQNBD BIF SevBNTT*S|X PlVESOUrt*.: .
ToHia fixcelleney, 8iir Jbhn Franeia Davie, Sart., dec. dt^ :
TKie following ia the answei which was recpived to the foregoing
address to his e.\celtericy sir Jbhn Francis DaVis;
. r • "
1847. Pariiculmrs ofthi Latt Mwtmeni. IM
N«. 16-
Britiih GooiaUle« Cftntoni Sth April, 1847.
OcBtfemen,-^! am directed bj H. E. Her Maje«tj*i Plenipotentiary, 4te.,
in reply to your letter ot this day*t date, to infurm yon, that the very natural
alarm which you therein eicpreai ii fkrmed oh a iniatake, as it hai beieh arran^.
&d that the Light Company of the iSih R. I., uilder captain Orares^ shall
not qnit Canton nntil relieved by the armed Steamer^ and thai in addition to
this H. M. sloop EspugUf is also anchored within reach.
Captain firuce the Assistant-Adjutant General, states that he informed
the meeting of British Merchants of the aboTO arrangement before yovr
letter was aeiit to His EzcAllenoy . doth that letter and the reply are there-
fore Almoet ioperflaons.— '1 have the honor t6 be, dc6.,
A. R. JoHIISTdlV.
About mid-day all the guards were brought in, excepting two
or three sentinels, and their exoelleneies the governor and the major
general with the main body of the troops embarked and retired from
before tbe prorilidial city<a^eavib{ ■ small detechrnent lui 4bore in-
timited, and proceeded on theit return to Hongkong.
Friday ihe 9M. A placard, purporting to be from sir Jbhti Fran-
cis Davis, appeared on the walls of one of tbe streets near the Fac-
tories, and a friend has furnished us with the following translation.
No. 17.
I, the envoy and minister plenipotentiary of Great Britain, nteke known for
yonr full information, ye residents and shop-keepers, that in cons^iMttoe of a
bieaeh of fiuth on the part of yonr Chinese offioeri^ 1 have« #ith a naival and
military force in large and small vessels, qniekly enteied tbe rrv^ and oome
np to tbe provincial city to inquire into tlie wretched prineiplee and perversa
rsasonings of y6nr Chinese officers, who knockiilg head hitB acknowledged:
their crime; it is (therefore) lawfnl and right to remit their offenses.
We regard yon, ye people^ as little children^ and have a heart Cbnetaatly to
goaid and phitect yon, and certainly have no reason to inirolve and Injure,
yon. If however there be any lawless vagabonds, who following the mnlti*
tndc combine lo throw stones, we finglishmen wiH be in the highest degree
indignant. And it was for this cause that' we demolished the two shops in
Lwan Hing street^ as a caution to others. Henceforth let each one mind his
own business^ and you must not again create disturbance, if ye would avoid
inconvenience. I especially issue this general edict Ut inform you. Let each
as is becoming tremblingly obey.
(JMUiMt tf MmpnUion uppemdtd te th€ ahawe.)
I. It is eettled that we enter the city after two years.
9. On entering the city them shall be no disturbance.
9. There shall be a place for tbe anchoring of foreign boats. .
4. Fonr shops in Hog Lane shall be taken down.
5. The custom-house, dec;, in front of the ftctories shall be rettioved.
6. The people of Fuhshan shall be Srrested evd punished.
7. The eross streets oiuthe east and west of the factories shall be removed
IM Particuliar$ of the Laie Mofftmtnis Afrii.)
8. Forty mow (or Chineie acret) of land on Hooan aball be ceded.
9. A long bridge aball be thrown aeroaa the flower gardens.
About three o'clock, this aflernoon, the prefect, or someoflSis
suhahernSf came with a native guard to rebccupy the Consoo house.
A row ensued; stoues were hurled. at the magistrate; and the pre-,
sence of Captain Graves and some of his men was. required before
order was restored. ' • ^ . • » •' - :
Saturday the lOf A. Several new placards appeared this morning,
one of them on the walls of Mingqua's Hong, opposite the western
gate of the garden, of which we have made the following. version.
. . No. 18.
• ' • • • • • •
From the scholars and mtrehanU of tke entire province of Kwoangtyng. .
It i« uiiiveraalljr known that danger awaita those who are in high stations,
and'inin thoie- who'are proud in spirit, 'ids surely as the meridian sun must'
deMitie and the AiU moon wane.' •u-Ji i i<> i'. • ,*....;
i if ow, English Bartmrians, hitherto always, aeeustomed. to acts of violeneei
and outrage, you have; insulted the proyinee <^f Canton. Wheii formerly, (fj
few .years ago)- your ships of war came to the provinoial city, their exoellen.
eies, our high officers, extended to you their condescending regard ; and as
yon had traversed the' wide ocean from' the' regions of uncivilized barbarfans,*
which royal laws had' liever reached, they' beMnwed on you extraordinary'
favor ; and though you were rebellions, they did not lay judgment to the line.
Still yon would not repent and reform ; but,- oontinuing toeherish- the dis-
position of the wolf and. the tiger, you have taken it upon yourselves to raise*
puny> troops, nnd in wild disorder have carried to the >utmoot extreme year*
aots'of eraelty and violeoee. In bold daring,, you wish forcibly to occupy the*
whole of the river^side^ meaiuring off streets, disturbing and • plundering the*
inhabitants,-^not/kaowing that our «ity is such- a mart for all nations,, that
markeuble goods'of every, kind and to any amount can readily be disposed of,
and that in like manner there can be obtained any cargf which may be wish-
ed. 'Thns the French, the Americans, the Onteh, and the people of Bombay^
and- Bengal, baveall peaceably and orderly carried on their business,-^ost: in.
theiff dealings and ' polite in their interoonrse, the guest mild and the host
igieeable. ' ' - ' •' > -t. •/ ■ .i.i:-..:„.
Atthe present time Imports were beginning to be tn good demand, when
suddenly came this troublesome and hijnrious outbreak, putting an entire stop
to all commercial business and depressing the whole market, 'causing damage
to all nations. This is truly worthy of detestation. Last year, Mr. Parker, an
American, who had established a hospital, dispensed medicines, practiced the .
healing art, and universally relieved the poor people, and whose virtoe has
been praised by all the scholars snd people of China, wished to erect tfliospi-
tal at the entrance of Old China-street; but the people, considering that it was
sn important site, and fearing it mighty lead to some unforeseen difficulty,
were 4in willing to grant the request ; how then' (now grant it) to you, English
barbarians, who, while hitherto, you -have, conferred no /avors, .have been
MleLy bent on acts of violence and .wrong,- and by a hundred fiendish triqfcs
Isrs robied the peoplt of their possessions and wastrd their valuable effects.
1847. P)Btm€ular9 of ike Late Mopement. ] 97
Do lyoa rappote then ue no mM-tmong the thoutandt of oiBceraand
the hundreds of thaoiandi of militia, who have been eollected and dieciplined
in oonnoetion with4Ul the colleges of onr province? If onr militia are once
pot in requisition^ you will find yourselTes mistaken, if yon imagine they are
Uko those vagrants who stand gating with their hands in their sleeves and fleo
altho first display of arms.
.^yoa« 'English, barbarians, may talk of the strength of your ships and of the
fificieney of your artillery ; and though yon may have the means for making
an. attack, we too have means of making destruction ; moreover, you do not
consider that your provisions are in a precarious state, the rations being sup-
plied by contributions, and that the three or four hundred mercenary sepoys,
living at the rate of seven dollars each per month, together with the English
barbarian troops, do not exceed KXM) in number ; with soldiers so few and pro.
visions so small, how can you long hold out ?
' t!^ English barbarians, you will not awake from your delusions, but will still
persist in your former evil courses, we, the entire province of Canton,' will
first cut of your trade and provisions, and at the same time withdraw all who
are employed in your service, and leave you like an infknton the breast, which,
deprived of its milk, dies in the hands of its nurse ! It becomes you, thero-
|ors, quickly to reform and each attend quietly to your own business, lest not
a single sail return, to be the laughing.itock of other nations ! Carefully, con.
sider these things. ' '"^
Tinkwhng, a7th year, Sd month, SSth day.' (Canton, April iOth, 1847:
The Plato, lieutenant Airey commanding, returned this evening,
bringing np aome munitiona for the gentlemen volunfeera, and re-
aumed her former anchorage, juat above the Factoriea.
[ Tuesday I2ih. During the laat few daya we have taken aome
paina to aacertain the atate of popular feeling. On repeated oqca-
aiona we have landed on Hon^n, and in one inatance entered the large
fortlon the eaat bank of the Macao Paaaage^ and in compaiiy witblwo
gentlerheo walked along the whole battery, mounting aixty or more
heasvy guna ; a Chineae corporal, a aoldier and a few cooliea were all the
peraona we met in the fort ; they aeemed pleaaed with our viait, and aaid
their auperior, the commandant, had gone- to town, to buy vegetablea
for their aopper ! We have alao gone almoat daily to aome of the galea
of the city, and through the atreeta of the auburba — everywhere uiimo-
leated except by baae language. But there- ia a great deal of excite*
ment among all claaaea, and it partakea more of wrath and indignation
than of aught elae. Many copiea of the following proclamation \ihfe
be^n poated up, and almost all in the vicinity of the Factoriea have
beeoi torn down or defaced. '''•,- -i . ~
"'i -X- .' Wp. 19. .\ '^
-A~ffroeimmali4m h}f CMmg and IA iht mofciMraUt f^ ^fl^^
tfc^ ifc^ making known tirid and oamett tf^\tndiona>
199 PaHuulafi of titt Laii Meet*mt. . Aphil,
Whihkas foreigmn oTmll lutkin*, in rnryiii^ on oomiDerca at Cuttoi^ Tor
ngra tlum two hundrod ;auB, bav« during thii long period been well ac-i
tjoainted and on good tenm witb our people, the eaid fbraignen eomhif ■■
gueits from ^fn to China ; uid bscadib it ia pnrfeotiy natural and Ho matter
ttf wonder that thajr ahimid wbb to mam abroad and aee the placet in tfa«
neighborhood of the provincial citf ; and in asndcbai not oolf the petea
will be injured and aeriouatronbleactealod if the people of the eonnlfy ae-
■emble and crowd and gua apon them, bat the purpoeeof onr tagtut wveraigit
to ahow klndoeaa to men from afar be greatly lViwtrat«d ; Ika^on it it tight
and proper to put forth atrict and earnest injuociiona. Thit accordingly we
hereby do, expecting that you, people and gent^ Itt lb« cOuntiy, *ill fully
undeniand that, henceforth, if foreigneia travel about in the aaid placed, you
■nott not ai heretofore aaaemble and gase at them, cr«atuig broila and giving
riae \a other serioua tronblaa, ao aa to expoee youieelvea to trial and pnniab-
meoL It beboovea you carefully to conaidei thia and obay. Ojtpoie not
oar apectal proclamation.
Canton, April 13th, 1847.
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184y. Patticukari aftht LaU Movement IW
No. 90.
Oiplomaiie Depftrtnent.
GOVERNMENT NOTIHCATION.
Hit ezoelleney her oujectj'a Plenipotontiftry, 4lc., Ac., ia pleased to
direet thrt the annexed inatractioni to her majeetj'a oonenl at Canton bo
pabliehed for the infonnatton of Britiab oubjecta at that Port :
Vietoria, Honfkony, 14th April, 1647.
^ Sir, — I have the lalia&etion to atata that 1 have reeeived fiom Kijing
a replj to a note whioh I addreaaed to him before quitting Canton, regarding
Um qbjeotjooable Lane eontif aoua to the Britiab Faotoriea, in which bt« ez-
ftellentyj doee not diaaent from the propoaitiona made on that anbjeot*
M Y90 will take oare that the Britiab meichaqta reTmbarae the propriftore
of the houae latelj palled down at the eaatem extremity of the riTor-front,
adjoining the ereek, and that thej agree to a fair compensation for all Chi-
neae property which maj be given np for their benefit or conrenience. On
no other condition than thia, which ia the obTiona dictate of common joatiee,
wiU 1 aid, conntenance, or permit any roeaanrea of the aort. 1 have, &c.,
J. F. Datii.
** F. C. M ACORXQOR, Esq., Ac, ^.,
By Order, A. R. Joavaroir.
Victoria, Hongkong, 15th April, 1847.
Widnesdayt April 20th. Since the 3d, Hog Lane has been
(^loflfd, and the preTailiog opinion ia that it will continue ao. Yea^
terday crowds of people from Canton and Hon^n, thronged the oP-
iices of the city authoritiea, all begging that the street and ferry
may be kept open. And to-day rumors are rife that, if compelled to
abandon their houses, they will aet them on fire ! This threat should
iiot be unheeded, since there are thousands that would exult in its
execution.
Since writing the aboTe,.the following documents have been made
pabliQ, having reference to the obpoxioua atreet. Hog Lane, and to
the aite which it ia propoaed ta rent in Honiin.
Na21.
GOVERNMENTAL ORDERa
Replies from his excellency Khpng^ governor-general of Kwingtung and
Kwingsi to a petition presented to him by the shopmen of Simlou L&n (Hog
Lane).
- ' (A.)
' ne pelMoo, which has been presented by the said ahopmen, ia fhlly
understood; and officers have already been deputed to-managethiaafair.
Wail fbr their r^wrt
ToiPwto Kiayuen and olhem The eottectiBg and training 6f marines^
foffthinyonr addiesa, ia truly » goodexeroisek Bh» te talk— how easy
900 Particulars of the Late MwemenL ktkiU
it is ! Something more than this, however, may be requisite. The super-
intendents in the Dispatch Office are instructed carefully to deliberate on
your address, and make (to me) a report thereon. All the securities and
ter^olls have been delivered over lo the said Office.
. Canton, April 17th, 1747. : . .
No.^29.- ■ ■'•'•••
Reply from Chaa Ch&nglxng, commissariat-general, d&c, d&c, of Canton,
on the petition presented by the people of Sintau Lan. •- ; - . . c -
The commissariat-general most fully understands, as set forth in the>peti*
tion, that it is in the highest degree desirable to keep the place quiet, and
that to move is a weighty matter. But the said shops have been opened on
the' boundary lines betv^een the English and American Gardens;' and in
case of disturbance there, it will always be difficult to prevent banditii from
assembling and creating serious trouble. It is also to be feared that, afler
a while, it will be difficult for the shopmen there to carry on tlieir bnisiness
quietly. And now the English are willing to pay a heavy rent for the said
shops, so that no damage will be sustained. Therefore his excellency' (the
gov.-general) has deputed local officers to meet and confer with the foreign
officers for the proper management of this business, in alVof which regard
will be had to the preservation of quiet among our people. ' And you ought
all in an orderly manner to attend to your appropriate duties, like good and
faithful people. This I trust you will all do, ' and so fulffil the expectations
of biis excellency, and give no occasion for trouble and further deliberations;
- ' • Canton, April 18th,i 1847; • • • > '>''i n •» ^.v- t Vhij-i-t
".y'^ ;:•;•?•••'• >'> : lit :. '*"iNd. 23L .">' t!in ''''irtil'-r) -:">'»ff
i « Reply from Yehf commissioner of finance, dec, d&c, on the jpetition fiom
tfae^sbopmen in Sintao LAn. In all commercial transactions, in buying and
selling and jrenting. of houses, dtc, among the people,, it is requisite and ne*
cessary that both parties have a clear understanding and be allowed a full
expression .of their wishes. Then business can go oil But in order to
secure quiet for any length of time, regard must be had to circumstances,
4ndf there inust not be coeicibn on either' side.' Those within and those
• • . • . . .
without should be agreed andunitetLTHe'prefecfbfCahtbn has been di-^
rected to examine the case set forth in your petition, that it may be duly
attended to ; which having done he will report to his superiors.
- ,. .Canton, April 19th,.1847. ^ ,,0v .\ .. ixij^:: -r T'^rf
GOVERNMENTAL PROCLAMATION. Vv
Reply from his excellency Kiyingi governor-general of Kw4ngtung and
Kwing8i,.d&c., toa petition from- Mn^lAiipu^ and' otjier gentiy in the
villages. of Hoo^n. •:;-■•■ "H- ir"""*; ' — "'r ••^7 "?-'r**% y-r- :::.-..* -»r'''. -j
It appears, on examination of the articles of the late Treaties, that foreign-
ers, at the several ports opened for commerce, are allowed to rent houses
andr-gioand on. wfuefa to buildt - <Now 4he English ater willing to pay a. heavy
^ot for houses'aqdior land on which to build. *' And^thiairenttng of hoos^
1847. Particulars of the LaU Movement. 301
&c^ IB provided for in the articlee of the Treatiei. Accordingly high
officen have been deputed to confer and arrange this matter in concert with
the foreign officen ; and fairness ought to be equally maintained on both
sides. The said gentry have no occasion to be over anxious regarding this,
but may wait quietly for it to be properly managtxl by the deputed officers.
Then all will be well.
Canton, April, 21st, 1847.
Here ends our Narrative. We subjoin some additional facts and
some expressions of opinion, from the Hongkong Newspapers. And
first from the Overland Register, 25th April.
** The only subject of much interest during this month has been the ex-
pedition to Canton and the attack upon the Chinese forts on the river. The af-
fair has been and still is shrouded in so much uncertainty on several points, that
we consider it better to give our distant readers a short retrospect of the
whole so far as yet known, than follow our usual method of repeating the in-
formation collected through the month, as published in our weekly issue. It
was known previous to the departure of last mail that stores and ammunition
had been taken on board H. M. steamer Futture, and a variety of conjectures
were afloat as to her destination. On the evening of the 31st March, the H.
C. steamer Pluto came down from Canton having on board colonel Philpotts
and major Aldrich who had been for some time there, and it is understood
hadpenetratedtooneofthegatesof the city and takenasurvey of it, inanti-
eipation of an sssault They immediately waited upon the Governor and were
eloeeted with him until a late hour. Next day the town and harbor were
astir with preparations for the expedition. Shells, rockets, scaling-ladders,
itc^ were taken on board, and in the evening parties of the 18th Royal Irish
and 49d Madras Native Infantry embarked in the Fiifture, Espiegie^ Plvto^
and Cormdr steamer, which last was chartered for the purpose. The number
of Troops, and Artillery, joined to the Marines on board, amounted to about
1,0001 The Pluio sailed late on the evening of the 1st, and the rest of the
vessels early on the morning of the 3d, under the command of Captain Mac-
doogal, and having on board the Governor and Msjor-General D' Aguilar.
The Hon. major Caine was left to conduct the Government here, and be-
stowed great care in stationing the troops that were left in a way to enable
them to support the police and repress any attempt that might be made to
disturb the peace. Mr. Pedder also took every pains, warning the vessels in
the harbor to keep a good watch and be prepared to resist any attack, while
three boat-srowed about the harbor to keep guard.
•'On the foreiKX>n of the 2nd, the expedition arrived off the Bogue forts,
fully prepared for an attack on them, had it been found necessary. The
Chinese however were totally unprepared for resistance, only a few men being
found in the forts, who offered no resistance to the entrance of our troops.
The Chinese Naval Commander-in-chief on the station who is also Gover-
nor of these forts only left Cowloon the following evening, sailing through
VOL. XVI. NO. IV. 26
SOS Particulars of the Late Movement. April,
the harbor after it was dark. Both at the Bogue forts and those at the
cond bar, the gana were spiked and the ammunition destroyed. It has been
reported that there was a want of proper spiking nails and that it was done
insufficiently, as it is certain the Chinese had quickly removed them, and
when the expedition returned the guns were manned and ready for service.
We believe however that the failure arose from the size of the vent of the
guns which it required two or three nails to close efl^tually. This evening
the vessels anchored at Whampoa." * *
'^ When the public first learned the object of the expedition, the secrecy
with which it had been prepared and the energy that marked the first pro-
ceedings led them to hope that effectual measures were at length about to be
taken to vindicate the dignity of our country and curb the insolence of the
mob at Canton. As measures proceeded farther however these hopes were
converted into the strongest disappointment and disapprobation."
** We have already said that much uncertainty hangs over certain points
on which H. EL has not condescended to inform us. It is uncertain whether
he had orders from home to commence hostilities, or if the continued refusal
of the Chinese to grant his demands, which were not only reasonable but
already secured by treaty, provoked him to have recourse to arms. We are
equally in the dark as to whether there was any previous declaration of war,
for at war we certainly were for the time, and had the Chinese in the upper
forts made any resistance, for which they were fully prepared, numerous lives
must have been lost on both sides. We know that the English residents,
and even the Consul were quite ignorant of the movement until the arrival
of the expedition at Whampoa. Even the end for which it was undertaken
seems not well defined. It was believed to be the right of entry into the
city — ^but that is left in a worse position than before. The other objects
promised are not without value, but are not such as to justify the means used
to attain them — ^mnch stress is laid upon all the claims made by the merchants
having been gained — ^these claims however had been given to the Consul a
considerable time before, when no expedition had been heard of and when
it was believed the interference of the Consul alone was sufficient to procure
them, as it ought to have been, if properly backed by a fitting representation
from the Plenipotentiary. The privilege to build on the Honiji side is not
likely soon to be of much avail under the violent feelings of the populace,
unless backed by a sufficient British force. This, is the most valuable of the
concessions, and we think the Governor would have been fully justified in re-
taining one of the forts near the city, until it and the other articles of the
new arrangement were carried into effect
** As matters connected with the demonstration have gradually developed
themselves, there is we think more reason than ever for considering it to
have been a rash and impolitic movement What H. E. styles ** misinter-
preted forbearance " in his first notification scarcely merits, as far as the pub*
lie are acquainted with the circumstances, a better title than that of ** vacl-
lating policy," which naturally induced the Chinese authorites to assume a
less deferential tone, and at last, when instructed by the Home^ Government
1847. The Religion of the Chinese, 203
to exact (by force if necaasary,) a proper observance of the Treaty, or stung
by some occurrence, or want of respect on the part of the Chinese, H. EL rush-
ed headlong into the other extreme of violent and uncalled for measures.
The expedition itself was no doubt well ordered, and so far, effective as the
results testify, but it remains to be seen how far the objects gained, as set
forth in the Government Notification, warranted the extreme course adopted
—a course which might have brought about a feai^bl catastrophe, never con-
templated in the outset, and for the consequences of which we were totally
unprepared. The stealthy inroad upon a countcy at peace with us, consider-
ing especially our respective positions as nations is we think open to severe
censure* In this respect the Chinese authorities stand on advantageous gro-
nnd, as they are said to havo prohibited the forts in the neighborhood of
Canton from firing on our troops, although they were in a position, had they
availed themselves of it, to have done serious injury, and even when they
heard of the attack on the forts they abstained from molesting in any way
our countrymen resident in China who were quite unprotected."
** In commenting also upon these matters we cannot too strongly deprecate
the unfair and uncalled for inferences, and the Quixotic attitude assumed by
H. E. Sir John Davis in this commnuications issued for the information of
the mercantile community. The animui they display is sufficiently signifi-
cant, and proves how unfitted H. £1 is for the dignified and responsible duties
of the head of a government"
JVoCtf. We have already borrowed somewhat from the China Mail, and had
intended to draw some additional matter from the Overland Supplement, and
also- from the Friend of China — but we have no more space.
Art. V. The religion of the Chinese, without altars, temples,
priests, or any proper term to denote the true God.
Hr. Yeates, in the volume from which we have borrowed the first
articles in this number, gives us some remarks, on the religion of
the Chinese, among which he affirms that *' it is a religion without
altars, temples or priests, except only one," the emperor; and he
might have, with equal correctness, affirmed that they have no pro-
per term to denote the true God. Much has been said and written
on this subject, and much more probably will be required ere it can
be made to appear that any other term than shin, jjj^, is suited to
this purpose. The advocates for the phrase Shdng ti. High Ruler,
must have been grievously scandalized by seeing Shdng tipdu tdn,
Jb ^ W ^* " ^^^ ^^^^ ruler's precious birthday," posted up
every where in broad capitals during the first half of the present
month, and then, on the 17th (the 3d of the ^ mootvV^^ wA^x-
254 The Religion of the Chinese. April^
son or his image carried in state though the streets, accompanied by
courtesans and all the riffirafT of the country. In Canum the proces-
sion passed through 120 streets, celebrating 8hdng ti's birtb-day I
From a correspondent at Shanghdif we learn that Dr. Medburst
is writing and publishing largely on this subject. We are anxious
to see his Essay, and may very likely republish it in the pages of the
Repository. The following are the remarks of Mr. Yeates.
The religion of this vast empire must be allowed a subject of some
importance truly to ascertain. Our only sources of informatioa are
the relations of the Romish Missionaries, whose abilities and peaetra^
ting genius all the world knows are equal to the task of this inquiry.
From their accouBts* as published in several authors, one point seems
conclusive, and that is, that the Chinese religion is the most simple
and refined species of paganism, different from all other, and peculiar
to that ancient and extraordinary people. Ft is a religion without
altars, temples, or priests, except one only, who is the emperor, and
sovereign pontiff, receiving tithes of all ; and who,, annually performa
the rites ^f%acrifice or oblation in behalf of the whole empire.
It does not appear that the learned missionaries are agreed as ta
the supreme object of the Chinese worship, or wherein the imperial
and national religion eonsistsu Tien, is named to be the objeot of
their worship, which in their language, signifies heaven : but in
what sense they so understand the word tien^ when referred to acts
of religion, or when used in a religious sense, is a point to be inquir-
ed into : some of them understanding it of the maierial keaoems^ and
others of the immaierieU heaven or spirit of the heavens i concerning
which neither their own learned men, nor the missionaries themselves,
can absolutely decide : that is, whether the Chinese worship God or
heaven; the Creator or the creature; likewise, whether by the spirit
of heaven^ or immaterial heaven, they understand an Almighty and
intelligent Being, or only an energy or power devoid of life and
intelligence ; which diversity of opinions first gave rise to sects
amongst the Chinese.
The determination of this question has given rise to warm disputes
between the Jesuit missionaries, and their adversaries, for more than
a century past. Du Halde, who was a Jesuit, tells ns, " that the
chief object of the Chinese worship was denoted by the name Skdng^ii,
i. e. Supreme Emperor ; or Tien, which according to the interpreters,
signifies the same thing, though it is also frequently taken for lAe
maierial heavens r Hen, say they, is the spirit thai presides in heaven.
1847. The Religion of Ike Chinese. 205
beeauae heaven ia the moat excellent work produced by the first
canae." But here it ia aaked, " Did they regard thia Tien aa an in*
telligent Being, Lord and Creator of heaven, earth, and all things t
la it not likely that their vowa and homage were addreaaed to the
▼iaible and material heavena ; or, at leaat, to a celeatial energy void
of nnderatanding, inaeparable from the identical matter of which they
are eompoaed. But thia, aaya the author, I ahall leave to the judg-
ment of the reader.'' Navarette, and many others, strongly maintain-
ed the latter point : and in 1704, Pope Clement XI. issued a bull for-
bidding " that the two Chinese words Tien and Sh^ng-tf ahould any
longer be applied God, but instead of them, the term Tien-chu, whicb
aignifiea Lord of Heaven, should be introduced. But neither this,
nor the other papal prohibitions had much effect, and the matter haa
slept for many yeara.*
Thua it appeara that neither the Chinese themselves, nor Romiah
misaionaries can decide abaolutely on the religion of that empire ;
wherefore it ia most safely and reaaonably to be concluded, thai they
worship they know not wheU. Like the pagana of old, they have
raised an altar to an unknown God — and have lived m the utmost
darkneaa of auperstition without the knowledge of God, and without
hope in the world.
The religion of the bonzea ia gross idolatry : there ia no difficulty
in pronouncing that vagrant priesthood the worshipers of idols, who
in common with the whole maas of ancient and modern pagana, have
changed ihe glory of the incorrupiibU and immorteU Ood into the
image and likeness ofeorruptiUe man, and to birds* and four footed
heaUs^ and cretping things : and thua, being led captive by the devil
at his wiU, have changed the truth of God into a He, and worshiped
and served the creature more than the Creator, aa the great apoatle
of (he Gentilea has ao justly described them.
In leflecling on the religion of the Chineae, or rathei theii auper-
atition, there seema to be elicited one great and evident maxim,
which ia, that in the example of China, the most refined and civilized
nationa of the world, unenlightened with Divine Revelation^ axe, in
point of religion, on the common level with the moat barbarous and
uncultivated nationa : that even the inhabitanta of the moat isolated
portions of the globe, and the natives of the South Seas have equal,
i£ net more exalted conceptions of a Deity, than the boasted wisdom
of China any where discovers : and herein is proved by an iaCallible
* Le Campta, Tom. II. p. 141. Navaratte'f Aooaint of the empiie of
China, p. 31,32. Moflheim'i Authentic Momoiri of China, p. 97.
200 The Religion of the Chinese April,
and universal testimony the assertion of the divine apostle, above
quoted, " that the world by wisdom knew not God :** nor could in
any way attain to any just ideas of his eternal and unchangeable
attributes.
It is certain also, that if we look for any thing like natural religion,
or natural theology, it must be sought in the unenlighted empire of
China, where it is be found in all its native perfection, and where its
pestiferous fruits have been maturated, and displayed themselves in
the tyranny, the despotism, and cruelty of that empire.
Their great and eminent moralist, Confucius, was born about the
year 551, before the Christian era, a little before the death of Thales,
one of the seven sages of Greece. He was contemporary with Pytha-
goras; and Socrates appeared not long aAerwards. This oracle of the
Chinese, and model of virtue and human perfection, was famed for
bis prediction of a saint who should arise from the west, or holy
one who shoufd there appear : which some have understood as an
obscure intimation of a Restorer. According to a tradition univer-
sally received among the Chinese, he was often heard to repeat these
words, Sifang yiHL shing gin, the meaning of which is, " That in
the westf the most holy was to he found. And it is recorded that
Ming-ti, thb fifteenth emperor of the family of H&n, was so struck
with this declaration, and the image of a man who appeared to him
in sleep, that he sent two of his grandees towards the West, whence
the vision seemed to have come, with orders not to return before they
had found this Holy Person, whom heaven had given him some
knowledge of, and till they had learned the doctrine which he taught.
But the messengers, discouraged with the dangers and fatigues of
the journey« stopped in some place by the way, where they found the
idol of a man called FiiA, who bad infected the Indies with bis
monstrous doctrine about 500 years before the birth of Confucius.
They instructed themselves in this superstition, and upon their return
to China spread it throughout the empire. This happened about
65 years after Christ, about the time when St. Thomas preached
the gospel in the Indies, so that had these mandarins duly observed
their orders, China might probably have shared in the labors of this
apostle.
As to their idol Fuh^ his origin is so obscure that there is no cer-
tain account of him extant; some making no more of him than an
apparition, whilst others say he was born a thousand years before
the Christian sera, in a kingdom of the Indies near the line, perhaps
M little above Bengal, says La Compte. Thus far have we an account
ji
1847. Journal of Oceurreneei, 207
of the religion of the Chinese, which, no doubt, very toon, our Eng-
lish missionaries will relate to us in a more perfect and satisfactory
manner, when they have the convenient opportunity to consult the
ancient books and penetrate into that empire.
*n<wwwM*nM
Art. VI. Journal of Occurrences : papular feeling in the pravin*
cieU city ; the weather : a hail storm ; decapitation ; Pwdn 8z*»
shing: a new governor: new Chinese secretary appointed at
Hongkong ; the Chinuno piracy: coolie emigrants from Amoy;
death of Mrs. Speer; revision of the Chinese version ofHhe
New Testament.
Besides the ' Demonstration/ little has transpired here worthy of
notice, during the month. Surprise, alarm, indignation, and bitter
hatred, have been the predominating feelings manifested among the
people; and it is impossible to forsee what will be the ultimate or
immediate results. The feeling of iitsfctirt/y, for persons and pro-
perty, is almost universal, especially among the Chinese. Con-
sequently many are removing from the provincial city with their pro-
perty and effects. And it is said that the gentry are about to col-
lect a large "Contingent Fund," by levying a tax of one month's
income on all the inhabitants of the city and neighborhood, its object
being the support of militia and defensive operations in case of war.
Public meetings of the gentry and scholars have been numerous;
one, that was to have been held, on the 28th, was c failure. The
Chinese government must carry a stronger hand, or it will fall, and
that very soon.
During the first part of the month the weather was fine; the lat*
ter part has been rainy, giving a fair prospect to the growers of rice.
Hail of a very large size fell during the evening of the 22d. All
day the weather had been hot and sultry ; and about nine p. m. the
wind shiAed from south to north, and brought over the city a dense
dark cloud. Some of the hail-stones were asTarge as duck's eggs, and
even larger, so that in several places they came through the tiles of
houses ; it was accompanied by much lightning and heavy thunder.
Repeated instances of decapitation at T%en tsz* Mdt&u, or the im-
perial landing, the usual place of public execution, have been report-
ed during the month, in the Canton Court Circular.
Pwdn 8z' shing, it is said^but we do not' know on what authority,
will proceed to Peking, before edtbring on his magisterial duties in
Kw&ngsf. The late governor, Hwdng Ngantung, remains here for
the present, and- iff employed by his excellency Kiying. A successor
8& Kwdngtsin, i^ ^ ]^, his arrived.
In t the Hongkong papers, we see that "His excellency^ Het
flfajesty's plenipotentiary, ^lc, &c., has been iB\^%Bft^ v^ ^^^vox.
206 Journal of Occurrences,
Thomas Wade, esquire, assistant Chinese secretary and Interpreter ;
his appointment to date from 1st March/' 1847.
The Chimmo piracy has excited considerable attention, it hafing
been brought before the Admiralty Court of Hongkong. The par-
ticulars will be found in the newspapers published there. We notice
that to one of the actors in the tragedy, " Foa-Apo" H. E. Sir John
Francis Dafis '* has been pleased to grant a free pardon," the said
Foo^Apo baring turned states' evidence. We have the following
particulars, in a recent letter from Amoy, touching this affair.
** Three bodtei of the anhappj ' persona murdered at Chimmo were buried
at KCiUng 16 on the 25th March. Thej were forwarded overUmd from Chim-
mo, and were in such a state of decomposition that thej could not be recog-
nited. One is however undoubtedly, from the clothes upon it, the bod/ of
capt. Chamberlayne of the Caroline. — Mr. Consul Lay ton held a coroner's
inquest with a jury of six gentlemen, who returned a verdict, ** That the
deceased came to their death in a manner to the jurors unknown." There
was no evidence to prove the identity of the bodies, or to say when, where,
and how the deceased died, beyond the evidence already taken before the con-
sul in February. The funeral way attended by H. M. Consul and several
British and American subjects who thus exhibited their sympathy and respect,
in tbe sight of the Chinese, for these poor murdered fellow-creatures."
Coolie emigrants from Amoy, besides providing themselves with
the means of living, are likely to become useful abroad, — two objects
which make the enterprise worthy of attention. On this point a cor-
respondent thus writes to us from Amoy.
** The trade of Amoy is increasing, and the ship Ouke of Argyle will leave
to-morrow (March 7th) for the Havannah with a novel carffo for that port, Tis.:
from 400 to 450 emigrant coolies, who go thither as Free Laborers, It is sup-
posed that a lar^e export of coolies will take place from Amoy for the
British West India colonies. The island could supply from the neighborhood
nearly 50,000 coolies per annum."
Friday April 16M, died at Macao, Mrs. Cornelia Speer, wife of
the Rev. W. Speer of the Presbyterian Mission, and daughter of
Alexander Breckenridge esq. of Pittsburg Pa. u. a. a. Mrs. Speer
left the u. 8. A. in good health, July 20th, and arrived at Macao De-
cember 26th, 1846. The symptoms of the disease, which carried her
thtis early to the grave, made their appearance during the voyager.
She died cahny^ peacefully in the full hope of a blessed immorta-
lity, resting on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of sinners. Her
remains rest in the Protestnut burying ground, Macao, to await the
resurrection of the just. " Be ye also ready, for in such an hour
as ye think not, the Son of man eometh"
. Revision of the Chinese version of the New Testatnent, Delegates
for this purpose are expected to assemble at Sh&ngh4i on the 1st of
June next ( 1847); we hear that the following persons have beeo ap-
Soiated as delegates ; from Shingh&i the Rev. Dr. Medhurst and
lishop Boone ; the Rev. W. M. Lowrie from Ningpo ; the Rev. J.
Stronach of Amoy ; and the Rev. Dr. Bridgman from Canton. W»
suppose the Rev. Mr. Goddard, of Bangkok will be one of the dele«
fates ; and perhaps one or two additional appointments will be made,
•ha importance of the business to be performed makes it desirable
there should be a full meeting,
THE
CHINESE REPOSITORY
Vol. XVI May, 1847 No. 5 .
^^l^k#^«««^^««^^k^«A^a^lA^^^«^l^h^K^«^hA^^^k^k^^^.^«^h^NA^k^k4»
Art. I. Chinese grass^loth: a series of sketches, illastrating the
culture of hemp and the manuffuture of grtisscbth, from the seed
to the state Jit for use. By TiNoairA, No. 12. New China Street,
or PI ^ ^ Canton.
TiNoauA is one of the many artists in Canton who gain their live-
lihood by the pencil. All sorts of things, from the broad landscape
to the little insect, form the subjects which are portrayed, some-
times with great fidelity, by these men, among whom, at present,
Laroqua perhaps enjoys the best reputation. The human face is
sometimes drawn most perfectlyby his pencil ; and many of his pain-
tings would not suffer in comparison with those of European artists.
Tingqua is a younger brother of Lamqua, and was instructed by him
in the use of the pencil. Lamqua is chiefly employed on portraits,
while Tingqua confines himself to miniatures and sketches. He
has very many of the latter, we think not less than a hundred sets, of
which the one before us is a fair specimen. These simple sketches
afford 'a great amount of information ; and were they accompanied by
ample descriptions, their value would be greatly enhanced. The set
on grass-cloth was put into our hands, with a request from Tingqua,
to translate the name of each sketch. Having done this, a copy of
the same was made for us, which, with a very few explanations
of our own we now venture to submit to our readers, at the same time
referring them to the artist for the sketches. The proper name and
surname of this man are Kwan Ting^kdu ^9 j^ ^; he is now
thirty-eight years of age ; and ia very anxious to improve in the art
of which he is so fond.
VOL. XVI, so. V. 5^7
310 Chinese Grass-cloth. May,
The reader must not judge of the sketches from our meagre and
tame descriptions. We have never seen the m& or hemp growing
in China, nor do we find any very full or satisfactory description of
it in any European books. In the Encyclopedia Briiannica there
are some notices of " Chinese hemp," and a reference to the 72d
volume of the " Philosophical Transactions." Had any of the resi-
dents in China the proper means, they might, with the aid of Tiog-
qua's sketches, easily furnish some very useful papers, on the pro-
duction of sugar, silk, etc., any of which we shall doubtless be glad
to publish.
Selecting the seed of the hemp : this is done by women and chil-
dren, under the inspection of an aged man ; and having been care-
fully selected, is put up in jars, and kept ready for use.
Watering the seedlings. The seed having first been made to
sprout, is watered and keep moist and ready for planting in the field.
PUmghing the land with the buffalo. This is done by a single
buffalo which is harnessed to the plough, and ia driven by a single
man who holds and guides the plough.
Harrowing the land. This operation is done in the same manner
as the ploughing, with a single buffalo and driver.
Weeding the ground, or clearing it from grass and weeds. This
is done by gathering out the grass, d&c, by hand.
Hoeing the ground: this is a simple process of cutting up the
ground with the hoe, so as to make it ready for the seedlings.
Sowing ashes: the husbandman carries a large basket in his lefl
hand while he scatters the ashes with the right.
Manuring the ground. Here is represented a coolie carrying two
large baskets filled with manure, which is to enrich the soil.
1847. Chineie Grass-cloth 211
Leveling the ground. This is done with an iron rake, and thus
the ground is made even and smooth, ready for^the seedlings.
Planting Ike seedlings. The ground having been duly prepared,
the husbandman appears with his seedlings (the hemp seed sprouted)
and with his hand carefully distributes them in rows or drills.
Filling up the drills. This is done by the husbandman with a
sort of wooden hoe or scraper, with which he (ills up the drills and
levels and smooths the ground.
Enriching the soil with fresh earth. This is done by coolies who
bring the fresh earth or mud from the neighboring pools, and spread
it over the surface of the field.
13. itt tK.
Watering the ground* There are many ways of doing this, that
penciled before us is done by a coolie with water-buckets, from which
the water is made to fall in copious showers.
14-laiilft^-
First blades of the hemp. Here the hnsbandmani stands at his
ease, under an umbrella, on one side of the field, looking with an
air of great pleasure at the springing crop.
iS'^^aig.
Gathering out the weeds. The laborers, having gone through the
field and with their hands gathered out the weeds that had sprung up
to choke the rising crop, are here seen seated under shade trees
eating their rice a la Chinois.
16. t't'fl^a-
Thinning the young sprouts, taking away a part, so that each re-
maining stalk may have room to grow and expand.
17- lil « J^ «* li-
Pulverizing old bricks for manure. These are taken from old
houses and walls, and those which have accumulated saline matter
are most esteemed. They are beaten up with mallets and then in
a pulverized state spread on the fields.
o 1 2 Chinese Grass-cloth. May,
18. Ji^ *fe
Enriching the soil with fresh oiUQakes* These are made of various
oily substances, and cut fine are spread over the surface of the fields.
Enriching the soil with old earth. The bricks having been beaten
to powder, as described above, they are sown like ashes over the
surface of the field.
The tall hemp. Here is seen the hemp grown to its full height,
and both the husbandman and his beast of burden are walking lei-
surely around it.
21. H««^.
Pol'ng the rows of hemp. Posts are first erected ; poles are next
lashed to them, say four or five feet from the ground ; and then
other poles are placed across these at right-angles, thus supporting
the stalks in an upright position
22. ^ 1 T-
Trimming the hemp. This operation of trimming, or pruning off
the sup Tfiuous branches or twigs, from the main stalk, is performed
by the hand and is done for the purpose of improving the main stalk.
23. ^ 1 ^.
Destroying the worms which collect on the hemp. This is also
done with the hand by taking them oiTone by one.
24. 1^ 1 ff.
The hemp in full seed, or literally " tying hemp seed." Here the
seed-vessels are seen in their full size, in a state of perfect mutarity.
Collecting the seed of the hemp. This too is performed by the
slow process of taking each boll or pod from the stalk with the hand.
26. BiJII ] ff ^.
Drying the hemp seed. This easy and light part of husbandry
is usually performed by women and children.
27. I|JC 1 ^^Affi. /
Putting up the seed in jars. Having been carefully dried in the
sun, it is put into jars and closed up so as to preserve it from injury.
1847. Chinese Grass-cloth. 213
Pulling the large hemp. In the pencilings before us, the larger
stalkd are about one third taller than the laborer, who is pulling them
up, and seemingly putting forth nearly all his strength.
^9- i|k A it 1 •
Gathering the hemp. The large stalks having been first pulled
up, next comes a gathering of the entire crop.
Sorting out the small hemp. All the stalks which are of nearly the
same length are selected in separate parcels, so as to give uniformity
and equality to each parsel.
31- il i& IS-
Binding the hemp into bundles. Scores of the stalks are placed
together, and bound with cords into large bundles.
32. )i| \ ^4C.
Putting the hemp into water for soaking and rotting it. Two
coolies are seen here carrying a large bundle, which they are about
to plunge into a pool of water.
33.^^1*®-
Sinking the hemp with a stone. The man is here seen carrying a
heavy stone, wading into the water to place it on one of the large
bundles that has just been thrown into the river.
34. 1 a^TJCi^ftfelEl.
Taking up hemp from the water after it has lain two nights.
35. % 1 ^.
Trimming the stalks of hemp, preparatory to taking oiTthe bark
or skin : an easy labor performed by women and children.
36. >^ ] H.
Scraping off the leaves. The stalk having been trimmed of all
the principle twigs, is now drawn between two stakes bound so close
together as to take off all the leaves.
Cutting off the roots of the hemp. The stalk is held fast in one
hand^ while a cleaver in the other chops off the roots, laid on a small
block.
214 Chinese Grass-cloth, May,
Peeling off the skin of the hemp. The workman is seated on a
long bench, in one end of which is an erect pin ; having with his
fingers first started the skin from the tip of the stalk, he brings it up
against the pin with his lefl hand, and holding it firmly there, takes
hold of the started skin with his right and peals it off, leaving the
denuded stalk to fall upon the ground.
39. n\ gC'
Scraping the hemp, . This process is performed in a similar man-
ner ; the man is seated on a bench, and with a sort of cleaver for a
scraper is endeavoring to render the skin smooth.
40. ft I m-
Wiping the hemp dry. This is done by females and children, who
taking what has been peeled from a single stalk in one hand, with a
cloth in the other wipe it dry and smooth.
41. Ji A *•
Making it into bundles. Sixty, eighty, or more catties of the bark,
are laid together, and bound around with cords so as to preserve
it from being tangled.
42. ^ ^ tJ^ ^ ^ .
Putting it again in water , which is done by men, who are seen
carrying away the bundles and about to place them in a rivulet.
Taking it up after soaking one night. Here two coolies are seen
taking the large bundles from the rivulets, where they had been
placed the preceding day.
44. 5^>^ ].
Washing the hemp. This is done in tubs, by coolies, and in small
quantities, the bundles being opened.
45. qji ] .
Drying the hemp in the sun. Here it is being spread ont thinly
and orderly in rows along upon the clean surface of the earth.
46. ^ 0 ^ H 1 ^
Turning and drying the hemp a second day. This is merely re-
peating the operation of the preceding day.
1847. Chinese Grass-cloth. 215
47. |gASl&# 1 •
Sorting the white and the colored. This is done by women seated
on the ground, taking up piece by piece.
Separating the long from the short ; performed in the same manner
as the preceding.
Parceling the hemp into catties. Parceled off in this manner into
handfuls, they are bound up with a small string.
Watering the hemp. A purely Chinese process: the water is
taken into the mouth, and is then blown forth in showers, so as
gently to moisten the hemp.
Beating the hemp. This is done by two men, with mallets, on a
block, working like two smiths at an anvil.
52. ^ 1 g.
Hatcheling. The hatchels are fastened upon a bench, and the
laborer takes a handful and draws it repeatedly through them, till
the desired object is accomplished.
Collecting the tow. This is collected and rolled up in balls,
ready for any use for which it may be fitted.
Drying the hemp. A string being tied around one end of the
hemp, it is then p.irted and thrown across a high* pole to dry in
the sun.
55. -^ ifll f •
Splitting the hemp. The end of the hemp near the roots having
remained untouched, is now split or picked to pieces with the fingers.
56. tL ] ^-
Tying up the shreds. The skin or bark of the hemp being now
nearly ready for the market, is tied again into small handfuls.
57. g^ 1 .
Folding the hemp. The handful having been first tied up is now
216 Chinese Grass-cloth. May,
folded, both ends being turned inwards, so that it lies nearly three
fold, making a little bundle nearly three feet long.
Bundling the hemp. Here the small bundles, of a catty each, are
made up into large ones forming heavy bales, and ready to be carri-
ed to the market.
Going to the country, buying hemp and bringing it to the shops.
Here the scene changes from country to town, where the shopman
is seen at his counter, pencil and account-book in hand, ready to
take a memorandum of the amount which the coolies are just now
seen in the act of bringing to his shop.
60. t 1 ^^
Selling hemp. Having bought in a quantity, of the raw material
just brought from the country, the dealers are here at their retail
business, one weighing out some small parcels of the hemp and an-
other is taking the pay, having the silver suspended in his scales.
Selling hemp to be worked by women. Here two women are seen
providing themselves, at the vender*a shop, with a few catties of the
raw material, which they propose to work up for wearing apparel.
Beating the hemp a second time. Having carried home some of
the raw material, the women are now seen engaged in opening and
preparing^the same for the loom.
opening the hemp with the teeth. A lady, respectably dressed,
with two attendants, is represented sitting with a handful of hemp in
her hand, having the ends of it in her mouth, biting open with her
teeth any parts not yet sufficiently softened.
44. ^a^ ] p.
Smoothing the hemp. Here two ladies, each with a quantity of
hemp in hand, are smoothing and dressing it,
65. ^f-^ ].
Combing the hemp — a process so called, though the operation seems
to be effected by the hand and fingers alone, without the use of a
comb. Il is done on a table, at which the operator is standing.
18«r. CAmcM Orau-elotk. 317
< SpUiting the hemp with the hand. An advance on the last mani-
palation b here seen ; the lady is sitting on a stool, the coarse hemp
placed on one side and the fine on the other, with some in. her hands
which she is splitting up and making fine.
ScaJdng the hemp in basins. Rolled up in small hoops or ring»,
half a foot or so in diameter, the hemp is placed in small basins and
water poured upon it, where it remains to sosk and soften.
68. H^ 1.
SpUiting the hemp into smaU threads. Taken from the basins, it
is now split up into small shreads preparatory to its being made
into thread.
Forming threads. By uniting and splicing the short shresds, as
prepared in the last sketch, we have now exhibited the manufacture
of the long threads, by the hands of the industrious housewife.
Winding the thread intd balls. The lady, holding a bamboo in her
left 'hand, winds up upon it the thread with ths other. When in-
treaaed to the proper !>ize, the ball is sliped froin the bamboo, and
mother is wound otiupon it in the same manner.
Carrying the balls to market. The lady with fourteen bialls,
strung together, which she curries in her right hand, leading her lit*
tie daugher with the left, is seen going from her house to the market.
Buying the balls. Here the shopman is seen weighing a number
of balls, which have been brought in by the fair manufacturers, and
. who are now at his counter waiting to receive their pay.
7.3.|^ffe 1 f.
Boiling (or steaming) the balls. Over a large furnace well heated,
there is placed a boifer of dimensions sufficient to receive a. tray or
' sieve cbnfaihing a* dozen or mbre bails ; then a cover is placed over
tihe boiler so as to confine the steam ; and the hemp is' thus boiled..
VOL; X-VI. NO. V. MT
ftiS Chinese -Grass^clbtk.' ^^r',
74. 0 ]
lytytng (He baih, FiDr this purpose, after having been taken
from the iray over the ftre, the<bft11s are spread out upon {loards, or
tables, where they are dried in the sun.
75. Jt^ifl 1 9-
Separating the coarse fronf the fine. ■ The 'thread, as wound off in-
to balls; is foubd to be of differliitt qualities^ some coarrae and same
fme, whieh are«owaooordtQgly:biaingil;u4<i|uUptp.<^%riA(e.parcdsii
76i ^^ \^
Doubling the threads, t'h'^sis simply uniting two of the threads
into one, which is done by winding it off a seoox^d time.
Winding small spools for warp. This process is apparently the
same as the preceding ; bm the spools are smaller.
CuUingi ¥>atifpmg pins. Mother «arih has to aerfe the .poor .manv^
facturer. for v^ajrping.btrsv sod long wopdea pins:aro dfiveu into he|r
face, which \^ first swept clean with a -broom.
. , i J^^^ff l^^piv V^^ i^^^ ^^ gromd, . T\^epi^ 4re -dlriyieii jn pv
;raliel rows,;tenprrLw9lTe feet.apart, the ,piiui .bei^g Wfparat^d .as
many inches (a fqot.iaprjs or less) from each other.
80-'J^ 1 II'
. Woffping, The-pins having beea . arranged in two row«j, a fr^mo
.b; prepared for the spools, which. are, set vippn a board, . and the
thread ofoaoh is taken; aud carried tiirough a riqg fitted for It. in, a
pole, each thread having its o^n jring directly above it ; and these
ends of the threads are all collected together,- and warped off upon
the pins. -
Winding off the warp. This is done upon a sirtpleTeelvwhicrh,
taken from the axis, is held in the hands, and thus the operation is
'V^y.fea$i)ly perfornped i>y a aingje oooiie.
'Folding iheiffOrp, A heavy plank, withr:a?suong:pin er«c4ed. in
one end is laid on the ground, rdnd the reel having been^pfaoed oonU
1847; Chintse Grtus-cloih. . 319
axis at a little distance, also erect, the warp is reeled off and folded
or coiled around the pin in the plank.
Entering the coarse reed. Here are represented two men, or ra*
ther a man and a boy, the latter has just come, with a reed in his
hand, to the man who is seated on the ground with his folded warp,
shears, dtC, all prepared to put the threads into this coarse reed.
Parting the threads into the read. The read is filled, and two
men are seated, one on each side of it— one is tying up the ends of
(h^ threads into small knots, so that |hey cannot fall from the reed,
fipclr ^he o|ther is placing a chord around the warp so as to keep it
froiD being tangled or snarled. .
85. ]^ 1 U5.
Trimming off knots from the threads. With shears in hand, the
threads^of thewarp are undergoinjgr a close hispectioa by the weaver,
Who IB trimmring off all the knots that he can find.
BoiUng starch. This we beliefe is made from wheat, and is used
for' starching br sizing the warp.
87. VllE-
Splicing the warp. This is a very. simple and easy operation;
with a ball of thredd Jiuiig on his arm, the weaver .is $een at work
Imending pr splicing thread by thread.
Brushing the warp. The warp being stretched, and spread out
.after it lias b^en placed in the r,eed, the weaver .appears with a wet
brushy fnade of broomcorn, and brushes it clean and smooth,
89. f^, |g.
Starching the warp. This process is simil^ir to the preceding,
except that starch (or size) is used instead of clean water.
90. il^ ] ^.
Fanning dry the warp. The warp is still stretched, as exhibited
in the preceding operations, and a coolie, with a fan iu each hand,
is ttrging on the process of evaporation and drying.
300 Ckines€ Grass^chth. Mat,
91- 11i5£«-
Mntdng ike harnes$. Thread or cord is used for this, and the
mau is seated on a bencht with his shears, d&c, tying the nots and
fcrming the loops, dtc, 6lc,
Passing the thread thravgh the hornets^ which is done by two men
one seated on each side of the harness, the first handing np and en*
tering the threads one by one, and the other is opening the loopholes
«Dd pulling them through, ' . .
93 AS-
Entering the reed. This is a smaller reed than the preceding
one, and the operation is performed in a manner quite like that of
" passing the threads|through the harness," as described in the last
number.
Winding it on the warp^eam,: The work is represented as finish*
ed, and the beam is seen filled, and the threads extending; from, it
through the harness and reed, and the whole ready for the loom.
Fastening it to the cloih^eam. The ends of the threads are first
tied around a small rod, and then this rod is lashed fast to the cloth*
beam.
Stretching the warp. This, judging from the sketch before os,
might be considered as the process of winding the warp upon the
warp-beam.
Putting it into the horn. Here we haTe the first' sight of the loom,
upon which the two beamsi already noticed, are to be placed, by
two men : it is a fery simple and primative machine.
Hanging the hamesf. The two beams having been placed in their
proper positions, the harness must now be suspended, which is done
by means of cords suspended from poles fixed to the top of the loom
99. ^f^^/jt^
Erecting the two bamboo bows, which are intended to support, by
means of cords, the lay or batten which holds the reed.
1847. CAtneir Gratt-ehtk. 291
100. ^ fS-
Sfisptnding the reed. This is done by two long and strong chords,
attached to the upper end of the bamboo bows» and then let down
and attached to the ends of the reed.
Soaking the spools or balls of thread. These are destined for the
woof, and are thoroughly soaked for the double purpose of render*
ing the thread both clean and flexible.
102. -^ f J- H|-.
Cutting bamboos for quills. These are small smooth bamboo shoots,
which are cut with the saw into short quills, on which the thread
is to be wound for the shuttle.
103. §^ 1 t-
Opening tke spools. The thread on the ^arge spools or balls is
wound off upon a small reel, which is done by the hand.
104. j^ ] ^.
Winding quills. Here we have a small quilling wheel, simple in
its structure, quite like those once used in the west.
105. J:. ^ ^i A t-
Threading the shuttle^ or literally.'entering the spools into the
shuttle. Here the weaver is seen holding the shuttle, while a young
servant is bringing to her a small basket full of quills.
Weaning. Here, at length, aller all the one hundred and five
previous operations, we see the man seated in the loom. A piece
of cloth is half finished, and he is diligently driving on his work;
his feet are on the treddles, his left hand on the lay, while his right
is in the act of throwing the shuttle.
Takli^ the grass-eloth from the loom. This needs no particular
description ; the piece has been completed ; the shears have been
applied ; and now two persons are seen inspecting the new fabrick.
108. ^^;ft^||.
Measuring and rolling the cloth. One roll is completed and is
in the hands of one coolie; while another is being made up and is
seen half rolled on the table, in the hands of another coolie.
£22 ChifuU GriSii^hik. \ Mat,
loa. % ^ ^.
Dying. Five larg« water^fiote, almoet the size of a barrel, are
seen atanding in am epea field. They are called "indigo pota,"
indigo being roost commonly iis?d for this purpose, and two cooliea
are bringing the cloth to put it in these pots. ^
Bkdching the grass^lass. This is done in truly prrmiiive ityle.
The coolie has arrived at a patch of gtten sward, whereon he ha»
spread his cloth, and is now seen in the act of dipping water from a
brook to pour it upon the cloth.
Dying with various colors. This process is quite tckfe the pre^
ceding (No. 109,) but we have kere a much larger number of pots
und ^ larger variety of colors.
Carrying it away to be washed: — which, like every thing else in
Chiiiii» is carried by cooties on Vaoiboo pblea reslinf^ ^a Iheir
shoulders. . i
Washing ike dothinihe river. Tfiis isthe most bommOQ neihod
l>f washing, even wearing apparel, where the 'accommodatioDs 4if
water, dtc, render 4 1 pfadieabte/ i
■ ' Diying the iDoiond tloth. Thisis doneby hangibg it up on high
i^tttaea, erected above the houses, and is every-wbere to be seen ia
3the city and suburbs of Canton.
Smoothing the cloth with a roller. A sort of bed or tray -is laid
down firmly in the ground, the inside curved or scalloped, and made
>ery amobth ; upon this the «}oih is carefully spread, andon it is laid
% small cylinder, and then upon this a stone wi4ha>6mooth face^;
•kating high ends turning iiipiwards. Tiie-ovalie mouitt» ^his 0tQ|i4(,
and places one foot dlieach eiid and sets it in motion, working the
^cylinder backwards end iqrwards with. great power. This is. the
substitute, or jrather rtbe prototype lof the hot-press or calender^ used
in Europe for. pressing aqd snioothii)^ cloth. ^^ -
184T. Tkt MuMt/aeturt of Silt. 9SS
R&iHng vp the stnooihed cloth. This is a simple process, rolling
it up piece by piece, and making it ready for the market.
n-y. |a * A «« a-
Carrying the eloth to the $hop for salt. Here « ahopniliii » see9
at his counter, with his memorandum look, while a coolie is coming
in with a heavy joad of cloth.
U8.g:fp:
Dying cloth. Here is a full view of the interior of the shop,
where you may see the shelves loaded with goods, the buyer, the
i9etter, d&c, d&c, with all the other appurtenances of the retailer.
Cuiling cloth for garments. Here you see the tailor, with all hyi
•pppropriate^implemeuts, standing at his table, and a customer is by
Jiis 9ide giving specific directions regarding what he will have- made.
- 1^0. Je jdt jT # . ..
^^^ Mcddmg perspiration garmenis,^- \. e. a0 uade^ftpod by tbecClfi-
•nese, tiot shirts, but short jackets,, which are to l)i^ iforn n^;(t to th^
body. Here one man Is seen at his. table witha oefsdl^ diJligeiitly
«t work, while 'his eooipanton is fittendi/ig toji. eM8tpi9er,.,in the ac^t
of examiniog't garment just completed. •
> , I,
^AnT. II. < C^tna, i^ ^ series qf views, disptayin;g the sjcenery, or*
. cUUctur^^jmd $ticial habits^ ^c, 4*.e*« of this ancient and ex-
tbssweeinpirt. By .Thomas Ailom, esq.; with historical and
descriptive notices^ by, the Rev. O. N- Wr^^ht. m. a. London.
'friii8:woilc<wa8ibri9fly.and favorably noticed in oor fbarteeBth yolume, in
the nunifoer for M(irch 1.845, and some extracts ffiveh, showing the scenery
of Hongkong. 'We had then seen only a few of me early numbers, tbrming
' ^at a ^^xt of the first voluoie. We have now before us the work complete,
)infcKur elf^int qoartos,.aod affordiDg all the information we could expect to
I find* cpnsideriiig the circumstances of the publicution. It is a userul and
'amiising pi6ture-book, fitted to adorn tlie -centre table in any parlor er
iin^lng«'r«pDi4-' The •olaties,.:a hupdred and twenty or more in number, aire
however more^beautirul than accurate; and, compared with Tingqua*s
The Manufactwrt of Silk. Hat^
•ketches, form a very etriking contrut If Mr. AUom could have been pre-
■ent and observed with hit own eyes the scenes he has attempted to portray^
or could he even have had the assistance of a Chinese artist, like the author
of the sketches in the preceding article, he would have avoided some gross
blunders, and though perhaps rendered some of his pictures less pleasing
and elegant, they would not have been less true to nature nor less pictures-
que. China, as all the world knows, is China; and <* there is no China but
China," where everything is perfectly unique. Mr. AUom has sometimes
failed in preserving this characteristic, and has given a foreign, and, to the
Chinese a barbarous bearing to some of the lines of his pictures; and where
this is not the case, he has occasionallv failed to place things in their trae
Chinese order, or has brought persons forward out of their proper time and
station ; so that even a tyro in Horace might complain that the respective
parti are not alwavs suited to each other.
We have looked over all the volumes, and read many of the deseriptionBi
and think our readers will be pleased with the following, on the cultivation
and manufacture of silk ; we take them (four in number) in the order they
are given in the work before us.
1. Feeding silhwwrm^ and sorting ike cocoons:
It has been generally supposed that the people known in ancient
history as the Seres, were identical with the Chinese, both because of
their eastern position, and that the principal silk manufactures wera
believed to hav<s been brought from thence, on which account the
Romans named the country Sericum, or Serica, or Sereinda. This
fact, however, is not at ail certain ; on the contrary, there are strongs
and almost conclusive reasons for allowing, that the trifling quantity
of silk imported into Rome, came, not from China, or Serrinda, but
from Persia. It is by no means- probable that it was- the Chinese
who were said to have sent an embassy to Augustus, to solicit the
friendship of the Romans, as this would be the only instance in the
history of that people, of their having condescended to court foreign
alliance, independent of its being opposed to their fundamental laws,
which not only prohibit intercourse with strangers, but e^eu ieKlons-
ly prevent the emigration of their people. Florus, who wrote n^^arly
a century later than the dleatfa of Augustus, is the only author '> ho
mentions this embassy, and, as no historian contemporary with the
emperor, hta alluded to so remarkable a circumstance, the natural
presumption is, that nb such embassy was ever sent to Rome. It
might be added, in further confirmation of the opinion, that the Ghi*
nese never traded, negociated, nor were even known to the Romans,
that the most learned ancient geographers conoieve Serica to be iden*
tical with Tartary, not with China Proper ; and, in their charts it
adjoins Scythia. The inhabitants of these districts were practised
in archery, a Tartar accomplishment, but they did not produce or
manufacture silk so much as cotton.
1847: TIU Manufacture of Silk. 225
If the Romans,, therefore, procured their silk from Persia, and that
history is silent, on its further origin, no proof remains that China is
its native country. A colony of Jews are known to have traveled
into China at an early period, and, according to the records preserved
by their descendants and the authority of Chinese historians, settled
where soon after Alexander the Great had opened a communication
with the East. . Is ii not probable, that these industrious people carri-
ed with them this useful piece of knowledge from Persia, or from soit^e
of the adjoining countries, where the silk-worm was then certainly
known -to have been reared? The emperor Kaung-shee, in his
treatise on Natural History, states, that the Chinese are much mis-
taken in imagining that silk was an exclusive product of China, for
that the upper region of India had a native worm.of a larger growth,
and which spun a stronger silk than any in China. There is reason
to believe that silk was produced in the early ages of history, both in
Tangut and Kitai ; seveiral expressions in the Bible warrant a pre-
sumption that this beautiful manufacture was known at the court of
Solomon; besides, the vestes periueida ae fiuidm JIfecb'i. of Justin
have always been supposed to mean silken robes. The Jews in
China,. like the Huguenots in England, carried along with them the
practical knowledge of an useful art, and both have become so com*
plelely amalgamated with their adopted countries, that distinction
is now almost obliterated. Still may the Israelites be traced at Hang-
tchoo-foo, where they have long been settled, and where they have
acquired the reputation of fabricating the best stuffs - in China.
Some curious circumstances respecting this tradition may be noticed
here. Few of these immigrants, except the rabbins, have any know-
ledge of Hebrew, and toleration appears to have drawn away many
bf the Jews from the faith of their Ancestors, — an effect directly
contrary to that which may be observed to follov/ religious perse-
cution. The high-priests ^are Vigorously attached to the Old Law,
but are ignorant of any other Jesus having appeared on earth,except
the^eoii of Sirach. If this statement be correct, these Jews could
not have been part of the ten tribes carried away into captivity, but
followers of Alexander's army, which corresponds with their own
ac^count of their immigration.
In the sixth century, two Persian monks, migrating from their
country, secretly conveyed away a number of silk-worm's eggs in a
holldw cane, along with the white mulberry, to Constantinople, where
they were encouraged by the emperor Justinian to breed the insect,
and cultivate its cocoons. This was the first iutroduelioni of the
. .^-VOL. XVI. NO. v. SU ' ' '
/
^0 tie Manufacturt of Sitk. ^ ^ Hay,
siik-worm into Europe, but the country o>f its authors is not necessari-
ly that of the insect itself, which may still therefore have come from
Serica, or Persia, or Kitai, or Tangut, or perhaps China Properj
Popular histories of China, however, ascribe the origin of silk manu*
facture to the empress Si-ling-shi, wife of Uoang-ti, about 2,700
years b€fi>re the Christian era ; and the same fabulous chronicles say,
that the raw material had been exported from China many centuries
before the insect that produced, it, and had given extensive employ^*
ment to manufacturers in Persia and Phisnicia*. .: ; . :ii j
The invention'of the celebrated Cban.stuffii, is attributed by the
Greeks to Pamphyla, who is said to have taught her countrywomen
of Cos to- unweave the heavy silks of the Bast, and recompose the
material into a transparent gause, thus gaining in measure what was
lost in substance. Before the reign. of Augustus, even manufactured
silk was little known in Europe ,* it was then sold for its weight in
gold, afid was worn only by a few ladies of patrician rank. . In the
beginning of Tiberius' reign, a law was passed, that no man should
disgrace hrmself by the efieminate practice of weadng silken gar^*
vients ; and it is mentioned as a wanton extravagance of the prodigal
Heliogabalus, that he had a garment made wholly of silk. For six
centuries the culture of the silk-worm in Europe was confined to thci
Qreek empire, and several manufactories were established at Athens^
Corinth, Thebes, and the iEgean lalands, for rearing the worm upon
mulberry leaves, for unwinding the cocoons, for twisting the fitaments^
into tliFeads of varbus degrees of strength, and weaving them lastly
into robes. From Greece the culture of the silk-worm passed to the
Venetian republic, which then enjoyed the most extensive conameroial
intercourse with the western countries of Europe, and these enter-
prising people accumulated vast treasures by their flouriahing trade
in silk.. >^'
, It was about the. year 1130, that Roger II., King of Sicily, and
son of the famous Count Roger theNoripau, having violently carried
away silk-weavers froqn the Holy Land, established manufactures ia
bia capital city of Palermo, and in some oi the chief places ot Ca^
Laluria, From this source spi^ang the whole culture, and manufacture,
and trade of silk, from which^Italy subsequently reaped so rich a
harvest 3y whom the culture of silk was; introduced into Spain,
doe&l not app^a,r very 9ertainly» but^he probability ijsi that the Moors
were tbeprv^lQ/il prompters of this brarvck^ of industry at Cordova'
I\Iurcia> and Gnviad^; fpr^ ^hen the last of these places was captur-
ed ia the AAeeuth oeitmry by Ferdinand, he found the silk trade there
in a highly productive and prosperous state.
1847. Tk6 Manvfatiurt of Silk, S^7
In the jrear 1480, seTeral French nobles, returniag fro re con-
quM of Naples, brought some siik-worms with them into . .uphiny,^
along with the white mulberry ; but their efforts appear to have been
made more from a desire to promote the study of natural history than
fi>r any immediate benefif to manufactures or commerce. . Whatever
their peirsonal objects were, from these small begmnings a know-
ledgeofther^aring.and culture of the worm, and of its peculiar food,
soon extended itself through<)ut France ; so that in 1621, artisans
were invited from Mil«n to aid in the establishment of the manu-
facture <m -a> wider basisw From the nursery-grounds of Monsieur
Trauoat of Nisme», the first formed in France for the culture of the
white mulberry, all those trees that now adorn and enrich the south-
ern provinces have been obtained. It is said thai the first mulberry-
Iree fdanted in France is still living, surrounded by itff numerous off-
spring, many of nearly equal age with itself. Fully appreciating the
value of infant m>^nufactures, Henri Ouatre extended every specie^
of protec^on and Encouragement to the plantation of the mulberry,
which' his wisdoroj[and power enabled him; and, although cut off by
an ontimely fate, he yet lived long enough to witness the entire suc^
cess of this his favorite project. *
The climate of England is at variance in this instance with the
industry of the inhabitants, which appears capable of surmounting
difficulties that have checked the enterprise of all other countries ;
iind fbr this* reason onTy i^ it that the silk-worm has not been natura-
lized here also. In- 146^^ a company of sUk-womem wuf formed,
whose employment and speculation were confined to needle-Work,
embroidery 'and Other braiichea in which silk thread' was employed.
But they had no conneclioh -with the culture of the silk-worm or
raising of the mulberry. It wasresef ved for our learned but imbecile
monarchy James I., to recommend this vain and hopeless measure to
Kik piBople, in a studied speech from t&e royal throne. England had
fong been dependent upon foreign countries for the supply of the
broad manufacture; and might have continued much longer in that
]|k)eition of profit to foreigners-, had hot the persecution of the Frenchf
JProtiestantiB in I6S5, obliged n Targe number of Well-eondiicted and
Indostriouir artisans, to seek refuge in England, bringing with thenf
an accurate knowledge of this art of silk-weaving. To this event is
lo be traced the ultimate eatafilisfiment ofrhe silk-trade in Spitalfields.
The manufacture of silks' had* progressed under King James ; so that
in 1626 the silkthrowsters were incorporated' by a royal- charter, but
the accession of the! French emigrants completed the strength and
secured the existence of this important branch of our manufactures.
1W8 Tke Mannfaeture of Silk. May;
And now so remunerating were the prices which this description
of manufactare produced, that no impediment seemed too great for
those who were ambitious of pursuing it. One instance is deserving
of lasting record in the commetcial and manufacturing history of
England. ' In the year 1720, Sir Thomas Lombe having witnessed
the wonderful performance of a silk-mill in Italy, at the risk of his
personal safety- succeeded in procuring a model and conveying it
secretly to England.- It consisted of 26,586 wheels, was moved by a
single water-wheel, and, in twenty-four hours worked three millions
of yards of organized silkr' The factory was erectied on an islet in
the Derwent river, in Derbyshire ; and Sir Thomas- secured his im-
portation by a patent, at the expiration of which parliament voted him
^14,000, in consideration of the service he had rendered to the r ma**
hufactures of his country,"and the imminent peril he had encounter<^
ed in effecting it. .: Scientific: diacoveriesv and progress in the arts,
have so completely superseded the most complicated and wonderful
pieces of mechaniero: produced, in the earlier ages, that labor i»
abridged, the* quantity of our. manufactures increased,, the.iquality-
ameliorated, and foreign competition overpowered, by 'the products
of our improved and improving- machinery. . >;>; ; -ir:; . i - : >
f 1 . . > ■ *■■ I • <%. .... " >^
2. Destroying the"chrysaHdes\ and winding] off '
It has, been shown, with a, sufficient: degree, of certainty^, that the.
invention of silk manufacture originated with the 'Chinese; theii;
authors assert, th^t from the earliest .period the Son of Eeaven him-
self (the emperor) directed the plough; the empress |>Unted the
mu!berry-tree — examples which had the most happy effect. upon their
subjects. An imperial treatise on ** Husbandry and Weaving," gives,
minute instructions for tlie culture of rice, from this first ploughing
of the ground, to the ultimate packing of the grain ; and is equally
circumstantial in detailing the process to.be observed . liom planting
the mulberry to weaving the silk. The. Chinese are utilitarians;
laws for the promotion -of any means, whereby food and clothing, the
principal necessaries of life, might be obtained with more facility, pf
superior quality, and in greater abundance, yvould necessarily have
become popular amongst them, and the author, or inventor, have
secured the lasting risverence of the nation.. But, it is less thaa
questionable, whether these -principlea add to their happiness here y
it is perfectly certain. that they^ cloud theira prospects of aa hereafter.
Foa;ieasing outward placidity of manner, lor the pqrpoees of concilia-
184?: Tk* Manufacture of Silk 9126
tioi» aiid dfeceit, the j are known to be hard-hearted and unforgiving.
As « people, tbej are without virtue, deep feeling, or dignity of cha-
racter ; toiling for food like inferior animals. Their total absence of
sentiment or delicacy, as well as their disgusting cupidity, were
glaringly obvious in the late Chinese war. Our fleet having destroy-
ed the forts of Amoy, and killed hundreds of their countrymen, scar-*
tely hfid the firing ceased, when the small trader-boats were alongside
our men-of-war, with dealers offering fruits, fowl, rice, and other
articles of fresh food, for sale to our men, so recently their mortal'
enemies. It is hardly possible to imagine a fact more derogatory, to
national, more disreputable to individual character.'
In' the preparation of clothing — or rather of a superior description,'
siilr cloth-'^the Chinese have attained a remarkable degree of excel-
lence. Commencing with the mulberry, the food which supports the
extraordinary insect from which the original material is derived, they
bestow the most tedious; yet . profitable care, upon every step in (he
process, from its opening to its close. The provinces of Sechwen,
How-quang, Kiang-si, and Che-kiang, traversed by the thirtieth par-
allel of latitude, are all adapted to the growth of the mulberry ; but
it is in the beautiful valleys and fertile plains of the latter that the
worms are reared most successfully, and the -finest silk obtained <
Woollen clothing was generally worn until the reign of Ouen-ti, of
the Han dynasty, from which period silk has been the most esteented,
and constitutes the dress now most prevalent amongst all the opulent
dasSes. The produce of Che-kiang, and of the adjoining silk district
of Kiang-nan, is the uiostNaluable, bringing, in the Canton market,
double the price of that produced elsewhere, and being preferred by
the* English manufacurer to the cultures of India, or Italy.
'^ As the end of cultivation in mnlberry gardening is the production
of the greatest quantity of young and tender leaves, at the total sacri-
fice of the fruit, the trees are never allowed to exceed a regulated
beFght and age; The branches are pruned off, and the parent tree
headed down ; leaves from the young scions being found to be more
tender, more delicate in their texture, and more nutritious, than the
coarse leaves produced upon older branches. Although there are
many species of the genus Marus, two only are distinguished in the
east as supplying food for the silkworm ; the black or common'
which is a native of Italjr, and flourishes also iii England ; and the
white, which is indigenous to China ; the Persians, however, use both
epeciesl Th^ red mulberry is a native of America, where A is much
esteemed for 'the quality of its timber, and employed for knees in
330 Tfo. MaPMfactun of Silk May;
ahiplMiildiog. The. Morns AHm is propagstedrrrom sedd^ by:layers»;
or from cullings; plants froon seeds, in tbis, as in. most othet speeies^
will, be found to be more healthy, and therefore preferable^ aUhough.
more disposed to be fruitful.
Suitable soil is prepared by trenching, mixing it witb asbe^ and-
river-mudy and making the oompound moist and loamy ; it is thrown,
up into beds or ridges, about a foot in height, and i» tbesef the plants
are set, generally in the quincunx form^ and at convenient distances.
The. intervals between the rows aer?e as eonduite for water, occa-
siofially ; but are uniformly oecupied with rice, millet, or pulse of
some kind, so that not a square foot of land, is- lost to eithev landlord
on tenant. Various stratagems are employed for the destruction or
pre?entioa of insects;, and, in applying, essential oils, as.weli as in.
gathering the Iea?esg double ladders are always used, the trees being,
too'slender to sustain any great weight or pressure. Gathering ^f
the leaves, the lungs of a tree, necesilarily superinduces disease, which
the cultivator, endeavors most artfully to relieve, or to remedy, by
pruning, lopping, and cutting out old wood. When these appliancea
all fail, and the inveteracy of the canker baffles the skil^ of the physi*
cian — when the tree shows a greater tendency to the production of
fruit, and a leas to that of delicate leaves,^ it is removed altogether^
and; its place supplied by a healthy young plant from the nursery.
Thesilk«'Worm (Bombyx) of the genua Phalana, and by entomor
logiats called " Fkakuut hombyxmorij' is originally a native of China.;
From the egg (about the size of a pin's head) when, fostered by &
genial warmth^ proceeds a minute dark-colored worm, thatrcaata ita
akin three or four times, according: to the variety pf the species, in.
its progress to full-grown existence and to a caterpillar form. It now
acquires a whitish color,, speckled with, bliie or yellow,> ceases to
feed>.and commencea those labora, which have rendered \i so famona
in natural and in commercial history. On the first day of its ca^
terpillar-liie,.that is, aboulthe thirtieth day of its entire existence, the
insect puts forth, through two apertures in itanose, a viscidi secret
tion, by which it becomes* attached to the surface onr which nature
or art may have placed it; on the second ,r it forms,, by means of du«.
plicate filaments, proceeding through these nasal.ybrnmijia, a ball of
pm ovoid, shape around itself,, as a> shield against hostile insects, and
against a frigid atmosphere; and. on the third, day, thia cocoon •com'*
pletely conceals the little laborer frpm^ view. ..., .^
Atthe'expiitatioa of about ten days, its insect toils^being complet-
ed, - tnd the austenance previously laid, up exhausted, the caterpillar
1647. Tki^ JfoMufaciHrt of Silk. 231
ohangtfl into the chryialis or nj mph state, and remains for some days
longer, awaiting another transformation. In the natural state, when
the time has been fulfilled, and the pupa completely metamorphosed,
the prisoner, guided by instinct, cuts through the silken barrier of
the cocoon, and comes forth a new creature, the destined inhabitant
of a new sphere, and, being furnished with limbs, antenn», and wings,
takes flight towards the regions of Him that made him so wonderful-
ly. In a state of culture, none of course are permitted to destroy
their cocoons, sare those that are to be preserved for the eontinuatiou
of the. species ; and these aureliag, or moths, are carefully brought
together, and placed on soft eloth or other {proper surface^ to deposit
their eggs. There is a viscous liquid around the eggs, which causes
an adherence to the paper, or cloth, or leaf, on which they are laid ;
but they are easily released from this encumbrance by dipping them
in water and wiping them dry.
Nothing is more necessary to be guarded against in tlie rearing of
silk-worms than the effects of noise and cold ; a sudden shout, the
bark af a dog, even-a loud burst of laughter, has been known to have
destroyed wholetrays of worms; and entire broods perish in thunder*
slorme. Th6 utmost vigilance, therefore^ is practised in keeping off '
visitors or intruders from the sheds, which are always constructed in
a remcAe shaation. It Is this necessity for the formation' of an artificial
temperature that creates thsigreat difficulty of rearing silk^worms in
Europe. About 65* of Fahrenheit is the most suitable for the pre^
Nervation of the amtm ; but there is considerable f isk atleoding any
increase, lest the process of incubation may be acceterated sa rapidly
as to precede the moment when the mulberry leaf shaH have reached
its edible age. In 'the silk-nursing provinces of Chinav'the; mean
temperature, according to the same description of thermometer, from
the first of October to the first of November^ ie about 5!S* at sun-rise
and 65"^ at neon, with an atmoephere onifbrmly plearand tranquil;
jind seldom, at any season, exceeding 85*, the highest. temperature
to which the worm may with safety be exposed Here then, evident^
ly, is the native country of this extraordinary insect, where the pro-
cess of incubation proceeds simultaneously with the growth of the
t>Bly species of food on which it can subsist
Much attention is given by the Americans of the -United Statea to
the culture of the silknivormr and the establishment of silk mannfacr
tories, and'this branch of industry is rapidly spreading amongst them.
The marus muiiieahHi^ on the leaves of which, they feed Iha worms,
appears to thrive luxiif iantly in most of the States ; and the govern-
933 The, Manufacture of SUk. Mat,,
mefil seem so intent upqn at least supplying the home consumption
of this valuable article of commerce, that twelve of the States pay. a
handsome bounty for the production of cocoons, or of the raw. silk.
In the year 1842, upwards of 30,000 pounds of silk were obtained
from the States of Massachusetts, N^w York, Pennsylvania, Tennes^
see^ and Ohio alone ; but it is fully ascertained, that from the souths
ern: border of the Union, up to the 44th degree .of latitude, the
climate is admirably suited to the .culture of silk. Success in rearing
the. silkworm has naturally encouraged tlie application of machinery
in the preparation and manufacture of the filaments ; and the inveii-
tions for reeling, spinning, and weaving silk into ribands, vestings^
damasks, &c., deposited in the National Gallery and Patent Office
of the Republic, are equal in ingenuity to any that can be shown in
China or in Europe.. The annual value of silk stufis imported into
the United States exceeds 20,000,000 of dollars ; the silk annually
manufactured in France b valued at 25,000,000, and of Prussia at
4,500,000. . It has been calculated that if one person in. one hundred
of the States' .population were to produce annually one hundred
pounds of raw silk, the yearly value of such product would be double
thatof the cotton now exported, and nine times the worth'of the ex-
ported . tobacco. This estimate is not unreasonable as regards the
quantity of silk that might be obtained by the industry; of the people,
for^ the Lombardo-Venetians, only four millions of souls, have raised
end shipped, in a single year, six million pounds of silk : the Amert-
ean conclusion, as to value, is, of course, fallacious, because when
they; are able to raise silk enough, to throw Venetian produce on the
general market, the price would fall in proportion.^ .; (. ; . ^^^
r : Hindoostan is the native country of several species of moths, ce-
toembling in habits: the common silk-worm.; most of them, ho:weveri
Jive wild, and in. this state have hitherto proved so productive,.. that
the {Hindoos have iiotthought it necessary to nurse them. . The Jqree
'Worm, of Assan^, feeds on the pipul tree;: the Saturma, including
•several species, lives on the hair-tree leaf;, this is. thelargest moth
'knowni measuring ten inches between the tips, of its wings; and its
^cocoons, the: size of a.hen'a egg^ are brought in quantities to Bhagelr
poor and Calcutta. One species^ the Eria, which lives on the palmar
'GfhrUti leaves, is* domesticated in India ; while another, of the Satur-
nts tribe, is.wholly neglected by the Assamese. * ^ ^, j,^ /,Jf
. ' Silk has. been obtained from the spider's web, and gloves, made
of this strong, glossy, and beautiful material, were presented both to
the Royal Society of London, and the Academy at Paris, by Mbq-
1847. The Uanufacture of Silk, 3^
sieuf Bon. It was soon perceived, however, that great difficulty roust*
attend any attempts to appease the voracity, or calm the inquietude^:
of the spider. It was almost impossible to rear them in any consi-
derable quantities; and when a number, at the expenditure of muob
time, trouble, and anxiety, were brought together, unless they hnd
an ample supply of flies to prey on, they quickly destroyed each
other;.
3. Dyeing and winding silk.
Having destroyed the chrysalides, and wound off the prod'uce in
Its primitive state, from the cocoons destined for filature, the mere
husbandry of silk gathering is concluded. And so short is the period,
in France only six weeks, consumed in this species of culture, that
no harvest yields a return of greater celerity and certainty. In a country
where trade is conducted, not by companies, or associations, or p&rt-
nerships, but by individual exertion, the culture and produce of silk
are peculiarly suitable, As affording a means of employing small capi-
tal with every prospect of early revenue. Females devote much
of their time and their talents to this occupation ; they are either
engaged in feeding and rearing the worms, winding off the cocoons,
or in general tendence of the magnani^re. Sometimes the patriarch
of the family purchases cocoons, by which the risk of rearing ia
avoided, and filfs up his daughter's leisure time with the process or
filature. There are, of course, some nurseries or factories, where
silk is prepared expressly for exportation, but in general the manu-
facture is for home-consumption. The Chinese dislike foreigners,
from practice and national institutes, therefore less attention is paid
to objects of external commerce here than in other countries; all
kinds of trade are held in very low estimation in China, as they were
of old in Athens and in Rome.
Time, intercourse, letters, religion, are gradually working such a
revolution in the social condition of this old empire, that the imperi-
alists are beginning to understand the meaning of the term brother,
and henceforth the productions which Providence has confined to the
soil of China, will probably be exchanged, systematically and gene-
rously, for those of other lands, by which the distribution of happi-
nea$ over the face of the globe must necessarily become lea^ partial
than before.
^ - -. - , • - • . . »
Around a pool, of a foot or two in depth, sheds or open corridor^
are arranged, appropriated to different parts of the process of cleaning
and preparing thb floretta for market. Beneath one anxv^s %x^ ^<^
vot. XVI, tio, v. 30
3'34 The Manufacture of Silk, Mat,
females employed in the less laborious duty of reeling the raw silk
that has been brought from the magnani^re, or purchased for filature
from the feeders. From the reelers' verandas, the material is consign-
ed to those of the washers, and dyers, and bleachers, successively.
Little celebrated for integrity, the total forgetfulness of that high
quality by the Chinese is flagrantly conspicuous in their preparation
of silk for the loom. Imperfections in the texture of this delicate
fabric are sometimes of early date, originating in the impurity of the
water used in the cocoon kettle, or in neglect of the wiuders to the
attenuation of the threads during filature. In addition to these causes
of inferiority, another is induced by the dishonest dye. Having
washed out the gum, formed the threads into hanks, expressed the
moisture, and suspended the silk on bamboo bleaching-poles, the
operative's work appears to be correctly performed. But raw silk is
an insatiable absorbent, so that if the dyer be deficient in honesty,
he can, by a very slight deviation from its path, retain moisture in the
hanks, capable of increasing the weight of the article by ten percent,
tn other countries, purchasers are permitted to test the raw material
by enclosing a sample in a wire-cloth cage, and exposing it to a stove
heated to 78"* of Farenheit, by which the increase of weight, that is,
the amount of the fraud, is detected ; but the Chinaman will not
permit a barbarian to doubt his honor in any respect.
Europeans, or rather English, distinguish raw silks into three class-
es, which they denominate organzine, tram, and floss. The first,
being very tightly twisted, is used in the finest and best descriptions
of silk-cloths; tram, which is much less twisted, serves for the weft,
but is of an inferior quality to organzine ; floss, which is not twisted
at all, consists of the short, broken, and rejected parts ; this is collect-
ed, carded, and spun like cotton. These three species, formed from
the fleuret by twisting or throwing, are now called hand silk ; they
mast all be submitted to the process of boiling, in order to discharge
the gum from them, otherwise they would be harsh to the touch, and
unfit to receive the dye. The original native color of the yarn
varies but littfe in different countries. In Anglo-India we find silk
yellow, french-white, and fawn color ; in China it is generally yellow,
and in Sicily and Persia the same color prevails ; while the only
naturally white produce we yet know of, comes from Palestine. The
silk-growers of Kazem-bazar whiten their yarns with a ley made from
^e ashes of "the arbor-fici-Adami;" but the species being rare,
the larger portion of their exports retains^ its native bright and
beautiful vellow.
1847. TJu Manufacture of Sili S35
4. Silk farms at Hothchow,
The planting, and care of the mulberry-tree, the ealtare of the
Btlk-worm, reeling off the product of the chrysalidea, dyeing and
winding it, in subsequent stages, besides other operations connected
with the manufacture of the great staple of China, ha?e been both
illustrated and described in the preceding volumes. The accom-
panying view represents the buildings of a wealthy silk-farmer, si-
tuate on a tributary to the imperial canal, in the immediate vicinity
of Hoo-chow-foo. This agreeable town is the capital of a department,
in the fertile province of Che*keang, and the locality is termed by
Chinese geographers, " The Silk- Worm District." From the pro-
ductive, character of the soil, salubrious climate, and ample natural
irrigation, the vicinity of Hoo-chow has been long amongst the most
favored places in Che-keang; and, the surpassing beauty of the
scenery on the shores of Lake Tai, ha:s drawn hither many wealthy
residents. Historians make the first foundations of Hoo-chow co-
eval with the Chun-tsew, or spring and autumn of the Chinese his-
torical era ; and they write also, that it was then named Koo-ching,
and, under the epoch of the three kingdoms, Woo-hing. The anti-
quity of this flourishing city, however, is indisputable, as indeed the
density of its population, high state of cultivation all around, and
unbounded riches of the inhabitants, already sufficiently testify,
Seated at the bridge that spans the afflux of the rivulet with the
canal, is the well-known farm of Lou, a family settled here for ages,
and the events of whose pdst years have furnished materials for dra-
mas and novels that are highly popular. The buildings are rather
comfortable than costly, affording accommodation to the venerable
head of the house, with his sons and daughtcrs-in-Iaw, and grand-
children. In some instances, (unhappily rare ones,) favorite daugh-
ters are permitted to bring their husbands to the paternal roof, revers-
ing thereby the national custom of marriage. The raw silk, in
hanks, is brought from the reeling sheds, to stores adjoining the home-
stead, and, when a sufficient accumulation is made, placed in broad
flat-bot-tomed boats with bamboo canopies, and transported to the
canal ; once on that highway of commerce, its destiny, although in
one respect fixed, is in another uncertain, for, it may be bought by a
salesman as a simple speculation, it may be transferred to a home-
manufacturer, or forwarded to the markets of Hang-tchou and Chu-
•
san. . IjOU is indifferent as to the object for which it is purchased, or
the direction it may take; his life, a mere exhibition of selfishness,
being devoted to the acquisition of wealth, for the sole purpose of
<236 The Chinese Speaker. May,
surroundiag his rural palace with all the luxuries that it can pur-
chase.
It is from this district the silk is obtained for the robes and gar-
ments of the imperial family : the richest mandarins often bespeak
the crops of a season from the same locality; and, foreign merebants
profess themselves able to distinguish the silk of Hoo-chow-foo from
thai produced in othor parts of China.
^aM^a«M*^^«VN^>*^^«^m*^AMMM**MMM#«MAri
Art. III. The Chinese Speaker, or ttiractsfrom ujorks written in
the mandarin language^ as spoken at Peking : compiled for the
use of students, by Robert Thdm, Esq. H. M. consnl^ Ningpo:
Pdrt L Ningpo^ Presbyterian Mission Press, 1846 .• With a
biographical riotiee of Mr, Thorn. ^
A specimen of this work, with the author's preface, will be its best
recommendation. It is dedicated " To one who zealously promoted
eirery honest eflfort to extend our intercourse with this peculiar
people, and who has lefl behind him in this country, many who still
fondly cherish the memory of his kindness; H. E. Sir Ifenry Pot^
linger. Baronet, g. c. b., late H. M. plenipotentiary in China, dcrC.,
d&c, the following pages are respectfully inscribed, by his faithful
follower and much obliged servant, the compilbr." The following
is his Preface.
^'It was the original intentioD of The Compiler, to have published a far
larger book ; and as be had ample materials to work upon, he meditated a
much more varied work, which.no doubt would have been nx>re agreeable
to the Public, and possibly also more useful. But as the Chinese proverb
saith, '* man says, thus and thus ; heaven answers, not so ! not so !* Afflicted
•with severe and long-continued iHnesa, the Compiler has found himself ne-
cessitated to be^ for penniasion to ^ home on sick-ceitificate, in Uie hope
.that his native aur may yet recruit his shattered constitution ; and so much of
the work as has- been already printed (omitting Author's preface, Trausla-
tbr^s prefkce, and Introduction,) is now hurriMly brought to a close, and
offered to the good-natured Public as Part I. Should it please Almighty God
to restore him to health and strength, and return him safely to the field of
'bis labors, the Compiler intends to resume the subject, and to publish a con-
tinuation of the present work as Part IL
** In the absence of fuller instructions, the. few following hurried hints may
be ibund useful to the student
-;: I. Try to get an inteUig!Bnt native of Petting* to read the Chinese, and
1847. The Chinese, Speaker. 237
do you follow him on the English sid^ of the page, as a clerk follows the
panon in church. A Peking teacher for the Peking language is always the
oeet; no other persons can pronounce it like a ^lui^^er eking man.
IL Do not perplex yourself with the mysteries of the Four Tones (ZIE^
Jt > ^» ^>^ ^"^ ^ ^ imitate the sounds of your teacher; if you can
manage to catch his accent, and to read like him, do'nt be afraid that you
wo^nt be able to speak the hingaaffe, if even thro' your whole life, yon may
not be able to distinguish (scientincaily) one tone from another.
IIL Although the Four Tones may safely be passed over as a stumbling,
block that has stood in the way of many a beginner's progress, yet the stu-
dent cannot fail to observe, as he reads along, mat many words are dissylla-
bles, and not a few polysyllables ; that some are accented on the ultimate,
othets on the penult, and others again on tlie antepenult, &c., Slc^ &c. It
was the Compiler's intention to have marked all these, but he was prevented
by a paucitv of properly accentuated letters. The student is, however, re-
commended to supply this want, as he goes on reading, with a soft pencil. —
His ear will guide him without difficulty.
^^IV. We have adhered to Dr. Morrison's system of orthography (with a
few trifling exceptions,) as that which we believe best suited lor the English
reader.
** The Compiler cannot conclude these observations without tendering his
best thanks to those friends who have encouraged him in the undertuing
and who cheered and solaced him in the time of sickness.
British Consulate. \ R. T.
Ningpo, lOth Aug. 184a 5
The work is printed on thin and white Chinese paper, and makes
a neat octavo volume of one hundred and two leaves, which are
folded double afler the Chinese manner. In the table of contents,
we have first twenty chapters, then some phrases of courtesy, with
sundry short dialogues. The chapters are, On every day occur-
rences; On selecting acquaintances; On divers phrases; On the
house in general; On the display of ornamental furniture; On the
Hatore of the mandarin langnage; On the person; On outward ap-
pearance ; On style and dress ; On dress in general ; On giving riff-
raff people their answer ; On sickness and disease ; On being in
motion and at rest ; On admonishing school-boys ; On having a due
respect for one's self; On the (Peking) slang; On certain public
sights ; On meats and drinks ; On economy ; and On studying the
rules of etiquette ; and fill about one third of the book. They are
for the most part both amusing and instructive, illustrating in their
phraseology the character of the Chinese. The same is true of the
whole book. The English translation alone, if transferred to our
pages, would we doubt not be read with interest by many of our
readers ; and as a specimen of the work we here introduce a single
chapter, presenting it in the same manner as it stands in the work
before os — ^rhe Chinese on oAe page, the English with the sounds of
the Chinese on the opposite one, thus —
238 The Chinese Speaker. Mat,
Te SAN TWAN. TSA-BWA.
Chap. Ill, On divers phrases.
Jin tsCiy yaou-kin she shwo hw4! Nee tsiaou aa-seay
Man'f most imporUnt [object] is to speak (properly !) Do yoa obeer?e thoM
yew ming-sih-li jin, fua wai puh tang! ta shw6-cha-ti hw&,
men of note, bow different from (tlie common herd !) if (at any time) they
tsung she cbuh king, juh t^n ;
speak, it is as if it came oat of tbe daaaios, and went in by the canons ; there
yew wen-ya-kee ; tsze puh yung shwo 16 ! .
is a degree of attic elejfance about it; but this there is no occasion to dilate
Ta tsew suy-kow shwo keii-pa tsin-chang-ti hwa-'rh,
upon. If they so much even as utter a common sentence by the way,
y^y keo-tih t^-fang; yew tee-keuh,
it is remarkable for it's liberality (of sentiment) ; it has a dignified propriety
puh kiaou-gaou, puh hiatso; jin kea ting leaoti,
(about it), neither proud, nor yet mean ; mankind on hearing such people (open
tsz6-jdu kw4 ta, hwuy 8hw6-hw4 leaou !
their lips), naturally boast of them as persons who know how to speak (pro*
J6n-'rh ching king hwi, koo-j6n yaoa ting,
perly) ! Now altho*oorrect language is what you ought most certainly to listen
tsew she 8he-tsiug*chang, ni seay
to, yet there is still the slang of the market-place and the pump, (spoken by)
h^en-tsa jin-tang-ti hwa, yay yaou fang chang urh-to ting-ting,
the riff«raff populace, which you must also stretch your ears to attend to;
Suy-jen puh peih heo ta, yay yaou ch6-
Altho' it may not be necessary to learn it exactly, still a man should always
taou ko-cboo fiing-suh ; tsem-nio she 9iaou-hw&,
know the customs of every place ; what (for instance) are joking expressions,
ts^m-mo she tsiin-hw4, tsoo-hwi, s^ay-hw^, ne6«
what is country-talk, what is coarse language, what obscene language, what
po-bw&, (ung-ching jin-ti hwa, siaou ma jin-ti
cruel insulting language, what the language of flattery, what the language of
hw4 : jfn-kea shwo-chu-lai, nee puh tang-
ridicule and abuse; if people come out with such talk, and you do*nt under-
tih, tsew ching leaoa ko tseay-tiaoa-tsze liaou ! Nee ting-cho no ;
stand it, then you appear quite the same as a country booby. Listen to me ;
laoa-shih-jln, chung-how jin, sze-wen jin, ching-pai jini tee-m#en jin,
honest men, faithful men, polished men, upright men, men of respectability,
nang-k&njin, yew nang-nai-ti jin :— chay too she kw^-tsiang jin-t;
men of talent, capable men: — these are expressions to denote praise and
ming-muh 15 ! Hoo-naou jin, hoo-too jin, kwai kwuh jin, tsan-tow
approbation ! Noisy foolish men, stupid men, slippery knaves, worthless
jin, woo-san puh-sz6 jin, maou«she-kwei, kwing-kwon
blockheads, good for neither one thing nor another, reckless devils, swindling
1847.
The Chitust Speaker,
239
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240 Tie Chinese Speaker. Mat,
han, kan-hwa-jin: — chay tso she puh-haou jin-tt ming-muh
vharpera, crafljF vagabonds: ^these are so many terms applied to improper
16 ! Han yew ta-keae-shang, na-sejiy shwb
characters. Moreover in the streets and highways, (you will meet) those who
siaou-hwa-ti, ma jin-ti ; yay. tsew to cho ne ! Suy-j6n puh she
scoff at and abuse people; they are indeed very many. Now altho* this may
tsem-mo ching-king hwa, yay yaou che-taoa tashe ma
be considered correct language, yet you should also know that it is intended
jin ah! Nee ko-yaou ting*ting tie ! Ta-keae-shang, yew yih tsung jin,
fbr abuse. Please, attend to what i say. In the streets are a class of men,,
tsiing yaou sa-hwang, hoo-tsfn, tsaou yaou yen, shwo
who are ever telling lies, sputtering nonsense, fabricating false reports, qa^z-
siaou-pe hwa, naou yiug-*rh-koo, *haou tai tau-Iow-tsze,
zing unmercifully, bursting out into horse-laughs, fond of appearing great people,
yew puh kin wan siaou, naou-ke-lai, tsew
and wo'nt stand any kind of fun, who (suddenly) get angry, and forth-with
tsaou-ta'jin, wa-keuh jin, y^w yaoa
commence to abuse people, to rake up (old stories) against people, and (while
ching le6n, - ching nang,
they profess to be) persons of so much respectability, of such vast talents,
haou fin le6n, mo-hea leen lai, jin-pu-
are very fond of changing countenance, of assuming a grave look, of afiecting
tihjin, make jin lai, tsew
to know no one (in their fury), railing at people, and then vomiting forth a
s^*t8un ! Mwan kow tsaou-
torrent of abuse ! (On such occasions) their whole mouth is full of (such ex.
ke-maou! wang-pa kaou-tsze! ts^ay-tiaou-
pressions as these,) chicken-hearted craven ! Illegitimate offspring \ country
tsze, tseay-mo-tsze, leih-pa-tow, woo-'rh kwei, maou paou-tsze,
booby, untaught lout, block-head, mean scamp, wool-brains,
yai taou-tt; — kwua pa! Kwun tan pa! ta puh choo kow-'rb ma
assassin ;<— begone ! get you gone ! they do not stop their mouths railing
jin-kea chay yih tua ! nee yay yaou che-taou, puh
at people after this fashion ! now you must also know (what is meant); do not
yaAu.sh&ng jin-kea-ti tdng ah ! N^ puh 16w-8in,
(on any account) expose yourself to be taken in by others ! If you do not pay
Uagrcho, tsew puh che haou tai leaou !
attention and listen, you will not know good from bad !
■
• Literally, " are fond of carrying a basket of charcoal on their head " It
also applies to ignorant persons, who swallow as complimentary, what i^ said
to them in bitter irony. •^ •"
1847
T%e Chinese Speaker.
241
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* Ifi ^
Bj way of addenda^ Mr. Thom h«8 given ua an extract from the
Hung'lauhmung, and one also from the Kia'paoU'tseuen^seih : the
first are the famous " Dreams of the Red Chamber ;" the second is
literally " House gems entirely arranged," i. el A Collection of Max-
ims, valuable as gems, for the use of families, a very good book it is*
vol.. XVI. NO. V. 'M'
242 Biographical Notice of Mr. Thorn, Hay,
-usuallj published in 32 octavo volames : the extract, made by Mr.
Thom, is " On the harmony which ought to exist between husbands
and wives." We recommend "the Chinese Speaker ""to all who
wish to study the court dialect ; it is for sale, in some of the shops
at Hongkong ; and we have to thank a friend for the only copy we
have seen,, that now before us. In his orthography we wish Mr. Thom
had, like the younger Morrison, adopted the system of air William
Jones, now so generally approved, and paid . that attention to the
tones which their importance demands. Strange that, while in theory
they were discarded, by him, none excelled him in procltco/ atten-
tion to them. His rule was to imitate the sounds of the teacher; and
we repeat, this is the only way the student can learn to speak the
Chinese correctly or to any extent intelligibly ; he may study and
read bjr himself till he is blind, and without the assistance of teacher,
whom he must imitate, he will find to his sorrow that while many
may stare at him, no one can understand half the words he utters.
Moreover, learning in this way, by imitation, is the easiest as well
as the best method of acquiring a knowledge of the Chinese.
Children always thus gain their knowledge of language, and*rhence
the facility of their progress. Mr. Thom made himself at home with
the Chinese, careing little where or .with whom he might chance
to ber Whether with the high official or with the lowest, coolie,
he always had something to say, saw something to admire, and
found something to learn.- And having oncegot hold of a word or
phrase, he would wring changes therewith, till he had deeply engrav-
ed the same upon his mind, remarkably susceptible of impression
from such .material. '
We gladly avail ourselves of the services of the editor of an Eng-
lish journal (the Chronicle) for a biographical notice of one, whom
the community of Canton, from the time he first came to this city,
always held in high esteem, especially as h student of Chinese.
Biographical Notice of Mr, Thom,
It is with deep and unfeigned sorrow we observe, among the China
news, an announcement of the death of Mr. Robert Thom, her majes-
ty's Consul at Ningpo, on the I4th of September last It is but
rarely that we find a public servant so eminently fitted as Mr. Thom
was for the charge with which he was entrusted, or bringing to the
performance of its duties so large a measure of faithfulness and zeal.
The removal by death of such a man^ in the prime of life, and in the
midst of promise, afforded by his whole character and conduct, of
ttervices to bia couiUry more imporlanl still than those which he had
1847. Biographical Notica of Mr. Thorn, 243
an opportanity of rendering, is an event peculiarly afflicting. The
following particulars of his career, which we have obtained from an
authentic source, will be interesting to those by whom he was per-
sonally known, and to his townsmen generally. —
Mr. Robert Thom was born in St. Andrew Square, Glasgow,
on the 10th day of August, 1807. He had, therefore, when he died,
just completed his 99th year. Having been destined to a mercantile
life, he was for a twelve month in a respectable office in Glasgow,
and afterwards served an apprenticeship of five years in Liverpool.
During his residence there he first evinced his fondness for literary
pursuits. He was a constant correspondent of more than one of the
newspapers. In June, 1828, he went to Caraccas, where he spent
about three years. He there acquired a complete knowledge of the
Spainsh language, and was a rather distinguished personage on ac-
count of his amicable discussion with the Roman Catholic priesthood,
and the amazing aptitude for general business which he displayed.
Afterwards, he spent about a year and a half in Mexico. Returning
to England, he spent the winter and spring of 1833 there. In July
of that year he went to Bordeaux in France, and from that place to
China-— thence, alas! never to return.
Embarking at first in mercantile pursuits, he continued, neverth<>-
less, to devote his leisure moments, and hours stolen from rest, to
make himself acquainted with the language aud literature of China,
He landed in China in February 1834, and within two years from
that period was capable of speaking its language with considerable
fluency. He never allowed an opportunity of conversing with per-
sons from all parts of the " Celestial Empire" to escape him. In the
course of 1837 he was able, in the absence of Messrs. Morrison and
Gutzlaff, to plead a cause in the mandarin or court dialect. All this
while he was constantly inserting letters and other pipers, on interest-
ing topics, in the newspapers then published at Canton. The year
1839 saw him first appear formally as an author, but under the pseu-
donyme of " Sloth." His broekure was entitled, "The lasting re-
sentment of Miss Wing Keauu Lwan," being a translation into Eng-
lish of a Chinese tale, with copious notes. This was, last spring,
published at Leipsic, translated into German, by Professor Adolf
Bottger. Mr. Thom's translation of '^iCsop's Fables into the Chi-
nese language," appeared early in 1840; and, to dismiss his publica-
tions, his " Chinese and English Vocabulary" in August 1B43. This
from an eager and unceasing^ desire to be useful, he published at
his own expense, and distributed gratttitoua\) %iivoii% ^nxYXv^ \»^v«^
244 Biographical Xotict of Mr, Thom, May,
and individual! residing at the five ports. Another work occupied
his attention at the time of his decease. His productions were highly
esteemed on the Continent, as well as in this country. Witness the
high applause bestowed on him bj Professor Stanislas Julten, the
first Chinese scholar in Europe, bj Professor Bazin, in the Journal
A^iatique de Paris, hia " Memoire sur le Chinois Vulgaire." dLC ;
bj the- polyglot Cardinal Mezzofante, 6lc. ; and in this country he
enjoyed the friendship, as he had acquired the esteem of that roosi
able, amiable, and distinguished man, Sir George Thomas Staunton.
It was as a public character, however, still more than as a literary
one, that Mr. Thom merited and obtained distinction. His valuable
assistance rendered to government, even while a merchant, is record-
ed in evidence given before a Committee of the House of Commons^
in 1841, and afterwards published. In June 1840, he embarked in
the government service. On the 3d of July of that year, he nearly
lost his life at Amoy, while engaged in carrying in a flag of truce.
Honorable mention of his conduct on this occasion, is made in the
dispatches of Admiral Elliot and Captain Brouchier, which appeared
in the London GazeiU of 15th December, 1840. Indefatigable were
his exertions at Chusan and the neighborhood, during the winter of
1840-4 1 . The cases of Capt. A nair uther and Mrs. Noble particular-
ly engaged his sympathies and stimulated his exertions. The spring
of 1841 saw him again on the Canton river, zealous, and active, and
courageous in his country's cause. Captain Scott, in his dispatch,
which waa published in the Gazette of 11th June, 1841, bears the
most decided testimony to his merits and exertions. His exertions
during the siege of Canton, are noticed in Sir Hugh, now Lorcl
Gough's dispatch, gazetted in the following October. Sir Hngb he
accompanied over the battle fields of Amoy and Chinhai, the formes
fought in August, the latter in October 1841. At the latter action,
he was the means of saving the lives of 500 Chinese, "a circum-
stance," writing concerning which he said, " that gave him more
pleasure than if he had been appointed emperor of China." His civil
administration of the city and district of Chinghai from Octobei
1841 till May 1842, is one of the most interesting and brilliant pas-
sages in his .eventful history. Not only did it obtain for him the
approbation of his superiors, but was commented on with applause
by the Chinese themselves. Elipu, when he was introduced to him,
at Nanking, in August, 1843* addressing him said, '* La-pih-tan,''
( Robert Thom), " I thank you for your civil mandarinship at Chtn^
hai^it has gaiifei for you a. great name in China." His exeriionss
1847. Biographical Nttice of Mr. Thorn, 245
along with Mr. Gutzlaff, and the late Messrs. Morrison and Lay, at
the time of negotiating the Nanking treaty, and his labors in regard
to the " supplementary treaty," are well known. The high terms in
which Sir Henry Pottinger was pleased to speak of them at the Glas-
gow banquet, cannot ha?e been forgotten by many of oar readers.
His view of the trade of China, past and prospective ; published
among the sessional papers of the House of Commons for 1844, with
all the imper&etiona necessarily attaching to such a document, is a
wonderful' moaament of knowledge, industry, raeioctnation, and
power of condensation. It is indeed, muUum in parvo.
On the 5th March, 1844, Her Majesty was most graciously pleased
to testify her sense and approbation of Mr. Thom's services by ap-r
pointing him her Consul at Niugpo, one of the five ports open to
foreign trade, in terms of the treaty.
Previously to this, however, disease, contracted in his connUry's
service, had made fearful inroads on his constitution, never a very
robust one. Fevers in June, 1841, after the fatigues and exposure
attendant on the siege of Cantim ; in September 1842, in the Y&ng-
tsz kiing, after the conclusion of the Nanking treaty; and at Hong-
kong, in the summer of 1843, — left behind them effects from which
be never perfectly recovered. Dropsical symptons supervene?. Wtb
difficulty he could be persuaded to ask for leave of absencci. This
was at once, and kindly, granted. Still he could not be persuaded
to leave his post until his successor should arrive. He dreaded lest
the public service should suffer by his departure. Under such cir-
Qumstances death overtook him.
His amiable and affectionate disposition — his anxiety to promoter
the interests of all and sundry— above all, his devotedness to the
service of government, and the throwing of his whole soul into the
endeavor to advance the commerce of his country — are facts too
notorious to require being dwelt on. Zeal, disinterestedness, activity
of mind, general ability, great aptitude for business, firmness and
decision, combined with kindness, amazing powers of discrimination^
generosity and nobility of mind, and great personal courage, are at*
tributes of his character which will at once and cheerfully be con-
ceded to him by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. To
his exertions in the service of his country he has fallen a victim.
Mr Robert Thorn was the youngest son of our late highly respect-
ed townsman, Mr. John Thorn, who for many years discharged, with
credit to himself and advantage to the community, the functions of
one ol the Commissioners of Police of the city.
346 A Proclamation. May,
Art. IV. Ladovic the lord bishop qf this diocese^ takes occasion
to issue this all important proclamation for the information qf
all the friends of the religion (of the Lord of htasotn).
Rbcbntlt, in and about Shlnghdi, there have been persons who
have been widely circulating books, written in imitation of those
belonging to our holy religion, at which, our mind has been exceed-
ingly pained; for, although in those books there are passages that
accord with the doctrines of our holy religion, yet within their pages
there are lurking heretical principles which poison and destroy men's
souls,— consequences by no means light and trifling.
In the beginning, our Lord Jesus himself established the Church,
a most righteous, and a most perfect Church, one only and not two
churches. He then gave power to the chief of his disciples, holy
Peter, to receive and pass on the succession, and declared to Peter
saying, "I have prayed for thee that (God would) for ever preserve
thy faith." Therefore, his successors have handed down no other
faith, and the faithful everywhere all follow the commands of the su-
preme Pontiff. On which account all who heartily unite with the Pope
are one ; but such as do not give heed to the injunctions of the su-
preme Pope are heretics. Now to desert and forsake the teaching'
of the high pontiff, is not this to falsify and pervert his instructions?
Te are our sheep ; and we the good shepherd. And fearing that;
by accepting and perusing those productions, ye may be a little dis-
turbed with doubts and suspicions, to the great damage of your souls,
we, therefore, issue this special proclamation; and moreover annex a
few instructions in order, as follows :—
Any adherent of our religion may not take and read these hereti-
cal writings, which have issued from Sh4ngh4i.
Or, if any such have already accepted them, they must forthwith
either burn them or deliver them up to their spiritual fathers.
Any of the faithful, who may be aware that other peqple have these
heretical works in their possession, must advise them neither to detain
them for perusal nor to present them to their neighbors, but to burn
them up or give them over to the spiritual fathers in their vicinity.
- Every one of our adherents is bound to spread abroad the ortho-
dox religion of the Lord of heaven, and always to love others as him-
self; and should he fall in with the members of any other sect, who
Ake in these heterodox publications, he ought to tell them most
1847. Manifesto Addressed to the Merchants of Canton. 247
carefully and moat plainly that their writings are decidedly erro-
neous, and do not, in all and every thing, agree with the teaching of
the religion of the Lord of heaven ; but if men will follow such doc-
trines, they will fall into extreme error.
- Now, wherever there are corrupt and obscene books, there is
every danger of injuring men's souls; but the heretical works, of
which we have just spoken are of one and the same class with cor-
rupt and obscene writings; and a friend to (the true) religion must
in no wise, either receive them for perusal, or hold them in possession,
because all corrupt and obscene works are of the devil ; and both the
recipients and the distributers of these works are undoubtedly the
children of the devil, and all such will inevitably go down to hell !
Abla. The foregoing, with a copy of the Chinese original, was forwarded
to us by the Rev. William C. Milne, who says it ** was found in a Catholic
chapel in our neighborhood, and was copied off by Dr. Medhurst in the pre-
sence of witnesses." By an occurrence which we could neither foresee nor
prevent, a part of the Chinese has been lost, and its publication therefore
must be postponed.
^^^rf»^*»*»^rf^^»^rfMMMMM»»%^»W^»rf^^^l^^»^
Art. V. A brief Manifesto addressed to the English Merchants
by the native Merchants of the city of Canton. Translated from
the original.
On a recent occasion there was received, in a reply from their ex-
cellencies the high provincial authorities, the following declaration :
" By the articles of the late treaties, it is provided that, at the open
ports of the provinces, the English are allowed to rent houses and
to purchase ground on which to build." Hence does it behoove us to
look up and realize the anxious care of both our august sovereign
and the high provincial authorities in their continued kindness
exercised towards men from afar ; and we must not carry on an
opposing conroversy. But there is naught of Chinese territory, oc-
cupied by the people, which is not their own purchased possession ;
even the officers of government cannot take it away from us and
give it to others ; and if they were to pay back to the land-holders
the full price of the land| some would be willing and others unwilling
to sell. But now if a certain place is designated, it must be had ;
and if there is an unwillingness to dispose of it, recourse is then had
to martial dignity, wherein consists the overbearing energy of the Eng*
248 Manifesto Addressed to the English Merchants. Mat,
lish people. Discussion therefore, (on this point,) is useless ! But
we apprehend that this ruling by mere brute force will never be
tolerated by our august sovereign, who regards all the people with
the same affection, as that shown to his own children. We consider
that the articles of the treaty were originally designed to allow fo-
reigners to buy and rent of the Chinese people by harmonious con-
sultation and not to coerce them when unwilling. Perverse as the
English are, yet there must be among them some who have know-
Jedge ; and no one can be ignorant that taking reasonably and taking
forcibly Constitute one orderly and the other disorderly conduct.
It is now more than a century since the English first came to
Canton for commercial purposes ; and we having somewhat of those
feelings natural to the masters of the soil (the laud-lords) cannot but
clearly make known to you our views, that you may distinctly un*
derstand wherein consists l>oth what is beneficial and what is hurt-
ful, and pursue the one and avoid the other. Do not indulge in vain
thoughts. Do not by deceit and force insult others. Then we, both
hosts and guests, by attending quietly each to our respective pursuits,
shall all receive advantage thereby ; and oh how happy we shall be !
We will now take up and in the sequel sev before you in order,
both what is beneficial and what is hurtful, hoping that you will
pursue the dne and avoid the other.
First, Do not look upon China as weak, because in the late
war, of 1841, you had the good fortune to obtain your purpose.
Our august sovereign, employing the mind of heaven and earth
as his own, does not wish to have the people along the borders
of the sea and the living souls of your nation entangled together in
the toils of war, and therefore condescended to grant, at the solicita-
tion of the minister for the frontiers, that you might be invited to
come and quietly assembled together (at several ports), thus per-
fecting the good pleasure of high heaven in its love to the living.
What great generosity was this? So likewise their excellencies,
the high provincial officers, imitating the feelings of the august so-
vereign with amazing toil and trouble, have accomplished every thing
(you desired), as you yourselves must needs fully understand. Were
it not so, would not the multitudes of the broad realms of China
have quickly subdued your few thousands, travelling myriads of milea
from afar?
Secondly. Although you always act perversely as you list, trusting
to the strength of your ships and the power of your artillery, yet you
ought to know that from of old there has been no people or nation
1847. Mattifesio Addressed ia the Merchants of Canton. HV
wbieh has noi been destroyed by its enemies. For you, therefore,
to treat the' people insultingly and contemptuously, relying on the
indulgent kindness of our august sovereign and high provincial au-
thorities,' is exceedingly stupid 1 For the heurt of the people is
heaven's heart; and the anger of the people is that wrath which is
felt by heaven's heart Now consider how: sm-ill is the number of
the British soldiers; and suppose that one was able to stand against
a hundred; even then they could not match the innumerable hosts
of our- Canton people. Nay, were it possible to filLup their number
by inveigling foreigners and riffraff Chinese to become soldiers;
conld you secure that they, having first been deceived by you, would
not soon be alienated from you 7 ...
Thirdly. Still more in the left would you be, should you enter*
tain ideas of aspiring to sovereignty, or hopes of rising beyond your'
proper spheres. The langmges of your nation and the Chinese are
not understood by each other. The desires and wishes of the peo*
ple.are not the same. Things esteemed by yoti, the Chinese despise ;
and those esteemed by the Chinese, you perhaps may 'despise. Audi-
iboreover, since the world begin, there hds never been found one,
who;xhaving tost the confidence (or the.hearts) of the people, could'
build up an empire.
• Powrtldy, Already you have lost the confidence of the people,
by your repeated acts of outrage and violence. And now by cbn-
tinuai troubles, those -who have families and property are unable to'
dwell iii peace or to have joy in their possessions, while their anger
is more and more increased. With these millions of our highly in*
censed people, engaged in deadly strife against you, can you be sure
of mtory 7 Moreover, the circumstances of the respective parties
are^very different,-^yours are full of labor, butonrs are easy ; and it
does not require any great amount of knowledge to perceive that
you could' not withstand our conquering hosts I
Fifthly. These repeated troubles, we hear, are all caused by the
exciting influence of two or three foreign merchants, who merely
wish to repay some slight insult and to make a display of martial power,
forgetting that, in the minds of men, accumulated anger becomes
enmity and accumulated poison breeds calamity. Now should these'
evils suddenly break forth, they must fall first upon you ; and it is to '
be feared that It would be impassible to distinguish between the good^^
and' the bad, and that the people of oth6r nations would be involved,
BO that even your death would hot be a punishment sufficient' to
aime for your guilt. Where then is th^^ advantage of f etftiiatlon 7
VOl^ XVI. NO. V. 33 -
350 Manifesio Addressed to the EngKih Merchanit. May;
Sixihfyi If henoeforth you will remain peaceful and quiet, then
Msuredly there will be oo reason for any one of the Chinese to insuU
and oontemn you^ Please look at the Amerioansf the French, d&o.;
All our people love and respect them, and cannot bear to injure
them, because always hitherto they have peacefully and quietly car-
ried on their commerce; and of our Chinese there are none, not.
even among the children^ who do not know that they are good and:
worthy people. Why not follow their example 1 '\ ir .-
Sevmthfy, The original design of your having ah armed force a|)
the several porta was to secure the quiet proeecution of your com*'
mercial business. -Having left your wiveii and chifdren, and traversi^
ed wide oceans, it^js your wish with quiet minds to carry on your
commerce. But. now^ amid these often repeated disturbances, how
enn your good» go into circulation, or where yield any profit t Sup-
posing you are able occasionaHy to smuggle, it roust-be only- to a
small amount, while you must always be kept in a state of watchful
anxiety, afraid lest -you lose your lives and your property. Thna
passing your days, ean you live in peace 7 ' i
Eighthly, Allirespectable Chinese highly esteem polite and:
decorous conduct, while they consider a& most ^ vile that /which ie
violent and overbearing. Hence those who have but a partial khow««
ledge of what is polite and decorous are able to attend/ quietly to
thetf proper duties and govern themselves; yet- it< is impossible titK
prevent there being among them some vagrants^ who, not attending
to their proper duties, will seek opportunity to create troubles. If
henceforth you, Englishmen, will consent to take; the- character of
worthy men, then ought you to maintain some selAesteem and self-love,
and you must not in small partiea. saunter about every where (aa at*
Fuhsh&n) so ae to provoke the contempt of the vagrant people. For
then» ^though you may be able to have the offenders ponished bf the*
magistrates, you still will have to bear the injury, and moreover the
anger^iad hatred of the Chine8e;^agjunst you will be increased. *
Nin^hfy, In the old proverb, ^'A peaceful spirit leads to proM^
spectty," there is no mistake. Hitherto in the commerce carried on
between our respeotive nations, yoo have obtained no small profit
fitMik thQ Chinese, whUs we alsoihave been profited by you. .But ^
aince the affair of 1841, what: article is there of your merchandise:
the< value ^f which haa np$ been depreciated? It woold, we think,
be difficult to estimate your losses; .jvhile all the 'plaoea along our
aeacoast have been injured and spoiled* This year; imports, began to
be in good demand) but now the whole tide' of prosper itf is suddeoly
1847. Mamftito Addressed to Mtrehants of Canton. !251
checked. The eajtng, " Thoce who injure each olher most both
come to rain," is it not true f
Tenthl^. The ancients said, " Th<)se who are able to be satisfied
will never be ashamed." Of late years your nation has had the dis>
lingoished honor of receiving the favor and kindness of our august
sovereign. The Chinese people, seeing how it was in former days
and how it is at present, have all been filled with astonishment.
And yet, having secured the minor, your thoughu are now eagerly bent
on the greater ; and by your insulting and contemptuous treatment
of the people, their minds are so filled with anger and wrath, that
they are anaious to thrust their spears into your breasts and to
devour your flesh. Is it possible for the respective parties thus long
to continue at peace with each other ? Though but mercantile
men, we are deeply concerned to know that such animosity must
sooner or later have vent ; and we conceive too that the intelligent of
your nation, also must needs comprehend the reason of all this.
The foregoing paragraphs are all the words of faithful admonition.
Seeing the impossibility of reconciling and uniting the interests and
feelings of the Chinese and foreigners, we spare no labor in reitera-
ting our remonstrance, exhausting the kindest feelings of our hearts
in endeavors to place this matter clearly and plainly before you. And
you, English merchants, it also behooves to awake quickly to a care-
ful consideration of the same, and to distinguish between the be*
neficial and the hurtful. If there be proposed any thing that is deci-
dedly impracticable, then ought you to advise against it. But do not
compare the strong with the weak. Do not fan the windy waves.
Rather let each, understanding his own duties, attend to his own busi-
ness. Then, both you and we shall look on each other as mem-
bers of the same body ; together enjoy glorious tranquillity ; be alike
enriched with joyous gains; and, perchance, we shall not frustrate the
good purpose of our august sovereign and high officers in their bene-
volent conduct towards us. Thus now we have again and again rei-
terated our councils ; may they not be in vain. Think, we entreat
youy and carefully ponder on these things.
^^y ^^^^l^> J*i'«'^<»^y<^» *> ** ^^ ^-^^w ^ ^ m^ - ^ ^ m^.
So-1 Pariiculars of ike Late Movement. May,
AftT. VI. "il DemaHstratian;^* particulars of the laie mooemeni to
and from the prooineiai city of Caniom, umUr uu^or^cmeral
D^Aguilar^ accampamed by it. E. sir John ProMcis Dearis^ H.
B. M, pUnipoteniiary i|*c., i|*e. (Omtimmedfrom p, 202 J
Wb now resume our Narrative, after completing which we may per-
haps add some comments. While we write, the first echo comes
back from the Dragon-eeat, in answer to the dispatch said to have
been sent off for Peking on the 4th alt igt ^H* J^ ^ S S S"!
'^^^Mm^^^mm'^t^^^ "From
the Emperor : the affair could not have been foreseen ; wb apprehend
there must be something else (yet undisclosed): let the said governor
manage the business safely; oub further pleasure shall be given."
Anxious to give every particular regarding this couU-naf-Aane-^ecif-
foreseen affair^ we borrow, at the hazard of some repetition, the
following paragraphs from the China Mail:
The connw to be pursued towards the Chinese govenunent having been
decided upon, Geueral D'Aguilar immediately issued an order directing the
troops to embark that night, and notwithstanding it was then past 4 o'clock
in the afternoon, the entire force available, somewhat under a thousand men,
together with their guns, material, and stores, were all on board shortly after
midnight
The naval force consisted of H. M. 8. VuUwre and £sptcg/e, the H. C.
armed steamer PhUo, together with the Cormdr^ a small merchant steamer
plying on the Canton river, (which having entered the harbor that evening,
was taken up by Captain Maedougall for the expedition,) and a lorcha hired
for the artillery, and fitted up in the course of a couple of hours by Colonel
Brereton as a gun-boat
Next morning, the 3d April, between 3 and 8 o'clock, the three steamers
were under weigh, the Fvliwre leading and towing the artillery loreha and
two large Chinese boats containing the Sappers with sealing ladders, dtc
About 9 o'clock the FuUwre entered the Bocca Tigris. The seamen were
at their guns, tlie troops told off for landing, and Captain Maedougall, run-
ning his ship as near the shore as possible, anchored within pistol-shot of the
batteries on the Anong-hoy bank, having the formidable forts on the north
and sooth Wantong Islands within range on the other side. As the anchor
was let go the boats were lowered, and in alorast shorter time than it can be
described, a strong detachment under tlie command of Major Aldrich was
lauded with the General, and the three forts of Anung-hoy, mounting upwards
of 300 guns, were in our possession. The guns were spiked, and large
quantities of ammunition destroyed.
1847. Particulars of the Late Movement. 5253
In the meanwhile Colonel BrereCon, who had left the VuUvn at the aame
time as the other force, proceeded with the troopa ander hii command to the
forts on theloorth and sooth Wantongs, and having entered them withoat
oppontion, spiked more than 350 gum, and destroyed their magazines.
Thos in the coarse of a few hoars these five formidable batteries, mounting
upwards of 450 large gnns, had been disarmed, and the ssfe eonmmnicatton
of the expedition with Hongkong so far secared ; and in effecting these im-
portant objects, the ntmost care was observed to absUin ftoin offering perso-
nal injury to the Chinese in the various forts, and not even the most trifling
article of property was carried away or destroyed by the troops.
In the course of the afternoon the steamers arrived at Whampoa, as did
also the EepUgle during the nighL The FvUunfe drafl of water preventing
her from ascending higher. His Excellency Sir John Davis, the General and
bis staC moved into the Pluto on the morning of the 3d ; the troops were
transferred to the two smaller steamers and the boats of the VvUure which
were towed by them, and the expedition ascending the river arrived about
half-past 9 o'clock at the Barrier, a strong row of stakes extending from
bank to bank» with only one opening, and defended by four strong forts.
As intelligence of the seizure of the Bogue Foru had arrived at Whampoa
before the squadron, it must have been known in Canton the same night, and
it was not therefore considered likely that these works would be yielded with-
out a struggle. The plan of operations,— that the two Forts to the left should
be simultaneously attacked, — was carried into effect by the Plvio with one
division of the boats, anchoring abreast of Napier's Fort, and a strong party
was landed under the direction of the General ; whilst the Coroair and the
boats she was towing disembarked her force under Colonel Brereton at the
Fort nearest the Barrier. The gates of both Forti were blown open by the
Engineers, their garrisons escaped by the rear, the guns were spiked, the
magazines blown up, and the boats with the two columns under Colonel
Brereton and Major Aldrich, supported by the steamers, pulled across to at-
tack the Forti on the other bank of the river.
Here it was evident that the Chinese had determined to make a stand, and
as the boats came within range, both Forts opened a brisk fire of round shot,
and, when they drew nearer, of grape. They were immediately replied to by
the P/iilo, Conoir, and the artillery gun-boat — the boats with the troops pull-
ing steadily towards the Forts. The firing continued until the men landed,
and then seeing the force formed on shore, the enemy abandoned their works
by the rear. The fire of the Chinese was remarkably well directed, and it is
only wonderful how the detachment escaped without serious loss ; the stea-
mers and boats were crowded with men who had barely standing room ; the
round shot striking close to them, and several passing between the masts
and funnels of the steamers, the grape ahot also falling thickly around the
boats of Colonel Brereton's division ; and we are assured that it was solely
owing to the accurate judgment of that distinguished officer, that there was
not a long list of casualties ; for observuig that the guns were in the act of
854 Particulars of the Laie Movement, May,
being laid for the direction of the boats he requested the naval officers, to
steer apon the angrle of the Fort, and the very instant after their course had
been changed, a shower of grape fell within a few feet of them. The tide
was running strongly, and such is the current in the Canton river, that if a
boat had been sunk, not a roan in her could have been saved. Nothing could
be better tlian the conduct of the soldiers, for although the enemy were seen
through the embrasures working their guns, not a musket was discharged by
the troops, who landed and formed in the most perfect order. The fire from
the steamers and gun-boat was exceedingly good ; every shot from the long
gun of the Pluto told upon the Whampoa creek Fort, and one of her shells
burst in the centre of the work. The guns, all of them of large size (one of
copper, in particular, was twenty-four feet in length with an eight-inch bore,)
were spiked, the magazines blown up, but private property as before rigidly
respected.
The expedition then continued its progress up the river, and the Fort
called the ** French Folly,** situated at the commencement of the south-
eastern suburb of Canton, was attacked, the gate blown in, and the guns
spiked. Nowhere wss the advantage of the rapid movements of tlie expedi-
tion more apparent than here ; for this Fort, having a solidly built tower
in its centre, mounts a double tier of guns, and is one of the most formidable
works in the river, both from its position and construction ; and on possession
being taken it was evident that the preparations for the reception of the force
were almost completed, and that, had the slightest delay taken place, it would
have been a warm one.
The additional particulars till the 6th we have already given
in detail. Early that morning, afler captain Clark Kennedy and
lieutenant Da Costa had been upon the walls, and found that they
were of sufficient breadth for the proposed military operations, the
following General Order was issued by major-general D'Aguilar.
NaSS.
Head Quarters, Canton April 6th, 1847, 6 o'clock, a. m.
The following General Order is issued to the Troops under the expected
contingency of their being called upon to commence the attack on the city
of Canton at 10 o'clock this morning.
This attack to be under the immediate direction of Lieut-Colonel firereton
C. B. & K. H. commanding Royal Artillery. Two parties, one headed by
Lieut-Colonel firereton, the other by Major Aldrich, Royal Engineers, each
having a Detachment of Royal Sappers and Miners commanded by an Ofiicer
of the Royal Engineers, and a Flank Company of the 18th R. L Regiment,
with such additional support as will be detailed by the Assistant Adjutant
General, will march out for the purpose of taking possession of the Southern
or Petition gate, and the Western gate of that part called the New City.
Colonel Brereton's party will attack the Western and Major Aldrich's party
the Southern gate, and as the latter is more distant than the former. Major
1847; Particulars of the Lute Movement' S55
Aldrich's party will let off fint, in order that they may both arrive at their
respective points about the aame time.
Major Aldrich's party to cross the creek which forms the eastern bound-
ary of the British Factory, at the first bridge, and to proceed along the street
which runs close to the Soutliern wall of the new city, taking care in passing
to stop up the two small entrances or sallyporti which enter the city from tho
river, in order to prevent all ingress by them. He will proceed to the south-
em or Petition gate, and having taken it, ha will establish, himself and
make a lodgment upon the rampart above.
Colonel Brereton with his party will set off immediately after Major Al-
drich*s, and crossing the creek by the second bridge, he will proceed slong
I^ioking-glass street, close to the western wall, until he arrives at the west-
ein gate of the New City, and having taken it, he will effect a lodgment,
with the troops at his disposal upon the rampart above the gateway ; and the
two lodgments having been thus effected above the two gates, a coromunica*
tton along the ramparts by the force employed is to be established.
The guns will then be raised and placed at the Guard-houses above the
gates; and by means of these ^nns and the twcntv-four pounder rockets, the.
bombardment of the city is to bt forthwith commenced.
After Colonel Brereton's party «hall have left the Factories, Captain Mac-
dougall has undertaken to send a party of seamen and marines under Com-
mander Thompson IL M. sloop EspieffUj preceded by a party of Royal Sap-
pers and Miners, to cross the second bridge at the south end of Looking-glass
street, and passing through the archway in the spur wall, they will scale that
part of the southern wall of the now city which lies between the spur wall
and the sallyports above alluded to ; they will then form on the top of the
rampart, ready to assist either Colonel Brereton or Major Aldrich, as
may be required. At the same time a fourth party, composed of five com-
panies of the 42d Regiment M. N. I. under Major Fitz-Gerald, conducted by
Captain Clark Kennedy, Acting Assistant Quarter Master-general, will cross
the creek by the first bridge, and marching along the street that runs south
of the joss-house, they will proceed as speedily as possible to the .Petition
gate, support Major Aldrich's party, and occupy the street which leads from
that gate to the river, immediately stopping all the avenues which lead to it
from the eastward, and thus secure completely the esstemflank of our posi-
tion.
Previous to the departure of the troops from the Factories, Captain Mac-
dongall R. N. has undertaken to order the Steamer Phdo to run in as close
as possible to the above mentioned street, leading from the Petition gate to
the river, and which is situated very near the Dutch Folly fort, and when
the Major General shall make a signal by hoisting the Union Jack on the
top of the British Factories^ she will open as heavy a fire as possible on that
part of the town situated to the eastward of the Petition gate, in order to
check any' attempt that may be made to oppose Major Aldrich or to tarn our
flank from that quarter. At the same time Captain Macdougall has under-
taken to have the Gun-boats of the FuUure under Lieutenants Coote and Pascoe
52156* Particulars of the Lait Movement.' Hat,
anchored as closely as possible to Uowqua Street and Shoe Lane, and as soon
as the Plulo opens her fire, thej also will open as heavy a fire aa possible
on that part of the subarbs which lies westward of the Factories, particularly
up Shoe Lane, d£.c, in order to prevent 3^'* attempt that may be made to
turn our position from that quarter. It is likowise Ca|)t. Maodou^lPa inten*
tion to have the river entirely cleared of boats all'the way from Shoe Lane to
the Dutch Folly, which will completely protect the rear of our position. The
Associated Gentlemen Volunteers, assisted by a detachment of the 18th R.
I. Regiment, stationed in the Consoo-house, and a detachment of the-42d'
Regiment M. N. L stationed at Mowqna street guard-honse, will maintain
the stockaded posts already established for the protection of the Factories.
Lieutenant-Colonel Cowper with four companies of the 18tb R. L Regi-
ment to remain under arms in the Factories, close to the Major General, ready
to advance as a reserve to any point where their services may be required.
The tops of the Factories to be occupied by the Associated Gentlemen
Volunteers, for the purpose of putting down any attempts by Chinamen from
the roofs of their houses to annoy the troops advancing through the etreeci
to the attack.
These arrangement to be completed immediately after the men have had
their breakfasts, so that the flag, which is to be cousidered aa the iiignal
for the Plvio and the boats of the VuUurt to commence firing, as well aa for'
the troops to march out for the attack, may be hoisted at 10 o'clock.
Lieutenant-Colonel Phillpotts, the Commanding Royal Engineer, will re-
main with the Major General whilst the preliminary operations are going on.
By order, .' J. Bruce, Captain^
AniHant Atj^uiani GeneraL
Immediately after the return to Hongkong of their excellencies/
governor Davis and majorogeneral D'Aguilar, the following was
■ Naaa • :. •:
^ Head Quarters, Victoria, April 10th, 1847.
The Major General congratulates the troops on the success that has crown*
ed their exertions; he ^congratulates them still more on' the discipline
observed by them in the course of the late short, but arduous operations ; and '
above all he congratulates them on the praise-worthy manner in which they
have abstained from every act of injury or outrage that could tarnish the
honor of t(ie British anus.
In the course of a few diys the Bogue Forts, and all the principal works
and batteries 'on the Canton river, have been taken possession of^ — some of
them by assault, and eight hundred and seventy-nine pieoee of cannon spiked
or rendered otherwise unserviceable.
Thb Chinese have received a lesson in return for their frequent acts of
aggression on the persons of British subjects that will not bo lost upon them.
They have submitted to all the demands of Her Majesty's Plenipotentiaiy^
without reserve, and have yielded, happily for themselves, just in time to
1SI7. Particulars of ih§ LaU Movement 357
arrast the eourte of to assanlt, that would have been attended with fsarArl
lose of life to them, and the ineritable destruction of their Provincial Capital.
When such advantages have beenobtainedt let it be one more eonrce of
congratalation to British soldiera tOytnaect,.that thej have been purchased,
under Providence, without bloodshed, ami that the honor of the British arms
has been pitMidly maintained, without one act of violence, or one daparture
ftom the principles of humaniliy.
In recording these acts, so honorable in themselves, and so deserving of
approbation, the Major General desires to impress on the handful of men by
whom they have been achieved, this great and most important of all leuons,
" R wa» duetpUm alone ihat eould ^fftd them!* — uid while this first duty
of a soldier continues to be pnctised, thit the troops can never fiul in ful-
filling their du^ to their Sovereign and maintaining the honor of their
ceontry.
By order of the Major General Coti«msndii 7,
J. BuucB, ^Mt\rMcad Adjuiand GeneraL
No. 87.
GOVERNMENTAL NOTIFICATIONS.
frang <Aa prrflsei of UU DepaHnuni tf KwAngeham^ tuid Ck&mg amd Li
mmgittraUe cfthM distrisU ofjfinh&i and Pw&myH, elearltf proeUim tlun frO'
AiMiMM, m order fo fSMt <iU mimdM e/UU people.
Reoently there have been posted up abroad many placards, abounding with
divers dieeuMions, which have arisen from an idea of giving protection to
yoor persona and property. Bat in most cases, by not distinguiahing in the
premises between what ii real and what is unfounded, the effect has been con-
tinued excitement, producing doubts and fears in the minds of the people,
and we are apprehensive that, thus misled by what they see and hear, they
will be alarmed and agitated, all to no good purpose.
Now both their excellencies, the high provincial officers, and ourselves are
exceedingly anxious and concerned to know bow to devise the proper means
for securing quiet to our people, ff there be indeed any measures (adopted
by us) that are truly inconvenient to you, then you who are scholars among
the people need not hesitate to come directly to our offices and here lay the
matters before us ; and we the prefect and magistrates, considering your grin-
vanees with intense anxiety, will as in duty bound carefully attend to and
ponder the same ; and then, selecting such as seem most practicable, will
report thereon to their excellencies, our superiors, and wait their election to
deliberate and manage. This practice of putting out placards, then, ought to
be prohibited in order to prevent the minds of tlie people from being disturbed.
Beside sending out police to keep watch and make secret inquiries, it is
highly proper to issue this proclamation, making It known to all tlie people
and soldiers within and without the city, that you may obey and act accord-
ingly. Henceforth yon must quietly abide in your own proper spheres, and
keep the laws. And if there ehance to be any local aflkirs that are not con.
venient to the people, then they ought to come directly to our offices and pre.
sent their duly prepared petitions. They must not make words to dereiVt
vol*. XVI. NO. V. 29^
258 Particulars of the Laie Movement. . MA:y,
the people and involye themielTet in trooble. Eaeh one oaght tremblinglj
to obey and not oppose our special proclamation.
Canton, May 3d, 1847.
No. 88.
Rtplyfnm his %xcdUney SUl KwaHgtain^ govrncr of Kwangtung^ ^., fe an
addr§$9 pr99§mt§d to him by W&ng Peieki and others.
The conduct of the said (non oommissioned) officers, — in making contribu-
tions, collecting and disciplining militia, to protect and defend the country, —
is truly a good enterprise. But whether it be right or not to grant their re-
quest, for a commission, authorising them to exercise control in these matters,
it is necessary to wait till the commissioners of justice and finance baTo
carefully delibererated and reported for me to decide.
Canton, May 10th, 1847.
No. 29.
Ruphifrom hit tx/ctiUnty SU Kw&ngtoin, gotwnar of KwAngtung, ^. to a
puUiom pr€oetU$d by the ohopnun of Hog Lan§,
Already a brick wall has been built, closing up the said Lane. Whether or
not it will be the cause of any damage to the occupants, and as to the man-
ner in which this matter may be safely managed, it is necessary to wait until
the Dispatch Office shall have thoroughly eiiamined and made a detailed re-
port, whereon I may give a decision.
Canton, May 11th 1847.
Saiurday, May 16lA. Since the foregoing was in type the news*
men of Canton have brought us a copy of what the following is a
translation.
No. SO
AN IMPERIAL £D1CT.
Kiying has reported to us, by memorial, that on the I9th of the second
month (April 4th) the English merchants suddenly entered the river of Can-
ton with troops. And the said governor-general further states that, on careful
inquiry, the said merchants declared that they, having been insulted and
abused, wished to go to FuhshAn to have a reckoning with the people there,
and they also insisted on entrance to the city of Canton.
As hitherto of late the said foreigners have been tranquil and rather peace-
fbl and quiet, their suddenly daring now to bring in troops is verily an affair
which could not have been foreseen : wb fear there must be something else
(yet undisclosed). Their strong wish to enter the city ia not a matter of any
great moment one way or other.
The said governor-g^eral and his associates, in snch an emergency, must
not be at all alarmed, nor in the least degree inattentive or remiss, but with
promptitude direct the civil and military officers ; and in a safe manner res-
train and repress (the said foreigners), and must not in any way allow them
to trouble ova people.
Further, the said governor-general requests that all the officers of the forts
in which the guns were spiked may be taken and severely dealt with, and
that he himself miy be delivered over to the appropriate Board to be tried in
like manner.
1847. Particulars of the Late Mavemeni. 359
Let him wait till the afl&ir ie teitJed, and then again report to ua tbereoo
by memorial.
Let thia edict for hie information be diapatched poat haate, at the rate of five
hundred ii per day. From the Emperor. (IVitkaui dmu,)
From official docaments, we now tarn to the English Journaliats, for
some sentiments touching the late movement. And first let as hear
the editor of the China Mail He says :
We hare refrained from interrupting our narrative of the roeent expedition
to Canton, with ditouaaion aa to ita policy and reaulta. That the latter have
been aingalarly aaeeeaaful there can be no doubt, and the former will be beat
appreciated by thoae who have marked the courae of previona negotiation a
with the Chineie, in which at every atep we were met with affronts, evaaiona,
and delaya. Even the Pottinger Treaties have not aeenred na againat them, ao '
far at leaat aa Canton, the principal aeat of commerce, ia concerned ; and Her
Majesty 'a government, naturally unwilling to involve the country in another
war with China, have continued to ezerciae the utmoat (brbearance in order
to avoid a rupture. But the repeated inaulta offered to our countrymen, and
the reatrietiona upon their privilegea, aeem at length to have convinced the
homei government of the expediency of adopting a more decided courae in
dealing with the Cbineae; and it may be inferred from the Foreign Secretary 'a
|ast diapatch, that the Superintendent of Trade, while he ia expected to puniah
offenden among hit own countrymen, haa been directed to demand instant
redreaa for the Yerj first unprovoked outrage committed on them ; and in the
event of thia being denied, tocompel it by force of arma.
Acting upon auch inatructiona, we preaume that Sir John Uavia, faatening
upon the moat recent inatance — the Fuh-ahin affair, of which a detail will be
found In another column — inaiated on the offenden being puniahed, and
aecurity given againat a repetition of the outrage. It may also be preaumed
that it waa the unfavorable nature of Kiying*a reply which at once deter*
mined the courae to be punned by His Excellency ; so that within an bonr
ader the military and naval officen were conaulted, the fint General Order
waa iaaued, the military authoritiea atipulating that the troope ahould embark
that night. We have elsewhere detailed their operations ; and it ia here only
necessary to remark, that whatever might have been the aucceaa of Hia
£xcellency*a negotiationa at Canton, they would have been woroe than aae*
leaa had the precaution not been taken to diaable the formidable forta which
would have been prepared to cut off the forces on their return. By spiking
all the gnna on the way up, aucceaa was not only made more certain, but a
frightful loaa of life prevented. The result was, that without bloodshed, and
at a cost to the nation of a few hundred pounds, the Plenipotentiary was in a
pooition to treat with the Imperial Commiaaioner, which a series of victories
and the expenditure of milliona, would not otherwise have aeeured for bim ;
and it redounda to hia bono? that under these ciroumstanoea he demanded
nothing which hia countrymen were not entitled to by solemn treaty.
We do not imagine that it waa hia purpoae, or any part of hia inatructiona
from H. M. Government, unneceaaarily to force hia way into the city ; and
SeO Pariieulars of ike Lmit MavimemL Mat,
we kave fepmtedlj thewa that aeccM to it «oald not be dcmnded ee a ri{fht
either under our own Treatiea or ander thoae with France and the United
States. It waa on!j by the ConTentioH entered into on the anrrender of
Chonn in May last, that the Emperor of China mncmM the •VpreTioualj
qneationed right of entry to Canton city-— the exerotae of that right being poat-
poned antil the popalation of Canton shall be more ander the control of the
local government.'* This condition waa so indefinite that it rendered the
privilege altogther nngatory ; bnt Sir John Davis has now fixed the precise
day when it can be enforced. The postponement for two yaers we regard as
'of little eonseqaence, since no one believes that the opening of the eity will
msterially Improve our commerce,-- our ezdnsion having been maintained
throttgh mere pride on the paK of the Chinese, generating rancor and malig-
niff among the people, who have thas continued to treat the fi>reign residents
as ^•iiAitside barbarians." The principle is now admitted, and when the time
arri^res to put it in fi>roe, this will probably be accomplished without much
diflicnity; for the Chinese authorities and troops will not dare to oppose us in
the faoe of a clear agreement; and they Wefi know that measures will instantly
l>e adopted to restrain the turbulent mob, should they offer resistance.
Thil other artielei of ttie recent convention are founded on conditiciia in
one or other of the Treaties between the Chinese and foreign nations, in which
England is either a principal or exprewsly allowed to participate. Bnt such
privileges have hitherto been hindered ; and experience having proved how
-little is to be gained by diplomacy with the Chinese, had the settlement of the
matter in dispute been attempted by correspondence, it is probable we should
have been no fhither adva.noed two years henee than at present. A military
^*pedition waa the only mode of obtaining redress, and putting an end to
V latittg complaints, that might ultimately have oceaaioned a war in earnest.
But though Sir John Davis was authorised to demand the redress of grie^
vancea, «nd a respectful attention to remonatrances againftt insults to his oonn-
trymen, it would have brought an indelible stain upon our national honor,
and made us u reproach in the eyes of Europe, had these been made the ex.
cuse for marching at the head of an armament to foroe concessions not autho-
rised by existing treaties, under pain, if they were not immediately complied
-with, of burning the city und exposing its million of inhabitants to indiseri*
minate slaughter.
Next the editor of the Friend of China and Hongkong Oaxcite^
shall be heard. We quote from his paper of April 21st. He says :
Sir John Davis's advance towards Canton on the 9d, and 3d, is quite as
much CO be reprehended as his retreat on the 6th. An armament was fitted
out in this haibor, its destination being a subject of speeulation M upwards
of a week, and without the slightest intimation to the foreign community of
Canton, it approached that city destroying the defonceleas forts on the banks
of the river. Fortunately the forts were without soldiers; but supposing the
Inverse had been the case it is probable that fVirther progress would have
been checked at the Bogue, and in retaliation for the a^rgression, the foreign
factories would have been sacked and the inhabitants butchered. The con-
1647. Pariieuhrs of the Late Movement. 261
•equences of his temerity weald have filled the Envoy with ehame, and the
indigmiDt voice of hii country woald have burled him from the pinnacle upon
which for three yean he has perched. It is said that aocceaa juatifiee impru-
dence; but thii we deny. Succeaa may justiiy bold actions when some great
object is to be attained. But what bad Sir John Davis in view ? The adjust-
ment of a few unimportant matteis secured either by our own or the French
treaty — ^matters that would never have been withheld had he been respected
by the Chinese Commissioner. Foiled, humbled, and treated as a child by
Kiying, he petulantly rushes to arms, and, without considering the interests
at stake, he storms defenceless batteries, spikes unmanned guns, and ter-
rifies all the old women, and children on the river. Arrived at Canton,
where in the meantime his countrymen and other foreigners were in immi-
nent peril, he flogs a couple of inoffensive men — ^negotiates for the petty gri-
evances—obtains what be calls "concessions,** Uiough they are actually
rights stipulated for by solemn treaties — sacrifices the only point of import-
ance (the entrance to the city)— and abandons his countrymen to the fury of
the storm he had raised. But suppose these ** concessions" had been refused,
would he have stormed the city, on the chance of obtaining an empty victory
at a fearful cost of human life ? Had such an occurrence taken ptece, the
British arms would have been sullied, and the Royal Irish might have furled
their banners. We most not be mistaken. We have noLftbhorrence of war
in the abstract — that is in a good cause and with a definite object in view.
But unavailing victory, when a voluntary act is at best legaHsed murder. It
may be that ere long Canton will fall before a British force, but we will be
in a position to make a good use of victoiy. In a position to bold the place
«t d amnt until the proud spirit of an insolent people is broken. In a posi-
tion to say to the rulers of the country, if you cannot control the people we
will until they treat with civility the foreigners who live among them, and
keep the engagement of their govemmenL
Cokiina after column equally strong and equally condemnatory
might be quoted, quite in unison with the sentiments of not a few
of his countrymen. We have already, in our last number, quoted
from the Hongkong Register. We have room here for only two
additional paragraphs.
By a letter from Canton we learn that a report wai prevalent among the
Chinese that the Emperor had ezpmsed hii approbation of Klylng'i eonduot
and confirmed the agreement entered into with Sir John Oavie. We aincere-
ly hope this will torn out true, and that it will restore some confidence to the
native merehanta, who have not yet resumed their basinets. We learn fkrther
that three applications have been made for lots of land on the Honam side of
the river, bnt that great diffienlty is experienced for want of a proper map of
the ground. H. M's. Consul applied to the Coromander.in-ohief for the
services of Lientenant Da Costa to make a survey of the new territory, but
after a consultation with His Excellency, the application was refused on the
grounds that it would irritate the people and might cause a disturbance ! la
263 Particulars of the Late Movement, Mat,
it poMible that the' people have already forgotten the U*$on which Hit Excel-
lenejr informed the world he had taught them, and which the Major-General
confirmed in hii General Order of the 10th altimo ? — Surely the said people
are very bad echolara and certainly do require a more liberal application of
the rod. So it appeara that the merchants are to build reaidencet and ware-
bouaea, and truit their livea and properties where it ia acknowledged that a
aurvey of the ground cannot be made in lafety, even within a fortnight of the
iieie agreementf and while there waa actually a Britiah force of one war-ateam*
er and nearly one hundred loldiera within three hundred yarda of the apoi.
Thiaisabad augury for the future proceedings of Sir John Davis and ia
mantfeatly a return to his former ** long course of misinterpreted forbearance.'*
Since auch is the ease in the immediate vicinity of the factoriea the 8d and
most important article in the new agreement, permitting H. M. subjects ** to
roam for exercise or amusement in the neighboring country without moles,
tation," muat already have become a dead letter.
No application has been made for compensation for ^ the house pulled down
(by order of H. E.) at the eastern extremity of the river fit>nt adjoining the
creek," which Sir John wiahed to saddle upon the Britiab residents, and which
he made the pretence for addressing an inaulting notification to them. Even
the Chinese seem aahamed of auch a barefaced attempt at imposition, as it
waa notoriously an encroachment upon ground leased from their government
and for which rent ia regularly psid. — Aa for civility from the Plenipotentiary
however, we believe the reaidenta in Canton are extremely moderate in their
expectations. It is well known he haa omitted no opportunity of making
iiuUrut chargea and inainuationa againat them, aa turbulent and unjuat in
their proceedings, though he haa never had the manlineaa to advance them
openly, well aware that moat of them are hia equala in ail that ia honorable
and upright, and far above attempting to injure any one 'a character by auch
pitiful and aneaking injustice. Yet to these, the only instance of any com-
munication free from such alluaiona that we are able to point out ia that of the
6th April, where he calla on them to be prepared to defend themselves againat
any attack of the populace, although he had previoualy attempted to prevent
them from arming themselves for that purpose, and held out in terrortm the
paina and penaltiea of a trial for homicide or even murder, ahould any Chinese
be killed in aasailing their lives or burning their property.
' Private letters and circolars have also been eqaally free id this
diicossion. From one of the latter, written and printed in Canton,
dated the 25th ult., we quote a few paragraphs. A l\er|nar rating the
particulars, the writers proceed to comments. They say :
Thus ended an expedition the expediency of which is very donbtftil, the
object (to be) obtained unexampled in the annala of diplomacy, and the eon*
sequences of which might have bee^ tl^e overturning of the Chineae empire.
The justMS of the proceedings it does not become ua to diaouas.
The privilege of unmolested en trainee to the ^ City of Rama " haa aeveral
times been insisted ouj and each unsuccessful attempt renders it finally more
difficult to be accomplished : the objection aa we formerly observed is founded
1847; Pdriiculari of the Lute Movement 263
on the prejudice of thoee .witbiD, and intareti of thoee without the walls. —
The advantages of admission to the oitj in a mercantile point of view, would
be to hring us into closer coiuiection with aetuml purchasers and consumers
of our own goods, as well as the owners of produce for sale. Now we do not
for an instant suppose that all or even the greater part of those with whom
our business ought to be transacted are only to be found residing within the
walls — but the effect which our restricted nay almost degraded position must
naturally produce, is to check any extended intercourse with the natives, who
are early taught to view us with contempt, and which feeling is still further
strengthened by seeing us thus restrained. Cooped up within the few hun-
dred yards on which the fectories stand, and unable to proceed the shortest dis-
tance without being insulted, it is impossible that the present mode of conduct-
ing business, through the medium of a few brokers only, can be overturned;
and this pernicious system is merely the old Hong Monopoly on an enlarged
scale, though without the security ; as witness the late failures here.— But
putting aside the additional risk of conducting our affairs through these men,
there is the further consideration of a middleman's commission or rather profit,
which now prices are so reduced as scarcely to cover the cost presses heavily
and indeed cannot be afforded.
The recognition of the right of foreigner* to build and to own warehouses,
though seemingly of minor importance and hardly requiring any expresa stipu-
lation, is really an arrangement of great consequence, and calculated equally
as admission to the city to break up the present exclusive system. Provision
on this head was made in the treaty of Nanking, thought that article has
hitherto been a dead letter. — The brokers through whom all sales and purcha-
ses are made have also monopolixed the storing of all goods imported or ex-
ported : so thai all communication with the native merchant, the bona fide
purchaser or seller, is most effectually cut off; thus rendering it impossible Ui
ascertain what rates are current with the Chinese. It is also an unsatisfactory
state of things as these men cannot be always implicitly trusted; it is notorious
thai the bankrupt Aming had pawned some property stored in his warehouses,
and others are suspected of having done the same. — We repeat that the poss-
ession of warehouses of our own will make a great change, a revolution, in the
system of conducting business, and thus will ultimately lead to a more extend-
ed intercourse with the natives, which is desirable on trerj account.
However, in conclusion, we may remark, that as yet the only eflfect of the
late movement has been to unsettle and disturb our Import market and seri-
ously depress prices. The speculative spirit noticed in our last has been
checked : the Chinese are still afraid that all is not over ; and it will be some
time before confidence is completely restored. We look to the future with
anxiety ; hoping that H. E. ^ihe Superintendent of Trade will not often fevor
our city wity similar visits.
Here we end onr quotations, which the importance of the subject
forbids to be less and our space will not allow to be more. The
narrative of the late movement will form quite A new chapter in the
records of diplomacy ; its like will hardly be found in all the psges
of history. So for as they have come to our knowledge, we have
3(54 ParHculars of the Laie AfovemenL Hat,
endeavored to record all the facts and circumstances as accurately
as possible ; and now, without attempting either to approve or disap-
prove— to defend or to condemn^ the late movement, a few com-
ments here will not be deemed out of place or uncalled for. We
refrain from lengthened discussion, chieflj because we are not in poo-
session of the requisite data on which with safety wo can proceed.
To make war on a sovereign state is a high and awful prerogative,
especially when perfect and perpetual peace has been established by
solemn treaties. The late movement presents, to the world, the
British government, or its representative, H. B. M.'s plenipotentiary,
in the attitude of going to war — without notice, declaration, manifesto,
in the very dead of night, entering with an armed force the domi-
nions of a peaceful empire, assaulting and capturing fort, after fort,
until a large and populous city is on the eve of being destroyed by
bombs, rockets, and all the deadly machinery of a modern foe. Was
this right ?
" A peaceful empire " we have said, for so the Chinese will say,
and so some others will believe. But have the Chinese, according
to the letter or spirit of the late treaties, kept the peace? According
to the said treaties foreigners ought to be as fret to go abroad in
Canton and its vicinity — as free to hire houses or ground on which
to build — and every where as secure from insult and injury — as are
the subjects of his august majesty the emperor. Now nothing like
this freedom and this security have been enjoyed or are enjoyed.
The attack at Fuhsh&n is only one instance out of scores that have
occurred. No longer ago than last October the magistrate of N4nhii,
in a public proclamation, declared that none but merchants and their
rich assistants are allowed to come to the factories, and that even these
are not to presume to go to any other place. Besides these^ all others
are forbidden to go on shore! This proclamation was pasted on the
walls of the city and streets, there to be gazed at and read by all ; and
it has never, we believe, been disowned or withdrawn. And in ac-
cordance with this, when complaints have been made— -even for
murderous assults — no redress has lieen obtained, but rather insult
and reproach have been added to injury and outrage.
So much we have seen; but this does not comprise the whole
of the case— for the correspondence between Kiying and sir John
and the instructions received by the latter from his government,
have not yet been given to the public. When the whole matter shall
have been brought before the British parliament, then the public
will be better able to judge of the merits or demerits of the late
1847. Particulars of the Laie Mbnemeni. S6it
moTement. Besides, more time may be requisite to develope its
legitimate results. But up to this moment — the 18th May — very
little has occurred that can be received as satisfactory evidence that
good has come from it, or is likely to come either immediately or
remotely. Like the retention of Chusan beyond the stipulated time,
it will destroy confidence. The worst passions — fear, hatred, suspi-
cion, and deadly animosity — have been excited by it to a great ex-
rtent and in ai great degree. The local authorities, however, have
been spurred on to look more to their duty, and there are some favo*
rable symptoms, so that we are not without hope that the " Ussan"
certainly not soon to be forgotten — may have some beneficial results.
The Chinese should be told, " We will keep the treaties to the
letter and spirit, and you must do the same." They needed a lessoOi
a very " impressive ksson" For a long time, it has been evident
that strong measures were requisite to put things here on their
proper basis, so as to secure the advantages of the treaties. The
delinquencies have called loudly for remonstrance, and fdrmed what
might be deemed a fitting occasion for an embassy to Peking^^-^Sk
measure we would have much preferred to the late movement'^for if
properly conducted, it would have secured a remedy for many delin-
quencies and aggressions, promoted peace and good-will, and paved
the way for the permaneni residence of foreign ministers at the im-
perial court.
The want of personal liberty, in not being permitted to vralk or
ride abroad beyond the smoke of the city-*the disability to hire
houses and ground on which to build, — and the constant shouting
thai fan kwei, "kill the foreign devils," whenever a foreigner ap-
pears abroad in the streets or on the water— are (if you please,)
" little annoyances," which ought to be checked at once, as incompa-
tible with the letter and spirit of the treaties. The. subjects and
citizens of Great Britain, France, the United States, and all other
foreign nations, should be as free and secure in Canton as they could
be in London, Parist or Washington. And if the. local authorities
cannot or will not give this freedom and this security, provided for
and guaranteed by their august master, then let the matter be daly
laid before the throne, with the proper alternative.
■f I '
VOL. XVI. NO. T. 34t
366 Natitia Lingua Siniea, ; May,
Art. VII. The Notitia Lingum Smictt of Primeare, translated
into Enfflish by J. G. Bridgman, Canton : printed at the uffice
of the Chinese Repository, 1847. pp. 323, octavo. •
Joseph Henry Prbmare, author of the gramatical work before us,
was a Jesuit missionary. Fie arrived in China in the autumn of
169S, and died here about the year 1735 — for the exact time of his
death, like* the place and. period of his birth, is unknown. The
autograph manuscript of his Notitia Lingus Sinice, in three small
quarto volumes, is now in the Royal Library of Paris. From it a
very exact copy has been made, and from that a second, which, by
the munificence and generous enterprise of an English nobleman
Snd the late Dr. Morrison, was published at Malacca in 1831. As a
stadent of Chinese, probably no. foreigner ever surpassed Pr^mare.
His work is neither a simple grammar nor a rhetoric. Quitting the
beiten track of the Latin grammarians, he struck out a method
entirely new among Europeans, " substituting for rules, the phrases
themselves from which one may deduce them." The Notitia con-
tains, says his biographer, *' little less than twelve thousand examples,
and fifty thousand Chinese characters."
Q(ibe 'translation of the Notitia, — which has been made by oqr
friend and relative, the Rev. James Granger Bridgman, now a mis*
sibni^ry of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mis-
sions,— we shall say nothing farther than that it was undertaken at
our solicitation. In his Preface, the translator thus speaks of it.
In presenting the following work to the public it will be proper to state
that a few changes have been made in the original copy, as existing in the
hands of the translator. The copy, as thus found, is hot only unfinislied, the
condluding section not having been added by the author, as was designed,
but it is also replete with various typographical errors, which have made it
in some cases difficult to determine the precise meaning of sentences, and
may have occasioned some discrepancies in the translation.
A few sentences which seemed to be of no practical utility have been
omitted, together with a large part of the author's Introduction, including
the Appendix containing a list of the various sounds in the language. The
order of the characters, m the body of the book, has also been changed, so
as io read from left to right In tran8latin<r, it has been the intention to
E resent for the most part, as nearly as posblble the meaning of the author,
deviations from the original sense have, however, been made in a few in-
stances, in order to correspond more perfectly with the exact shape of idea
in the Chinese.
The original Index, which seemed to be extended beyond the limits of
necessity or advantage, has been omitted, and one more concise, and it is
thought equally usefnl, placed' in its steads In all the changes that have
been made in the work, re^rd has been had to its practical convenience
and utiiitv. The mode ot representing the sounds is the same as that in
Williams' Vocabulary, from which the entire list of Symphonious Charac-
ters, included under the Prefatory Notices, has been borrowed. In this
list, containing the majority of characters in common use, the proper tones
are denoted. Of these, — the ping S^^ shang \^ y k'H -^, andjiiA ^,
i84t. NoHtia Ltngiia Siiiici. 367
tberaare tiro series, the upper snd the lower. The following may serve as
specimen. .^ '^ ^* .52^. .H^JP '^^ ft' ^,.
Some typographical errors will he found, H-hich, for want of those facilities
ID printing possessed in other countries, it has been impossible to avoid. It
is thought, however, that they are not sufficient to detrsct greatly from the
general appearance or the intrinsic value 6f the production. Of tiiese it
avails not to speak here particularly. The advantages of this work to students
of the Chinese, and especially to those who are commencing the studv of the
language, are sufficient to bespeak their ^wn importance. . The work, -such
as it is, Icoromend to the indulgence of the charitable public thst dwell
upon the borders of this great empire. If it may assist in opening the way
to the homes and the hearts of this secluded people, facilitate somewhat for-
eign intercourse with China, and aid in bringing the light of civilization and
Christianity to a people long sitling in darkness, the prayer of the translator
will be answered, and his labor abundantly rewarded.
By turning to the ' Contents,' the work will be found to cornprise ;
Jiritf some prefatory notices, giving us an accountof Chinese Books;
Chiiiese Lexicons, the Chinese Chsracters, the Tones, the Sounds,
with a list of Symjphonious Characters; nirt, in Part I., (he Spoken
Language and"Familiar Style are disoussed and illustrated under the
following heads: Grammar; Nonns; Pronouns; Verbs; other parts
of Speech ; Syntax ; Uses of certain Characters ; of the Particles in
Chinese; Negative {>article8; Augmentative particles; Diminutive
particles; Initial particles; Final particles; of figures of Speech; Re-
petition; Antithesis; Interrogation; and then^ in Part II., we have
the Language of Books exhibited, nnder several distinct topics;
namely, GraMimar and Syntax; the Chinese particles ; the Different
frades of Style ; (leneral Rules of Style ; Examples of various Styles ;
'tgures of Speech ; Antithesis ; Repetition ; Climax; Didactic in-
terrogation; Thirty varieties of Style; Varieties of Comparison;
Parable; Metaphor; Fable; Phrases; and Index.
When Pr^niare wrote very few, except missionaries, had occasion
to study the language of the Chinese. For them, therefore, he thus
wrote; "To the missionaries, who have just arrived, nothing seems
more desirable than to get possession of a dictionary , as if there were
no other way of learning the language. AcGordinglj{ they, ^ipend
their time in carefully copying out the various lexicons they meet
with — time which would be more advantageously devoted to reading
and committing to memory the Four QIassics. They will certainly
have no need of a dictionary in order to acquire a knowledge of the
Notitia Linguffi Sinics, which I here take tke liberty to dedicate to
them." Good and excellent advice, not to the mii<sionary only, but to
every one who wishes to acquire this language. We have seen it fol-
lowed with the happiest results. It was essentially followed by the late
Mr. Thorn. Like Premare, he was a great admirer of the Chinese,
and in their speech, both oral and written, he quickly learned to
imitate them. And^ih this — their early and constant attend* n to
speaking' and committing to memory — their course is worthy of all
commendation, and may easily be followed by every one who. comes
to teside among the Chinese. By timely adopting it, and steadily
26S Journal qf Oc€urrenci$. MAt,
puriuing it» no one, old or yoang^i learned or illitarate, with maoh
leisure or little — need long remain unable to communicate freely with
the Chinese in their own tongue. And were this the case— had all
foreigners here the ability of speaking to thoae around them in their
own vernacular, it would be an amazing power for good, and we
should at once expect to see half the animoeity and iil*wiil, now so
rife against foreigners, vanish at once.
For a Bigraphical notice of P6re Joseph Henry Pr^mare, we must
refer the reader to our tenth volume, page 668, and sequel, while we
recommend a careful and diligent study of his Notitia to all who
wish to be masters of " the flowery language of the Sons of H&n."
*A«M«^MWMMa0«MMMMMWHWW«tfMWMM^
Akt. VIII. Journal tf Occurrence: tkt new gimemor of Canton;
fiOiu of appeal; auttmnal assizes ; literary examinations ; the
Tkirtssn Factoriss; an assault; fuhlie nuisances; Meadows'
Commercial Reporter; tkf, fVench tn Cockinchina; new mtcsto-
naries; death of Mrs. Marshman; Dispatch Office; Contingent
Fund; church and chaplain aJt Shanghai; U$i rf residents.
Hit ExcBLLENCY, ^ j^ j^» SUl Kwougtsiit, who arrived in the
neighborhood of Canton about the close of the last month, made his
pnblie entry into the provincial city on the morning of the 5th inst,
and (tatered immediately on hiis duties as the FM-yuen, or governor
of Kw&ngtung province, and (he successor to our late governor
Hw&ng Ngantung, stiM in this city awaiting the further pleasure of
the emperor, who has recently been pleased to raise him, from his late
ptebeMii state, as a prain commoner, to the 6th of the nine ranks : he
fell from the 2d, so that he has been raised one half the way up to
where he fot*merly stood. We know little of the new governor further
than that he is well reported of and is in the prime of life. He is a
native of the province of HonAn. Two notes from his pencil— one
refhrring to the raising of militia and the other to the shutting up of
Hog Lane, will be found on a preceding page (258),^ we subjoin
another on the subject of appeals, which has been translated for our
pages.
SQ, Keatenant-goTernor of Kwington^, tela forth a declaration concerning
BMtten of public intereit. Whereas among the people litipitionn are fre-
^eetly occurring, in caae that the local ma^iatraios ihould not deetdia
equitably, and the feelinfft of the people ahould 1m wounded and oppressed, it
was originally providea that they should hare the right of appeal to the
higher authorities. But it is necessary that they ihould do it respectfully and
have their representations made out in due form, giving ai| accurate deacrip.
tioQ of aflTairs according Ut the facts of the caae. • And inasmuch as the
yeoorder has iliem written off and sealed and at the appeioted time amaes the
various statemeota to he presented, I do not permit tiie people pcfson^ii^ at
their ciWn option, to niake use of the red and white memorials and petitions,
fining them up with vain words and obstructing the chair of the magistrate
a» they crowd in to deliver them. Aecerdingly I the goremor as aforemen*
' have eow caused a. proshuMtioaito be- pttt.up, ^ingupoa thethitdaad
1847. Journal of Occurrences, 209
eifhth d&jri of each decade of every month for receiving petitions. I have also
aotheriaed Ying Yunghinn and Htt Tsishi according ai they have received
to fulfil the office of recitfders, and to caoic* the various suits to be brought
np and entered upon the docket. And a proclamation is added immediately
in connection with this, the design of which is to inform all the literati and
people generally, that they may know assuredly. You have indeed been ill-treat-
ed and oppressed. You have appealed to the commissioners and superintendents
of the city, department, and district magistrates, and have not in all cases
obtained answerable redress. It is permitted now that you repair to the office
of the recorder of the court, who will at the appointed time send your peti-
tioBt to our office. And if there are any who have heretofore appealed to
tha commissioners and aaperintendents and the various inferior magistrates,
it ia now permitted that their cases should be faithfully considered and the
a^jodioation ia not to be deferred. Bat if the appeals be hastily and obscurely
drawn up, whether they use the red and white statements and petitions, or
whether they artfully fabricate false pretences, and by fictitious representa-
tions endeavor to make the light appear serious, drawing up confused and
irregular appeals, besides that none of them will be examined or regarded,
it ia determined with reference to every one wbo shall presume to send in
such an irregular appeal, that be shall be animadverted upon according to the
laws and dealt with according to the most rigorous investigation, and also
that evisry man who culpably provokes the litigation will be diligently searched
out and brought to light, and severe measures will be adopted for the man-
agement and repression of such abuses. Let every one tremble and revere*
and by no meana disregard this special proclamation. (May 10t4,
Autumnal (zssizes. On the 12th, one hundred and seven criminals
were brought up before the governor ; their cases are to be reported
to T^ukw^ng^ who, as the great father and judge of the 360,000,000
of his children, is to ratify their sentences of condemnation or grant
them free pardon. Similar reports go up from all the eighteen pro-
vinces and other states of the T4 Tsing dominions — and his majesty's
decision thereon forms " the grand annual autumnal assizes."
Liierartf examinations ^ for the lowest degrees, have been in
progress during the month, exciting some local interest, and have
served in some degree to draw off public attention from foreign affairs.
Iq the governmental circular the Thirteen Factory streets and
ways have been daily reported ** peaceful and quiet"
An cusault. On the 13th, a colored sailor, belonging to a lorcha,
under the British flag, lying off the Factories, came on shore with
three or four others, whom he chanced to miss, when he was assaul-
ted, severly cut and bruised on the head, and robbed of his money.
This case will hardly lie over so long as that of October last, which
we see has just been reported by Krying to gorernor Davis. See the
China Mail, No. 117, May 13th, 1847.
The acting commissioner of Justice has published a proclamation,
touching public nuisances, of which a translation is subjoined.
Hwiog, acting commissioner of justice, superintendent of the post-office
and commissary general, promoted ten dep^rees and recorded ten timea,
urgently announces the importance of making every effort to remove en-
croachment and violence and establish affairs on a quiet and equitable basts.
VVhereas I the acting commissioner discharged the duties of an officer
under the imperial government at the capital and heard tliat the gentry of the
Canton province were chargeable with corrupting fidefity and right principlea,
acting according to their own pleasure without fear or restraint, I continued
ra this persuasion till the last autumn undertaking with all respect and
ftdehty^ to discharge the dittiea that were enjoined upon me. But having
270 Journal of Occurrences! JtlAfI,
inipected and examined thii province, investigated and obierved the d'lposi*
tiona of the people, and had an extensive peraonal interconrae ainon^ tl em I
am fally persuaded they are generally anxious to maintain right pri nci pier ^^ aid
exceedingly solicitous to promote the public good, and thus they are wont to
be fonnd every one in his place in the public deliberations consulting for the
public welfare. They are determined at all hazards and agreed in their
natred of the bad, and when the leaders and directors of affairs, the constables
and the tithing men join their collective experience for the proper conduct of
affairs, there is not an individual of the gentry but is inclined with the
utmost alacrity and zeal to follow up and attend punctually to the various
items of business that occur. They constrain themselves to the most strenu-
ous efforts and tolerate no indifference. And I have still further proof of
what I hear, not as a false report, and am able thus to speak in the highest
terms of their character and merit But as it regards mynelf, the acting-oom.
missioner, having entered upon the responsibilities of director of the commis*
sariat half a year or more ago, and having had a personal knowledge of the
disposition and general behavior and appearance of the people throughout the
province, I have never yet been able to repose in perfect quiet, without solici-
tude, and trouble. Day and night I am compelled to ponder upon the state
of things with indescribable feelings of concern.
Recently I have received the seals of office as acting commissioner of jus-
tice from U. E. Klying, who has reported the same to the emperor.
Now in all cases the duty of removing nuisances and encroachments and
suppressing all sorts of misconduct ought not to be indifferently performed^
and is that which is most of all things desirable to be effected. To prevent
the oppression of a quiet people is a matter of the first importance. And thus
besides that a proclamation has been issued ordering all the Fi), Chaa. and
Hien magistrates to apprehend the lawless vagabonds within their several
jurisdictions, and to institute measures to search out and arrest them one and
ail, and also to put in requisition the constables and tithing men, making nse
of their collective experience and executing their proper functions to manage
so that business may proceed in its proper order, we have in addition put forth
a proclamation informing and announcing. And the purport and design of
this proclamation is to inform all the gentry, old men. literati, and people
generally of the country, that they may anew and be fully assured. Ye, whe-
ther occupying the city residences or dwelling in the country villages, ought
properly to look up and regard all the superior officers of government and
myself also the acting commisaioner, whose chief solicitude is to secure the
wei^re of the people. Yon must, every one, observe your proper duty and rest
contented in your own employment, and not on any account get np the ex.
oitement which is produced by idle talk. And yon must also get the consta-
bles and tithing men to make thorough investigation and not permit the law-
less vagabonds to insinuate themselves among the people ; let the strong men
also be trained and disciplined with diligent precautions and then it may b^
hoped that the villages and neighborhoods will all be quiet. A course of
conduct, which bnt ineffectually answers the-pnrpose, cannot be allowed, hav-
ing the name of doing but not the reality. If in the varioua neigborhoods
and districts there be any reckless vagabonds, the people must also rigorously
add their instructions and injunctions requiring them to correct their faults
and become good, or perhaps bind them ano hand them over to the local
officers, who will not fail to deal with them in the most rigorous manner, and
by no means see them conducting as the people of the Tsin or Yueh nation,
thus in effect multiplying wounds and bequeathing calamities. The outlaws
then must have their eyes vexed and their minds alarmed, repent of their form.
er Gtimes and exert themselves to become good and virtuous. The acting com-
missioner himself should naturally be indulgent with reference to that which
has already transpired, so as to afford them the opportunity of reforming them,
selves. But if obstinate and infatuated, they^ refuse to awaken to considera.
tion, and still continue to behave in the same perverse manner as before, thejr
will .be seized at onoe and arraigned before the tribunal of the magistrate.
Tbeir case will then be searched mto and investigated, with the utmost rigor
1847. Journal of Occurrences. 27t
of the laws, and they will be proceeded with accordinjgfly, and will not by any
meana he treated with the least leniency or indulgence.
Now 1 the acting commissioner delight in the people as my own children.
The bad I hate as enemies. Let every one tremble and revere, and not dis-
regard this special proclamation.
Meadows* Commercial Roporter, we are sorry to know, has been
discontinued^ partly from want of patronage and partly (and inaiujy)
from the large amount of labor that it required of its editor.
Two- French Ships of war, the frigate Gimre and the corvette
VMorieuse, arrived in the Chinese waters about the end of last month,
from Cochinchina, where for sundry insults they destroyed a part of
the king's navy. We have not space here for the details.
By the Howqua, from N. Y. the Rev. Messrs. Lord, Carpenter,
and Wardner, with their wives, arrived at Hongkong on 2dth ult.
They come as missionarits to the Chinese. There have also recently
arrived three or four Protestant missionaries from Germany.
Died at Serampore, on the 5th of March the widow of the late
Dr. Marshman, at the advanced age o^ eighty: wiA forty^seven years
resident in India. Dr. M. was one of the first missionaries to India.
A new office has been established in Canton called the Tang Puh
So, or Dispatch Office, to facilitate correspondence with foreigners.
The collection of the ** Contingent JFund" has, it is said, been
commenced, and the gentry have applied for a commission for it^
management and the training of militia.
At public meeting, held, pursuant to notice, at H. B. M. Consulate (Shang-
hai) on the 6th April, to take into consideration the expediency of making
provision without delay for the erection and endowment uf «i Church and the
nomination of a Chaplain, the following numbers of the Foreign Community
were present : —
R Alcock. Esq , H. B. M. Consul ; Right Rev. W. J. Boone, d. d. ; Rev.
T. M*Clatchie ; Rev. E. Syle ; Rev. W. C. Milne ; Messrs. A. M'Cullonh,
C. Shaw, D. Potter. T. Moncreiff. A. Calder, C. Bates, T. C. Beale, O.
Robertsen, W. Lockhart, R. P. Saul, C. Cunningham, C. Empson, J.
Crampton, H. H. Kennedy, and G. Urmston.
H. B. M. Consul was requested to take the chair, and the fbllowing resolu.
lions were submitted to the meeting and carried unanimously : —
1st. Proposed by Dr. Boone, seconded by Mr. T. C. Beale, — That whereas
it is deemed important for our own personal edification and for the inter-
ests of religion that measures should, immediately be taken to build a Church
and secure the services of a minister of the Gospel for the Foreiirn Community
residing at Shanghai ; and whereas by the zeal and liberality of Mr. T. C. Beale,
a lot ofland has been recorded, and is now tendered for this object, therefore re-
solved that a Committee nf three of our number be appointed for us and in our
behalf to procure from Mr. Beale the aforesaid plot, and to build thereon with
all convenient dispatrh a Church at an expense not exceeding $6000, the ssid
Church to contain 60 or more pews, capable of accommod.^ting 300 persons
at least, and also to build a parsonage at an expense not exceeding $4, OfR). -
2d. Proposed by Mr. Beale, seconded by Mr. Kennedy, — That upon the
completion of the Church the Building Committee shall request H. B. M.'s
Consul to call a meeting of the Fnreijrn Community to convene at the Church,
at which Meeting they shall offer 50 pews for sale at an upset price of $200
each, in order to defray the expenses of building the Church and Parsonage
aforesaid, and' that the remainder of the pews be set apart as free sittings.
3d. Proposed by Mr. C. Shaw^ seconded by Mr. D. Potter, — That in order to
secure a fund' for the maintenance of a minister, each pew sold shall be liable
to an annual assessment of $5 to be paid to the vestryman of the Church.
373' Journal of Occurr§nces.
4tb. Proposed by Mr. Calder, seconded by Mr. Empton,— That after the
■ale 4>f the pews above mentioned it shaJi be the duty of the Building Com-
mittee to proenre a meeting of the Pewholders who shall elect six of their
number to act as vestrymen, to whom and their successors in office the Build-
ing Committee shall convey the Church to be taken by them for the pewhold-
ers, held for ever in trust to be used for the worship of Almiffhiv God, accord-
ing to the forms of worship and discipline of the Church of England ; to seeare
which object the aforesaid deed of conveyance shall be duly recorded in the
office of H B. M.'s Consul.
6th. Proposed by Mr. Monereiff, seconded by Mr. Shaw, — Thai vestry-
men shall also procure the conveyance to themselves of the aforesaid lot and
parsonage, to be held by them and their successors in office for ever in trust
for the use of the said Church and for the accommodation of its ministers.
6th. Proposed by Mr. M'Calloeh, seconded by the Rev. P. M'Clatohie,—
That the vestrymen elected as above-mentioned, shall continue in office until
the Easter Monday next ensuing, and that upon that day and ever after there
shall be held annually on Easter Monday by the Pewholders an election for
six vestrymen to serve for one year, there being allowed a vote to the holder
of each pew on which the assessment has been paid.
7th. Proposed by Mr. Potter, seconded bv Mr. Saul,— That it shall be the
pnTilege of the Minister to appoint one of the vestrymen elected as aforesaid
to act as warden, and that the vestrymen shall elect from their number another
to act wiih him, and that thenceforth the name and style of this body shall be,
the Rector, Wardens, and Vestrymen of Trinity Church, Shanghai.
bih. Proposed by the Rev. E. Syle, seconded by Mr. Potter,— That ano-
ther Committee of three be appointed by the chair to write to the Secretaries
ttf the Church M'issionary Society to request them as our agents to procure for
us a Clergyman of the Church of Ensland to whom they shall be authoris*
ed to offer on our behalf a salary of £500 sterling per annum and a house.
9th. Propoeed by the Rev. T. M'Clatchie, seconded by Mr. Shaw,— Thai
all powers not abcve granted that may be needed by the Building Committee,
or the Committee for securing the services of a Clergyman to accomplish the
objects for which they were appointed be, and the same are hereby conferred
OA the said Committee respectively.
10th. Proposed by Dr. Boone, seconded by Mr. M*Cu]looh,— That tb»
Building Committee be appointed by the chair, and oursnant to resolntions
1 and 10 the following gentlemen were nominated rrom the chair to con*
stitute a Building Committee,— Messrs. W. P. Pierce, T. Beale, and C. Shaw.
nth. Proposed by Rev. £. Syle, seconded by Mr. T. Beale,— That Dr.
Boone's name be added to the Building Committee.
The following Gentlemen were announced from the chair to form a cor-
responding Committee in pursuance of Resolution 8. — ^The Right Rev. W.
Boone, o. o.. Rev. T M'Clatchie, end Mr. C. Empson.
lith. Propoeed by Dr. Boone, seconded by Mr. Potter,— That^H. B. M.'s
Conanrs name be added to the Corresponding Committee.
13th. Proposed by Mr. Beale, seconded by Rev. T. M'Clatchie,- That the
wannest thanks of this meeting be offered to D. Boone for his earnest . seal
and really beneficial and kind assistance in maturing this most desirable under*
taking.
14th.. H. B. M.'s Consul having left the chair, it was proposed by Mr.
Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Beale,— That the thanks of the meeting be offer-
ed to H. B. M.'s Consul for his able conduct in the Chair.
The meeting was then abjonrned sine dU,
RoTHxaFOHD Alcocs,— OUM'nneii,'
LiitB of foreign residents, at the five ports, have from time to time
appeared in our pages. In that for Jannary last (and in the Anglo-
Chinese Calendar) the name of Mr. Alexander Calder was errofteousfy
placed on the establishment of Messrs. Duus, Rawle d& Co., Shing*
h&i.^ A new list, will he prepared for July next.
THE
CHINESE REPOSITORY.
Vol. XVI— JcNE, 1847.— No. 6.
^^^^^^0^0^0^0t0^0^0^0^0*0^0^0*^^^t^l^t^^^^^0^^*^^0*0^0^^0^f^
Amt. I. Chinese eurreney and revenue, being a memorial from
CkA^stM to his majesty t together with a report thereon from the
Board of Revenue, Translated from the Peking Gazette, (No.
15..T4ukw&ng 26th y. 2d m., 18th d., and No. 38. 4th m. 5th d.)
for the Repository by Heroensis.
Chu-tsun, minister in waiting to fill the place of king^ting of the
4th rank, o^ his knees presents a memorial, touching the mea-
sure of transmitting and circulating copper tsien, by raising the
▼alae of which, relief will be afforded to the sil?er ; to the end that
there may be a hold upon the power by which revenue is produced
and. a proper direction of the employment of wealth: whereon he
reverentially sets forth his limited views, and looks Upward, hoping
lor the sacred glance. *
The memorialist is humbly of q>inion, that it needs not wisdom
to discern^ that throughout the vast dominions of the empire from
the present daily expenditure of silver in the market, its rise in
value is daily more obvious : and as the current expenses of the
realm, withal, are in all cases, both of receipt and issue, in silver,
how should it be otherwise than in a state of exhaustion Y— If the
eilver be exhausted then must there be a change, and upon the
Qhange will follow its more general diffusion ; the course by which
to arrive at that change is all that is intended by " the measure of
transmitting and circulating copper tsien — to the end that there
may be a hold upon the power producing revenue.
VOL. XVI. NO. VI. 35
274 Chinese Currency and Revenue. Junb,
The monarchs of former times, when they converted the hidden ma«
terhds, gathered from the mountain and the marsh into the precious
commodity (tsiuenpu)^ * in causing the state to engross the profit there-
of, and refusing the power of private coinage to the people, had this
object much inl^ew : they therefore determined that taxes should
be paid in grain, and arranged that .^oods should be bought and sold
for /5MII. ThJB cheapness of articles of commerce arising from the
scarcity of tsien^ which when scarce are Valuable, — on their becom-
ing so, more are coined, and their dispersion causes a depreciation
of their value : The dearness of articles of commerce, proceeds
from a superabundance of tsien, which when abundant, decline in
Value; on their falling, the system is changed, and they are ga«
thered in and so brought into esteem. Whether their value be
above or below par, the. control of fluctuation rests with the govern- -
ment, and the grasp of authority is in the hand of the sovereign.
At the present time, payments are made,, and taxes rendered, in
silver, and tsien are much as if they were considered useless : al-
though the coin of the realm be in circulation, it circulates only
among the people, but never returns to the government : hence it
comes, that, the rich merchants and monopolists being enabled, by
availing themselves of men's disabilities, and by specuhiting on the
emergencies of the season, to hold, in their own hands, the power of
making the tsien scarce or plentiful, and to exert a secret influence
upon their rise and fall in value, — when the government would' make ^
them,, at any moment, of one established price, to which it would have
both the higher and lower classes conform, — there ensues probably .
some violence on the one side and some compulsion on the other, and all
orders on this head are withstood by them, so that none are executed.
' It u of importance by employing the tsien na they shall be found
convenient, to render it easy for men to conform to the measure :
to go thoroughly into the question of the change, lest they be in-
dignant thereat: and to exercise the change as circumstances shall
require to prevent their suspicions.^
At present, cases of difiiculty, in the salt department, are all at-
tributed to the dearness of silver and cheapness of tsien, and to the fact
that the salt is sold for ^sten and not for silver : now as the proceeds ^
of the fale of the salt at Ch&ngM, could be forwarded to the capital
to meet the pay of the* troops, the memorialist would request that
the issue of tsien^ for this purpose, do begin at the capital : that
' ' 1' THuMn p^ ^ y6^, .. Mon^y was so called under the €kuu and Han.
1847. Chinese Currency and Revenue. . 276
there be established, in the east and west extremities of the city,
two separate treasaries for the receipt and deposit oUsien^ and that a
tsoshiidng and y^shildng of the Board of Revenue, as well as of
tSie Board of Works superintend the same, and, making part-pay-
ments in ^5tcfi, ' issue their pay to the troops at its current value :
the troops, under the four standards east, * to repair for their pay to
th6 eastern, and those under the four standards west, to the western
treasury, where it will be issued to them ; in order that the trouble
of carrying the tsien back and forward may be avoided : — ^that there
be on no account permitted any rapacious deductions, short pay*
ments, intermi>cture of broken tsien, or the like offences ; should
there be any such and that they are punished on detection; who can
be indignant? — that the money produced by the sale of salt at
Lidng Utodi be forwarded to the superintendent of the Yellow river
(the Two Hw&i ^ ^) for the repairs of the year.
As the people, paying taxes in tsien ^ are some seven or eight tenths
of the whole population of the empire, the local officera, receiving
tm», and being obliged to transmit silver to the treasury, are in*
volved in incalculable trouble in making up the difference. Wd
Wan^yungt lieut-governor of Kidngsi presented a memorial to Your
.Majesty, shewing ^that to meet the local expenses, incurred on the
responsibility of the officer, tsien might be received and applied ; and
that for those items, wherein, when a report has been made to the
Board, it has to await Your Majesty's apportionment of the revenue,
silver should be collected and transmitted — the pay of the troops
and ration-money of the police (he requests) may be raised accord-
ing to the rate of exchange." ^ What he says is not devoid of dis-
cernment, but his general practice of changing the nature of ihe
receipts has already fallen into confusion.
According to the memorialist's very humble view of the question,
seeing that the cAicAoic and chihien, in the receipt of the revenue,
universally follow the ancient rule» there is no use in enacting
fresh ordinances; the silver having been heretofore transmitted
as it was collected, he prays that there be no discussion thereon.
But in the case of officers, now receiving taxes in tsien let the a-
a Tdkfhig jj^ ^^ 1^ twBwng pay, part of the silver is deducted, and
made good in tMien, the proposition here is that the ehief part should be paid
in lifMn, and the balance in silver.
3 Divisions or rather brigades orthe Chinese army, each under the com-
mand of a tutttng.
4 In the pay of the troops, and ration-money of thr-police, let the ex-
change be varied according to the current value (of the tael).
270 Chimsi Currency and Revenue. Jtfnt^
mount of their receipts therein be taken into aceount, and a gene-
ral estimate made, with relation to the district around them, of the
number of troops and police in it ; and having decided, according
to these data, the return due upon the return of silver, which they
ought to make, let them return some tenths less, and so be spared their
trouble. All the isien, over what they change into silver to render to
the commissioner, let them forthwith, in their payments, substitute
for silver, and having considered and fixed a sum, as the number of
itun to be exchanged for every tael, let them continue as they have
begun ; and the balance of weight, which they must have, if they
issue whatever Uien they exchange, at their real value to the^ troops,
let them as before send in to the commissioner : and let them have
permission to disburse, without referring to him, their own salaries
and allowances, as well as those of the officers in the same dis-
tricts with themselves ; the balance, let them transmit, according
to the length of the journey, to one or other of the treasuries, * to
be there deposited for the purpose of being issued in pay to the
troops. Let the corps of division in the city, and the garrison, be
paid in coin by the commissioner, and let the forces, under the chief
and subordinate commands without the city, proceed, with the stam-
ped orders for their pay, to be issued by the commissioner, to the
several tdu-tdi, cAi/iS, chiehau and Mhien^ who will pay it into
their hands. As for the current value (of the tael), that of the
city must be looked to as a standard, and considering it as fixed
on the 10th day preceding the commencement of the collection,
_ •
let official notification, that such is to be conformed to, be generally
made by the commissioner. — In the case of all such salaries of civil
and military officers as cannot be paid on the spot in tsien, let silver
be issued as of old : at all stations, at which soldiers are permanently
quartered, if none of the Chau or Hien^ in their vicinity, receive
taxes in tsien (copper cash), let^ilver be issued, as of old : and with
reference to the tsien ia the government mints, concerning which
a regulation exists, shewing how they are to be given out ** in
part-payment, let the same amount be given out as of old. In this
manner although there he indeed a change, yet as the law continues in
5 The ehetti of the tAtUdi^ ekiekau^ ck\fti^ to which the reTenue it remitted
4lier tt hiu been collected at the itj^ j^ ^ under the authority of the
cACAtiit.
5 a These tMimv in charge of the J^ 1ft )^ in the province of
Canton : the inue here tpoken of it to the different offices on the 3d and 6th,
13th and J6th, and 23d and 28th of every moon ; a stamped document stating
the amount of the issue accompanies the money.
184T. Ckinesi Currency and Revenue. 2Ti
efTeet the same, how should there be such confusion as to cause
discontent? — ^If this proposition be adopted, there will be among
the people no disorder, to the soldier no loss, and to the officer ^
a gain. Is it said that among the people there will be no disorder?
The nation at large, in disposing of their grain, and of their hemp
and silk, sell both one and the other for tsien, while they pay the
amount of their tax in siWer : they have long done so ; it is their
ancient and constant practice : and as, heretoforCf all siWer received
has been, as it now will be, thrown into the coffers by the Shu ft, ^
there is no sudden alteration of the law or exchange of the silver.
Thus is there no disorder among the people. Is it said that to the soldier
there will be no loss ? The soldier, on the receipt of his pay in sil-
ver being still under the necessity of changing it, before it becomes
available, when the time arrives for paying the troops, the shopkeep-
ers constantly lower the exchange ; but now, as^ the full number, ac-
cording to the market value at a previous given time, b issued to
them, the tsien being paid into their hands in ready money, fit for
use, what can equal it's convenience ? Thus is there no loss to the
soldier. Is it said that to the officer there will be gain ? When there
was a superabundance of silver the officers angled for profit in the
receipt of ^sten, whereas now that these are fallen in value, they
are embarrassed by having to make good the deficits. If they expend
one part more tsien than formerly, and transmit one part less silver,
then are they by so much the less embarrassed, while if they wait
until silver becomes cheap, they can repossess themselves of the
surplus. Herein is there a gain to the officer.
Some may say, that, if the tsien be taken in by government^ and
there be a drain of them in the market, they fear that the population
will be crying out by reason of their dearth : They do not know
that all received monthly by the common soldiers and police, must
come into the market ; nor, that, of those received by the local of-
ficers, there yet remains the greater portion (over and above those
ordered to be deposited in their treasuries) which they must convert
into silver, to send up to the commissioner; and that, in cons^
quence, these must also come into the market.
As a plan both of increasing advantage to the country, and of put-
ting an end to the evil, a suspension of the coinage must be considered
as foremost in importance. Some may observe, that although silver
6 Both in the btlanee of profit and the eeonomy of tnmble.
7 The ShU-lS in the Ckiitg4ianf4uMk (r, 5; acting under the Chiehan
and Chihien.
278 Chinese Currency and Revenue, June,
be just now scarce, there is not either any great amount of /Wen,
and ask how it will be possible to cease coining? Such do not know,
that, though (lawful) isien be not abundant, yet as they have been,
since the state first set coinage on foot, ever and in all places, up to
this dhy, increased by an intermixture of spurious coin, — upon com-
parison of their amount (viz : of all in circulation) with that of silver,
their excess will be very apparent. Suppose it desirable to equalise
their value, by what means, as silver and isiai are not in like quan-
tities, can they be placed at par 7 Temporary cessation of the coin-
age, to place them at par, and renewal thereof, when their value shall
have become equal, is the meaning of "where abundance is an
object, there must be first a drawing in." "At the same time slacken
and strain (the bow)."
It may be remarked by those who speak only according to the
state of things under their immediate observation, — If the object be
to have a surplus of tsien^ to supply the lack of silver, increase the
number of mints, and coin more extensively : why talk of suspend-
ing the coinage ? Suspension of the coinage is, in reality, the step
to be taken towards increasing the number of terms,® and. multiply-
ing the mints. Dullards, who exclaim, without investigation of the
subject, ' If the coinage be stopped, the tsien will run short, and if
their coinage is to be recommenced when their want is feh, we fear
that, in the hurry, it will be hard to manage,' — do not know that the
residue of the copper is put by, that the apparatus and implements,
and that the money to pay the workmen are put by. If advantage
be taken of the right moment, and hands called in, what fear is
there of inability to manage it ?
There may be others who say, that the suspension of the coinage
proceeds from a loss of capital, and that, in a matter of such con-
sequence to the empire, an excess of expense should not be taken
into consideration. This is the argument of those, who are accus-
tomed to see and to hear, but who do not comprehend the affairs of
their own time. Now, where there is a loss to the crown, it should
be with the intention of benefiting the subject : the value of isien
is daily decreasing, the price of all things, day by day, rapidly
rising: in the mints two tsien are expended upon the labor of
making one, while the soldier who receives one hardly retains the
use of the half one : without any gain to the people, here is a loss to
the state ; who may be the gainer, and who the loser, there are
surely some persons competent to determine.
9 V. Sap. Note 5a.
1847. Ckiiust Currency and Revinue. 279
If it be said, that upon the coinage there is a profit, whereas if a
stop be pnt to it there will be none, — let it be considered, whether,
in the surplus of Isien, there be no profit; whether there be none
either, in the residue of copper. The sum total of capital expended
on the labor of coining in the fourteen provinces, in which there are
mints, is annually upwards of 800,000 taels; taking it at 800,000,
when" changed into /sten to be issued in part-payment, and rating every
tael at 1500, there must be an increase of upwards of 400,000 strings
oiUien. The issue of silver, moreover, to be converted into fmn, is
a transmutation of the valuable to what is of little worth, while the
receipt of /sten, to be issued in partppayment is an ingathering of
what is base and thereby raising its value.
The plan for putting them on a par differs not from this ; by the
one process two ends are attained ; how can any one who applies
his attention to schemes on behalf of. the state, doubt of its success?
Some may say that the funds intended to meet the expense of the
labor, in other provinces, have, they fear, J>een temporarily appro-
priated to other purposes, in which case there will be none in hand.
Let such reflect, if they would continue the coinage without cessa-
tion, could they with bare hands coin a million o^tsienf Even if
the labor-funds be nearly spent, and the tsien obtained by exchange
not many, still by changing the application of some other sum, an
arrangement may be devised, and as it will be easy to repay the
sum so borrowed, there will be no default.
Others may remark, that, as the workmen and police, employed
in the mints, are very numerous, if deprived, in one day, of their
business^ their dispersion, it is to be feared, will be attended with
inconvenience ; — these do not know, that when the f sien-scheme
comes into operation, and they are being: issued* and collected, there
will be everywhere need of hands, and that there cannot but' be
a place for these ; — Not only the coining in the other provinces^
but even that in the capital may be suspended^ or if not stopped, at
least diminished. In short the sum of the question* (here under dis-
cussion) is this, where tsien can ber uee^, let use be made of them;
where silver must be, let it be employed. The. scheme for supplying
the deficieney, and preventing the evil, ie no more than this — yet as
the peculiar circumstances of every province cannot be subjected to
the same rule, the* measures necessary* mostr b« determined upon ac^
cording to the local ordinances andchangieradbpted, as the times shall
require them ; all of which depends upon the'eare of the isungtnh
fuyuin, 2Liid' piUhin^sx'f in' investigating^ deliberating and OAkxvw^^
280 Chinese Currency and Revenue, JumSy
deetsioo. Let them oeither, for the pleasure they feel in being com-
mended, incline to precipitate haste, nor, shrinking from the trouble,
find leisure by neglecting business. Then will the object be gained.
Tour Majesty's minister, the memorialist, in that he is an officer
in waiting, has indeed no charge which would entitle him to speak
or to act ; but he bears in mind that, rude and simple as he is, after
having successively attained the dignitly of Adit/m, cAeiux' JH,
kaidu, and kienehdk t&u, he was in a few years recommended
for the post ^of Sh4u-king, that superabundantly enriched by the
fulness of the' Imperial bounty, he has as yet made no return even
so great as a particle of dust : and when on a late occasion by reason
of his offence, the Board had sentenced him to he cashiered, he was
indebted to your Majesty's grace for a commutation of his sentence
to loss of steps, and removal to another office; looking upward he
caught a glimpse of the feeling in the sacred bosom, which stilt
could not endure utterly to dismistf him. From an affisctionate
attachment to. the imperial residence, he has tarried in his lowly
dwelling in the city, and has observed, while bowing down, that the
declining state of the finances, ^^^ has gone up and caused Your
Majesty exceeding solicitude both by day and night. Well aware
that he possesses not the source of ^remedy or prevention, he yet
ventures to tender what he has poorly and roughly done. But:' if
therein there be anything worthy of selection, he trusts that Your
Majesty will command the -members of the Board, and the' high
officers of the provinces, to push their in()uiries, and «o arrive at a
deeuion, . that authority be given to act thereon. Incompetent to
detect his own rashness and obscurity, while dimming 4u with dust
the ability residing in the Imperial Chamber; he feeb unequal to
the^exeese of his irepidation and fear. * r**^ --- — i:.: •. .i..,». .
The respectful memorial of his Majeety's servant (Chfitsun minister
in waiting) &C. ' "'
The fi>llowing intimation in the Vermilion Pencil has been received.
' ^ Let the members of the Supreme Council, meet with the proper
Board to consider this memorial and let them report upon it.
Respect this." ' ' ' ^
- fHmmfdhwt tkdrj^mi RtfOri or mtmariaL)
. The rrespeetfttl memorial of his Majesty's ministers and. the Boaird
of Bievenue, touching a ^consultation -held (on the foregoing m««
morial) in obedienoeio theLnperialwill.
W hewas GMlJiiii,in watting to fill the place of TsuHg'^^pimMng,
10 Quotation fram Pio6i» ngintki AC, V. Pet. W«a 4kc, ahoold be written
1847. Chinese Currency and Revenue, 5281
and now Nuikokshi'tuk'hidh'Sz' did present a memorial detailing
how by raising the value of <5ten, relief could be afforded to silver, to
the end that there might be a hold upon the power of producing a re-
venue; and a proper direction of the employment of resources, — upon
the 8th day of the 2d moon of the 26th year of Tdukwdnff, we had
the honor to receive the following orders, written in vermilion: — "Let
the Kiun ki ta chin meet with the proper Board, and consider the
memorial. Respect this." In respectful accordance with which,
the Inner Council, on the 20th day of the above moon copied and
forwarded the Memorial to the Board of Revenue. It appears that
its tenor is as follows :
:. *'It is the memorialist's humble opinion [see above page 274]
that in the case of the tsiuenpu currency, the state, to engross the
profit, therefore determined that taxes should be rendered in grain,
and arranged that goods should be bought and sold for tsien; the cheap-
ness of articles arising from the scarcity of tsien^ which when scarce
are valuable,— on their becoming so, more are coined, and their cir-
culation causes a fall ip their value ; the dearness of articles proceed-
ing from a superabundance of ^steit, which when abundant decline in
.value-p^on their declining certain steps are taken ; they are gathered
in and so brought into esteem ; whether their price be above or be-
low par, the control of its -fluctuation rests with government and the
grasp of authority is in the hand of the sovereign. At the present time,
payments are made and taxes rendered in silver and isien are much
as if they were considered of no use; although the coin of the realm
be in circulation, it circulates only amongdt the people, but never
' returns to the government ; whence it comes, that the rich merchants
and monopolists are enabled, by availing themselvesof'mcn*s dis-
abilities, and by speculating on the emergencies of the season, to
hold in their own hands the power of making tsien scarce or plenti-
ful, and to exert a secret influence upon their rise and fall in value ;
and when the government would make tRero, at any moment, of one
established price, to which it would have both officers and people
conform, there being probably violent opposition on the one side,
and compulsory exaction on the other, all orders on this head are
prevented by them (the monopolists) from being carried into
effect. It is of importance by employing the tsien m they shall
be found convenient to render ii easy for men to eonform to the
measure; to go thoroughly into the cpiestion of the change, lest they
be indignant thereat; and to exercise the change as circunwtances
shall require to prevent their suspicions.
VOL. XVI. NO. VI. 3($
983 . Chinese Currency and Retenue, Juki,
. "Cases of defieiency in the salt department being at present all at-
iribotied to the deamess of silver and the cheapness of tsien ^-^^to the
fact, that the salt is sold for Uien and not for silver, — if as the officers
sell H for isien^ so were they^ commanded to forward those isien to
the capital, would not all joyfully obey? As the proceeds of the sale
of the salt tiiCh&nglu couid be forwarded to the capital to meet the
pay of the troops, the 'memorialist would request that the issue of
tsienf for this purpose do begin at the capital ; that there be establish*
ed in; the east and- west extremities of the city, two teparate trea*
saries lor the receipt and deposit of the tsien ; and that a tsdkshildng
and yushildng of the Board of Revenue, as well as of the Board of
Works superintend the same, and make issue part in fWcfi,part insil-
irer of iheir pay to the troops, at its current value: that the troops under
the four standards east do repair for their pay to the eastern, and those
under the* four standards west to the western treasury, where it will
he issued ito them, in>order> that v the 'trouble of carrying the isien
backhand forward may^ be. avoided; that there be on no account per-
mitted any. '«nipaciousi!deductions, short payments, int^mizture of
broken istcii, or like: offences;' if there be any such that they'be
punislied as> soon a» detected, who can be indignant t— that the pro-
ceeds of the sale of salnat Lidng Hwdi be forwarded to the superin«^
tendeiita of the Yelfow river for the repairs of the yealr.— As'Trom
Zitdj^'/frMt tothe i7d Atrng^, ^ ^ there is water communicatfon the
whole way, these cau be transmitted with comp^;attvis facility; and
as tfWfi jDan thus^ beemployed at the work' utations both fbr'the hire
of workmen and' the ^purchn8e^>f materiarsj herein lies certainly the
principle of « two fbfd^cdnvehicnce.- The people paying taxes \vi isien
being some' seven-tenths or eight-tenths of thewhble population of tlie
€mpire,^he local officers whcf, although the receipts arls in tsien\ are yet
obliged to transnrit silver to the treasury; ale invblVed ih'incaleurable
trottblein makingtopthe differerlcer;IFi<^^prafiyinr^', thei^
of JTsoA^si hadipresented a memorial showing /fhdt' to meet ^he local
expensesMUcurred^OB the 'authority of 'the officer, ^5Kn mighrbe re- '
ceived and applied, andrthat in "those for which; 'when a rejport has
been made loathe Board, it has to awaitthe emperor's apportionment
of tlieLirevetttte,inlver sand' should be collected afrid transmitted;' the'
pay of the* troops(.<and' allowances of the police, he Requested iniglii
be varied aeeordingto the ratd*6f exchange :'— what he'said^was not '
devoijd of disoernmeni, :hur>vhis general prac(tice 'of receiving' f5te^
It The Ho kt n-f itunf tuh^ ti the ichief officer* in charge of the repairs
ofHS^rivcr bankr, »> »•»
1847. Vhimsi Currency and Refnnue. 283
and iransmiuiag them back and forward, has manifold increased the
trouble ; throughout the whole province it ia impossible to obtain a
Jan or even a /i of silver, and its resources have not failed to
decay.
" According to the memorialist's very humble view of the ques-
tion, seeing that the Ckickau and Chikien, in the collection of the
revenue, universally .follow the ancient rule, there is no use in en-
acting fresh ordinances ; silver having been heretofore transmitted
as it was collected, he prays that there be no discussion thereon.
But (say» he) in the case of officers now receiving taxes in tsUn let {
the amount of their receipts therein be taken into account, and a
general estimate made, with reference to the districts in their vicini*
ty, of the number of troops and police in each of them, and, accord-
ing to these data, let a reduction be decided on, and let them return
some tenths less than due the amount, and so be spared their
trouble. All the tsien^ over and, above what they change into silver
to render to the commissioner, let them forthwith in their payments,
substitute for silver ,^ and when they shall have considered and fixed
a sum as the number of tsien to be^^xchanged for every tael, let
them continue as they have begun ; and the balance of weight which,
they must have, if they issue whatever t$im they exchange at their
real value to the troop?, let them as before send in to the eommis*
siooer ; and let them have permission to disburse, without referring
IQ him, their own salaries and allowances, as well as those of the
officers in the same cities (districts) with themselves ; as also the ra«
tioQ-money of the clerks, workmen, and police, in the CAom and
Hun to which they themselves belong, and the expenses of the
public sacrifices, and those of the government posting establish-
ments; and the pay of the troops in the several garrisons in their
district let them also disburse, without reference, out of the trea-
sury-deposits. The remainder, let them, according to the length of
the journey, forward to be deposited in the treasury of the ckifA^ or
in that of the tdutai^ or in that of the commissioner, to be issued iii
pay to the troops. Let the corps of division in the city and the gar-
rison be paid in coin by the commissioner, and let the forces, under
thaehief and subordinate commands without the city, present the
stamped orders which are issued by the commissioner to the several
tOMtai^ ehifiif chlchau and^AiAien, who will pay the amount into
their hands. . As for the current value (of the tael), that of the pro-
vincial city must be looked to as a standard, and considering it
as fixed on the lOth. Day, before the collection commences Jet
284 Chimse Currenry and Revenue. Jmc,
official notification, that such is to be conformed to, be generally
made by the commitsiooer ; there being a change every half-year.
The rate of exchange for every tael of the pay not to exceed at the
most 1700 tsien^ or at the lowest to be less than 1200 ; when it falls
as low as 1200, that sum to be taken as a fixed rate, and no farther
change made to any lower sum. In the case of all such salaries of
civil and military officers as cannot be paid on the spot in tsien, let
silver be issued as of old ; at all stations at which soldiers are per-
manently quartered, if none of the Chan or Hien in their vicinity
receive taxes in tsien^ let silver be isaued as of old. With reference
to the tsien'in the government mints concerning which a regulation
exists, shewing how they are to be given out in part-payment, let
the same number be given out as of old. In this manner^ although
there be a change, yet as the laws continue in effect the same, how
should there be any such confusion as to cause discontent 1
" If this proposition be adopted, as the people dispose of their grain,
and sell their hemp and silk for ^5tffi, and pay their taxes in silver
and have long done so, it being their ancient and constant practice ;
and as heretofore all silver received has been, as it will now be,
thrown into the coffers by the Shti /t, here is no sudden alteration
in the exchange, and so amongst the people no disorder. The sol<-
dier on the receipt of his pay in silver, being still under the necessity
of changing it before it becomes available, when the time arrives
for paying the troops, the shop keepers constantly keep down the
exchange ; whereas now, as the full amount, accottling to its value
current at time previously appointed, is paid into his hands in ready
money, available for use, what can equal its convenience? Thus is
there no lods to the soldier. Formerly, when there was a superabun*
dance of silver, the officers angled for gain in the receipt of Istcn ;
whereas now, cash having fallen in value, officers are embarrassed
by having to make good the deficits ; if they expend one part more
tsien and remit one part less silver^ then are they by so much the
less embarrassed; while, if they wait until silver becomes cheap, they^
can repossess themselves of the surplus : herein is there a gain to
the officer.
*' Some may say that if tsien are called in by government, there
will be in consequence such a drain upon the market, as to cause a
dearth qf them : they do not know that the isitn received by the
soldiery and the police, must return to the market ; that, of those
received by the local officers, the greater portion, yet remaining over
and above what they deposit in the treasury, they must change into.
1847. Chinese Currency and Revenve, 285
Sliver to send in to the cotnmissiouer, and that these must in con-
sequence also come into the markets. Now the evil of the present
time lying not in the dearth o^tsien, but in their overflowing excess,
as there is surely very great advantage in the collection o( tsien, so
is their yet greater in the suspension of coinage ; wherefore, at this
season of their little worth, let there be a temporary cessation of
operations in the mints, and Jet the funds of silver intended to pay
the workmen be changed into tsien, and entry made of the amount
actually received, the thin and small coin being rejected :— thus
the spurious coinage of them becoming difficult to effect, as the go-
vernment offices, for collection, receive them in great numbers, will
they not gradually rise to par? Once at par the law making 1000
isien of lawful coinage equal to a tael can be put in force. This is to
know, that the suspension of their coinage is an adaptation of the use
of tsien, and that their being placed at par gives government some
power to detect spurious coinage. Supposing it desirable to equalize
their value, by what means can they, as silver and tsienwre not in like
quantities, be placed at par 7 Temporary cessation of the coinage
to place them at par, and a recommencement of the mintage, when
the values shall have become equal, is the meaning of '* where abun-
dance is an object, there roust be first retrenchment : at the same
time slacken and strain. (the bow)"
'* It may be remarked by those who speak only according to the
state of things under their immediate observation. — If the object be
to have a surplus o( tsien, to supply the Inck of silver, increase the
coining, let their be more tsien : but why talk of suspending the
coinage? Suspension of the coinage is, in reality, the step to be
taken towards augmenting the number of terms, and multiplying
the mints. Dullards who exclaim, without investigation of the sub-
ject. * If the coinage be stopped, the tsien will run short, and if the
coinage of these is to be recommenced when their want is felt, we
fear that, in the hurry, it will be hard to manage ' — know not that the
residue of the copper is put by, that the apparatus and implements,
And that the money to pay the workmen, are put by. — If advantage
be taken of the right moment, and hands called in, what fear ia
there of inability to manage it? What is really to be feared is that
coinage having been suspended in the first place, the process of
coining will next fall into desuetude ^' from an imperception of the
trouble consequent there upon, and that it wiU be then, entireJy,
laid aside; how, it may be asked, can this be termed a suspension ?'
12 Be pat out of the question.
2S6 Chimst Currency and Revenue. Jum,
" What is intended by *'a suspension" is a slight cessation of the
work of making tiien^ but not any intermission of the several mea-
sures devised for the transport of them (or of the copper of which
they are made).
'* Thus although there be not one coined, yet, in the mints the
sums which should remain in deposit, and those which should be
issued, will none of them be short : there will be gained the present
advantages of equality in the values, and of detection of forgery;
andy in the time to come, the result will be an increase' in the num-
ber of terms, and an augmentation of the number of mints ; while
there is suspension (of the coinage), yet is there none (of the remit-
tances) ; once more what is there to fear ? .
" There may be some who say that the suspension of the coinage
has for its ^^ motive loss of capital, and that in matters which
concern the state, an excess in the expenditure should not be taken
into consideration. This is the language of those who, though
accustomed to see and hear, yet do not understand the affairs of their
own time. Now where there is a loss to the crown it should be with,
the intention of benefiting the subject ; the value of the tiien is
now daily decreasing, while the price of all things is day by day
rapidly rising: in the mints two tsien are employed upon the labor
of making one, while the soldier who receives one scarce retains
the use of the half of one; without any gain to the people, here
is a loss to the state : who may be the gainer and who the loser there
are surely some persons competent to decide.
" Others may remark that while the coinage goes on, there is a pro*
fit upon it, whereas if a stop be put to it, there will be none ; let such
consider, whether in the surplus of tsien there be no profit, and whe-^
ther there be none either in the residue of copper? The sum total
of the capital expended on labor in the fourteen provinces, in which
there are mints, is annually upwards of 800,000 taels; taking it at
800,000 changed into tsien to be issued in part-payment and rat-
ing every tael at 1500, there must then be surplusage of 400,000
strings of tsien. Moreover the issue of silver to be converted into
tsien is a transmutation of the valuable to what is of little worth,
while the receipt of tsien to be issued in part-payment is an inga-.
thering of what is worth little, and thereby raising its value. The
plan for putting them at a par differs. not from this; by the one
process two ends are answered. How can there be a doubt that
it will succeed f -Should any express a fear that the labor funds in
13 Ai opposed to it! object.
1849. Chinese Curmney and Revenue* 287
other provinces have been, appropriated to. other purposes, and that
in this case there will be none in hand ; there can still be an arrange-
ment devised by borrowing from some other fund, and the sum so
borrowed being easily repaid, there will be nothing wrong in the end.
" Others may remark, that as the workmen and police in the mints
are very many, if deprived in one day of the means ofgaining their
livelihood, their dispersion will probably be attended with inconven-
ience; such do not know, that when the ^sieit-scheme conies into
operation, aud that Uien are being issued and collected, there will
be every where need of hands, and that there cannot but be a
place for them ; as they are a class of men that hold to their calling, and
serve their superiors, and are not to be compared to horseboys, or
common sailors; and as they support themselves by their own labors,
and are sure to be on the look out for employment, there can be no-
thing that should not be in this. On former occasions work
has been stopped, and frequently ; but have we ever heard that the
work-masters, artisans, or police went forth and created disturbance?
From this it may be observed that, not only the coinage in the outer
provinces but even that of the metropolis can be suspended; or if not
suspended, at least diminished. At the commencement, let there
be a diminution in the coinage, but none in the remittances (either
of copper or of coin) ; and let the surplus of the labor-funds continue
to be changed into tsien and issued in part-payment (to the troops
d&c)« After the copper and lead shall have been kept in deposit three
years, let a stop be put to the remittance of it, but none to the purch-
ase ; thus will the expense of its carriage be saved. The purchase of
it not being suspended, the copper can be detained in Yunnan, work-
shops erected, and a coinage set on foot there, to supply the pay of
that province — and let the silver-subsidy ^^ of the provinces be
set apart for remittance to the Metropolis, or, according as it may be
found convenient, expended in the purchase of copper, for the supply
of the mints when at work. As regards the copper in the capital,
when it fails, let orders be given to the province of Vunndn to con-
sider whether tsien, or copper ore had better be remitted, and to act
accordingly. In such a change there cannot but exist a principle
of advantage^^-The sum of what is discussed is this ; where tsien
can be nsed, let iise be made of them ; where silver can be, let it be
employed; in short, at the places near (to the points whence they
14 Tanniin receives annually a certain snbBidy of lilver from lome of the.
other province!, its own resoorcet not being aafficient to meet ita public ex-
pencea, while the present laws, insisting on a certain issne of silver, remain
in force. It is suggested that the provinces should iiend this sum to the capital.
S88 Chinese Currency and Revenue, Jdnb,
are issued) employ ^sien, at great distanced use silver. Silver and
tsien once equally in use, collection of both may be made alike ; '* as
the offspring and its mother they will balance each other," ' ^ and there
will be a means of moderating the grent increase or diminution of
their values. By gathering in what is worthless and making it valu-
able, and by scattering abroad what is high in price and so reduc-
ing its value, power of producing a revenue is in the grasp; by be*
ing able to issue or to call in, though there be a deficiency tif silver
there will be no lack of an available medium; the means of making
level what is not so, and of preventing the evil (under considera-
tion), does not exceed this. Still, as the circumstances of every pro-
vince will not bear being subjected to the same rule, the measures
necessary must be determined on, as the times shall require them ; all
of which depends upon the care of the isung- iuh, fu yuen and
ptt cAm^ 5z', in investigating, deliberating and making decision.
Your majesty's ministers find upon looking back, that, upon the
1st day of the 2(1 moon of th? present year, having met to consider,
and having made report upon, a memorial touching " regulations
for placing silver and men at par" drawn up by the censor £itt2
Liang kiu, they had the honor to receive, with all reverence, the fol-
lowing expression of the Imperial Will: — ■ '' !
Silver and tsien are alike valuable, bein? indeed the constant medium of
the expenditure ; and were it really jMs^iblc to devise, as the times may re-
quire, a means of preventing the fluctuation between their ^ater and lesser
values, it would possess the two fold advantage of enrichmff the state and
accommodating the people, as it is not meet that there sboula be a continual
cry of embarrassment, and that no thought should be taken respecting the
adoption of suitable refbim, orders are hereby given to the governors-gener-
al, and lieut-govemors, each according to the peculiar circumstances of his
•province, to investigate minutely (these propoeitions), and to use every
endeavor to arrive at a satisfactory decision regarding their feasibility or
tlie reverse. As it is necessary that the measures determined on, should
come into operation without giving rise to disturbance or irregularity, let
not these officers lend their ears to too artful excuses of tljose of their suites,
neither let them ffive way be it ever so little to tlieir Haste for leisure or
their dread of trouble, and so just satisfy theit respomibility i^ith a single
memoriaL Respect this.
15. ** As the offtpring and its mother, they will balance each other.'*
JL -^ j|fi iS| A figarative expression— a winged insect of the
• hertte or cricket kind, called tsing f& ^ ^, if iu yoong be taken, by any
one follows them home. Let 81 cash be sueerred withihe blood of the mo.
ther and the rest with that of the young; snd when in your purchases yoti
employ the latter, they fly home to theiz mother ; if the former she returns
to her children— V. Pei-wan Yun-fn cap. 6& p. 77 under ^% ' . '
Dr. Morriion under ^ Fa (Sylab. Diet. S368) says that tsing fii is alad
applied to the bopper coin, termed by Europeans cash.
1647. Chinese Currency and Revenue. 289
In respectful obedience to which, orders were sent to the tsung
tuk^fu yuen^ ho kung isung tuh^ and yen thing kien tuh, that one
and all should, in accordance with the command, deliberate and
decide;- — as is upon record.
^ow with reference to Chutsan's repetition (of what has already
been said in Ltd'j memorial), that " receipts and issae being all
in silver, tsien are much as if they were considered useless," and
his proposal of a scheme for the circulation of tsien, ' that there
may be a hold upon the equipoise of the revenue, reiterated in the
hope of having his suggestions adopted, his grand point is this,
* that the salt revenue should be remitted, and (he pay of the troops
issued in tsien, that, in every Chau and Hien, a general order should
be given to take all such sums, therein collected as have heretofore
been paid in tsien, and apply them to the disbursement of thci
salaries and allowances of all officers in those Chdu and Hien, and
to the expenses of the public sacrifices, government posting-es-
tablishments, and pay of the troops of their garrisons : and that the
surplus according to the length of the transit should be forwarded
respectively to the chests ^* of the ehiflt, t&utfii, or p4 thing sz*
thd therein deposited: — that the corps of division, and the gar-
rison within the city should be paid by the commissioner, and that
the forces iii the chief and subordiiiate commands without the city,
upon the issue to them of stamped orders by the commissioner be'
directed to repair to the treasury of the ehifu or tduidi where'
their pay will be given to them ; — ^that in makmg good the amount
of silver with /sten, the rate of exchange current in the city as quot^
€d to days before the commencement of the collection be alone
regarded as the standard, and public notification made to that effect
by the commissioner; there being a change every half-year;— that a'
tael should not be valued at the highest at more than 1700 tsien nor
It the lowest, at less than 1200— d&c, &c.,
Your majesty's servants have with great attention prosecuted
their inquiries. As in the matter of collecting duties in tsien, thef
have upon a previous occasion reported on the memorial above allud-
eid t6 demonstrating clearly that both the sums remitted to the Board,
and those of which it has to await Tour Majesty's distribution, might
continue according to the ancient law ; there is no use in a fresh con-
sideration thereof. As to the transfer of the silver, collect^ at Liang
Hwdi and Li&hg Chih\ to the Hwang ko, as well as the issues and:
exp^diture of the salt departments in every provinces, orders having
16 Treasariev.
VOL. XVI. xo. vr. 37
;«^0 Chinese Currency and Revenue. JunB|
beeiv already sent to the Superintendent!, the taungtuh and fuyuen,
to deliberate upon the adoption of changes suited to the time, and
the employment of tsien instead of silrer in their remittances and
receipts, we must wait until their replies shall have been received,
and again make decision thereupon.
Again, as to what is said upon the payment by the ehiekau and
eUhien^ of the officers in the same districts with themselves, and of
the expenses of the public sacrifices, and government posting es«
tablishments, seeing that, .with reference to the suggestions of the
abpye memorial, as to what sums should be retained, and what
issued, orders have been sent to every officer to consider what
change should be made according to the circumstances of his dis-
trict ; there, is no need to propose farther regulations either for the
receipt or issue of tsien; but referring to his request that the salt
duties at Chdt^g lik m^iy. be, instead of in silver, collected in tsien^
and forwarded to the metropolis, to furnish the pay of the troops,
your, majesty's servants find, that the returns of the ChAng Id salt
excise are properly upwards, of 500,000 taels, that besides the salt
in deport, the issue of which has been, in compliance with memorial,
suspended,, the receipts at present in the chest actually amount to
upwards of 400,000 taels;, that the distance of this place from the
^apitaly by land and water, is comparativelv short; and that reports-
are made annually on the distribution of the above revenue : whether,
therefore, it be practicable or not to remit, at thorate of ISOOi^tciiof
the lawful currency to the tael, the sum total, in tsien ; and if not, how
many tenths of silver, when its whole amount shall have been ascer*
tained, it may be determined to remit; and whether it will be. proper
as soon as the silver shall have fallen in value^ to tender silver only,;
as of old: — upon all these points we would , request Your Majestyi
to signify your pleasure to the yen^ching st^ of Ch&ng /tS, that he put
himself in comftiunication with i\i^tsungtuh of OktA//, in order:
that they may with their whole mind,, investigate and decide, and
make answer according to the fact»; and* if it be indeed ascertained)
that the experiment can be tried with- the'salt revenue, then must'
those ofiiceirs specify the year, from' which it shall commence, and<
how many tens of thousand' strings lawful oaeh shall be annually re-
mitted ; that. farther decision be then made by ther Board of Revenue,
and the Board of Works; touching^ the application o^ these sums of
tiitn, severally, to the disbursement of official sahrie»',4>r the expenses
of public works, d&c:^lastly that they comprehend ii» their delibera-
tions all the imperfect propositions of others, and make clear report
1846. Chinese Currency and Revenue* 5291
thereupon ; to the final administration of this matter. — With refer-
ence to the paragraph in the memorial under consideration, which
treats of the application of the salt taxes (to be sent up to the city in
lawful cash instead of in silver) to the payment of the troops under
the eight standards in the city only, and of the establishment of two
treasuries one in the east and the other in the west, which a ts6$hU
Mit^ and yushilang of the Board of Revenue and of the Board of
Works are to be appointed to superintend, your servants very humbly
submit, that, inasmuch as in the payment of the troops under
the eight standards the Uien issued in part-payment, were form*
erly reckoned at 1000 to the tael, and that the tael is now valued
at 1500 of the lawful currency, there will indeed be herein an in-
convenient discrepancy. >^ Then as to the suggestion, that, in the
other provinces, the market value in each provincial city, taken ten
days before the commencement of the collection, shall be considered
as the standard of exchange, of silver into isien^ ot tsien into silver,
and that notification be made by the Commissioner, there being a
change every half-year ; and that officer do also issue orders, stamp*
ed with his seal, on the Uien remitted to and deposited in the treas-
uries of the nearest neighboring idutdi and cAf/if, obliging the
garrisons without, severally to repair thither and receive their pay ;
whether, in fine, all these measures be practicable or not, without caus-
ing fresh disorders, and irregularities, the tsungtuh tLndfuyuen must
ascertain, and thereon report to the administration of this matter ;
to make manifest their care, and to show that they attach to it the
importance it deserves.
Farther as to the observation made in the memorial that, the pres-
ent evil lying not in the dearth but in the superabundance of Uien to
remedy the mischief, there is nothing more efficacious than the col*
lection of i ien except it be the suspension of their mintage — and
the statement as to how, when their mintage shall have been sus-
pended, their market value may be raised to par ; how the transport
of the copper may be effected, how a balance of credit obtained,
how the workmen provided for: as to the suggestion also of a min-
tage to be carried on hereafter in Yunndn, with the copper, the
transport of which from that province shall have been stopped!
and the proposition that the amounts of the subsidy-funds should be
forwarded to the Board for the public service; — so mature a consi-
deration of the whole question of the fluctU!)tion of values, would
17 Between these two rates and those proposed above (1900 and 1700)
by the memorialist.
292 Chinese Currency and Revenue, Jvse,
neem to have embraced every thing. But the memorinlist ia not
aware that the present dearneaa of silver and depreciation of tsien
does in fact proceed from the scarcity of silver, and not from the re-
dundancy of copper coin. If the mintage of the latter be reduced in
the metropolis and suspended in the provinces at the same moment,
and silver and iaien in consequence both run short, what are the
common people to look to as available? It is ascertained that in
Fuhkien there has been a suspension of the coinage for upwards of
20 years, in Chih& Id years, and in both HUpek and Htindn
upwards of 10 yearsi but the value of silver in each of these pro-
vinces has, according to the one rule, risen considerably, and has
fallen in no single instance ; it is evident then, that when the mints are
stopped the terms decrease, and there is clear testimony that herein
is no assistance to make good the deficiency of silver. If it be pro-
posed to purchase isien with the labor funds to raise the value of the
the former, it is replied that in Hfmdn, this plan has been for many
years in operation, and has not as yet been found to answer. It is
farther to be feared, that if, with the intention of bringing the law-
ful currency into esteem, encouragement be nevertheless given to
a spurious coinage, without a semblance of advantage, mischief of
doing so will be apparent
As to the memorialist's request that the coinage, within the capital
may be lessened, and that without it suspended, Your Majesty's ser
vants beg (to represent that) it is useless to take this into con-
sideration ; but as the increase of the value of isien and the conse-
quent depreciation of silver, are indeed matters of the utmost im-
portance at the present time, your servants have decided upon
recommending that orders be given to make the experiment of ac-
cepting tsien in the salt duties at Chdng lu^ and await your majesty's
pleasure that they may act in obedience thereto. They have deli-
berated upon every proposition in the memorial sent down to the
Board on a previous occasion, and are still awaiting the opinions,
in reply to their questions, of the several tsungtuh, f^yuen, ho
isungiuh, and yenching kientuh ; as soon as these arrive they will
again consider and decide upon the several regulations (proposed)
one by one, and make general communication (of those that may be
approved), that these may be administered accordingly.
The particulars of their consultation, Your Majesty?* servants, as
in duty bound transcribe, and present to your majesty ; prostrate
they implore your majesty to instruct them and declare wherein
they are correct or the reverse ; they farther at the same time signify
1847. Chinese Currency and Revenue, 203
that this document in from the original draft of the opinions of the
Board of Rerenue. A respectful memorial.
The imperial pleasure has been received, to the following effect ;
" Be it according to the decision of the Board. — Respect this."
^^^iiP^a ^tf%<^ %^VS^^^^»i^^^^i^»iW^^^<»»»S^^»^^>^>^
Art. II Menunial regarding the Currency and Revenue by NgSh*
shum-ngan as the subject was brought under his notice by order
from the Board of Revenue,
NooH-sHUN-NGANjieut-governorof Hon&n, upon his knees presents
his memorial, for that having in obedience to the Imperial Will con*
sidered, and decided (respecting the propositions contained in the
memorial forwarded to him), he would report his opinion thereon ;
and looking upward he awaits the sacred glance.
Whereas your majesty's servant did receive a dispatch from the
Board of Revenue, informing him that the Board had been honored
with Your Majesty's commands (in the following words): " Muh-
chdng^h and others have reported that in obedience to Our Will, they
have assembled to consider the memorial of the censor Lii Lidngkiu,
wherein are detailed regulations for keeping silver and tsien at par.
Silver and tsien are alike valuable, being indeed the constant me-
dium of the expenditure ; and were it really possible to devise as the
times may require, a means of preventing the fluctuation between their
greater and lesser values, it would possess the two- fold advantage
of enriching the state and accommodating the people. As it is
not meet that there should be a continual cry of embarrassment,
and that no thought should be taken respecting the adoption of sui-
table reform, orders are hereby given to the governors general, and
lieut.-governors, each according to the peculiar circumstances of his
province, to investigate minutely (these propositions), and to use en-
deavors to arrive at a satisfactory decision as to their feasibility or the
reverse. As it is necessary that the measures determined on, should
come into operation without giving rise to disturbance or irregula-
rity, let not these officers lend their ear to the artful excu«^ of *hose
of their suites, neither let them give way, be it ever so little, to their
taste for leisure or their dread of trouble, just satisfying their respon-
sibility with a single memoriaL Respect this." Upon the arrival of
which together with a copy of the memorial in question, Your Ma-
I
^4 Chinese Currency and Revenue. June,
jesty's servant, as directed, wrote forthwith to the ngdnchdh $z\ and
pitching sz' to push their inquiries to the truth and arrive at a deci-
sion ; these commissioners have since conferred with the iuhiidng"
tdu and having forwarded their opinions. Your Majesty's servant has
yet farther made most minute examination thereof: Prostrate reflec-
ting that, in the suggestion of measures, it is most important to
consult the convenience of the people, that in the projection of
schemes it is of the utmost consequence to be cautious in the outset :
and that as for some years past, the daily rise in the vaJue of silver,
and the daily decline in that otisien has not only entailed upon the
officer the embarrassment of making good the deficits, but has also
occasioned trouble to the people in the payment of their taxes, it
is indeed a duty to devise with speed such measures for their rescue,
as may more or less advantage the state in the matter of finance,
and the people in their means of gaining a livelihood, — he his with
reverent attention, according to the particular circumstances of every
part of his province applied his whole mind to ttie study of this ques-
tion, and to the arrangement of suitable reforms : he dare not surely
shrink from the difficulty; neither on the other hand would venture
upon such changes as might, from their perplexity, produce disorder.
He finds that of the several Chetu and Ilien of the province of Ho-
n&n, the money taxea collected are in some paid all in silver, others
paid all in tsien; in some the large householders are taxed in silver,
and the smaller in tsien ; in some the receipts are ^ or -fjf in silver,
and tV ^<^ "^ ^'^ tsien: in all cases of collections in <5ten their ex-
change into silver, to be remitted to the Commissioner, is calculated
according to what is found to be the market value. at the time. The
market rate originally scarce exceeded 1000 current tsien to the
tael, while at present a tael is valued at 2200 or 2300 tsien. If the
revenue be collected both in silver and tsien, reckoned, as heretofore,
according to their market value at the time, both the income and
expenditure are subject to the same rule, and the officers and the
people do not interfere with one another ; but if, as suggested, the tael
he valued at 1500 current ^siVn, which, calculation being made ac-
cording to the present market price, will be at a loss of some 700 or
800 tsien^ the people when tendering their taxes in tsien^ at this
rate, will pay short some -fy odd per tael. The current expenses of
the state have a standard ; is it easy at a moment's notice to diminish
the amount of its revenue? Moreover as the common people run
after pelf like a wild-duck, and will be very ready to tender tsien^
but not willing to pay in silver, there will of course follow the incon-
1847. Ckinese Currency and Revenue. 305
xenience of enforcing distinctioo and of obliging aome houses to pay
Isten and others silver, which will cause such excess of disorder and
contention, as will be the commencement of troubles.
If the sum total at which it is assessed be collected upon ever/
house, severally, at the rate fixed by the Board of <^ ailver and -^
tsien^ in the case of the larger householders, where the amount is
comparatively great, the distinction is still easy; but on coming to
the subdivision of the kau^fun^ and li of the small fry, the proceed*
ing falls into confusion, snd petty collectors are enabled to raise or
lower their hand: though the herdsman be vigilant, it is hard to be
guarded at all points, and trickery in the receipts is inevitable.
These are the facta of the inconvenience of collecting the revenue
in tsien.
In such of the cKau and Aieii of the province of Hon&n as lie along
the river, there being communication by boat, and in consequence
a< risk of wind and water, there will scarce fail to be loss and ds-
mage of l5ten, from the unwieldiness of their bulk : in the remaining
districts, where there is no water traveling, and the distance of which
from the provincial city varies from 100 or 200 to 800 or 900 //, the
transport being by land, there must be employed a number of por«
ters, vehicles, and horses, not less than one hundred times that of
those engaged in the carriage of the silver bars ; and it is to be feared
that disorders will ensue by the way ; as tb the expenses of the
transport, and of feeding the carriers, they, will be so overwhelming*
ly great, that it will be difficult out of the money in the chests of
the Chau and Hien to make good the amount, and if it be proposed
to make repayment, .when opportunity shall occur^ there will be no
fund which may be sp appropriated! These are the facts of the xvk'
convenience cif making remittances in /irieit.
■ ^. ... ..p'..*.- . ....... . • ,. . I I., ,
The amount under the head of local expenditure in the Chau and
Hien.^ including, besides the post of the posting establishment to be
remittea as hitherto to the several offices, the items of salaries, labor-
wages, and police rations, is not indeed very great ; from the wages
and ration money paid for the year to the porters, though each man
receive but. a few taels, there is' still a deduction on the weighty of
6 fun (per man]^ so that their gainsare not very considerable, and if
these' are again to be changed and issued to them in isien, they will be
so much the less able to provide themselves with food. At the same
time 'under the head' of monies kept and issued from the treasury by
the Commissioner, io wit, the pay of the troops of the several garrisons
of the province; the subsidy forwarded to Kdwsuh for the pay of its
290 Chinese Currency and Revenue. June,
troops, and the annual repairs of the river, of al] these the yearly
estimate is upwards of 2,500,000 taels, a large sum. In giving so
much per head to the troops, to find their food, the issue has hither-
to been made in silver, the deduction of six Jun upon its weight be-
ing dispensed with, from a motive of compassionate consideration
for the solider, if ss suggested, the silver be changed ^into tsien and
issued, the soldier will experience much inconvenience in all that
pertains to his maintenance. The province of Hondn is distant
froiti Kdnsuh 3000 H; and the fixed sum, to be forwarded thither,
400,000 taels ; the transmission of tsien from Chang lH (to the me-
tropolis) is connected with difficulty, how much greater would be
that of changing into Uien and remitting (the subsidy to Kdnsuh).
With reference to part-payment being made in current ^5t>fi (of thef
sums devoted) annually to the repairs of the Hw&ng ho^ the reply of
Your Majesty's servant the commissioner in charge of the river, re-
porting the embarrassment this occasions, is already upon record.
These, then, are the facts regarding the inconvenience of making
payments in tsien.
But, (it is urged) in the case of the pay and allowances of the
civil and military officers, heretofore issued by the commissioner in
the proportions of ^ silver to -^ tsien, the part-payment system
is surely practicable. Now, as, in the 21 st year of Tdukwdng, it
was represented by memorial, that 250,000 and odd taels of the sur.
plus funds lying in the treasury of the provincial city, taken to
secure the breach caused by inundation at the Tsidng htng^ >
should be repaid, in instalments, during six years, by a deduction of
-f^ upon the pay and allowances of the civil and military officers of
the whole province, and as it is suddenly determined, in this man-
ner, to make part-payments in fsten, the Chau and /fieii, which have
exerted themselves on behalf of the public, will not escape pecuniary
eiftbarra^ment, it is but right to wait until the deductions to meet
the above sum shall have ceased, when a fresh memorial may be
presented, praying that the setting apart so many tenths, to be paid
in tiieh, may be taken into consideration.
In matters that concern the regulation of the state's expendi-
ture, were there any suitable reform that could be adopted, Your
Majesty's servant, dare not surely venture to think of evading it;
but to sum up the whole matter, regarding the circumstances of tlie^
province of Hohdn, as it is certainly improper to determine on light
grounds, "to reset the string," it is his duty to request that the
old law be as heretofore aditiiuistered. The results of his delibefa-
1847. OhHunries of Mrs. Marshman and Mrs. Morrison. 297
lion, as by right he should, he reverently infolds snd presents in a
memorial.
The Board of Revenue have been honored with the following
written 'ta vermilion : *' We are informed. Respect this."
^^^m^^0t^0^^*^m^^l0^0*^^'*^^^^^^0t^^^m0^0t0^t^0^^
Art. III. Obituary notices of the late Mrs. Marshman and Mrs.
Morrison^ both among the first missionary laborers^ the one to
India, the other to China,
The notices of Mrs. Marshman are evidently from the pen of her
son, John Marshman, esq., the able, amiable, and erudite editor of
the Friend of India, — from which we borrow them. The others are
from the Indo-Chinese Gleaner, written we presume by its editor, the
late Dr. Milne. We love to record and keep in memory the actions
that adorned the lives of such persons as Mrs. Morrison and Mrs.
Marshman. Tne notices we subjoin are indeed brief, but they are
faithful and pleasing rembrancers of those whose influence lives and
will long live in the eastern hemisphere.
No. I.
It is our melancholy daty to record the deatbfon Friday, the 5Ui, init,
of Mrs. Marahmm, the widow of the late Rev. Dr. Manhinan, at the advan-
ced age of eighty, ailer a residence of more than forty-teven year« in India.
She was the last remnant of t'lat baud of mission^iry labourers who came out
in the year 1791), snd established the Serampore mifsion, which has been the
instrument, under God, of such great usefulness in this country, and to the
impulse oommunieated by which, the extensive missionary efforts of various
denominations at this Presidency, are in a great measure to be traced. • ■
in the labors which have given the Serampore mission so distinguished a
place in the recollection i of the Christian public, she bore a larger share than
was to have been expected from her sex. So completely has she outlived the
generation of her contemporaries, thit the great majority of our readers may
perhaps now hear for the first time that Or. Mirshman and his colleagues, on
■ettling at Serampore, resolved to create the fundii necessary for their opera*
lions by their own labor, instead of being dependent on assistance from
•England. In pursuance of this plan; he opened a seminary, and hlspartner
in life a Ladies* school, the returns from which, with some reservation fordo-
mestio and family claims, were devoted for thirty-five years to this sacred
object. The establishment continued for many years to be the most popular
and flourishing at this Presidency, and often yielded a clear annual ineoma «f
more than 25,000 rupiees.
VOL. HVli .NO. VI. 3^*
1398 . Obituaries cf Mrs, Marskman and Mrs. Morrison, Zvm^
The pecuniary eontribation whioh the deoeiaed was thus enabled to lay on
the altar ' f iniaaiona, entitles her to the grateful remembrance of all who take
an in ereat in their progreea. But in addition to this token of Chriatian teal
and diaintereatedneaa, ahe contributed in no small degree to build up the mia.
aionary cauae at thia atation by her unremitting and affectionate labora in
the frmilies.of the native eonverts. Of those Christian virtues, which gave so
bright a lustre to her character, it is scarcely possible for the writer of this
article to speak in adequate terms without appearing to transgress the bounds
of modesty ; and a feeling of delicacy reatrains him from dwelling on that
happy conjugal union which aubsisted for forty-six years, with unabated confi-
dence, and on the affectionate discharge of those maternal duties which render
her memory so dear to the objects of her solicitude. Still it may be permitted
us to affirm that never has any one in this town been followed to the grave
with auoh deep and universal regret. There were few of its inhabitants who
had not grown up amidat the influence of her benevolence. In every emer*
gency, the poor and the distressed resorted to her, in the first inMtance, with
the certainty of obtaining advice and relief. She appeared indeed to be in-
timately acqnainted with the condition of every poor family in the settlement,
of whom there were few who could not advance an hereditary claim on
her kindness. Her time and her purse were at the command of every auitor,
and the great object and delight of her life was to promote the welfare of
others. Her deep piety, and unaffected humility, thus combined with the
utmost activity of benevolence, exhibited the Christian character in its most
attractive form. In connection with these virtues, if not indeed as springing
from them, she exhibited the greatest sweetness of disposition, and a perpetual
•mile of cheerfuloeas.
She was blessed with the full use of her mental faculties to the very last
stage of existence, and it was only within the last two months of her life that
her bodily strength appeared to be seriously affected. It was then that she
began to realize the approach of that change for which she had long been
prepared. It was then that the Christian hope of immortality, through the
merits of the Redeemer's sacrifice, not only austained her mind, but enabled
her to exult in the prospect of the dissolution of her mortal frame, which would
unite her spirit with those who had shared in her earthly labours and preceded
her to the haven of rest. While ly'mg on her couch, and expecting her im-
mediate departure, she repeated without hesitation, or omission, six stanzaa of
a sublime ode, descriptive of the triumphant feelinga of the soul on the verge
of eternity, which she had treasured up in her memory sixty-two years before.
Thus was she eDa'»l<Mi to rloae a life of extraordinary duration, activity and
nsefulness by bearing her dying teatimony to the value of Cnriatian truth and
the vitality of the Cbrijtian'a hope. (Tlu Friend of India, March llih 1847-;
No. S.
For the information of the friends of Chriatian missionaries, we have to an-
nounce, with sincere regret, the death of Mrs. Morrison, wife of Or. Morri-
son, in China. By the China fleet of 18^, Mrs. Morrison, aiier having been
upwards of fiv.» years in England for her health, returned with her two chil.
dren to her husband, apparently quite recovered : and frrm that time, till the
lavt day of her life, enjoyed a remarkably good state of health. The anticipn-
1847. Ohihiories of Mrs, Marshman and ifrs, Morrison. 290
ted hoor being come, in which she hoped to be the Joyful mother oft living
child, ihe wac suddenly, on June the KUh, I81Q, attacked with cholera morbue,
which, after occasioning much suffering, terminated her mortal existence in
the shoA space of fourteen hoars : and she carried with her to the grave her
hoped for child. Alas ! how awful the effects of human apostasy from God,
even where there is eywy reason to hupe, that in the individual case, faith
and repentance have removed the curse of the law, which affect* the immortal
spirit !
Mrs. Morrison was the daughter of John Morton, esq, who was surgeon
9f the Royal Irish Artillery, and of Rebecca Smyth, a branch of the family of
Arthur Smyth, archbishop of Dublin ; at which place Mrs. Morrison was born
on the 24 th of October, 1791.
Although Mrs. Morrison's death was sadden, it was not unanticipated, nor
unprepared for. Happily, during the last years of her life, the Bible was her
delight ; and, notwithstanding a delicate nervous constitution, her mind pos.
sessed much Christian fortitude ; arising from a firm belief of the blessed gos-
pel of God our Saviour. Early on Sunday, about twelve hours before her
death, she already began to apprehend that she could not recover ; and having
ascertained from her husband, that danger was feared by the medical gentle.
men who attended her, she meekly raised her eyes to heaven, and looked
silent resignation.
It will be satisfkctory to the friends of the deceased to know, that in a fo«
reign country, there was no want of medical aid, nor of the sympathy of friends,
to relievo and soothe, as much as frail man is able to do, a dying fellow^crea-
tnre'e last sufierings. Mr. Livingstone, one of the surgeons of the English
factory, remained constantly with her daring the last twelve hours of her life ,
he clUed in also the senior surgeon's (Mr. Pearson) aid, in an early part of
the day; and Mrs. Livingstone, with true sensibility, attended the couch
of her dying friend ; and forsook it not till pale cold death extinguished all
Airther hope.
The Chinese having refused a place of burial where it was desired, and
where an infant of Mrs. Morrison's was before interred ; and those Christians
who inhabit Macao, not allowing other Christians any place of interment but
within the limits of the Fosse, outside the city wall ; the Managing Committee
of the English factory in China, with a humane and liberal feeling assisted by
some worthy Portuguese gentlemen, to overcome legal impediments, purchas*
ed a piece of ground, to be a Cemetery for the English, and we doubt not
lor other Protestant Christians, who in future choose to avail themselves of it.
This arrangement enabled Dr. Morrison to lay the remains of his lamented
wifb in a place decently appropriated to sepulture.
Mrs. Morrison, notwithstanding a delica'e constitution, which was frequent-
ly the subject of nervons affections, was a woman of a superior understanding
and metaphysical turn of thought. She possessed, in a very high degree, that
open- generosity of soul whieh endures not the sight of poverty or misery,
without some instant effort to remove it. The ardor of her piety seems to
have greatly augmented during the last years of her life ; and though the sud-
denness of her departure fVom time prevented her from saying much on the
subject of religion, yet her daily uniform piety, and Christian conduct, afford
300 Noiiu/rom the Elders and Oentry qfHandn. Jvm,
the fQiett evideneet that her heart was ^ ri^ht with God*' — and that the is
now beyond the reaoh of affliction and tin. Mrs. Morrison buried one child a
number of years since— carried another to the grave with her— and left a son
and daughter behind, to mourn their irreparable loss.— Such are the doings of
** Him who giyeth not account of any of his matters.'*
Death is an every-day's occurrence, and it is sppointed to all men once to
die; still, when it comes home to our own families, and oitr own bosoms, how
awful and afflicting ! and in some eases, of which this is one, it is attended
with unusually heart-rending eircumetinces. We can say nothing so useful as
to reiterate to our readers the admonition of the Divine Saviour — ** fis ti also
AiAnT ; for, in such an hour as yo think not, the Son of Man cometh."
—tf* f»j~ri'V~ii^^ ~ *M** ■* ^1* * » * ^ ^ » ^ *^ ■ ^^
At. IV. A Reprgsentaiion of the Elders and Oentry of HonAn
to the British Constii at Canton, May 20M 1847.
Early on the morning of 20th, a handbill was circulated by the
Chinese, giving notice of certain doings on Honan, and intimating that,
meetings were to be held on that and the two following days, to adopt
regulations to meet the exigencies of the case. — Shortly after this,
a previous rumor was confirmed, that a deputation of the elders of
Hon^n would be at the Hall of the Hong Merchants at 10 o'clock,
A. M., to present a letter to H. B. M.'s Consul. The deputation, con-
sisting only of aged men, several tens in number, dressed in their best
robes, reached the new landing-place at the foot of Old China Street
and proceeded to the Hall (or Consoo). In the meantime the new
boat-house, contiguous to the landing-place, was set on fire — we know
not by whom or how. An uproar ensued ; but the fire was soon
extinguished, and the crowds of vagrants quickly dispersed, by guards
from the British Consulate. In the evening the following Notice
and Letter, in Chinese were sent to the U. S. A. Consul, and yes*
terday morning were put into our hands, with permission .to give
them publicity.
PUBLIC SOTICS raOM TRB rORTV-KIORT VILLAOKS OP HONAV.
We are humbly of opinion, that it is the business of worthy men to arrange
difficulties and dissipate troubles of others, and that it is the pleasure of the
humane to stop disorders and promote peace between man and man.
Now the English wishing forcibly to rent ground^n HonAn, on which to
build houses, the land-holders being unwilling to rent it ;— abruptly, on the
1847. Notice from the Elders and Gentry of Hondn. 301
16th tent forth their offieers to Chmu'tau'tmi, to measure the ground and
■take off itf boundariea ; therefore we, the gentry and eldera, being compelled
by this their condncl, aisembled, on the 17th, from all the forty-eight villages,
to the onmber of several thousands, (and resolved) to proceed to the Hall of
the Hong Merchants, and present to H. B. M.*s consul Mr. Macgregor, a let-
ter, plainly representing to him our views of the feelings, prineipleg^ hentfitM^
and injuries now involved, hoping be would at once stop this procedure.
Having made a copy of the original letter, we now present it to yon for
inspection, hoping that (the officers and gentlemen of) your respective coun>
tries will discriminate between the good and the bad, the right and tlie wrong,
and as impartial spectators advise a step to these proceedings, so as to avoid
trouble and strife, (lest otherwise) it being difficult to disting)iiih between
the good and the bad, the merchants and people of your countries should be
involved, and so that yon may not say the scholars and people of CSina do
not understand pro priety and justice, and did not give you timely notice. If
yon can meet our wishes, all the inhabitants of Honin will feel greatly oblig-
ed, and the whole province will be most happy.
Jieopy of the letter presented to the British consul at Ckmion (May 20th
1847 and its reception declined}.
To the English consul at Canton the following letter is very respectfnlly
presented, by the gentry and elders of Honan.
We are humbly of opinion, that in projecting an enterprise regard shoald
be had to the feelings of men, and that the same should be carried forward
in conformity to the principles of heaven ; and still more is it requisite to
estimate the due importance of the benefits and injuries which may result
from either its success or failure.
For more than two centuries the intercourse between our native merchants
and those of your conntry has been inutaally beneficial, and both the Chi-
nese and the foreigners have been free from those animosities which spring
from disrespect and deception. The mercantile people of your country,
also, have always hitherto maintained such good faith and strict justice, that
thonsands of millions of property could be contracted for by one word, and
a contract once made was never broken. They never failed to keep their
engagements, and never disregarded their promises. Hence it was that our
Chinese merchants joyfully engaged in commerce with them, and hence for
a long period there was mutual tranquillity.
Bat since the hostilities of 1841, it has been impossible for many goods to
go into circulation. Merchants also have suffered damage ; and in Canton
many have lost their business, and even the merchandise of your country has
yielded no profiL Moreover banditti seized on those troubles and disor-
ders, as a fitting occasion for carrying on their machinations ; and base peo-
ple improved the opportunity for setting fires and committing robberies ; so
that even your merchants suffered thereby. The traces of these practices
are to open to yiew that they are seen and known by all nations. And now
303 Notice from the Elders and Gmtry of Himdn, June,
it behooves us all alike to lay aside every ill feeling, and firmly keep the
treaties of peace, in order to recover and repair former losses, and together
enjoy universal tranquillity.
Very recently we have heard that your nation desires forcibly to rent
ground in Hooan, on which to build houses. In a matter of this kind we had
supposed that the feelings and wishes of both parties were to be consulted ;
snd that, ss your country hitherto had always laid great stress on good faith
and strict justice, you assuredly would not forcibly take and compel the
people to rent the ground. But now we see tliat the prefect and magistrate
have repeatedly summoned the landlords, and strongly insisted on their
coming to an agreement regarding the price. Moreover, on the 14th in-
stant, unexpectedly there came, from the commissioner, governor Davis, an
officer to measure the ground at Chau Utu ism in Honan, and by setting up
flags to mark off its boundaries. At these proceedings the scholars and peo*
pie of all of our villages were greatly surprised ; and on the 17th, being as-
sembled in the college of Shwang ekau for consultation, it was declared ex-
pedient first plainly to set forth the case— showing what would be right and
proper and the reverse, lest your people, after gettin^f involved in quarrel,
should reproach us as the authors of the troubles and calamities. ^
Accordingly, we will take up in order and carefully lay before you, the
consul, the feelings and principles which are not to be deemed admissible,
together with the advantages and injuries which are involved in this case.
jFYrsf toe wiU speak of Vie Jeelings of the people, (the present oioners of the
land) touehir^g the putting upon thum difficulties which they are unable to hear.
The usages of Honan are not to be compared with those of the Thirteen
Factories. Nor are the local circumstances of Honan like those of Sh&ng-
h&i. For many years foreigners have resided at tlie Thirteen Factories, and
from long intercourse the usages have become thoroughly settled. If com-
mands are now given to build foreign houses (on Hon4n) it must give rise
to alarm, wonder, suspicion and hatred, so that neither party can remain
quietly at rest. Shanghai is a port newly opened, where houses had never
been erected for foreign commerce ; and moreover the unoccupied ground
there, along the river, is spacious ; and therefore, such are the circums:nnce»
of the place, that it was easy to select a site for rental. But as it regards Can-
ton, you have near the city the Foreign Factories, and not far distant Hong-
konqf ; for residences you have the large new houses of the Company, and for
storing goodd the warehouses at present rented of the hong merchants.
And why, therefore, covet and seek to get more, making an extravagant out-
lay for no useful purpose ? Furthermore, the ground in Hon4n is worth
it<i extent in gold, and is all the hard-earned property of the people — its
fields, fishponds, ware-houses, shops, and residences— of which some is em-
ployed as tillage ground for the support of families, and some is occupied
for commercial purposes with a view to profit. And what is of the highest
consideration, orphans and widows are dependent on a small interest there
for their entire support; or a large clan, with a small income, has there
1847. Notice from the Elders and Gentry of Hondn. 303
established its beritage to perpetuate its ancestiU'sacriiices. Now it is
impossible for whole clans to assemble and remove to another plice. It is
impossible for them to abandon their estates and seek a livelihood elsewhere.
On a morning forcibly and violently to he despoiled of their property, and
homeless to be sent adrift without any place to seek a livings — how can
human feelings endure these things ? Always hitherto the people of your
country have deemed it their duty to heal the sick and succor the poor: how
then can they now tolerate these things ?
Secondly we wUL ^peak of the ease ae touMng the good fmih of treaties which
is not to be violated.
Now well have we heard it said, " without good faith there can be no
prosperity, and the violation of treaties (or written engagements) is an ill
omen." On a former occasion our authorities made known to us that among
tlie articles of the Treaties of Peace was the following : ** The merchants
and people of all nations are permitted to rent ground on which they may
build residences and warehouses ; but the local authorities in concert with
the consuls shall select the sites having due regard to the feelings of the
people ; and the people of all natioias are permitted with the Chinese to fix
the rent on terms of equity, the one party not demanding an exorbitant price,
nor the otlier enreasonably insisting on having particular sites."
Now with respect to ground in Hondn, if you say, ^ Due regard is to be
had to the feelings of the people," then they will unanimously declare, ** We
are not willing to rent" If you say, ^ The rent is to be fixed on principles of
equality f then, inasmuch as no one is willing to rent and name a price,
how can there be the ** demanding of an exorbitant price ?"
As to relying upon the power of the governor-general and governor, and
depending upon the strength of the prefect and magistrate, to coerce and
constrain, this is nothing more nor less than (saying), rent we musL And if
without waiting to consult with and gain the consent of the proprietors, you
at once send officers to measure off the ground, — if this is not ** unreason-
ably insisting on particular sites," then what is it?
If you think to reverse and disregard the stipulations and engagements
of the so called treaties of perpetual peace, we would like to ask. What is
the use of writing, and what the object of framing such treaties? When
we, the people and scholars (of China) enter into any written contracts, we
expect them long to be preserved inviolable. How then can the minister,
a commissioner of your most illustrious British empire, consent to turn his
back upon the Treaty of Peace ratified by the autographs of the sovereigns
of the two high contracting powers ?-
Thxrdly, It is only for the purpose of making their fortunes, that the peo-
ple of your country have ploughed the broad seas, coming to Canton. Now
the success of your merchants here depends on a commercial intercourse
(which in order to be sustained must be)" profitable to our peopl& If then,
while wishing to nnaintain this commercial intercourse, you thwart the
wishes- of the people, so as to alienate their miada^ how can you gain your
304 Notice from the Elders and Gentry of Hondn, Jvm,
commercial purposes ? Men must be allowed to dwell in peace before thej
will with pleasure engage in business ; and they must keep good faith be-
fore commerce can be extensive and successfuL If now you do not in good
faith keep the treaty, but depending on coercive power despoil the people
of their property and their lands, our merchants thus harassed and made
suspicious will not dare to entrust to you their goods ; and becoming the
butt of ridicule for all the world, none will consent to hold intercourse with
you. And where. there is spoliation, there must be strife, and where strife is
there must be fighting. Merchants will not come forward in times of strife and
fighting, but flee from such disorders ; useful commerce cease, and goods
find no market Look and observe how of late years the. trade has daily
diminished. This is what all men can see. Those who to enrich them-
selves will despoil others of their just gains, in the end must not only fail to
realize the least profit, but must also lose the great profits they may have
once enjoyed. This it requires no wisdom to discern.
Again, fourthly, they will not only lose the profits they once enjoyedt
but they will be exposed to injuries more than can be described. For (as the
proverb saith^, '*It is hard to withstand an angry multitude ; and it is hard to
effect one's private wishes" (when they run counter to the public )i In the
forty-eight villages on Honan, there are tens of thousands of families, among
which tliere are some worthy and some base, some strong and some weak ;
and all these, being already unwilling to abandon their land, will if excited
to rage become like a defensed city. Suppose, then, that you take their
land by force and build ware-houses thereon. Your merchants must bring
their families, and be constantly coming and going thither and will store
up there a variety of goods. Under these circumstances, we cannot but
fear that, in going out and coming in, they will be attacked with stones and
brickbats ; and that their goods will often be exposed to fires. Will it bo
possible for them always to keep up a watch and guard, and be readily pre-
pared for every emergency ? This would be like walking on thorns, and
even their nearest neighbors wotild become their most deadly enemies.
Thus expensive establishments, requiring tens of thousands for thehr erection,
will be ruined by a few tens or a hundred of idle vagrants. How could the
people of your country joyfully hold in possession these magazines of col-
lected wrath, and give rise to such numerous and complicated evils ? It
does not require any wisdom to see that this matter is most clearly the hinge
of weal and woe, and that frotn it most result consequences of great good or
great evil.
We hope that you, the consul, will carefully consider the case, and deter-
mine the proper expedients.' Having -been bom and bred in Honin, we
have seen with our own eyes the agitated and disturbed state of popular
feeling; and fearing it would lead to the most disastrous changes, we could
not but assemble the people for deliberation. We now therefore, having
taken up these four points,— the feelings, the principles, the advantages, and
the injuries involved— first lay them in a clear and perspicuous manner
1847: Notice from ike Eldgrs and Gentry of Hondn. 305
before you, begging that you will traosmit them to the coramunioner (governor
Davis) for his due condideration ; to that we may for ever keep the treatiet
of peaces and avoid mutual injury, to the ^truction of both parties, and it be
said (when trouble comes) that we did not give timely notice.
• Also we propose to .take this case and present it to the consuls and mer-
chants of the other nations, requesting those eoiinent and worthy gentlemenr
to discriminate between the good and the bad and distinguish what is right
from what is wrong, that it may not be said that the scholars and people of
tiiOrCelestial dynasty are ignorant of propriety and justice. Then, hereafter,-
should serious trouble arise, so as to involve them, it may be known with,
whom they originated, and on whom their guilt must rest. r
If you do not condescend to regard our humble suggestions and cannot dor
vs the favor of receiving our plain words, but relying on your power insist
on having the said ground, we are humbly of opinion that the hatred must
daily increase and the calamities continually become more and more 8e«
nous, so that those who esteem their native soil and their own family poss-
eisions as their own lives, will contend for them unto death. . For on the
former occasion, when recourse was had to arms, it rested with the govern-
ment to stir up hatred against you, wl>ile the people only looked on as spec-
tators, their foellngs of indignation not being aroused. But the occasion of
tlie present quarrel is an outrage against the people, and hence their public
wrath is excited and with great unanimity, wrath which we the gentry and
elders cannot allay nor their excellencies our high officers repress.
This is a faithful and true statement of the circumstances of the case^
t^ithout falsehood or exaggeration — as all the people of the country well know.
We have presumed therefore to open to you our whole mind, and have
spread before you our secret thoughts, hoping that you ^will carefully ex*
amine them and favor us with a reply. This is what we especially desise. -
.i.C'To.tbe above we rabjoin the following petition and the reply — as
{i^en in the China Mail — with some remarks from the same source,
the resolutions passed by the British community in Canton, and the
despatchTrom the governor of Hongkong.
•^''' !' v^^Petitioj. F*0M H0«A^
. :^wan-shaow-kwang,;, Pwan-sz'-chiug, Pwan-ching-ehang,! Pwan-szee;
^wan-ching-le« and Pwan^sz'yang, the sons and grandsons of the former
hong merchant in the. Tung-wan Firm, with all their kindred^; respectfulljr
petition the Great Minister and plenipotentiary of Great Britain.- «
Our ancestor established during the reign of Keenlung (1796^96) the firm
of Tung-iv:an^ajiid-livodibra.long while on very good terma^with the mem-
bers of the British Factory, and. was under the highest obligation for the
grefit and undivided kindness shown by them towards i^ni,tin alibis «em-
mercial transactions. With the propeirty accumulated,: be ibought- some
ground at Honan, in front of an. ancestral temple. Frofn^the ,ptoQeed|r of
this the sfusrifices to the mapes of his ancestors were to* be paid, and* tibis
various widowers, widows, and orphans provided with thA ti^^«9hu^»^ ^\>Sn«
VOL' XVI. M, VI. 3\>
80G Nolici^ from the Elders and Gentry of Ilohdn, Junb,
For several tens of years they have thus lived on the bounty, which was ow-
Qg to your honourable nation, and derivlBd their subsistence from those lands.
We were informed by a proclamation of the Great Minister and Plenipo-
tentiary, that there was a wish of taking some ground on Honin, especially
that which was close to the river side, to erect buildings on it Yesterday
we likewise saw several individuals of your honorable nation coming to the
ground before the ancestral temple at Honin, to survey that patch.
The houses on both sides of our ancestral temple are the habitations of
men and women. -To the left is a sandy ground which has recently bc^n
filled up, and originally constituted fields. At thie ihcreaw of the popula-
tion however, and the difliculty of renting houses, it was resolved to divide
this parcel of ground, to fill it up, for which each had to contribute money,
and then to erect houses. The ponds and cultivated spots furnish the er-»
penses for the sacrifices to the ancestors, and the support of widowers,
widows, and orphans. If these widows and orphans were even well paid
(for their property,) it would be dfiicult for them to go elsewhere to obtain a
livelihood, whilst nothing remains to them, but to cultivate the fields in per*
som tint are before the ancestral temple, and thus maintain themselves.
We are aware that the Plenipotentiary and Great Minister issued a pro-
clamation orderinfT the inhabitants quietly to go on with their respective
trades. This sufficiently convinces that you are actuated by love and bene«
volence, and your extreme kindness influences the people and causes every
one to remain quiet in the enjoyment of his property and thus have a never-
foiling suppo|;t
We have now heard some confused rumours, that the land on the pro-
mises before the ancestral temple, as well as the recently reclaimed sandy
ground, are to be bougliL Still we ought to remark that this place extends
far into inhabited villages, and is not in immediate connection with the riveh
If this spot is really wanted, all our kindred will be deprived of their abodes.
This would also not be in accordance with the previous proclamation to the
)>eople, ordering them quietly to go on with their respective trades, nor would
it answer our constant expectations that (the purchase) could not take
place. Our families in the various houses on hearing of it were exceed-
ingly terrified, and induced to address this petition to your excellency, hum-
bly, hoping that yon will show us extraordinary benevolence and kindness,
and grant us the favour of not losing the resources for defraying the sacri-
fices of our ancestors, and for providing the necessaries of life for several
tens of poor orphans and widows, on which they^ depend, and we shall ever
feel grateCul for your great benevolence.
Whilst presenting this at the Tribunal of the British Plenipotentiary and
Great Miftiscer, we tmst the prayer will be granted.
ThMons and grandsons of the late Tui^-wan firm and all their kindred
resp«:tfblly^'thiis petitkHi. *^ '" '^ * ' *
Taiikwini^^^th year, 4lh month(May 1847.y ' ' " ^ ^' ' ' ;
(Trtfe Translation,) Cit;i:TLES GursftArf- '
. . r J - ' • ' C/b'rteJe Stcrilary, '
1847. Notice from the Elders and Gentry of Hondn, 307
Rbplt TO THE Petition from Ho!fA.if.
Sir John Divia, Hor B.itaonic Majesty's Plenipotentiary, gives this reply
16 the Blders and Kindred of the Pwan family in the locality of Honin.
It if plain from your statement that all the late ferment has arisen entirely
from malicious perjons spreading false reports, and from mutual ignorance
of each other's meaning.
Whatever lands or houses are rented in China by the Knglish, must be by
a nicoble agreement with the owners, and according to the laws of China.
This has been invariably done at Shinghiki and the other Ports, and also at
Canton from the first — why should there now be any chanfe ? I will take
carer that no Englishman shall attempt to take an inch of yonr land by foreet
and'if families wish to remain on their paternal possessions, they must not
be 'molested: still less is there any desire to violate ancestral temples.
But both at Honin and along the other shores of the great river of Canton
there must be certainly vacant spaces adjoining the water which the owners
would wish to receive a rent for, becauie land built upon gives a better rent
thiii if laying unoccupied. The numbers of the fbreigners have increased
with their trade, and two hundred of course cannot find room where one
hundred were accommodated. The Great Emperor of your honourable ua«
tion has agreed by treaty to let them make bargainr-with Chinese proprie*
tors for lands and houses, and the people of Canton should not combine to
oppose the wishes of their own sovereign. "
« Somft of the English merchants object to the Honin localityf— others have
already for some time rented warehouses there by the river-side. Why
should you object to their renting more warehou'iea, if the villages aud
families are not disturbed ? You ought tn consult together, and propose
some place^to tke Mandarins where the English can occupy land by tlie
river-side. The business can then be arranged, and all things proceed in
tranqnillity ; but if there is no mutual accommodation, as at Shanghai and
the other Ports, how can atay good object be effected ?
Besides the mistake as to taking land by force, another has arisen con«
ceming the measurement by the surveyor. I directed the British .Consul to
let the surveyor act in conjunction with the Chinese officers; but the Con-
sul, (supposing I wished the surveyor to return immediately to his business
at Hongkong,) sent him to Honin without the concurrence of the Chinese
Otficers : bonce a portion of die late agitation.
Having now mado known your true moaning in writing, I am able to reply
to it ; but without mutual communication false rumours are disseminated,
•yoQ ought in ail questions of doubt to impart your wishes immediately to
, the: Consul, and then we shall understind each other.
I likewise hope you will exhort your people to behave civilly to my
conotrymen when they meet them. By mutual courtesy the people of the
two nations will become daily more friendly to each other. la all societies
there are ill-disposed persons who write anonymous papers and disseminate
falsehood, and hence troubleaare promoted. As you e.iy your anceatAca
308 Notice from the Elders and Oentry^ of Honan. June,
derived their estates from the foreign trade, yoii ought immediately to pub-
lish the true circumstances, and restore mutual confidences
The Great Minister of your honourable nation, with whom for three years
I have had friendly intercourse, acting up to the wishes of his sovereign,
has promised severely to punish all vagabonds who assault the English. I
in my turn, am furnished with full powers to restrain disorderly British sub-
jects, and I am determined to show no favour. There is a law adapted to
the punishment of every offence.
My late visit to Canton was chiefly to procure the punishment of malici-
ous Chinese who had Ultreated British subjects. This is remarked in the
reply of the Great £mperor of your honourable nstion. Like the piraies on
the water, these vagabonds on shore are equally the enemies of the two
nations, and causes of all. troubles. If the Scholars and EUders restrain
them by exhortation, the Chinese authorities will not have to punish them.
The fi»i care of my government is to see that its subjects suffer no injuiy.
In this respect, no distinction is made between high and low, rich and poor.
I thus return this, declaration in reply, and request you will cause its
tenor to be generally made known, in order that the people of onr respec-
tive nations may live in perpetual harmony. A copy will also be sent to
the Great Minister of your honourable nation.
Dated at Hongkong, 25th May, ]8d7.
The reply to the Honnn Petition published last week, evinced an
anxiety on the part of the governnaent to avoid as far as possfble
doing outrage to the feelings of the people. An adequate space with
convenient and safe access is what is chiefly required, and as our
o^vn countrymen had es^pressed much dissatisfaction with the site
selected, His ExcelI.ency directed the consul to ascertairi from the
merchants, if they could point out a more eligible spot. A meeting
of the British community in Canton was therefore summoned, and
the following resolutions were come to : —
Ruolxduma agreed to at a Public Meeting' of the BrUM Commicmify, held in
the rooms of the Canton Britieh Chamber of Commereej on the fSQth ofMa^^
1847. Present 71 persons.^ ''
1st, That an adequate space of land on Honan for the use of the British
Community having been dem&nded by Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, and
granted by the Imperial Commissioner, in terms ' of jthe Treaty, it is the
opinion of this Meeting that such demand should be at once enforced, un-
less a more desirable site can be obtained, and that the objections raised by
the Gentry and Elders, in their letter to Her Majesty's Consul of the :20th
instant, are altogether inadmissible, since the same objections apply equally
to all lands in China, and would certainly be brought forward, and urged
with additional force by proprietors elsewhere, if admitted to be valid in
this instance.
8d, that this meeting is not at present prepared to suggest a more eligible
1647. Noiicifrom the Elders and Gentry of Hondn. 309
site than that granted at Honan, ite proximity to the present Foreign Fac-
tories, iti large extent of river frontage, and the open space of ground availa-
ble for exercise, rendering it more suitable to our wants than any other spot
in this neighbourhood ; and if any other place is offered by the Chinese Au-
thorities in its stead, this Meeting trusts thai the British Community will be
made acquainted with its locality, and be afforded an opportunity of com-
municating their sentiments regarding it, before final arrangements are
made.
3d, That this Meeting considers it to be of the utmost consequence to the
interests of the trade that this important^ question be immediately settled,
its business, now brought iilmost entirely to a stand by the operations of the
late expedition and the negociation still pending, cannot possibly be resum-
ed until not only the people of Canton, but all connected with its trader are
fully assured that British relations with this part of China, are placed on a.
niofe satisfactory footing.
.^.4th, That copy of the resolutions now passed be forthwith transmitted to
Her Majesty's Consul by the Chairman for the information of His Excel-
lency Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary.
David JARDritB, CAowmini. '*'
• * r.
The following is the despatch sent to the British Consul at Canton.
Victoria, Hongkong, 99th May, 1847.
Sir, — I have to inform you, that I have received your despatch Na 95
enclosing opinions of the British merchants at Canton, as to the land at
Honan.
' They consider that unless a more desirable site can be obtained, their pos-
stasion of the land should be ** at once enforced f but I do not understand
how it can be at once enforced in any other way than by Military force, and
then it must of course be retained and occupied in the same manner. This
Military tenure could scarcely promote that commercial business to which
they allude in their third resolution, and of which the present stagnation is
partly owing to Chinese foilures to the extent of some millions of Dollars,
and general overtrading.
The building land to which we are entitled by Treaty, and which has ne-
•ver yet been gained at Canton since the Treaty was signed, a period of five
years, must of course be obtained, and either Honan or some other equally
eligible site or sites secured. The actual possession, however, is not (like the
point of persona] immunity from injury,) so imminently urgent as to sanction
that nK>de of acquisition and tenure which is implied by at onee trifordng U^
and which, as I before observed, must be maintained by a state of things
ill-calculated to promofe the commercial pursuits of the Chinese and British
merchants.
At the same time, Her Majesty's Government will see the necessity of
asserting against the Chinese Government the Treaty rights of British
.subjects at Canton, in regard to the acquisition of adequate sites for dwell-
ings, and warehouses. — I have, dtc
J.P.Davis.
910 Visit of the Fnnch io Cochm-^kina. Jo^cs;
J-
Art. V. An Account of the visit of the French vessels^ the Gloirt
and the Victorieuse to Cochin-china. From the Singaporean.
The followino particulars relative to the recent affanr in this coun-
try are from an authentic source, and may be therefore relied on.
We will state the facts from the^beginning.
In.Jd45 Rear Admiral Cecille wrote to the present King of Co-
chin-china, whose name is Tisu Tri, demanding the enlargement of
the Rt. Rev. Dr. Le Fevre, who was known to have been imprison*
ed by the King's order; and at the same time exhorting him to
grant freedom of conscience to those of his subjects who had em-
braced the Christian faith, citing the example of the emperor of
China, who had lately, at the especial request of the French Ambas-
sador, M. Lagrene, removed all restrictions upon the religious pre-
dilections of his subjects. This letter was delivered over to the pre-
fect of the province of Quan-Nam, by the Captain of the French cor-
vette, VAUmtne but no answer was returned, although the Bishop
was released.
Admiral Cecille being about to leave the China seas, his period of
command having expired, was most anxious to get an answer to the
letter already alluded to; but he was prevented from prolonging his
stay, and therefore deputed his successor. Commodore La Pierre, tp
demand it On the 10th March last the Commodore sent the cor-
vette Victorieuse to Turon with a letter requesting a reply to that
written by the Admiral in 1845. The -Captain had strict orders not
to deliver the letter to any other authority than the Prefect of duan-
Nam. The purport of it was to solicit religious toleration, and no
ullusion whatever was made to any missionary, not even to the Rt.
Rev. Dr. Le Fevre, although supposed at the time to be still in im-
prisonment.
The Victorieuse anchored in the bay of Turon on the 18th of the
same mouth ; but the difiiculty was how to deliver the letter to the
Prefect himself, who positively declined coming in person to receive
it, but wanted the Captain to deliver it to his inferior officers. No-
thing was was as yet done when the Commodore, La Pierre, reached
Turon in the frigate La Oloire^ on the 23d of the month, having
left Macao on the 15th.
The Commodore, finding that nothing had been done, resolved to
have recoane to intimidation, as being the only means of compell-
1847; Vait o/lht Frtiith to Cwktn-cMua: 3lt
big the acceptance of the letter bjr the Prerect. Accorditigly the
ve«ela present were put throug^h a number of naval mancBuvres, but
thia displ-iy pniduced no elTect upon the minds of the Cochin-obi-
neae. The Commodore therefore d<>termined upon a more active
course; and consequently deprived five Cochin-chineae veaaela then
in the harbour, and which were of Enropean build, of iheir sails, so
that thef mi^ht not escape. This waa not without effect. On the
foltowini; day, the nist March, the Prefect made his nf^ieBrance, and
received with politeness the Commodore and his suite. Afler some
hesitation, he reluctantly cngsented to receive the letter, seeing (hat
there was no other way of recovering the sails of the five men-of-
war, aiid promised an answer in the course of ten or twelve days:
This interval passed without any incident of impcxtanee;. On the
morning of the 12th April an inferior mandarin came on board the
Z,a O/oirt, end announced that a great mandarin had arrived from
the- capital with an answer, and invited the Commodore lo goon
ahoFO and receive it. The Commodore replied that be would not
do so; having ^nt his letter by the second in command, he consi-
dered it but just thiit the great mandarin should return the courtesy,
and, come on board himself with the snswer ; at the aame time he
assured the messenger that the mandarin would he received with
enry respect. This, however, the Cochln-chinese would not cout
sent .to, nor would. the Commodore accept of (heir invitation.
• It waa uncertain how things would terminate, when, on the even-
ings of the sdme day,. .some French officers went on ahore Intake a
walk, in the course of which they encountered a reapectahle looking
old Cochin-chinaman, who after having ascertained that none of bis
countrymen were watching him. mnile alarming signs to the officers ;
not being able la cmnprebenkl liis nie^uing, one of the officers gavf
him a pencil and p»por that lie miglil write what he wu desirous of
communicating. He then wrote four or five characlerik the sense of
which was "during the eiiCerlninmcat all the people will attack
you;" forj as we hive observed, the Commodore had been invited
on shore to receive the letter, and himself and suite were to have
been entertained by the Prefect.
On the following day, tlic l^th.April.tlie Comroodore had not yet
had. an inierciew with , the Prefect, when perceiving thai prepare
tions for wnr were being. carried on ; ns they were aending ^uos and
ainniuniiion on board the live vessels already named, he sent a boat
to inieruept the guiis, &c., and in one of the boaia intercepted, a let-
^ter was found cunUined'in a ^inall box, wliich was brought to the
31*2 Vtuto/iheFrenekioCocUn-ckind: JtfHK\
Commodore. It had: three Mandarin chops on it in different places ;-
and the ' purport of the latter wos; the plan of a; coospiracy- against
the^Frehch, the> substance of which was as follows. *' Whea the:
Captain and his officers are conferringjonr shore with :the Prefect^i
should thef not be found sufficiently respectful and aubmissi?e, then
all the people-are to fall (Upop their Tesselsvand destroy them ^ an<t
thfis impress the barbajrous Europeans with such: terror^ .as will.prei
tiSQt.them^from again: coming: tocihe'countsyl !" T Thisn-tbllt^wed' iht
dolailsiofChe maDaerriin;rjwhtchothe:f attack waa.to hareibeen'tpro^
secated. ... ■ ^o^iril 91b -jtiwoi 01 L^iflaefiooryiJiii^lpuioT od .nmiiitiaeti
-l.;TiiS:?CoiQmod6re caused: aa;«ntbentic'Cop}r. of ttiisopaper tobe
made, aiid/sent iMa. the iprefect; demanding, aaexpltanat ion.* But
n6)s«(isfactory -answer was returned fth^^ Prefect merely obserrihf
tb^t^he« would take good care to punishf^Hh^ (mprudence-of'the paN
tieS'^i who- permitted the* > letter to fall iiitoth'iftiir hands T—H^re was
policy. ' What better proof did the Commodx>i'e require to conviiiod
him of the fact jof the Prefect being privy to the' letter: iti qaestibilf
Had the prefect beenaChinesd maiidarTni he 'Aevep ^wodld ^RaVd
committed hirnseirso far.- 'But th^< Codhiir^hTiiese iri^Aoi 'edm*
parable to the Cfdestinls^ih'dlplrtitiatf^- (ransactions* pek*HRpa,:owih|
tb^tfhe restricted tlature of tliefrlnferdburse with-EufopeansV Tfimti
r(9iiiaihed lii'this position eacH' part jf' prep^nn^g fbrlrar;*wliStt oii*^!^^
^^morning'Of the t5th7thei French wei^ redu^^^
nuti^ect;' Viither tb flyltha'mefully; thermit tN^m^er^es't&^Be'stiffdiiHied
by^thd Whole forc6 of ^heeneray, or'tdfW^ih the' atli&kr wfen ^FWy
JidM d6^^ adtittt^geK>usly:"'Th'hy ofcdii^^ (JSUl^
sequently a fir4' Wa^'opened^^Bir' ihe^'Cochiii-cli^fies^;''^ [ii
anJttrs 6f ir and 12 a. M.*'^iTi8y were war>rcpXre^^
%6irflpliment; which they did Ih'aitiaiiher^Rirexceeciecl'^ib^g^^^
•Vlon*oftheFrtrich^i>iitWmayliA VnticVUeB tfc
\hftfgf for fnjhis^brid^pVrfoff oT70 itthuiS; no ^iss tTJiib" 860"^ b^
llad been discharged ^frotf thrt'wo' Wellch "i&feiMP^iV.' '&&i i?Wi
fere €6cl)in:chiiifese liiea^ol^Wais^ ^6^^^ bfiJwii up-
%h*il Ihird biirnrdiiringth^e^igsgi^^^^^^
hoisted a flag
Vi^nt dn bbard,
■iftet:>huibwiery^klhei9[n^^thefr <^?rc)s if^iit ^ Aym'&rsluif^ f^ thi
1847.
Visit of' Ike FrenUi to Cochin-china.
313
the French mpti^f-war, to be dreiac*d, were all that survived the
action. For although the Cochin-chinrse attempted to escape on
shore, yet they could not effect it; and many of them were killed by
the fire from their own Ports in the attempt, as retreat was forbid-
den. On the part of the French one man only died of his wounds;
and another was slightly wounded. So much for the Cochin-cbinese
knowledge of the art of gunnery. The remainder of the day was
spent in viewing the burning of the Cochin-chinese vessels. Not-
witlisianding this, negotiations were not entered into, the Commodore
being reluctant to send any one on shore with a message, lest he
might be murdered. Being unwilling to remain any longer in the
hay, he ordered the following to be written on a piece of paper by
the Interpreter ; but as the latter observed that it would be better to
write it on a piece off cloth as it was to be hung up in a Pagoda in
the neighbor hfKid, the Comni'ido'e tore, in the spirit of the mo-
ment, a bit of cloth of the breast of his shirt, and desired the Inter-
preter to write upon it, — " The Commander of the French mcn-of-
wur, to the £:ivoy of the King of Cochin-china. This is a remem-
brance of the rc.<ipect and snumission of the barbarians, whom thou
wanteds! to exterminate ! If this be not sufficient for thee, I am
quite ready to give thee a better one." This was hung up in a
Pagoda on one of the snicill islets in the bay; after which, the two
French corvettes left Tnron.
The Commodore could not, of course, hare pushed mitters fur-
ther; and. inleed, the forbearance he had all along observed towards
the Cochin-chinese, and their arrosfaiU behaviour cons<equent there-
on, warranted the measures he adopted. Although he certainly did
not effect the object of his visit, yet it will suffice to operate as a
warning to the king of Cochin-china, to be somewhat more courte-
ous in future towards Europeans; and above all it will teach biii
not to misconstrue the courtesy and poIitene:^s of civilized countries,
into any particular regard for his potency : for no doubt, the Cochin-
chinese authorities so interpreted the forbearance and reluctance of
the Commodore to have recourse to ulterior measures. They have
beeil urged upon him, through a vexatious procrastination of an an-
swer to a simple suggestion made by the forme'r French Naval Com-
mander-in-chief, to the effect that the king of Cochin-china would
permit religious toleration in his country, as thr Emperor of China
had. It was entirely optional with the king u nether he gave his ab-
sent to the request or not ; ainl it is not, of course, to be supposed,
that his mere refu^nl to accede to Hie proposition would have given
vol.. XVI. NC V|
10
/
314
Shipping in the Port of Canton.
Jt'KE,
rise to the serious proceedings iii ready detailed ; but he would tiol
cTen vouchsafe an answer, either negatively or affirmatively.
Although the Commodore, as ob.«erred, did not cilcct his object-*
yet he has, howeveri by his promptitude, saved the lives of the men
under his command, and ably mhintained the honor of his Flag;
for had he left the port without acting as he did, there is no
4uestion, but that his conduct would have led to superccssiou. Ah
mhy be githered from the particulars it was not to avenge the blood
of the missionaries as stated by the Sirrnis Times'^tor this tlicy
might have done long before ; but the affair originated out of the
arrogant and contemptuous manner, in which the Cochin-chinese
authorities treated the honorable attempts made by the present and
former French Naval Commander-in-chief, at friendly negotiation.
The Commodore now awaits instructions from his government ;
we presume, the Cochin-chinese will be revisited by their old ac-
quaintances who, wc doubt nut, will be fully empowered to treat
them in a more peremptory manner, aa they richly merit.
Art. VI. Slaiemmts nf thr nttmbct, tonnage, ^c., of the mer*
chant vessels of different nations in the port of Canton, for
the year 1840. {From the China Mail, Feb, 25/A, 1847.
No. 1.— A Return of the number and tonnage of merchiDt vessels which
irrived at ind departed from tlic port of. Canton, during the year endings the
31st December, ICM?, distinguishing the countries lo which tJicy belongi'd,
riz:^
DcrAnTuiii:s.
A am V en .
Under what colors. ;J?^j!^^ Tonnog:
British,
American.
Krrnch,
Dutch,
Belg^^ian,
Danish, .
Swodiitli,
llambur|rh,
firemen,
Prussian,
Total
214
4
H
1
1
6
4
1
H''4
19,»n6 British,
*^t,(i4!> American,
1,2d.'J French,
2.717; Dutch, -
3(H)i Belgian,
Under what colors, ^j^^^^^ Tonnage.
3!?5
i,7!n
10,07
152
5511
\^7h
DatiiKh,
Swedish,
Hamburgh,
Bremen,
Prussian,
Total
2()7
G3
4
8
1
J
6
4
1
1,2d3
9,574
:i(io
34)5
J,i»07
650
I2I>,7.V>
1847.
Shipping in the Port of Canion.
315
No. 11. — A Return of the number of merchant ▼eateU of ell nitioni, distin-
guiflhin; their reepectiye flags, which cleared at the cuttom.houae of Canton
daring the y^wt ending 3!st of December, 1846, proceeding from or bound to,
the port and placee undermentioned, viz :—
▲ nniTEO.
DEPARTED.
Hi
n
17
2
13
1
12
3
4
1
m
6
1
2
1
5
1
3
4
19
7
1
4
1
13
16
8
2
1 S
i
30
i
- d
2 e
2 »
73 k
Itf /
2 m
13 n
1 0
20 p
61
20
6
llH i
2
39
7
10
8
8
19
7
1
6
6
3
28
1
32
r
t
t
u
V
w
X
V
X
a 2
d
e
8
16
3
37
4
214 64 4 8 1 16 5 1 3'14
S S 8 t^^
^ a ^' ^
18
207
«
0
a
9
65
1
3
1 1
I.
20
6
3
4
7
•
1
3
2
41
7
2
1
14
40
4
I
2
1
16
2
22
29
4 8 1 1 6 4 1 206
-4 0>
90 -^ O »0
— 9> M
00 G«
^ S^ &S 8 g S S
I'*
Names or Ports and Places.
a London, h Lirerpool and Bristol, c Glasgow, Leith 'and the Clyde, d
Dublin and Cork, e Havre and Bordeaux, / Amsterdam and Rotterdam, g
Antwerp, h Stockholm, i Hamburgh, j Cape of Good Hope, k Bombay, / Cal-
cutta, m Madras, n Tutooorin, o Siam, p Singapore and the Straits, q Batavia
and Sonrahaya, r Bali and Lombok, s Manila and the Philippines, t New
York, tt Boston and Baltimore, v Mazatlan and Mexico, w Callao and Lima,
X Valparaiso, y Sydney, Port Philip, and Hobart Town, z Sandwich Islands,
New Zealand, and Marquesas, a Hongkong, b Macao, e Amoy, Ningpo, and
Shanghai.
Canton, Slsl Dec. 1846. Fkamcii C. Macobegob, Conxu/.
Bt6
Shtpptpg in the Pari nf Canton.
Jvm;
No III.— A Statement exhibiting the movement of British whipping in the
trade with the port of Canton duriog the year 1846, distinguishing British
and country ship*; and shewing the number of tonnage of Teasels at Wham-
poa on the 31st December.
L-
4
2
London,
Li?erpool,
Bristol, —
Glasgow & )
Uith 5 "
Dublin A
Cork,
Bombay,
Calcutta,
Madras,
Tutocorin, II
Singapore, 8
Siam,
Manila,
Lorobock,
Bali, —
Australia, 3
New Zealand I
Sandwich Is. -
C. G. Hope, -
Lima, I
Calao,
Victoria,
Macao,
Amoy,
Shanghae,
AaaiTAUi
Briiisk. Country.
IteaMfc No. TouM**
6,417 — —
IU,633 . — 2d 19,633
12
28
DEPARTURES.
Total, BriitMh, Craaitry. Tatml,
No. TwOMgo. Nok Toaoog*. No. Tonaon. No. Tmamn.
12 5,417 67 27,247 4 3^ tfl 30,3U2
19
I
6,9l»2 —
421 —
— — — — — 6 8,264 — —
— 19
1
6
6,fH»
621
2,264
— — — -- — 3 1,064 — — 3 1,064
20,884 28 24,014 72 44,808
1,958 13 6,176 17 7,i:34
1
2
3
751 —
6,2)5 2
2,961 4
320 —
688 2
1,116 —
785 4
325 —
— 2 751
878 14 6,083
945 13 3,9<i6
— — 32.1
436 4 1,124
— 3 1,116
6 2,340 33 21,126 39 23,465
— — 7 3,202 7 3,202
7 3,042
3
1
618
6
1
176 — —
I, .103
325
176
1
7
1
2
400 —
2,146 1
150 —
327 —
432 3
530 8
— 1
432
3,572
400
1,734 16 3,878
— 1
— 2
150
337
10
1
1
6
3,418 18 3,028 28 6,446
293 — — 1 ll'J3
689 3 929 4 1,518
1,047 3 406 9 1,453
1
6
5
7"
616 — — I 316
1,631 16 6,376 21 6,997
2, 102
1,889
4
2
H50
338
9 2,952
9 2,227
Totd, 137 56,566 77 36,330214 92,809 128 62,240 79 36,640 2U7 M,b60
British
Country
Total
British
Country
Total
Entered
137 Vessels,
77
S U H M A R r
iBriiish
ft
56,666 tons
36,330
£14 „
Cleared.
128 Vessels,
79
12 Vessels, 3,374 tons
Country , 50 „ 3,585
Total 32 ,, 6,969
And eletired in Ballast.
British . 15 Vessels, 5,919 tons
52,240 tonslC««"*'y ]J »• ^»5H7
Total
92,b 6
tf
n
36,r4)
It
207
(M,a:0
Of which number entered in Baliast.
tt
It
It
32
»t
lt,5u6
tt
At Whampoa on 3l#f December.
British . 11 Vessels, 6,463 tons
[^o. IV. — A return of the quantities and value of merchandise imported into
the port of Canton, in 182 British vessels of 65,937 tons, and 100 Hongkong
Lorchas of 5,510 tons burthen, from the countries and places undermentioned,
during the year ending the 31st December, 1846, vix :—
AV». in
the Denomination of artielet.
tariff.
1. British manufactures and
staple articles.
47 1 .^Manufactures of wool.
Broad cloth, Spanish Stripes Habit >
and Medium cloth, • 5
^uantitiee.
Estimated vaJue
in Spanish
Dollars.
Chan^' 113,936 684,661
1847.
Shipping in the Part of Canton.
ni7
14
8
Nirrow Woollens, not dencribed,
Lonjf £Utt, ....
CamieU, ....
Bombazets, ....
Buntini^s ....
Blankets,
Woollens, not enomenited,
13 2.^-Manufaeliires of CoUon.
Lone cloth, white,
Da. grey and twilled.
Cambrics and Muslins,
Chintzes and Prints, .
' Handkerchiefs,
Gingham, Pulicates, dyed Cottons,^
Velvets, Velveteens, Silk and |
Cotton Mixtures, Woollen and y
Cotton Mixtures, and all kinds of I
Fancy goods, ... J
Cotton Yarn and Thread,
4. — Miseellaneavg Artidet^ raw
and manufactured.
Inclnding Clocks and Watches, Te.^
lescopes, Writings desks, and Dres. |
sing oases. Hardware, Ironmon. y
gery and Cutlery, Perfumery, |
&-C., J
Earthenware of all kinds,
19 Flints, .....
20 Glass and Glassware.
30 Iron in Bars, Rods, Hoops dec,
Steel, raw ....
JL*»d, pig, ....
Tin plates, ....
40 Smalts, ....
45 Wine, Beer, and Spirits,
II. Prodaetions of India and
other countries.
3 Betel-nut, ....
4 Bicho de Mar.
5 Birds* nests edible,
12 Cotton, viz,—
Bombay, . 425,496 "^
Bengal, 43,642 I
Madras, . 70.915 [
Miscellaneous, . 5,365 J
15 Cow Bezoar, ....
17 ElephanU' teeth,
18 Fishmaws, ....
'^ Ginseng, ....
Gum Olibanum,
„ not further described.
Horns, Buffalo, and Bullock,
„ Unicorn and Rhinoceros,
29 Mother o' Pearl shells,
30 Tin in Blocks, ....
32 Pepper, • . - . .
33 Putchuck,
34 Rattans, ....
35 Rice, ..-.-.
36 Rose Maloes, . . . -
37 Saltpetre, . • • • •
24
25
305 603
406,723
HI, 978
109,567
71,013
122,452
20,910
31,560
5,723
8,025
5,207
15,960
Value
$7,686 -
7,586
Pieces
102,631
280,243
tt
688,735
1,564,285
»»
650
1,580
«
14,219
42,750
Dozens
8,672
17,54*J
Pieces
16,911
65,940
Peculs
23,941
792,876
Value $20,786
Value
Peculs
Value
Peculs
«i
Boxes
Peculs
Value
$1,256
6,6fl0
1^,965
10,898
299
730
2,258
115
$8,300
Peculs 13,911
165
Catties 89
Peculs 545,438
Catties
Pecul
It
ft
tt
tt
tt
tt
tt
It
tt
tt
Catties
Ye^>i\a
52
13,194
1,365
2,529
5,178
113
10
156
959
7.415
7.362
28-15
5,397
20,786
1,256
2,125
5,965
39,156
1,382
3,572
13,272
6,171
8,300
$4,2^12,982
42,124
5,tl5
2,253
4,925,012
482
12965
53,425
14,212
20,745
2,640
484
\^\^
4,852
&5,435
25,648
49.228
39
Shipping in the Port of Canton,
Shark Hns. ....
Skint and Fan. viz —
Ox Hides. Land-otter, .
Hare. Rabbit, Beaver, and Rac-
coon Skins, . .
41 Soap, common. ...
43 Sea Horse Toeth,
46 Wood. Sandal,
,« Snpan. ....
HI. Miscellaneous Imports, and
Articles not enumerated in
the Tariff.
Including Agaracrar, Alum, Aj^ates,^
Amber, Asafcetida, Blacklead,
Blue Stone, Books, Canes, Carpets
Cloves, Coalfl, Cochineal, Coral
rough and Coral beads, Corks. Cud.
boar. Cornelian stones and beads.
Cntch, Furniture, Gambier, Glass
^broken). Goat skins. Gold and
Silver Thread, Guano, Nutmegs,
Paint Paper and Stationery, Pearls
and Precious Stones, Provisions
and stores, raisins, Rosewood Snuff
timber, Tobacco, wearing apparel,
and a number of small articles
belonging to the Trade of India,.
«f
6,293
No. 12,998
JUNR,
126.236
25,837
Peculs
51
4U
Catties
1352
4^2
Peculs
15,637
157.831
«f
1.565
2,937
Value 9206.750
260,750
$9,997,583
216,b00
IV. Treasure, -
Total of Imports in British Ships, $10,214,383
At the Exchange of 4«. 4d, per Dollar, £2,213,116. 6s. 4d.
Remarks — The preceding Returns have been compiled from the entries in
fhe Books kept at this Consulate, and the Quantities specified are those that
have paid duty. The Weights and Measures stated are those in use at Canton.
1 Catty is equal to 1^ Pound Avoirdupois, and KH) Catties correspond with
133^ lbs. in England. One Chang is 4 English yards, nearly. The Value
given has been computed upon the average prices of the year in the Canton
market. The Spanish Dollars have been reduced to Sterling at As. id, the average
exchange of the year.
No. V.~A return of the quantities and value of merchandise exported from
the port of Canton, in 175 British vessels of tlie burthen of 78,374 tons,
and in 58 Hongkong Lorchas of 3,456 tons, to the countries and places under-
mentioned, during the year ending 31st December, 1846, viz; —
I. Raw produce.
1 Alum,
2 Aniseed, Star,
10 Canes, . . . .
12 Cassia Lignea,
Cassia Buds, . . .
13 China Root, .
28 Hartall, or Orpiment
Quicksilver, ...
45 Ahubarb, . . . .
46 Silk, raw, Nankin,
Canton,
Coarse or refuse,
52 Sugar, raw, -
55 Tea, viz,—
It
1,548 )
1 ,022 5
Peculs
mViib
Peculs
It
It
If
i»
It
It
2,334
re
135
12,461 >
250 3
165
482
306
8A0
2,r>:0
4,084
i.77,e«l4
4,496
1,006
1,590
125,68d
4,612
465
5,812
37,244
36,208
95iS,726
387,560
1,416,237
1847.
Shii^ping in the Port of Canton,
319
Confoo, . '\
247.1761
Souchong,
7,032
Flowery Peko«,
4,01*2
Orange do.,
11,157
C/aper,
2,(»47
Miscellaneous,
Hyson, - . . .
1,»20 1
3,042 ( »•
306,980
11,112,6^7
Do. Skin,
102
Young Hyson,
12,141
Imperial,
3,162
Gunpowder, .
9,087
Twankay, .
6,122J
56
Tobacco, . . .
II. Manufactured
Articles.
•
>«
75
76-2
4
Bangles, or Glass Armlets,
•
Boxes
69
4,497
5
Bamboo ware.
•
Peculs
79
1,208
6
Brass leaf.
■
Boxes
223
6,743
8
B^^ne and Horn ware,
•
Catties
:M9
362
14
China ware.
•
Peculs
2,.'>41 )
49,743
Crockery, common,
w
Value
$l,26f)>
1,260
16
Copper, Tin, and Pewter ware,
Peculs
312)
12 16f»
J8
Cra4:ker8 and Fireworks,
•
If
%\Y2
4,725
20
Fans of all sorts.
m
Catties
5,3-^6
5,562
21
Furniture and Wood ware.
-
Peculs
397
7,94f»
24
Glass and Glass ware, •
■
tf
36.J
7,3' 8
25
Glass Beads,
•
Boxes
1,.'^4H
30,P67
27
Grass Cloth,
■
Catties
2,873
6,38')
29
Ivory, Mother o' Pearl,
Wood, and Tortoise shell
Sandiil
! -
m aaftlSl
M ^^B 1 ^
ware,
937
4,724
30
Kitty sols, ....
Boxes
,7246
14 308
31
Lacquered ware.
a
Poculs
279
11653
3^
. Mats and Matting.
fi
3 652
25.632
38
Nankeens and Cotton Clolh
1
«i
214
10 956
2
Oil of Aniseed, . .
. »»
120
16542
12
,, Cassia,
t
It
110
26460
41
Paper of all sorts,
■ •
It
2 452
32,762
43
Preserves.
•
II
6824
27,926
44
Rattan work.
t a
«t
249
5 930
46
Silk tliread and Ribbons,
•
Catties
7.922
39 736
Silk manufactures.
• •
It
5i727>
37 332 J
293.653
47
Silk and Cotton mixtures
t
»i
93,112
50
Soy, .
•
Peculs
406
4,120
53
Sugar Candy,
•
tt
38,584
306.742
59
Trunks of Leatlier,
•
Nests
356
7.830
61
Vermilion, . .
•
lioxes
792
40.822
in. Miscellaneous Exports,
and articles not enumerated in
the Tariff.
Value $136,760
L
Including Arsenic, Bees* Wax,"^
Camphor, Capoor Cutchery,
Curiosities and Fancy Articles,
Drums, Ready-made Clothes,
Dragou's Blood, Artificial Flo-
'_ wers, lists and Caps, Glue,
Galangal-root, Incense Slickis,
China Indigo, Galls, Gamboge, [
^ llemp, China Ink, Lanterns, ^
^ f^ainps. Lamp-Oil I^ead'w.hite
'and red, Mace, Marble Slabs,
Mirrors, Musk,. Oil Paintings,
PictureK on Rice Paper. Pearls
farticrous, Wojnen'a Shoes Sil-
versniith^s work, Smalts. Tinfoil
Turmertc, Silk, Unibrclias, dtc. j
Total of Ex^tV^ vu \^i\\!\«\3L^^\\^^v
186,760
%v^;^'^^^^
820
Journal of Occurrences,.
At the Exchange of 4«. id, per Dollar, £3,3.12.021 6i. 8d.
Remarks, The preceding returns have been compiled fVom the entriei in
the Books kept at this office, and the quantities specified are those that bare
paid duty. The Weights and Measures stated are those in use at Canton.
One Catt^ is equal to I X pound avoirdupois, and UK) Catties correspond with
133} lbs. in England. One Chang is 4 English yards, nearly. The Value
given has in most instances been computed upon the average prices of the
year in the Canton market, and where this has been found impracticable, an
approximate estimate has been substituted. The . reduction of the Spanish
Dollars into Sterling has been at the average Exchange of 4«. Ad. per Dollar.
A AT. VI [. Journal of Ocntrrences ; the communications from
Honan; the Hon. A. H. EverfJt located in Canton; the house
' of Mr. Roberts plundered ; Mr. Ftaron appointed professor
of Chinese ; a rioter killed ; purchase of Hog Lane ; Chinese
proclamation.
ExcxPTivo the correspondence concerning the site in HonAn which has
awakened some interest during the month past, but little has occurred par-
ticularly-worthy of notice. The agitation and difficulties that have made the
spring of 1847, a somewhat memorable one in the history of foreign inter-
course with China appear to have entirely subsided, and though the confi-
dence which has been wont to subsist betweerrthe native and foreign commu-
nities has been partially impaired and trade hci been somewhat interrupted,
the general tone of public feeling and conduct appears to be in some respects
considerably improved. - The old maxim of ** ruling the barbarians bv letting
them alone ** is falling greatly into desuetude, and the sounder principle thai
honesty and straight-forwardness are the only fafe policy, is forcing itself at
last even upon tne attention of the Chinese. The tone of their recent com-
mnnications is peculiarly observable, and it is hoped will mark the beginning
of a new era in their intercourse with foreigners. The temperate and judi-
cious policy of the British autliorities we think also is not unworthy of com-
mendation.
His excellencv the hon. A. H. Everett arrived at Canton from Macao on
the 8th inst. and is residing at the house of the Rev. Dr. Parker.
On the 23d of May last, t'le house of thi* Rov. I. J. Roberts situated on the
river about a mile below the foreign factories was entered by a ruthless gang
of Chinese who rifled it completely of its contents, not sparing even the walls
and ceiling of the house itself. A representation of the matter has been
made to Kiying, who has succeeded in arresting some of the individuals, con-
cerned in the aflTair, and restoring tlie greater part of the property. Tl is hoped
that such outrages will not be often repeated, or that the aggressors will be
made to suffer a more condign punishment than seems in the present instance
to have been inflicted.
Mr. Samuel Fearon, formerly Registrar general of Hongkong, has been late-
ly appointed a professor of the Chinese language and literature in King's
College, England. His inaugural address was delivered on the 2t)th of April.
In the dispersion of the mob engaged in the recent attack upon the new
boat-house by a few' British soldiers one of th3 Chinese is reported to have
been killed and several'others severely wounded.
Dunng the month a purchase his been effected by the British eonsal of the
south end of Hog Line. A part of the ground Uius obtained it is expected
will be made the site of a new church.
A proclamation appeared on the 22d'inst addressed to the various. classes
of the native community admonishing theih against acts of incivility in their
treatment of foreigners and incuttatiu^ a kind and courteous intercourse.
THE
CHINESE REPOSITORY.
Vot. XVI— July, 1847.— No. 7.
*'^*'***i» w >»%»^^^^i»^rt»»»^»^»<^i^»^^^i^i^»%^"^^^r*^^»^-^ ^«» *•
Art. I. A plea in behalf nf China: he^ng a sermon preached at
Canton on Sabbath day, Dec. 13/A, 1846, by the Rev. L. B.
Peety missionary of the A. B. C, P. M. to the Chinese.*
LuJ[ie 111, 41. And when he was come near^ he beheld the city and wept
This is spoken of our Savior at the time of his public entry into
Jerusalem. The fearful guilt and certain doom of that great city,
were the occasion of his sorrows. He beheld the once holy city,
and while he called to mind its numerous sins, and the a^ful punish-
ments for them which must soon follow, the holy soul of the son of
God was melted to tears. As Christ and his people are one, so wc
most conclude that in proportion as they possess his spirit, and
clearly apprehend the guilt and 'I anger of his enemies, in the same
proportion will they feel and labor for their salvation. Most of the
inhabitants of this great city and of this vast empire, according to
the word of God, are still his enemies. In order then that we may
feel more deeply and labor more abundantly for their good, let us
contemplate for a few moments some of the more prominent cha-
racteristics by which they are distinguished. And,
1. Their ignorance. As a people, the Chinese are practically
ignorant of the God who made them, of the service which he re-
quires at their hands, and of the destiny to which he has appointed
* The orij^inal copy of this sermon hid been forwarled to Am tics when
the author was requested to furnish the sermon' for the Repoiitory ; and there*
fore, the present copy was written much of it from memory. This will account
for tome slight differences between' tlie two. L. B. P.
VOL. XVI. Nt). VII, 41
322 A Plea in behalf of China. July,
theni. The heathen about us, are ignorant of their privileges as in-
tellectual and social beings, of their civil and religious rights as free
and responsible agents, and of many of the improvements and bless-
ings of enlightened, and Christian Society. They are sadly ignorant
too, of the nature of virtue, of its reward here, and of the glorious
heaven to which it leads hereafter. With them the practice of
▼irtue is made to consist mainly in seeking the temporal good of
their friends, in offerings, and in '* bodily exercise," which " pro-
fiteth little." Their meritorious acts, by which they would (it them-
selves for future happiness, all proceed from a principle of selfish-
ness. Their pride and sclfsutBciency therefore, are continually fos-
tered, and become a snare of the great adversary of all g«x>d, by
which they 6nd themselves constantly involved in sin. Hence it is,
that some of the wisest of the heathen about us arc ready to confess,
that they do not know how perfect happiness can be obtained until
these sins are first atoned for by previous sufferings. So their ideas
of the nature of souls, are all equally as far fr^m the truth, as are their
notions of virtue, and of a future state. To live over again after
death, another life, similar, in most respects to the present, subject
to the sinful passions and infirmities which now belong to their de-
praved natures, constitutes the heaven of the great mass of the peo-
ple of this land. Flow very different is all of this from the heaven
of the Bible ! That bringrtd view a state of the soul afler death trans-
cendently glorious and eternal. To be perfectly holy and to unite
with all holy beings in contemplating the immensity of God's works,
and in adoring the perfection)* of his character, are thenceforward to
be its destiny, its employments and its enjoyments forever. How
sad and painful then must be the thought to every benevolent mind,
tiiat so many thousands and miltibns of immortal beings, congregated
in this great city, and spread- abroad over tins vast empire, should
^ti^ continue, willfully ignorant, of their creator, of bis works, of his
requirements, and of the blessings of his grace !
2. Their stupidity. BbtH*the stupidity and the ignorance of the
iieathen, are chiefly the result of a criminal disinclination of
heart to search after the truth, and-to employ those means which
God his given themto find 'the path of duty. Thus age after age
|i:ive these heavens declared to* this people the glory of Cod,
and the (irmiment, with alPof Us starry hosts, has continued lo show
(brth his handy work. V^t alas!' They have heard no voice, have
received no insirnclion. Rnin, and sunshinei and fruitful seasons
continually bear witliess totbe providential ciirc and goodness of the.
1947. A Plea in behalf of China, :3i:)
anthfor ofall of these mercies, but yet the ear?« of the heathen are
clnsed against ail of thin testimony. Their idol^, temples, and all of
their most sacred ohjeot^ of worship, unless continually watched
o«er, and preserred from injury by human hands, soon go to decay.
While the works of the invisible God, both within and around them,
continue on in their certain and uniform- course without help or
hindrance on the part of man, yet stransfe to tell! '* the heathen in
hrs blindness, bows down to wood and stone, ^* and worships these
perishible things of his own hands, while the God of the universe
he< neither knows nor seeks after! Thiis have the inhabitants of
this land, " changed th& glory of the incorruptible God into an
image, made like tO' corruptible man; and to hirds, and fonr-ff>oted
beasts, and creeping things," and still' continue to worship the work
of their own hands, while most of them deny even the existence of
their Creator. Nor is this to be attrrbuted chiefly to their ignor-
ance, or to a want of the means of instruction; for after they have
been* frequently told what are the nature and the requirements of the
true God, they again turn to their idolatry and prostrate themselves
before their "stocks and 8tone9," as if " mad upon their idols."
Like the-heathen>of old, when they knowor are taught who the true
God is, "they do not glorify him as God, neither are they thankful,
but having become vain in their imaginations their fooli-4i hearts'
have been darkened, and' while profiling themselves to be wise;
they have become fools."
3. ' Their - inseBsibility, Of all of the desolating efleots of hea-
thenism upon the Chinese mind, none perhaps is more conspicuons;
or inore.painful to contemplate, than the insensibility which it has
induced in respect to moral and -religious suhjects. Therr oft re-
peated remark, that our religion may be best for us but that theirs is
best for them, gives but a very imperfect idea of their indifierence to
the claims, of the gospel. A large class of the Chinese are Biidhiitts
who have agreed together, to deny the existence of the author of
their own being, and of that of the universe, and hence, so far as the'
blindness of human depravity and the craft of Satanic influence can
go to prevent it the conscience is not allowed to assent her claims
or to utter her voice in defence of the truth, from early childhood
to old age. The. ideas of the other classes of the Chinese, respect-
ing " Tien,*' Heaven, arc geuerally, so uncertain and confused,
that their consciences are very little, if any more aflected by the*
truth, than are those of their Budhist neighbors. In all classes of
this people therefore, the great source of moral sensibility, the 'con-
334 A TUa in behalf of China. July,
science, is well nigh extinguished. Thus, as when one has lost the
power of vision, all colors, the day and night are alike dark to him ;
so in proportion as the conscience is injured or destroyed, in the
same proportion are moral distinctions observed or annihilated.
Hence secret sins, and sins of the heart which appear exceedingly
odious and deeply criminal to an enlightened mind are often unno-
ticed, or very little thought of by the heathen. The same is true in
respect to most sins, the heathen have to a great extent lost their
power to feel their heinousness, and we have reason to fear, that they
will never again exercise this power, until made to do so by the in-
fluences of the Holy Spirit Preach to them on the sin of idolatry,
one of the most offensive sins to a holy God which men can commit,
and your words seem to fall powerless upon their listless ears. If
you essay to tell them of the numerous instances of God's awful
displeasure at this sin recorded in his word, how he has swept from
the earth great and powerful nations, has let loose the desolating
scourages of war, pestilence, and famine^upon pagan countries, and
has utterly emptied their proud and populous cities of their inhabi-
tants, you seem to be only detailing incidents of history in which they
feel little or no concern as being themselves guilty of the same sins,
and deserving of the same punishments. The cold indifference with
which I have seen Chinamen for the first time, read over these start-
ling exhibitions of Jehovah's displeasure at the sin of idolatry, has
often forcibly reminded me of the great insensibility of their hearts,
to moral impressions. This insensibility, like a moral leprosy,
pervades and palsys their whole spiritual nature, throws their con-
sciences into a deep sleep, annihilates their sense of moral obligation,
personal responsibility and individual accountability, and seta up
the principle of selfishness, instead of the law of God, as the rule of
right, the standard of virtue. Hence ingratitude, pride, selfishness,
anger, blasphemy, covetousness, deception, lying, thieving and such
like sins, which deeply dishonor God's works, violate his law, and
provoke his wrath, are little thought of by the heathen. Not that
the- heathen about us are all publicly guilty of every one of these
sins, but the reason why they refrain from them is because of self
not because of God, and therefore, the guilt of any and of every sin,
in their minds, is in proportion as they may conceive it to be more
or less injurious to themselves. Hence it is, that the most aggravat-
ed offences in the sight of God, are often of the most trivial moment
in view of the heathen, and hence too, results their great insensi-
bility to the guilt and demerit of all sins. And thus alas! the
1847. A PUa in behalf of anna. 335
more roeritorious the heathen become in their own eves, so much
^he more deeply sunk in guilt do they become before God I And
the more religious they are in their own way, so much the more in*
sensible do they generally become to the right way !
4. Their spiritual bondage and moral servitude. Holy beings
alone are perfectly free in these refpects. So on the other hand,
just so far as moral agents become involved in sin, they are in bond-
age to sin. So the apostle reasons ; " Know ye not " says he, *' that
to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to
whom ye obey ; whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto
righteousness?" And hence as the heathen are deeply involved in
sin* so are they to the same extent subject to the bondage of sin.
One great element of this bondage is their ignorance. This ex-
cludes from the heathen mind blessings and enjoyments exceedingly
great and precious, and shuts it up within very narrow and debasing
limits. Their stupidity and insensibility likewise add many a long
and heavy link to their chain of spirittial bondage. The human
soul was formed by its author, for freedom, for activity, for enlarge*
ments. But heathenism destroys its freedom, pnlsys its activity,
stint its growth, and makes its exercises and enjoyments, selfish,
sensual, and earthly. It moreover not only deprives its subjects of
their intellectual and moral freedom and dearest rights, but it ap-
points for them a servile, debasing, and useless task to perform. And
thus in the language of the prophet, do they " lavish gold out of the
bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith ; and he
roaketh it a god; they fall down; yea they worship. They bear him
upon the shoulders, they carry him and set him in his place, and he
standeth ; from his place shall he not remove ; yea, one shall cry unto
him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his troubles."
While the poor of the land* who have not gold or silver to waste
upon such vanities, content themselves with making and worshiping
idols of paper, clay, wood, and stone. And thus* lamentable to state,
toys and practices befitting the fancies of children, become Ihe
gods and the religious worship of this people ! This leads us to
notice,
5. Their destitution of moral virtue. By this is here meant
conduct performed out of respect to the will of God. Herein con«
sists mainly the guilt of the heathen, because they perform no act
oat of respect to the true God, and are therefore entirely under jthe
dominion of the principle of selfishness. This principle of supreme
selfishness governing the unrenewed heart, leads to the commission
a26 A Plea in bf half of China. Jui.v,
ofall of the akinunatioiis cliarg(*(l upon the heuheii in the word of the
God> Hence, as the heathen in different ages and countries, have *
been publicly guilty of all of. these sins which the scriptures charge
them of hiving committed, so when a heathen people, as the Chinese
for example, do not openly conr.nit every one of them, we-are not to
conclude that their hearts have been improved, but that this difier-
epce in external conduct miy be owing simply to a difference of
circumstances. ** As in water, face answereth to face ; so the heart
of man to man." The word of God was given to teach us what is
the- real, state, of every unrenewed heart, and -consequeutly of that of
every heathen, before God. The rites and ceremonies and external
conduct of heathen nations, differ in different countries,, and are con-
tinually changing more or less, in the same countries, but the hearts
of idolaters of the pi'esent day are no less offensive to God than were
those of the heathen in the days of Paul, and of the prophets. Hence
the sins which the heathen commit against their feIIowii[ien,t consti-
tute but a small part of their guilt before God. Idolatry, destroys
all ju3t ideas and correct worship of the true God, it annihilates both .
the knowledge and the practice of virtue, and consequently must
exclude iu votaries from the holiness and the happiness of heaven.
And. therefore it is doubtless, that idolatry is placed at the head of
all sins. The first two commandments of the decalogue are occupi-
ed in forbidding and warniug. against this -sin« And this is -the sin
too \n reaped to which, God declares that he " will visit the iniquity
of the fathers upon their children, even to the third and fourth ge-
necation// We ure therefore not to judgq of the guilt of the heathen/,
before God, or of their, danger of eternal- ruin simply by their- ge- -.
n^cai. appearance and external conduct towards their, fellowmen, but .
must form our estimate of their situation. in these- respects, from tbe.i
word of God. Hence, the most soft and delicate, finsrered .disciple .*
of Budha throughout this great empire^ who professes to shudder at
the ^bought; of taking the life even of an insect,, but. who worships a .
senseless idol far inferior to the mesnest insect, may, be more guilty
before God,, than the most Wood thirsty savage who roams through -
the wilderness, and conse<juently be still farther from heaven and .
eternal happiness. Th^.*' red man of the forest," when he sets him-
self down in his rude cabin at the. approach of. departing day^ and ^
remembers that_he is.amenable to that Great Spirit who dwells be-
yond the moon and the star?,, may have a sigh in view of his past
siins— may 4iiter a groan over the hardness of his heart, — and may r
at len<nh, offer .up a prayer of penitence in view of. his. guilt,
1847. A Pka in bthalf of China, 327
which, through the bhx)d of the everlastings corenatit, may be uo
meam of saving his soul. But for the Budhist, there can be the
genuine sorrow and sincere penitence for sin, because he acknow-
ledges the existence of no God. Tiierefore we must conclude, that
the heathen about us, Budhists especially, are entirely destitute of
moral virtue or the fear of God, and that without a knowledge and
reception of the gospel their salvution is impossible. So the word of
God assuresnis. that "without," i. e. the heavenly Jerusalem, " are
dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idola-
ters;" that *' Idolaters fhall not enter into the kingdom of heaven ;"
and again, that '* Idolaters shall have their portion in the lake which
burneth with fire and brimstone."
Rtjirriions,
The difference between Christi.inity and heathenism, is immeasur-
ably great. The former is light, the latter darkness. The former
enlightens, frees, strengthens, elevates and purifies the mind and the
aflTeotions of the heart ; while the latter, only darkens, weakens,
enslaves, and debases all of the^e noblest powers of man. Heathen-
ism may be compared to the lonely wilds of an interminable desert
which yields but a scanty subsistence to the weary traveler, and
gives him no means of knowing when, or where, or how, his tedious
wanderings will end. Christianity on the other hand, may be compar-
ed to a well watered and fruitful countrv, with hills and vales and cul-
tivated fields, and a broad and plain road running throuorh the midst
thereof, and leading directly to the celestial city. In the desert the
burning sands and searching sun waste the pilgrim*s strength in the
daytime, while noisome reptiles beneath his feet, and the distant howl
of beasts of prey, alarm his fears by night. So while the poor idolater,
wanders from temple to temple, ami bows bown himself Va the num-
berless and nameles.i idols of heathenism, his soni famishes for the
bread of life, noxious .spirits flit across his path and throng his dwelling
by day, while " in the night season " his sleep is oflen disturbed,
through fear of ghosts, a sudden death, and of an untried hereafter.
Thus does heathenism deliver over its subjects into the arms of " the
wicked -one," whose cold embr.*»ee only perpetuates their moral death
in^this world, and whose presence and inflneuce will only add to their
pains and sorrows in the world'to come. Christianity on the other
hmd^ has for its author the great shepherd of Is rael, who never
slumbers nor sleeps,*— who loves h s people as his own body, — who
lead^ tbem'Hito greju pasture.*) and beside the t»l«ll waters,— and who
3ti8 A Plea in behalf of China, Jvlt,
gives them ** to eat of the bidden mauna " of his grace. Christ
never leaves his people, never forsakes them. When thej wander
away from him, and pierce themselves through with many sorrows,
he looks after them with more than a father's faithfulness, chides thera
for their faults, gives them repentance for their sins, and kindly leads
them back to his fold. When tempted, he delivers them, — when in
trouble, he comforts them, — makes their bed in sickness, — heals their
inBrmities, — sanctifies them by his spirit, — preserves them by his
grace, and afterwards receives them to glory. And there, before an
assembled universe be acknowledges them as his jewels, and purchas-
ed with his own blood ; bids them welcome to the glorious mansions
of his Father's house ; and invests them with all of the prerogatives
of the sons of God.
2. The change from heathenism to Christianity is likewise im*
measurably great. It is a moral resurrection. *' You hath he quick-
ened," says the Apostle, " who were dead in trespasses and sins."
The heathen exchanges his darkness for light, his bondage for free-
dom, his fears for joys. His former ignorance is dissipated by the
light of the gospel, his stupidity is broken up and destroyed in view
of present and etern^il realities, and his cold insensibility is melted
into penitence and love, by the infinite compassion of the Son of God.
He now looks upon his former state and prospects, with surprise^
shame, abhorrence, and deep self-loathing. He calls to mind the
•'wormwood and the gall," the hard and bitter bondage of heathen-
ism wherein he had served during his whole life before, and in
consequence of which he had forsaken his Father and his God, had
wasted his heavenly inheritance, had despised both the message and
the me8sen|rer8 of the prince of peace, and had sold himself to work
iniquity with greediness, — all of these things, he readily calls to mind,
his soul hath them continually in remembrance from day to day. l*he
genuine convert to Christianity has had his eyes opened to perceive his
real situation before God, his ears have been unstopped to hear the
voice of Jehovah declaring, that he will " visit the iniquity of idola-
ters upon their children even to the third and fourth generation, and
»bow mercy unto thousands who love him . and keep his command*
nients," snd his soni is so imbued with the truth and spirit of Goi,*
that he cannot rest, he cannot be concealed, nor will be -hold- his
peace from declaring what the Lord hath done for his soul. . • 7
[ would not here be understood to affirm that every real convert
will invariably exhibit all of these exercises in the same degree, but
what is iiere asserted is that he will unquestionably exhibit them all
1847. A Plea in behalf of China. 929
in kind. Nor is it here affirmed that such will not again occasionally
fall into sin. This, considering what human nature- is, is what we
may expect, and it is what the Bible authorises us to expect. So
does the same Bible authorise us to belicye that such converts, when
brought to see their sins will exercise penitence and godly sorrow
in view of them, just as certainly as it is, that they are the true
children of God. This indeed must be our evidence that they are
such and without this evidence, we 'have no right to acknowledge
them as being truly converted . men*^ . For by so doing, we only de.
ceive ourselves^ excite ▼ain and unreasonable expectations in the
minds of others, cast a reproach upon Christianity itself, and may be
the means of ruining immortal souls forever. It is well known that
the Chinese have been more or less conversant with a nominal Chris-
tianity for centuries, and that scores of thousands of them have re-
ceived baptism and assumed the Christian name, who nevertheless
for the most part, have given very little evidence of having been
"born again" as taught by Christ himself. ' Here we see how it is,
that men should be able to report so great numbers of baptism and
converu to the Christian faith among the Chinese, while the great
mass of the people have isontinued bigoted heathens from age to age,
down to the present time. It has been a nominal Christianity simply,
. and.as such« has done very little towards tbe moral renovation of
China. But such was not the faith which Paul preached, nor is it
theipower of that Gospel "which brings into captivity every thought
to the obedience of Christ," which " overcomes the world, makes
men new creatures in Christ, and which causes even the 'converted
heathen to' "shine as lights in the world."
3.. The influence of Christianity is indispensable to a perfect state
of society. The Chinese according to their own historians, laid the
foundations of this city more than four thousand years ago. The
climate, soil, water communication and other natural advantages of
this country, are equal, if not superior to most of the other countries
of the earth.' This people have bad a written language in which to
record, and to perpetuate, * the wisdom of their ages, the experience
of their rulers, the discoveries, inventions and knowledge of their
wisest and best men, from the earliest ages to the present time. l*hey
have also enjoyed most favorable opportunities of becoming acquain-
ted with the productions of every clime, and with the institutions,
laws, and religion of every civilised nation on earth. The conclusion
therefore is irresistible, that if man were ever able to attain to a per-
fect state of society independent of the influence of Christianity, the
VOL. XVI. NO. VII. 42
330 A Plea in behalf 0/ CUnd, July,
Chinese should ha?e attained to this state of civilization, centuries,
if not thousands of years ago.
4. Our subject reminds us how much we are indebted as Christians,
to the gospel for our present enjoyments and futnre prospects. Our
European ancestors were once a dark-minded race of idolaters, and
probably more degraded than ftny of the Chinese about us, for they
were wont to offer up in sacrifice, the fruit of their own bodies for
thesins of their souls. And had not that dark cloud of heathenism
^hich brooded over them for so many ages, been dissipated by the
liglit of the gospel, we had now been the pitiless offspring of degrad-
ed.and idolatrous parents. The spring and summer of our childhood
and youth had been passed with but little either of mental or moral
culture, and the season of manhood and of old age, had produced
little else than a harvest of ignorance, selfishness, insensibility and
moral death. In that case, we had commenced and ended our so-
journ in this world, in the darkness of heathenism. Our relations
and duties to our creator, and to our fellow men, we had been hut
rfMKxIy prepared either in mind or in heart to understand, or to ap-
preciate. Hence if there be now; any light, or any moral goodness
in .118, any regard for truth, honesty and propriety, any desires afler
holiness, any fear of oflfending our maker, and any delight in his
service, they are. all his free and sovereign gifl. And he is now say.
ing to us, and to the whole Christian church, as well in his providence
as In his word, " Look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to
the hole of the pit, whence ye are digged."
Finally (4) our subject reminds us of the importance of giving
much attention to the moral condition of this people. That which
most deeply concerns us as Christians respecting them, is the glory
of God and the eternal good of their immortal souls. And when we
daily. behold the former so universally trodden in the dust, and the
latter, in such fearful danger of endless ruin, our own souls should
be filled with anxiety for the one, and with deep and tender com-
passion towards the other. Thiis was it with Paul when he beheld
the proud and populous city of Athens ** wholly given to idolatry,"
his " spirit was stirred in him." So Daniel exclaims, " Rivers of
water run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law." And
so did a greater than David " weep over " the rebellious and devoted
city of Jerusalem.— The long night of pagan darkness which has
hitherto rested upon this great empire, begins to break.^the
«<coufused noise" of war has ceased, — "garments rolled in blood,"
1847. Rigulaiions to prenent Fires. 331
have disappeared,— >and the mingled voices of more than three
hundred millions of immortal beings are now beginning to be more
and more distinctly heard. Their cry is that of those who are still
in darkness. " The light of the glorious gospel of the blessed God,"
does not yet illumine their paths. The Bread of the son of God/
does not yet refresh their famishing souls. Spiritual death reigns
thrcmghout this great city, and over this vast empire. O je blood-
bought disciples of Jesus I Do ye hear the deep toned accents of the
millions and hundreds of millions of this land, who are thus living a
life of spiritual death? Do ye behold them wandering from God and
holiness, loving the practiceof sin, famishing for the Bread of life,
tortured with a guilty conscience, and continually bowed down under
the hard and bitter bondage of the great adversary of both God and
man ? Such had surely been your situation, but for the gospel and
love of Christ. Do ye then truly love him who hath done so much
for you? Do ye have fellowship with his sufferings? can ye with the
blessed Savior, " weep over '' his enemies? with him delight to make
sacrifices for their rescue ? And with him rejoice over them when
they return to his fold ? Manifest we beseech you. your attachment
to him and to his cause, by your future conduct, " Freely ye have
received, freely give."
.My dear hearers, the registry of another year's events is nearly
completed. What the recording angel has written, has been written.
The past cannot be recalled, but the future may be improved. ** Seek
ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is
near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his
thoughts, and let him return unto the Ijord, and he will have mercy
upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." Amkn.
^^M^^MMWMMMMMftAA«WMWM4A«^AM*M^V^^
Art. IL Regulations to prevent Jires and promote the pubHc secu^
rity. Translated from the Chinese for the Repository.
Hwui-LUH is the author of calamities. The same occasions of fear
have been discovered to exist among the moderns as among the an*
cients. The shopkeepers about the environs of the city are continu-
ally incurring misfortunes. Thus has it been for a long time. Al-
though these judgments of heaven are distributed promiscuously, and
332 Regulations to prevent Fires. July,
every place has its allotted portion, still when men discharge faith-
fully their own duties, heaven cannot visit calamities upon them. If
indeed measures are devised for the prevention of fires, and no means
is left unprovided — , then although it will not be possible to remedj
the disasters from fire which have already occurred, still it is prac*
ticable to prevent their recurrence in future. *^' - v'
' As to the means of extinguishing ftres at present in possession of
the metropolis there is nothing superior in quality to our fire en-
gines. But if a fire occurs when the wind is high, and engines are
not immediately upon the spot, and if there be no means devised for
arresting the flames, they must of course continue to spread until
the conflagration becomes general, and they can be subdued only
with the greatest difficulty. Therefore the following provisions
have been made in order to arrest the fire at the outset. It is es-
pecially to be desired that they be reduced to practice.
It is necessary that jcisterns and Jars for water be set in order up-
on the roofs of the houses with troughs of bamboo, firehooks, and
wooden poles, and whenever a fire occurs, then to break open the
roofs and pour in the water in all directions, and thus contrive by
all means, if possible to extinguish the fire at the commencement:
The only fear is that the measures contrived may not be faithfully
carried into execution, and then when the time comes for reaping
their benefit men fold their hands without resource and give up all
tor lost. . .. . : •
Accordingly several regulations have been devised directing how
to proceed oh such occasions, and are presented in what follows. It
belongs to the wise and generous of heart to reduce them to prac-
tice.
1'. It is proposed that the shops be each furnished with two large
cisterns and twenty shiall jars. With every cistern there must be
provided an earthen basin of aTboderate size, and placed in the cis-
tern, to be used for pouring the water. The large cisterns are in-
tended to hold a great quantity of water to be constantly in readi-
ness for use. Large troughs also are to be furnished for conveying
the water in various directions. The jars are to serve likewise in
passing the water about. This matter of having the cisterns and
jars prepared and set in order is one which must not be neglected.
2. It is designed that every cistern should have a large bamboo
trough, and thus have the water conveyed about from place to place,
for use. Tallow of the fir tree is also to be boiled with tree oil, and
^he inside of the troughs to be anointed with this, in order to pre-
1847. Regulations to prevent Firer. 333
vent their being cracked by the cold of winter. Every trough is to be
set on stands with a wooden railing on each side. When they come
to be used a support for the trough is to be placed at the mouth of
the cistern. In order to prevent their being disordered or upset, it
is designed that men be stationed at the sides of the troughs .to keep
them in order, and also to pass communications from one to the
oiher^ From the water which is near a stream is to be formed and
ted' off to that which is more remote, passing from cistern to cistern
in-order. The connection between those nearer and more distant
must not be broken off, lest the water run out and be wasted.
3. It is proposed that cisterns and jars be arranged according to
tWlregulationa, at the distance of a yard from each other upon every
bouse. On the roofs are to be placed by the left side at the head of
the'wall, in front one cistern with the small jars and in the rear the
same number of vessels and tn the same manner as iu front. In the
first arrangement of the cisterns they must be so adjusted with refer*
ence to each other, that the lower shall regularly succeed those
which are higher ; also the contiguous troughs must be so fitted to-
gether as to form a continuous -stream, that the water may pass off
ini an even- current. Then they can be joined and 'used as occasion
shall require.
' '4. As soon as a fire is discovered a connection is to be formed be*
tween- the adjoining shops counting five in all from left to right, and
three in all from front to rear. The whole number of cisterns will
be thirty and of the jars three hundred. Then when the flames first
bretk out the water is to be freely distributed and poured in upon
them. They will in this manner be easily overcome and extinguished.
5. It is proposed that every shop shall be furnished with a cou-
ple- of iron hooks and with two wooden poles; each to be ten
feet or more in length. If they are shorter than this it is to be
feared that when they come to be applied to use the fire and smoke
will suffocate the persons who use them. The iron: spike is to be
curved at one end in order more conveniently to book up the tiles.
The tiles being raised the water is then to be poured in. The rafters
and cross-pieces must not be removed so as to throw down the jars
which will be easily broken.
.'6. II Jt is proposed to have constantly on hand, iron hooks and
wooden poles, with bamboo troughs and trough supports. Ropes
are to be suspended from the eaves of the houses over the walls and
near to the sky-lights, to be used in case of emergency. But if they
are placed here and there- at randomi \\^en it will not be possible to
334 Regulations to prevent Fires. July
find them when they are wanted, and the mistake will be too late to
be remedied.
7. It is proposed to employ watchmen, with fixed wages, on the
first and sixth of each month to ascend the roofo and fill the cisterns
and jars with water, thus avoiding a failure in case of need, which
would be a mistake of no slight consequence.
8. It is proposed in order to furnish instruments for the preven-
tion of fires tha^ the respective owners of the shops bear one half of
the expense, and those associated with them the other half. On
these terms the public is pledged to provide for the permanent se-
curity of individuals against fire.
9. When fire is apprehended in any place* he whose duty it is
to be on the lookout, will take his stand upon the roof, and piercing
through two or three of the tiles, observe whether there be any fire
or smoke issuing from below. In this manner if there be a fire it
will be discovered and its ravages avoided.
This document was circulated and posted up as early as the twenty-
first year of Kiaking. But men appear to have lightly regarded it, as
they have not yet fully carried its requisitions into effect A few only
have recently prepared the cisterns and jars as required. Their
number is still inconsiderable. The houses are not yet all furnished
in the same manner. In many cases also there are no troughs pro-
vided for conveying the water about The cisterns are indeed in
some instances arranged, but the aqueducts are not connected with
each other as required. There are moreover no long hooks to raise
up the tiles for pouring in the water. The proper measures' have not
yet been taken. This •document is therefore again presented to the pu-
blic notice. If those families which have the ability will have regard
to those which have not, and will aid them to overcome the difficulty
of supplying the cisterns and jars with water to be conducted
in various directions, then they will not only benefit others, but fire
being thus prevented from communicating to their own buildings
they will thus secure advantage to themselves.
It is only for them to see that the measures here Recommended be
faithfully carried into execution. Then the matter of fires will be
put to rest, and men may rejoice in their possessions and abide in
their dwellings in safety. How is it possible that any individual or
family should be actuated by purely selfish considerations^ without
any regard to the security of others.
Every one ought to look beyond the present and not grudge a lit-
tle expense^ But if, as it respects this proposition, only five in ten
1847. Litter f row M. Oranc^tan, 335
give their assent, and thus five families making the necessary arrange-
ments set an example for the rest, it is believed that all will finally
come to the same determination. It is also necessary that the public
furnish a discreet and able'^man who shall be appointed to procure
labor and have the general oversight of business. Then if he give
his sole and undivided attention to affairs, they will proceed without
difficulty, and the trouble of endless discussions will be avoided.
The exact record of Lf ChAngjin of the District of Ninbai. Print-
ed and published by Kung, at the Kingshu Office.
^WIMfVVM^WW^MMM'MAAMMMM^N
Art. III. Letter from M. Qrwadjean^ Missionaire apostolique, to
his family. (From the Annaks de la Pro, de la Foi,)
My dear Parents, — I arrived from Laos, where I was sent by my
superiors last year, soon afler the cessation of the rains. Although
my journey has been unsuccessful, and I have not ever had the con*
solation of administering bHptism to a single dying child, I will never*
thefess give you an account of it, which will not be without interest
to you, since it relates to a country and to a people yet so little
known in Europe. * J\
I left Bangkock on the 5th December, 1843, with four rowers;
accompanied by M. Vachal, a missionnry, who had been in Siam
about a year, and who was in another boat. - From Bangkock to
Latteon-Lavan, a^own which we reached on th6 16th Dec, the
borders of the Meinam are very populous ; we continually find houses
scattered here and there along the banks; from time to time large
villages appear, and almost every day some small towns are met with
where a governor resides. So far the river is not very rapid, and the
voyage is rather pleasant. But when Latteon-Lavan is passed, the
horizon gradually contracts and becomes sombre ; to the right and
left we begin to perceive mountains, between which the Meinam
precipitates itself with the force of a torrent, covered with large up-
rooted trees, which it carries away at the' time of the rains, and
which are afterwards left more or Ibss fikedUn the sand. When the
inundation is over, this obstacle* rfencfers it itnpossible to travel' at
night, and even makes the navigation perilous by day, for ' the boat
frequently strikes against one of these trunks half hidden by the water,
which often are not seen in time to shuivthem.
a36 Letter from M, Chandjean. July,
The borders of the river consist only of vast forests, almost impe-
netrable, filled with tigers and other ferocious animals, which render
it impossible to sleep near the shore ; so that one is obliged to make
fast the boat at a distance from these dangerous banks. For the rest,
it is only after two, three and four days journey that a wretched vil-
lage is met with, where nothing can be purchased; the towns «re
placed at very long intervals: — we only saw one, very small, from
Latteon-Lavaii to Rahang, where we arrivedon the 31st of December.
In all these regions there reigns such a scarcity, that we could
with difficulty procure sufficient rice : fortunately we had brought with
us from Bangkock a good provision of dried fish, and our people from
time to time killed us some pelicans, or some large herons ; without
which we should have often been obliged to content ourselves with
our rice only. We regaled ourselves with one of these birds on
Christmas day, upon a beautiful sand bauk, where we bad stopped to
pass this. holy day. ,\ ^^
For the rest, the first month passed without any disagreeable ac»
cident, and without any one thinking of stopping us; for as we were
both in boats called Annamiies, and which the couriers of ^he king
usually employ for their, messages, we were everywhere taken for
messengers of the prince, so that the governors and officers of custona
did not dream of demanding of our people who they were, norwheie
they were going. As for us, of course in touching at stations subject-
ed to the surveillaaee of officers, we were careful not to shew our
faces. However when we arrived at Rahang, b, considerable town,
only distant twenty or thirty leagues from Moulmein which belongs
to the English, on the Gulf of Bengal, we found there a very severe
customs officer who does not allow a^ single boat to circulate without
a pass; we did not try to pass this post- stealthily; as we- had
done elsewhere; but we judged it better to show ourselves directly
and in open day to the governor, to see if it would not be possible to
gain him by some small presents, reserving to ourselves, in case
of refusal, to try the passage in another manner. I then . took
with me a bottle of eau de cologne, a small packet of tea and a pair
of scissors, and boldly presenting myself before him, I announced to
him that we were Bad Luang de Bangkock (for so they call ua);
that we intended to go to Xieng-Mai the capital of western Laos,
knd that we did not wish to pass without seeing him and. pfiering
him some-tokens of our friendship, ^fter this opening,, and without
giving him time to reply, I asked* him which of two roads he thought
1S47. Letter from M. Grandjean. 337
the most easy, — whether to continue our route in a boat, or to go
by laud with elephants.
I hoped by this tone of assurance to make htm believe that we were
all right, and that it would be useless to require any proof of it. But
my ruse did not succeed, for his first word was to ask us if we had
passports. Yes, we have them, I quickly replied. We had in fact
a paltry letter of a Christian mandarin, which in substance ^bore that
he had orders from, such » prince to all the governors of towns, chiefs
of villages and of customs to allow to pass freely some Bad Luang,
who went to visit the Christian Chinesie and A nnamites, scattered
through the kingdom ; but he did not say that we were permitted to
preach to the peasants, much less, that we could pass. the frontier.
. As he demanded to see the pass, it was necessary to give him this
. letter, on which we placed no reliance, but which the difficult case
in which we found ourselves, obliged me to exhibit. By the grace
of Qod, it was imperfectly understood, and was looked upon as a
recommendation emanating from the prince who was mentioned in the
letter. Thus: he was careful of stopping us. On the contrary, after
having read this paper, the governor told us that we were free to go
where we wished ; as to prosecuting our route by the river, he added
we could not do so on account of the numerous cascades which are
met with ; at the worst we could go by land with elephants; but the
roads being very difficult we had much better take a river which he
mentioned to us, and which would conduct us to a town called Thoen,
from which we would easily reach. Xieng-Mai with the. elephants. I
replied that we would follow his advice. A fler having obtained from
liim % letter which was a passport in good and proper form to pene.
trate into Laos^ wc continued our route towards Thoen, where we ar-
i^rived in seven days.
As you see, we passed the new year somewhat in the same manner
. . as we had done the Christmas festivities. We had not a bird to eat
, on this day, but we regaled ourselves with dried fish and salted egg?,
. which we had bought at Rahang. I thought a little of the holy day,
of you both, and of persons who are dear to mo ; alas ! it was not in
my power to offer up for them the holy mass. Arrived at Thoen, we
. confided our boats to the governor, and engaged elephants to traverse
the immense mountains which we had before us. They do. not form
a very high chain ; but they are filled with savage elephants, tigers,
: and panthers, which render the defiles exceedingly dangerous. We
took five days to pass them, during which we passed the nights in the
open air, having only the shade of the trees to guard us from the dew,
VOL. XVI. NU. VII. 43
'3218 Letter from il. Grandjcan. Jutr,
BxiA large fires lighted around our camp to preserve us from the wild
beasts. These fires, which we were careful to keep up until day,
served also to warm us ; for you are aware that in the month of Ja*
nuiiry, in the middle of forests, and at a latitude of twenty degrees or
less, we come, above all during the darkness, to breathe a very cold
air.
When we arrived at the top of the highest of these mountains, and
we were permitted to cast our eyes over this poor Labs, where a mis-
sionary had never before set his foot, T felt moved ; a thousand differ-
ent thoughts passed through my mind ; not able to contain the move-
ments which agitated my soul, I chanted with a loud voice the Tc
Deum^ to thank God for having assisted me to penetrate into these
infidel regions, amongst these nations for so many ages debarred
from the light of the Gospel. I th^n sung the Vtni Creator, to
conjure the Lord that he would be pleased to complete his work,
and cause the holy seed to fructify a hundred fold which I was
soon going to commit to this new ground, at present all covered
with brambles and thorns. It is scarcely possible, it is true, to find
any one who sings worse than myself; but as these mountains, until
then cursed of heaven, had never before the happiness to hear the God
praised who made them, I assure you that they were so enchanted
with my voice, that it may he said that they delighted themselves,
by tlieir echoes, to repeat in emulation my accents.
During all this time, I traveled alone with two smalf servants who
accompanied me. My brother, who was slightly indisposed, followed
' tci^ at a distance mounted on an elephant. When we had descended
into the plain, we traveled for two days over a very large and very
pretty country, which appeared to have borne a good crop of rice :
they were gathering the harvest. At last we arrived safe and son: d
at Xieng-Mai, on the 18th January 1844. This little journey on
elephants cost us about twenty frands without reckonings the expense
of food which amounted in whole to my brother, myself, two men,
and three young boys, to six francs. At day break, they cook the
rice, which they quickly eat, and then travel for fours hours in the
morning without stopping. They then make a second meal similar to
that of the morning, afler which they abandon themselves to merri-
menl and to prattle near the fires which they have kindled for the
ni|?h*' J r T •
There are ordinarily distinguished two kinds of Laocians, one of
wlwm are called Thoung-Dam, that is B lack-he lit es, and the other
who are called Thoung-Kkao, that is White-bellies. They are thus
1847. Letter from 31. Grrmdjcan, , 339
iinmed because the men of the race of Black-bellies, when they arrive
at the age of 14 or IG years, are accustomed to have drawn upon their
bodies different figures of men, flowers, elephants, tigers, serpents and
other animals. This operation they perform by making, by means
pf many needles joined together, anumber of punctures upon the epi-
dermis ; they then apply a black ink which brings out all the designs
traced upon the skin; they bathe themselves gently afterwards,
and the impression is ineffaceable. The tatoeing is not executed with-
out pain; for they are obliged to bind the patient, who generally
continues sick for 15 days, and who sometimes even dies. However,
as the young Liocians cannot obtain wives if they lack this kind of
beauty, there is not one amongst them who does not voluutarily submit
to this painful operation. The W/die^ellies, on the other hand, are
contented with their natural graces.
All these people extend, on the north to the frontiers of China, on
the south to the kingdom of Siam ; to the east they march with Co-
chinchina and Tong-king, and on the west with the Birman empire.
The western region belongs to the WMte-bellies, the Black-bellies
occupy the provinces of the east. They are divided into a multitude
of petty kingdoms, of which the prince of each has the power of life
and death ; but, with the exception of two or three only, they are
dependent on the king of Siam, who names them or deposes them at
his-own pleasure; they are, moreover, obliged to pay him an annual
tribute. Nevertheless, as they are at a great di:;tance fromBangkock,
and as, if united, they could cause the whole power of Siam to trem-
ble, the sovereign prince has a great respect for them, he manages
these crowned vassals gently, and always makti^them some presents
when they carry tjieir tributes.
In general the WiUte-bellies, do not very much regard their talapoiiis
or their idols ; their character approaches to that of the Cochinclii-
nese, and it appears that it would not be difRcult to convert them to
Christianity. The Black-bellies , on the other hand, have a nature
which differs very little icom the Siamese; they are strongly attached
to their pagodas, to their religious books, and whoever amongst them
has not been a talapoin, for sometime at least, is generally despised ;
they call him schondib, that is kard-maa or profane, and he cannot
easily find a wife; they are otherwise subject to the most gross su*
perstitions.
I should have preferred to have placed myself at first with the
White-bellies, as presenting a more sure and at least as abundant a
harvest, but Mgr. the Ap:>8tolic Vicar did not judge it expedient, or
340 Letter from M. Grandjean, July,
rather he believed that it was more important to hasten to take in
some sort possession of the west, because these people being only
some fifteen days journey from Moulmein where there are protestants,
he was afraid that the biblists established in that city would not miss
sowing amongst them their errors, before we could enlighten them
with the brightness of the faith. However, as we know these coun«
tries from our own experience, we have no such dread, and we are
very certain that the ministers who cannot take a step without their
wives and children, could never think of sleeping for fifteen days in
the midst of tigers, in order to come to reside in a country where,
with all their gold and their silver, they could not procure themselves
any of the material comforts of life.
After having said a word in general upon the BlaeMellies and
the Wlute^Uies it now becomes necessary to speak more par-
ticularly of the kingdom of Xieng-Mal; where I have resided for
two mouths and a half. This kingdom is the farthest to the west of
all thie states of Laos, and it is also one of the most considerable.
The capital, which bears the same name, is built at the foot and to
the east of a pretty high mountain, a large and beautiful plain. It
has a double girdle of walls, both surrounded by broad and deep*
ditches. The'interior circumference is^ i.f the king is to be believed
who told me, a thousand fathoms loifg bf nine hundred broad. As
this city is built somewhat similar to all those of India, that is the
houses do not touch each other and are surrounded by trees and little
gardens, it is not easy to estimate the population. The eldest son of
the king assured me that it contained more than a hundred thousand
souls; but he evidently exaggerated, and largely; after having travers-
ed Xieng-Mai many times and in all directions, I do not believe that
we can give it more thaii 20,000 inhabitants, even including the dif-
ferent suburbs, which are without the walls. To the east of the city,
4ud at only three or four minutes from the fortified space, runs a
river the banks of which are partly covered with houses : unfortunate-
ly they are all inhabited by the bankrupts of Bangkock, who have
fled there changing their names, to shun the pursuit of their creditors-
The king willingly gives them asyhim, because -they increase his
power and revenues. In this state the. villages are very numerous;
but not having seen them, I cannot 'state th« total population.
Wine, pigs and poultry are plentiful ; on the other hand there are
few fish, and these Very small, and almost no vegetables; so much
so that during lent and on the Fridays and Saturdays we had nothing
lb eut but eggs, with the leaves of a very bitter kind of radish ; there
1847. _ Letter from M. Grandjean. ^iV
was every day the same repetition without any change. The piga
and fowls are reserved for rich persons. Money also, is so scarce
that few families could allow themselves the use of flesh. They com-
monly live on rice, wiihout any other seasoning than a kind of very
strong red pepper, to which the mouth of an European can scarcely
accustom itself, or little fishes which they pound and cause to rot
previously ; I never could prevail upon myself to eat them.
These people have a great many cattle, very small, which have
scarcely any milk* and which they never think of milking. When we
told them that in our country the milk of the cow was much esteemed,
and that it formed a aavoury food, they laughed and only held our
countrymen in contempt. As for oxen and elephants, although they
also ahound, the inhabitants seldom kill them, and only eat the flesh
when die from old age. They are employed in cultivating the
fields, to carrj the cotton which they purchhse in the neighoring
kingdoms, and to bring in the rice in the harvest time.
This transport,' which I have oflen witnessed* is made in too curi-
ous and too amusing a manner not to have a word about it. They
beat the rice upon the field where they have gathered it ; then; when
the grain is gathered into heaps, they go every morning, each with a
train of fifteen, twenty or thirty oxen. The first of these oxen, that
is the one which walks at the head of the troop, generally has the
head covered with garlands surmounted with a bunch of peacocks
feathers, and the' neck surrounded with little bells. All these animals
have two kinds of baskets on their backs, which hang each side, and
which are filled with rice, after which they return to the city making
a dreadful bustle ; for the bridge which is at the gates of the city, not
having a breadth of more than two fathoms, the convoys which are
entering come in contact with those going out. A general melee
results. Each one runs hither and thither to find his wandering
cattle; the shouts of the drivers, the lowing of the oxen, are mixed
with ringing of a thousand bells. The elephants at a grave pace,
come into the midst of this rout, with their large bells which have
each a different tone ; then the buffaloes scared by the ringing open, by
charging all in the breach, a merciless g:ip, followed by their masters
who cry : ntn tua ha di Hhuai Souak, that is, take care Itake care !
a mad buffalo! At last the idle spectators who gather in crowds,
increase the tumult more, by their cries and their incessant shouts
of laughter. The whole make a truly comical affray, a scene made
np of the trunks of elephants, horns of oxen, of Laocian sticks, which
rise, fall, and cross in all directions; sod the spectacle which com-
3>13 Letter. from 3f. GnuidjeaH. July,
meiices at break ofilay, is prolonged until 9 or 10 o'clock, the lime
when the carrying is stopped, because the sun has become too hoi.
Sach for some is the labor, for others the sport of the month of
January.
With these people the cultivation is almost confined to rice. lu*
dttstry is by no means flourishing. As the river which goes to Bang*
-kock is very dangerous (from Xieng-Mai to Rahang thirty two cas-
cades are reckoned, where many boats are lost each year) and the
communication, with the other towns can only be made by elephants
and across mountains without end, there are few of the Laocians who
devote themselves to commerce. As for those who have gathered in
their harvest, they live in almost perfect idleness until the month of
June or July when they again begin to labor their fields. For the
same reason they have very little currency, and almost all the pur-
chases are made by barter. iSalt above all holds a very im|M>rtant price
in their transactions ;. with it they can procure whatever they want ; it
conies from Bangkock and is sold very dear at Xieng-Mai.
The laws of the kingdom are of a very severe nature; for a con-
siderable robbery, they have the penalty of death, and for a simple
larceny repeated three time?, the same sentence is incurred. Theft is
therefore not so frequent as at Bangkock. Although there are a great
numberof drunkards at Xieng-Mai (the natives make all the wine
of rice, which they drink to excess) they very rarely fight or dispute.
During the whole time that I Jived in this country, I only heard of
one quarrel, and that was between females. One of these, jn her
anger, having wished to destroy the hut of the other, the. latter car-
ried her conaplaint to the prince, wlio quickly arrived with a troop
of followers, seized the brawler, and put her in irons where she re-
mained for more than two months ;, and it was only by the influence of
money that she was released. .
Although I have stated a little above that the character of the,
Blank-btUits differs little from that of the Siamese, I believe the for-
mer however more curious, and above all more beggarly : this last
quality, if it is one in them goes so far, that it has many times hap-
pened that the minister of the king himself has asked us, sometimes
for a fruit which he ate before us, as a child would have done, some-
times for two or three- eggs., which he carried away with biro. I would
not wish to decide which of these two-people is the most cunning and.
most deceitful ; however if it was necessary to adjudge a premium, I.
would give it to the Laocians who impose the more easily on account
of their more free and more open exterior. They are besides, without
1847. Letter from M. Grandjean, '343
resipect<(ir decency. I have sometimes reproscheci them with having
no other religion than the depraved desires of their heart, and they
have acknowledged it without blushing.
As regards the women, they are more active, more industrious,
and more intelligent than the men. They have an undoubted
empire over their husbands, and can drive them away when they are
not content with them. If the prince had not forbidden, under pain
of death, the embracing our holy religion, they would certainly not
have been slow in turning Christians, and their husbands would not
have missed following them. . .
At Xieng-Mai there are nearly as many pagodas as houses; we
cannot take a step without encountering them to the right or the left.
There are reckoned, in this city alone, at least a hundred which are
each inhabited by ten, twenty or thirty talapoins, without mentioning
those, in very great numbers, which have fallen into decay, and which
they do not repair. As for these talapoins, they are almost all young
men who scarcely know how to read, and who pass their time in
sleeping, g<iming, or in doing worse still. They have many times
themselves told a part of their irregularities; but even if they had
told us nothing, we have seen enough with our own eyes to be able
to~^affirm, without anj danger of lying, that all their pagodas are
schools of immorality.
However, the blindness of these poor people is so profound, that
they persevere in a worship which dishonors them. They know, they
understand, now that their god is only a phantom, that their religion
is only a tissue of lies, their temples receptacles of vices, and yet
they refuse to be converted; they fear the threats of their king.
These unhappy persons come in crowds to be instructed, many al-
ready prepared for baptism ; but a single word of the prince replunged
them all in their errors. Oh! how inscrutable are the judgments of
God ! O all ye who read this letter, I conjure you by the blood and
death of our lA>rd Jesus* Christ not ta pass a single day without pray*
ing for these slaves of fear, that at our return amongst them, we may
find them better disposed.
[ will not say anything of the causes which obliged us to leave the
country. I have mentioned them-at length in my letter to M. Mic-
hard. I will only add a word of our course af\er leaving Xieng-Mai,
and before arriving at Bangkock-. Departing from the capital on the
Friday of the Compassion of the holy Virgin we reached the same
day., another small kingdom called Lapoun, to the south of Xieng-
Mai. On our arrival we repaired tu the seat of government, the town
344 Letter from M, Grandjean. JtXT,
hall of the place, where we found six to eight mandarins^ who as-
sembled there every day to hear the complaints of the people, adjudi-
cate disputes and administer the public affairs, almost entirely en-
trusted to their care. They asked us who we were, from whence we
came and what business had brought us to the country. They knew
already, for many amongst them had seenusatXieng-Mai; but these
are the questions with which they are accustomed to begin the con-
versation. We took advantage of them to announce the good
tidings of Jesus Christ. A mocking.laugh was almost the only an-
swer which they gave us. They permitted us however to instal our-
selves in a kind of room, situated without the city, where we admo-
nished from morning to night the currious who came to examine us.
We were never at rest. During the night, forty to fifty talapoins
met outside of our asylum, beating the drum and uttering vocifera-
tions which did not allow us an instant of repose ; sometimes they
even threw stones against our dwelling, but without, nevertheless
pushing the insult further.
After having uselessly complained at the town hall^ I took the
resolution of going alone to the king : I entered his palace without
being announced, and spoke to him with such boldness that he- was
afraid, and immediately prohibited theset talapoins from molesting us
in future. They obeyed him ; but as these people were anything but
disposed to receive the word of Qod, we shook the dust from our
feet, and directed our course towards the southeast. After four days
journey, always in the midst of mountains, having nothing but rice
and eggs to eat, we arrived at another kingdom called Lakhon ; we
rested there twelve days, only reaping as the fruit of our exhortations,
contempt, railleries and insults. These things would have been car-
ried even further, if we had not had letters from Bangkock ; as they
believed that these recommendations had the seal of a royal prince
their malevolence did not dare to come to blows. Seeing then this
people rebellious against the grace, we resolved again to continue our
journey, always towards the southeast, and always across mountains
without end.
Until now I had traveled on the back of an elephant, and although
the motion of this animal is extremely rough and incommodious, I
had found myself until then very much at ease; but at this last station
not being able to procure more than the elephants required for the
transport of our effects, it was necessary for us to have recourse to
traveling on fiM)t.. This was in the month of April ; the heaven was
of fire ; the heut had withered the leaves of the trees and caused them
1847. Letter from M. Grandjean. 345
to fall ; the springs were nearly all (fried up, and the pathways whicli
we followed consisted of very sharp rocks or of a burnrng sand. On
the first day my feet suffered so much that .on arriving at the place
where we were going to sleep the skin was all blistered. On the
following day, not being able to put on my shoes, I found myself in
the evening with the soles of my feet quite burnt; — when we arrived
at the third station I could scarcely make a step. In order to avoid
the extreiqe heat of the day I took with me one of my servants and
we pushed on in advance in the morning, calculating to halt at mid-
day and wait for the elephants. Unfortunately the guide overslept
himself.
Not finding anything arrive, we began to fear that the tired cara-
van had halted before reaching the place of rendezvous. What was
to be done ? the day was declining and we were dying of hunger ; to
retrace our steps, without knowing if it would be necessary to go far,
was impossible, we were without strength ; to pass the night without
fire, in the midst of tigers, that would be scarcely practicable. What
was to be done then t As we had been told that there was before
us, at a short distance, a small village, we rallied our strength, and
decided on going to demand hospitality in this hamlet, where we
could wait for our elephants which could not fail to pass it on the
following day.
The night advanced very fast, and we could not discover any
habitation; my servant could go no further;. J siill hobbled on, but
I began to think that we would be obliged to go to rest fasting, when
at last we found near to us a little cabin. We went and demanded
asylum. The people whom it sheltered, not having reaped any rice
this year had nothing to eat but buds of trees, with a kind of wild
potato which grows naturally in the forests These potatoes would
be deadly poisonous if they were used without caution ; before being
usad they are cut into pieces, stecpe 1 in water for some hours, expos-
ed to the sun until they are well dried, afler which they are cooked,
but they are only eaten when they have nothing else.
These poor people told us that they had nothing else to give us,
but that if we would go to the chief of the village, whone house was
not far off, we would there get a little rice. We followed their advice,
and afier we had drunk a cup water, we set out. On our arrival at
the chiefs I told him who I was, and how I came to knock at his
gate ; further that I prayed-him to give some food to two men who
were dying of huuger, promising to recompense liini on the following
day when our elephants should pas6. He gave us a little cold rice,
VOL. XVI. NO. VII. 44
346 List of Foreign Residents in Canton. Jult,
nii&ed with the wild potatoes which I have above mentiooed. This
rice was pressed into a kind of rush baskets, of which the opening
was just large enough to admit the hand. My domestic and I seated
ourselves on each side, and by turns we plunged our hands in this
strange ragout ; it was so unpalatable, that it was necessary to drink
at each mouthful in order to make it go down.
On the following day our elephants did not arrive, they told us
that undoubtedly they had taken another road which passed at three
leagues from the village where we were; we sent to search for them,
and, only on the second day, we learnt that they had been seen on
the route of Muang-Tre, and that before long they would reach that
town. At this news my hosts made me a ragout with the skin of aii
elephant paunch, and I departed. My sores were not at all healed ;
but it was necessary to advance bon gr6 mat gri, for my confrere,'
from whom [ had been separated for three days, whs in greater pain
than myself. 1 rejoined him at Muang-Tre the same evening. This
time my feet were so bruised that I was laid up for a week without
being able to walk.
We approached the rainy season ; it was time to think of returning.
We then quitted Muang-Tre, and after having again slept four nights
in the mountains, we reached a Siamese town called Tait upon a
different river from that by which we had ascended. There we
bought a vessel and in twelve days we arrived at Bangkock. This jour-
ney has so blanched my hair, that every one puts me down at sixty at
least; they call me the old father; I am however always in excellent
health, and I reckon myself strong enough to go again. God will
perhaps some day bless our labors.
"*^^»»^*r^»^»^»^>»^W%'W»rirM*i"»*>r»o»^»N<^i^<^^^
Art. !V. List of Foreign Residents in Canton , July, Anno
Domini eighteen hundred and fort y-seoen,
IiWan*liln|ir kai.
Rev. G. Pcarcy.
Danifih Honff,
Teh king kai.
No. 1, and 2.
Akau's Hotpl.
No. 7, and at Hi Hong^ Honam.
HUGHESDON dt Co.
Charles Hu^hesdon, and family.
Uenry Rutter.
William Rutu>r.
No. 8.
Edward Vanchcr.
Fritx Vaueher.
No. 9.
Rev. A. P. flapper, m. d.
ReT. J. B. French.
Rev. W. Speer.
No. 13.
Maneckjee Bomanjee.
Curaetjee Eduljce Chinoy.
1847.
List of Foreign Residents in Canton.
347
Byramjee Muncheijee Bhundara.
Januetjee Cunetjee.
No. 15.
Rbtmtaa* 4k Co.
H. O. I. Reynvaan.
L. Carvalho.
H. Hyndman.
M. J. Senn^Van Baael.
No. 16.
ReT. J. O. Bridgman.
Joaq. doa Adjos Aavier.
IVew China Street.
No. 1.
George Ryan.
IVew none,
Sauik Tek'hing kai.
No. i.
Soomjee Viaram.
HaMMO fiamael.
Sardarkan.
AlU Mohamed Khan.
No. 3.
Sherifkan Kanjee.
Cunetjee Hormosjee.
No. 3.
Saiboo Taib.
Solaman Tar Mohamed.
Cotaim Omar.
Bellah Mohamed.
Joaeph Oal Mohamed.
RamtoUa Uaaaam.
A. Viegaa.
8. A. Seth.
Jumabhoy Jewraa.
Iiaao Ally Mohamed.
Faxel Damanv.
Cktoffiee Gooi Mohamed.
No. 5.
Dayabhoy Jamal.
Dosaabhoy iMowjee.
Ebrahim Shaik Husaun.
No. 6.
Bbvjaiiiii Scare Sl Co.
Benjamin Seare, and family.
Spanish Uonur*
Hbvry Mool Sl Co.
Henry Monl.
Alfred Moiil.
French Hons*
No. 1.
George Bamet.
H. WilUhire.
No. 2.
BoTET, BaoTasRa A. Co.
Louia Bovet.
FriU BoTet.
( No. 3.
pEaroiijBE FaAMJM Cam a Sl Co.
Maneckjee Nanabhoy.
Ruitomjee Framiee.
Bomanjee Muneheijee.
Limjeebhoy Jemaetjee.
Merwanjee Peatonjee.
Cowaajee Peatonjee.
No. 4.
Nooa Mahomet Dmatoobrot Sl Co.
Thawerbhoy Allam.
Nanjeebhoy Hanam .
Mohomed Thawar.
Careem Mawjee.
No. 5.
Ammbboobcn Sl Shaik Datood.
Jufurbhoy Bodroodeen.
Shaik HuMun Shaikammud.
Nnamoodeen Sbojaully.
Samifully Chadabhoy.
Shaik Miinaoor Nesamolly.
No. 6.
P. k, D. NBsaBawAVJBB Camajbb.
Peatonjee Nowrojee Pochawjee.
Dorabjee Neeaerwanjee Camaj^e.
Hormnajee Neaaerwanjee Poohawjee.
No. 7.
A. R. B. Moaea.
No. 8 and 9.
AoooaTiBE Hbabo Sl Co.
John Heard.
Joaeph L. Roberta.
J. H. Everett
William Gilbert.
C. G. Clark.
Auguatine Heard Jr.
D. P. Marquee.
IVew French Honff.
No. 2.
R. McGregor.
No. 4.
C. Aoabbo Sl Co.
C. Agabeg.
H. Galatin.
J. Lopea.
No. 6.
B. Kenny, aorgeon, and Ibmily^
Florencio do Rosario.
Joie da Roeha.
lllinffqaa'8 Honff.
No. 1.
John A. T. Meadowa.
No. 9.
CBALMBaa Sl Co.
Patrick Chalmera.
Jamea Dickaon Park.
No. 3.
LiiiDaAT dt Co.
T. Buxton.
F. Chapman.
348
List of Foreign Residents in Canton.
July,
Iflinipqua'fi IWcw Honff.
No. 1.
A. A. Ritchie 6t Co.
Henry M. Olmsted.
J. Manuel Mur.
D. W. Schwemann.
Wm. Dreyer.
No. 3.
Oe Souz4 ik Co.
M. E. De Sousa.
Lazar Zechariah.
Samuel S. Hamilton.
James L. Man Sl Co.
Jamea Lawrence Man.
Rllnvqua's
OiittidM iVeio Hong.
No. I.
H. H. Warden.
William Buckler.
Thot. M. Dfhon.
No. 3.
CAtrowiis, Hariort dc Co.
Richard Carlowitz.
liernJiard Harkort.
No. 3.
William PoaTAO Sl Co.
William Pustau.
Edmund Cramer.
No. 4.
Nesaerwanjee Byramjee Fackeerajee.
Neeaerwanjee Framjee.
Aapenderjee Tamojee.
No. 5.
Rot. p. Parker, m. p. and ftmily
American Uon^.
No. 1.
Oltphart & Co.
William H. Mom.
Richard P. Oana.
Jamea A. Bancker.
Frederick A. King.
David O. Kiuff.
No. 2.
BOOSTEAD ^L Co.
Edward Boustead.
Martin Wilhelmy.
Joseph Wise,
No. 3.
RiPLir Smith dc Co.
Captain T. Smith.
Philip W. Ripley, and flimily.
Henry H. Smith.
Robert EHice.
No. 4.
C S. COMPTON A Co.
Charlea S. Compton.
Charles Sanders.
A. E. H Campbell.
Spencer Compton.
Edmund B. Gunnell.
Pausliun Hone.
No. 1.
William F. Robinson.
No. S.
MifRROW & Co.
Y. J. Murrow.
W. N. Piccope.
L. E Murrow.
No. 3.
Henderson Watson Sl Co.
S. Mackenzie.
S. Maitland.
No. 4.
HrERJEEBHOT ARDABEtR dt Co.
Heerjeebhoy Hormusjee.
Curaetjee Hosunjee.
Eduljee Cursetjee.
D. P. &, M. Pestonjee.
IOadabhoy Peatoiijee.
Manuckjee Peatonjee.
Manuckjee Cowaajee Taback.
PsaTONJBB R. HUCKIMJBB dt Co.
Peatonjee Ruatonjee Huckimjee.
No. 5.
Cowaajee Shapooijee Lungrana.
Pestonjee Byramjee Colah.
Framjee Shapoorjee Lungrana.
Peatonjee Jamsetjee Motiwalla.
Ruatomjee Peatonjee Motiwalla.
Doasabhoy Hormuajee.
Ruttunjee Framjee.
Oadabhoy Jemietjee.
Ruttunjee Dosaabhoy Modie.
Framjee Hormuajee.
Hormuajee Jamestjee. Naudera.
Merawanjee Eduljee.
No. 6.
Ornt dt Co.
John Dent.
D. Johnson.
James Bowman.
Imperial iiongr.
No. 1 and 2.
Wetmore a Co.
Samuel Wetmore, jr.
William Moore,
deorge H. Lamson.
William H. Gilman.
Jacob C. Rogers.
Thomaa Gittins.
O. E. Roberts.
Henry Davis.
M&noel Simoena.
1847.
List of Forrign Residrnts in Canton.
349
J. E. Munsell.
No. 3.
George Lyall.
A. Johnston.
C. Ozorio, jr.
Samuel Marjoribanks, surgeon.
Athaiiasio de Souza.
No. 4.
E. MOORMANH Sl Co.
C. Sauer. ■
Varoeb Bono RonswiifCKiLL Sl Co
P. Tiederoan jr.
F. H. Tiedeman.
D. Vander Burg jr.
No. 5.
Canton BaiT.CHAMBeiior Commiccx
\W, H. Wardley.
A. Agasiiz.
No. 6.
GiBB LivivoiTOii 4l Co.
J. G. Livingston.
J. Skinner.
W. Ellis.
J. M. Wright.
Candido Julio Ozorio.
Swedish hongr-
No. 1,2, and 3.
Russell Ht, Co.
Paul S. Forbes.
W. H King.
George Perkins.
S. J. Hallam.
E. A Low.
G. Meredith.
S. T. Baldwin.
F. Ileiche.
S. Ilangel.
J. Rangel.
No. 4.
JoHB D. Sword &. Co.
John D Sword.
John B. Trott.
W. S. Ash.
No. 5.
Tiers Bourne &, Co.
H. F. Bourne.
R. P. De Silver.
H. T. De Silver.
Old English.
No. 1.
NvB, Parkin A Co.
William W. Parkin.
Clement D. Nye.
Thomas S. H. Nye.
Timothv J. Durrell.
Julius Kreyenhagen.
Jotquini P. Van LofTelt.
E. C. H. Nye.
No. 3.
Rathbonki Worthinoton Sl Co.
James Worthington.
F. Duval.
George Dent.
D. P. Simoens.
No. 3.
Jamikson How Sl Co.
J. F. Edger.
Alexander Walker.
Richard Rothwell.
No. 4.
Macvicab Sl Co.
Thorns David Neave.
W. C. LeGeyt.
T. C. Piccope.
J. M. Mitchell.
No. 5.
Dallas Sl Co.
Stephen Ponder.
John Butt.
No 6.
Gilman Sl Co.
R. J. Gilman.
Levin Josephs.
W. H. Vacher.
J. Williams.
A. J. Young.
G. de St. Crotz.
Chaachaa honir.
No. 1.
D. A M. RusTOMJEE Sl Co.
Dadabhoy Byramjee. ^
Jamoojee Nusserwanjee.
Jamsetjee Eduljee.
Dadabhoy Hosunjee.
Muncheijee Eduljee.
Merwanjee Dadabhoy.
Pestonjee Rustorojee
Ardaseer Byramjee.
Palunjee Nuserwanjee.
Fortonato F. Marques.
No. 9.
Cursetjee Rusiomjee Daver.
Dhunjeebhoy Framjee Cash.
No. 3.
Cowasjee Pallanjee.
Cooveijee Bomanjee.
Sapoorjee Bomanjee.
Cowasjee Framjee.
No. 4.
Cursetjee PesUmjee Cama.
Rustomjee Ruttonjee.
Dhunjeebhoy Ruttonjee.
No. d.
Dadabhoy Burjoijee.
Rustomjee Burjoijee.
Sorabjee Byramjee Colah.
350
List of Foreign Residents in Canton,
July,
No. 6.
Ai^ Meena Booxruf(.
A^a MerrzajMahomed.
IVew English Factory.
H. B. M.S* CO!ISULATK.
Francis C Macgregor.
Adam W. Elmsiie.
Thomas T. Meadows.
Kdward F. Giles.
Horace Oakley.
DiBOM Gkat U Co.
W. W. Dale.
C. Ryder.
J. Hodgson.
A. Gray.
D. W. McKeniie.
G. Lewin.
Jaboini Mathisom & Co.
David Jardine.
R. H. Rolfe,
A. da Silveira.
John T. Mounsey.
M. A. Macleod.
Jambs Cboobb die Mabsbt.
George Massey.
J. T. Cuvillier-
W. R. Saodgrass.
Gbmmell dt Co.
Henry Robert Barker.
William Fraier Bevao.
A.' Johnston, jr.
G. Napier.
Bell dt Co.
J. M. Smith.
T. Dale.
R. Gibbs.
F. Wilkinson.
HoLLioAT, Wise dc Co.
John Wise
Roger Jacson.
John Shepard.
Charles E. Bateson,
S. K. Brabner.
Dearie, Calvert (k Co.
R. R. Calvert.
H. C. Read.
R. F. Thorbum.
J. L. Maclean.
Jehangeer Fremjee.
Blbbxib, Rawsob a Co.
William Blenkin,
A. P. Croom.
Henry Balkwill.
Edoljee Frahjee Sobs A Co.
Boroanjee Edyljee.
I>adabhoy Eduljee.
Oriebtal BaBk.
Archibald Dunlop.
Samuel Gray.
RurroBJEE HoRMOSJEECAMAJEEdtCo.
Ruttonjee Hormusjee Camajea.
Burjoijee Hormusjee.
Maneckjee Cooverjee.
B. k, N. HOBMOJEB.
Buijorjee Hormojee.
Dadabhov Nossbrwabjee MoDvdkCo.
Nusserwanjee Bomanjee Mody.
Munchersaw Nusserwanjee. Mody.
Ruslomjee Dadabhoy Camajee.
Dhunjeebhoy Hormeijee.
TURBER dc Co.
P. Dudgeon.
W. Walkinshaw.
A. Small.
Kbbbedv MacGreoor 6l Co.
Georjre C Bruce.
Henry R. Hardie.
John Rae.
Fischer dk. Co. ^
Maximilian Fischer, and fkmily.
James WhitUlL
Rriss dc Co.
M. Sichel.
Thomas Everard.
- ■
David Sassoob Sobs dc Co.
Abdulah David Saasoon.
Eliaoo D. Sassoon.
A de Miranda.
Solomon David.
Benjamin Elias.
Muncherjee* Pestomjee.
Francis B. Birley.
J. Bellamy.
M. de Silva.
Heoan d^ Co.
Augustus Charter.
Samuel Hill.
Ferdinand Blass.
O. E. Muller.
l¥hainpaa Anchorage.
Henry Holgate, surgeon.
Thomas Hunt.
Nathaniel Beaed.
CharlcB Tobey.
Ijang^hing kai.
Rev. Dyer Ball, m. o. and family.
S. W. Bonney.
TangNihih kok.
Rev. I. h Roberts.
1847; Term for iht Holy Spirit. 351
Art. V. An inquiry respecting, ike mode of designaiing tki third
person of the Qodhead in Chinese.
Thbrb are few subjects in connection with the translation of the
scriptures into the language of a heathen people which cause the
translator more anxious solicitude than the rendering of the names
and appellations of the true God. These names and appellations ap-
pearing in every part of the sacred volume give a character to the
whole, and as they are translated properly or improperly will the
name of God be glorified or dishonored and his word faithfully or
unfaithfully communicated to the people. A faithful translator can
never be willing to follow hi&.own judgment in communicating what
is to be regarded as the word of God._ His anxious and careful in«
quiry is what is the precise meaning of the original expression and
what na'tive expression will most exactly embody this meaning. It
has therefore been with no small pleasure that we have perused those
articles which have from time to time, appeared, containing a critical
and candid investigation relative to the mode of translating the word
' God.' By these investigations we consider it clearly settled that
the word JHra is the most proper expression for this use. There»
have also from time to time appeared some remarks which are
worthy of consideration relative to the proper Chinese terms for
designating the Holy' Spirit ; but such remarks have usually been
< brief and the subject seems still open for farther consideration. If
the following remarks can be of any service either in elucidating this
subject or in calling forth a more able investigation they will not
have been written in vain.
The Hebrew word n^*^ '^ ""^^ ^^ ^ ^^^Y extensive and varied
signification. (1) Its primary signification is that of breath or'wTnd.
When the idea of breath is expressed in Hebrew it is usually though
not. invariably by this word ; — but the idea of wind is I believe ex-
pressed exclusively by it. This usage is too common to need
further illustration.
2. It denotes the intellectual, moral, and immortal part of man.
Gen. 26 : 35. 'A bitterness of spirit to Isaac' Gen. 41:8* Pharaoh's
spirit was troubled.' Job. 20 :'3. * The spirit of my understanding
causeth me to answer.' Fs. 5: 10 * Kenew a right spirt/ within
me.' Eccl. 12 : 7. * The spirit shall ristnrn to God who gave it.'
Eccl. 3:21. * Who kirowetb the spirit of man thai {roeth upward or
d52 Term for the Holy Spirit July,
the spirit of the beast that goeth downward :' In this last passage it
also refers to spirit or living principle of beasts as well as to man.
In this^coad signification, the word under consideration corresponds
very nearly with XOB*^ which is used with about equal frequency whan
the intellectual, moral or immortal part of man is concerned ; — See
Gen. 1:20. E.23:9. Num. -21:4. Ps. 19:7. 'Converting the
soul.' Prov. 19 : 2U. ' That the soul be without knowledge is nut
good.' Ps. 16: 10. *Thou will not leave my soul in hell.'
3. It denotes what is spiritual in opposition to what is corporeal
as Isa. 31:3. ' Their hordes are flesh and not spirit.'
4. It is used with great frequency to denote the spirit of God, as
it goes forth to renovate, influence or more upon the minds of men.
It was this which originally moved upon the face of the waters, re*
ducing chaos to order, it was this which was given to Moses to fit
him for bis work ; it was this which moved all the prophets and holy
men who spoke under his influence. Examples of this usage are
of too frequent occurrence to need particular quotation.
5. It is use to denote other spiritual beings. — Kings 22:21.
' There came forth a spirit and stood before the Lord.' Zech. 6 : 5.
' These are the four spirits of the heavens which go forth from stand-
ing before the Lord of all the earth.' Job. 4 : 15. * Then a spirit
passed before my face.'
6. It is used to denote the spirit, energy, power, or disposition of
particular Persons — ^Num : 11 : 17. * I will take of the spirit which
is on thee and put it upon them.' Wum. 14 :24. ' Caleb had another
spirit' 2. Kings 2 : 15. The spirit of Elijah doth, rest on Elisba.
Dan. 5:12. An excellent spirit was found in Daniel.
The Greek word IXvgufXA very nearly corresponds with the Hebrew
f7^*^ and is usually used as its representative in the septuagint ; 4^^
ani^*«apjia are however sometimes used in its place. In the N. T.
usage there is a general conformity of this word to the Uebrew,-^witb
however a few points of difference which deserve attention.
1. It very seldom occurs in the N. T. with the primary significa-
tion of wind or breath. Though these ideas are of very frequent oc^
currence, they are, except in two or three instances, invariably ex-
pressed by other words. John 3:8. 2. Thess. 2 : 23. and perhaps
Heb. I : 7 are- the only instances in which this word is used witb this -
signification. It would seem to have been the design of the N. T.
writers to drop this signification which is not essential to the main
idea which they wished lb express by the word and appropriate the
word exclusively to those other ideas which they have constantly
1847. Term for the Holy Spirit. 353
expressed by it. In John 3:8 where it is used for wind there is a
manifest reason in the connection for its use so that this passage
proves but little iu favor of the word's usually retaining this ide:i.
Hence IIv^ufiA with the idea of wind may be regarded as nearly
obsolete in the N. T.
2: As n^*^ is used in common with ^'g^ to express the intellectual
moral and imuiorlal part of man, so ELvfufiA is used in a similar
manner in common with -^u^n to express the same idea.
3. The Greek word much more frequently than the Hebrew is
used to denote that which is spiritual in opposition to what is cor-
poreal, Luk. 23 : 39. 'A spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me
have : Jolui 4 : 24 *' God is a spirit and they that worship him must
worship in spirit and in truth," in opposition to the external, local,
formal worship of which the Samaritan woman had been speakin<;
John 6 : 63r-^ * It is the spirit that quickeneth, the flesh proflteth iiu-
thing. Rom. 8:1.' Who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.'
fl Cor. 3:6 * For the letter killeth but the spirit giveth life.'
1 Pet. 3 : 18. * Being put to death in the flesh — but quickened by (in)
the spirit.' It is also worthy of special remark (hat adjectives derived
from llvsujuux, never iu the N. T. have the higiiification of wind but
are always used to denote that wl.ich is spiritual, superior, excellent,
efficient, religious, in opposition to what is material, low, inefficient
or carnal. Rom. 7: 14. 'The law is spiritual but I am carnal.'
1 Cor. 3:1. *I could not speak unto you as unto spiritual but as
unto carnal, even as unlo balies in Christ.' 1 Cur. 15:44. * It is
sown a natural body ; it is rained a spiritual body.' Rom. 7 : 0.
'To be carnally mindeJ is death — but to be spiritually minded is
life and peace.' Gdl. 6:1. 'Ye which are spiritual.' Passages of
this kind are of very frequent occurrence.
4. 5. 6. In each of these significations the Gre k word so nearly
corresponds with the Hebrew as not to need additional remark.
From all these remarks we infer th.it if a Chinese word caniiot be
found which shall embody all the significations of the original word
for spirit — the signification of wind or hreuth may most easily and
safely be dispensed with ; and that a word should be sought whose
radical idea is that of spiritual in opposition to carnal — and which
is used to denote the spirit of God, the spirits of men and otiier
spiritual beings;, and if oue cannot be found which in addition to
the above particulars, is capable of being applied U<)th to h(»ly and
unlioly spirits — both to what is expedient and to what is perverse—^
\OL. XVI. NO. vu. 4''>
354 Ttrmfor ikt Holy Spirit. Jitly,
then, for the Holy Spini, we mu8t choose one which embodies ihe
idea of excellence and superiority.
The Chinese word )^, corresponds with the (1) sigrnification of
nvffufAa, wind, which has been shown to be its least important
signification in the iV. T. ft may perhaps also correspond to some
extent with whit we have given as the (6) signification — viz. * The
spirit, energy, or disposition of a person; as a benevolent, a literary,
an energetic spirit. Thus in the common expression J^ ^. ' The
spirit and customs,' ofantige or nation. This may be a Jp W^ a
^ ^^ i-^ /^ ^^ ^^^^ likely a ^ J^. In this sense there
might perhaps be no objection to the use of this word in such pas-
sages as Luke. 1 : 16. 'Spirit and power of Eliis.' But this word is
never used to designate what is fpiritant in opposition to what is
material or carnal — nor is it applied to the spirit of the gods or the
spirits of nien^-or to any other spiritual beings as such. Hence it
fails ii! all the important significations of the original word and of
course can have but small claims to be used as its representative.
The word '^ is o(\en used to designate the departed spirits of
men, and also a surest variety of other spiritual beings ; but it in-
volves in itself the idea of inferiority, degradation, and oflen of de-
pravity— Hence thfiugh it may probably be the best word to de-
signate evil and unclean spirits, I am not aware that any one has
ever thought of applying it to the Floly Spirit,
The word ^ Liiiff though it cannot be said to correspond' fully
with the original Greek word yet has several very important points
of resemblance. Its radical signification is that o^ spiritual ^ involv-
ing also the idea o( excellent, superior^ inttUigent^ and effective, in
opposition to what is gross and material. Thus 1^ ^ sect. 16.
the commentary says ^ Z M i5l pf />! j^ ifi^; ' The
5/iiri7ii/i/partof K'i (breath) is called Kwei Shin.' Again J^ ^ ^
^ r^^- * ^c ^hus see t!ieir Spirituality;* spoken of the pervading
influe.ice of the gods, j^ -f^. |{f^ ^ 5^? ^. # # (^ ^
|g Ifj , * Kwei is the spirit of Yin.— Shin is the spirit of Ymg.' —
'^^ ^ In H, Q ^. ''''he ethereal breath of Yin is called
Ling' (spirit). ^^ 'f^ {|[, * Giid is spirit.' The last two passages
are found in Kanghl's Dictionary — • These and numerous simi-
lar passJiges which might be cited clearly show that the fundamental
idea of Linq is that of spiritual, pervading nnd effective, and thus it
c.irrcspunds very exactly with the (3) signilicjirion of the original
word.
1847. Ttrmfor the Holy Spirit tUUi
It is also applied fo the spirit of the gods. Compare in ^^ JS 16
* At the time of sacrifice the spirit (spiritual pervading influence)
of the gods can cau!«e men 'each to sacrifice according to what is
proper.' f^f^^L^ft^* '^^^ fP**^' ^^ ^^^ 8^® shines
brilliantly.' We also read jjiji ^ % ^, 0T f^ '^^ ^' ' ^^^^
divine spirit surrounds him ; whatever he does must prosper.' ^^ ^ijl
^\ ^ij. * The divine spirit cannot he comprehended or measured.
These several passages exhibit as much correspondence between
the word Linff and the original word for spirit when applied to
the third person of the Trinity as could be expected from heathen
writers who have no knowledge either of the true God or the Holy
Spirit : they show that the word is naturally capable of such an ap-
plication.
The word is also used to designate the spirits of men. ^ ^ ^.
JL ^ Pj ^ Wi ^^' * '^^* former spirits are above ; therefore
it is not proper not to be sincere and reverent.' ^ ^ ^ ^U- ^
•^. ' Sacrifices give peace (or security) to the former spirits.'
^ 1^ £ RlJ 5b fi ^ l£? ' ^"^^ offerings to Shin Chri, then
the former spirits will have peace.' ^^^ fi WL'^a^ § ifi*
* The former spirits are the spirits of ancestors.' These pdssages
are taken from the ^ A ^ ^. Similar passages are of frequent
occurrence and exhibit the natural use of Ling to designate the
spirits of men in their disembodied state, existiiig as separate spirit-
ual beings.
The word Ling is not so often used in reference to other ^piritu il
beings from the fact that the Chinese regard most' superior npiritii.il
beings as gcxls and speak of them by their specific appelLitiotis : — a^
gods of the mountains; gods of the rivers, — the gf>d of the furnace &c.
A similar remark might be made concerning the original word in
the Old Testament, which refers most frequently to the spirit of God
or the spirit of man, and but seldom to separate spiritual beings, such
being usually called angels, demons, devils d&c. i. e. called by their
specific instead of their generic name. Tlie following passages
taken from the same work as the last may perhaps have some bear-
i"« ^tbw point, i -1 li Tf: dfj 'fi -fill. — S.MM' ^
S ^ ^.* ^fom this we see how it really was nt the beginning';
and spirit most brilliant, — from this man received birth.' j^ jjR ^
^Ir M^ J^* **^^* ^*'* spirits rest each in hifl place.' Kaught
2iiG »Shipping in tht Port of f^hanghiL JuLTt
says ^&^ jj^ jM. * Ling means the same afi Shin.' Ilonce what-
ever may be finid in favor of Shin when not ased for God — may also
be said in favor of Ling.
The preceding examples show that the Chinese word jS Ling
corresponds with the Greek nvfu/xa in all its most important signi-
fications, and that the correspondence fail^ only in reference to those
slgnitications which in N. T. usage are least important. Hence we
infer that this word shotild have the decided preference to M Fung
or any other word which has yet been suggested ; nay more that it
exhibits as much similarity to the original word as the circum-
stances would warrant us to expect. We hope, however, the sub-
ject will still receive the most careful and serious attention, and that
in the end all Chinese scholars may be enabled to a^ree in that term
which is most proper to designate that being on whose influence
and blessing depends (he success of all are labours.
^*MM^A*«MM«W«#^M««#««^#M««tf«#«A^<^V^*^P^#VWft
Art. VI. Statements of the number^ tonnage, Sfc, of the meV"
t.hant vessels of different nations in the port of Shanghai, for
the year 1846. (From the China Maii, Feb. 1 1th, 1847.)
No. I. — A return of the number and tonnage of Merchant vessels which
arrived at and departed from the Port of 8hanghae during the year ending
the Slst December, 1846, distinguiihing the Countries to which they belonged,
vii: —
ARRivsn. Dkparturks
UnHer what colors. ^j^J^ Tonnage.
Under what colors. '^flf^i„g Tonnage.
British, - • M 15,4)69 British,
American, 17 5,322, American,
Spanish, - 2 7r»« Spanish,
Swedish, - - 1 2fl6| Swedish,
Belgian, 1 158 Bremen,
Hamburgh. 1 2tiO| Hamburgh,
76 21 ,759 72 S*I»,H49
5(»
14.159
17
5,322
2
750
1
21 16
1
152
1
260
No. II. — A return of the number of Merchant vessels, distinguishing their
4t*spectiv(' flags, which cleared at the custom house ot' Shanghae, proceeding
from or bound for the ports and places undermentioned, during the year
ending 31st December, 1646.
1847.
Shipiiing in tht Port of Shanghai,
357
A RRIT RD.
O E P A RTR D .
I I
21 .
1 -
1 -
2 -
16 17
4 -
5 -
• •
I .
i i
OB
I I
Ports ard Placsb.
London,
Liverpool,
Glasgow, ...
Sinifaporp,
Manili,
Sidney,
... Hobarl Town, ...
Hon|fkong
Chusan,
... ^^mov, ...
Nin^po,
Cftnton,
•c
I i i
mm
7
13
1
1
19 17
2
1
54 17 2 1 11
50 17 2 1 1 1
No. III. — A return of the quantities and value of Merchandise imported into
the port of Shanghae in 54 British vessels of 15,(Hj9 tons, from the countries
and places undermentioned, daring the year ending the 31st December, ld46.
Estimated wifue
47
' .y Denomination of articles.
13 2. — Manufactures of Cotton,
White Long clong, .
Grey do.
Chintz,
Drills,
Handkerchiefs, . . . .
Velvets, ....
Mant^faetures of Wool,
Habit cloths. Sp. Stripes, Slc. .
Long Ells, ....
Cannets, English,
Do. Dutch,
Blankets,
Metals.
Iron bars, Slc.
Du. wire,
Lead pigs, ....
Tin plates, . . . .
Miscellaneous,
Glassware, . . . ,
Rattans, ....
37 Saltpetre,
Hardware, ....
41 Soap,
46 Sandal wood,
45 Wine, ^ieer^ Slc.
Miscellaneous
»»
i^uantilies.
Pieces 23r>,067
968,143
15,374
Dm 20,722
Value
Change 77,023
59,407
55,312
600
513
i«
n
1»
Pairs
30
20
34
Piculs
»i
It
Value
Piculs
Vniue
Piculs
Value
3,057
840
212
239
640
300
85
3,101
it Sterling at
As. 2d. £zchange.
£126,030
504,240
9,606
1,H(N)
4,316
1,368
97,647
15,511
16,412
3<N)
327
2.144
525
243
398
42
320
437
I.OOO
122
5,749
3,349
Including. 30,000 pes. damaged Sliirtings 18.312
£810,200
No. IV. — A return of the qiUAtities and value of Merchandise Exported
from the port of Shanghae in 50 British vesselsof14J59 tons, to the Countries
and places undermentioned, daring the year ending the 31st December, 1846.
3oS
Skipping in thf Port of Shiinghni.
July,
\, .J Denomination of articles.
Quantities.
Sterlimg at
tanff.
4s. iU.
£zcAaiifc.
1 Alum,
•
• f
Picula 304
£55
38 Nankepn Cloth, .
•
4
181
1,885
46 Raw ^i/4, vii :
Taatlee, •
Balefl
1 7.5641
-
Tayaain,
Yuenfa, •
»•
6,494
9411
^ Piculs 12,703
999,963
SorU, •
19
967 J
1
Silk Piece Goods
•
* •
39
3,333
55 Teas^ vix :^
Congou.
lbs 6,879,5731
Souchonsr,
**
453,359
Hang Muey,
t»
53,104
Pekoe,
If
18,568
Hyson,
Young Hyaon,
1*
*2] 0,816
899,91 J
* lbs 10.073,758
499.963
Hyaon Skin, -
If
377,111
Twankay, -
f»
710,876
Imperial,
ff
161,89<»
Gunpowder,
fi
308,550 J
Hemp,
Bales b94
Value
1.311
Gypsum,
-
»
Pinula
110
Raw Cotton, •
•
•
Value
290
Miscellaneous,
•
ff
-
300
£1,352,531
No. V, — Statement of Tonnage Dues, import and export duties, paid by
British vessels in the port of Shaughie during the year ending the 31st
December, 1846.
▼ KSSKL 8 RAMB TOffNAOE
Nimrod, 234
Kelpie, 264
Annie, 177
Glentanner, 610
M arm ion, 358
Bleng, 9:M
Mary Ann Webb, 338
Matilda. 318
Torrington, 144
Manon, 348
Gardner, 320
Jaact Wilsr^n. 279
Dido, 31
Tomalin, 4*21
Osprny, 149
Sisters, 130
Jeremish Garnett, 447
New Margaret, 411
Torrington, 144
Old England, 509
Poppy, 140
Gem, 226
Pearl, 118
Torrington, 144
Wm. Ackers, 327
Monarch, 337
ToUlfAOE DURS
Tatts m. c. c.
117 0 0 0
Imp. <k Exp. DuTiRS Total
Taels m. c. e.
132
88
104
115
169
159
14
174
160
139
3
214
14
13
223
205
14
251
14
113
11
14
163
168
0 0 0
5 0 0
0 0 0
5 0 0
0 0 0
0 0 0
4 0 0
0 0 0
0 0 0
5 0 0
3 0 0
5 - -
9 --
5 - -
5 - -
4 - -
3,875
4,812
7,198
17.098
8,317
14,300
16,447
17,22J»
1 1 ,952
10,.522
17,sS»9
1,839
2
1
7
4
7
9
0
9
5
4
9
0
7
5
9
4
2
3
8
2
7
82
9 2
20,761 6 4
15,182 3 2
1,656 5 2
23,846 3 3 3
1
2
1
4
0
7
5
6
5
0
8
9
5
0
8
6
Tools m. e. e,
3,992 2 0 1
4,944 1 7 2
7,287 2 5 I
17,299 4 9 4
8,433 2 4 0
14,469 9 2 7
16,606 0 7 5
1,445 3
17,403
r2,112
10,662
3
18,024
1,847
13
20,985
o
4
4
3
3
8
3
8
2
7
0
2
2
6
5
0
8
0
9
5
I 4 0
15,387 8 2 8
1,670 9 2 6
8
4
5
5
997
5,488
916
,812
3,ttel3
7 4 0
2 5 0
5 2 5
36 8
I 1 1
18,109 8 2 8
24,097
1,011
5,601
92H
2,827
4,146
18,278
3
7
2
3
7
6
3
3 3
4 0
5 0
2 5
6 8
1 1
2 8
1847.
Spec,
Sidney,
Corinthian,
Aqua Marine,
Helena,
Oowihorpe,
Vindicaiur,
Sidney,
Litberiand,
Warlocic,
Alfred,
John Daf dale,
Velor»f,
Captain,
Emily,
ChielWin,
Carib,
Torrington
L>iimfrie«,
Eleanor Ruasell,
Will o' the Wiap,
Maggie,
Lady Sandys,
John Bagahawr,
Torrington,
Bonanza,
Ohur,
Nyinph,
ToUl,
Shipping in ilw. Port of Shanghai,
359
103
ltt4
173
513
630
373
3^27
ld4
3(>5
3:)0
123
4(»7
4^4
216
2j3
369
144
468
31*6
101
1S6
3'J2
206
144
17S
300
106
10 5
92 -
66 5
315 -
1»6 5
163 5
J« -
162 5
12 3
242 ~
126 5
194 5
14 4
234 -
153 -
10 1
93 -
161 -
iod -
14 4
- 6
181
4,158
13,642
21,470
3,217
16 430
1 1 ,247
2 831
15 -268
22,4d6
4
8
2
7
3
4
5
3
4 0
1 4
4 8
4 9
0 0
0 2
2 8
2 0
8 0 0
5 9 4
2,870 6 9 5
12,660 0 8 9
22,401 3 5 0
17,926 0 3 7
14,6n6 2 6 1
12,668 4 8 2
191
4 250
13,7:28
21,170
3,532
16,616
11,411
2,92:)
15,421
22,4fc6
2,882
12,660
22,643
17,926
14.812
0
4
8
9
9 4
8 1
7 4
7 4
3 0 0
9 0 2
0 2
3 2
3
5
9
9
3
0
7
8
0
0 0
9 4
9 5
8 9
5 0
3 7
6 I
12,tr62 9 8 2
1,221
2(».897
12,143
3,472
469
14,503
4300
5,011
4 1 4
5 8 5
2 3 7
0 0 0
9 0 0
9 2 9
6 - -
2 3 2
1,235
21,131
12,3.'ll
3,482
5G2
14,664
4,408
5,925
8 1 4
8 5
3 7
0 0
00
2 9
5
2
I
9
9
6
6
3 2
14,741 5,349 9 - - 483,658 5 8 8 \m^{\QS 4 8 8
A 72 per
a 4s. 2d.
cent.
$7,4:)0
£1,548
$671,748
£139,947
)f^679,l78
£141,495
ffo. VI. — Statement of Tonnage Dues, Import and Export Duties, paid by
formgn vessels in the port of Shangbae, during the year ending 31st December,
1846.
HATIO!*
American,
Spanish,
Swedish,
Bremen,
Hamburgh,
TOMNAGB
5,322
750
2(14
152
26(»
T091fA0B DL'KS
Tadt m. e. r.
l,2o2
300
76 ---
130
IMPORT AUn RXPOaT
DOTIKS
Tad 9 m. e. e.
67,442 - 1 -
2,119 9 3 3
4,&'»2 4 4 5
4,374 2 4 6
11,114 3 4 3
TOTAL
Tiidt m. e. e.
68,724 - I -
2,419 9 3 3
4,6S)3 4 4 5
4,450 2 4 6
11,244 3 4 3
6,6i8
1,788
^9,642 9 7 7
9lv'>30 9 7 7
tf 72 per cent S2,4rt:i
a 4s. 2d. £517
$124,642
£25,967
$127,125
£:)6,484
No. VII — A Synoptical Table of the import trade from foreign countries at
the port of Shanghae, during the year ending the 31 st December, 1846, specify,
ing the description and quantities of commodities as well as their estimated
Value, and distinguishing the National Character of the ships in which they
were imported, vix: —
DCiCRlPTIOIt AOCRP.GATS
OP qUAHTITIFS, AMD IN WHAT JRIPS IMPORTBD qOAXTITTKi
• COM»IOI>!TIKS
Bicho de mar.
Britifh
picuU —
Amfficm
SratHth" Svrttah
448 —
Arcmrn Hamhurgh
INPORTKD
448
360 Shipping in the port of Shanghai, July,
Birds' Xfitfl, catties >- _ 3dd — — • — 388
CoUon,"
LongcIoUi, ffrey piece 968,143 104,401 33,570 20,453 I7,:«»r 1,143,934
„ White, „ 235,067 53,«MK) — 5,450 3,4:J0 35,W70 322,017
„ Coloured, „ — 7,020 — — — — 7,020
Chintzes, „ 15,374 355 300 — » J 5(1 16,179
Drills, Grey, „ 2,680 96,'^) -.—_«. 99^1151
Domestics, G rev, „ — ll,e20 — — — — 1J,620
Jeans and Twills, ,. — 5,400 — _ ^ ^ 5,40<;
Muslins, „ — 180 — — — — 1^
Cotton Flannel, „ — 4,0{M) —-.-.. 4 000
Handkerch;eis. Doz 20,732 l,^^! — — — . — 22|343
Velvets, pieces 400 120 — — — — 520
Broadcloths, ^c, digs. 77,023 6,680 _ 600 10,086 210 !)4J'»99
LonjrElls, „ 59,407 2l»,f<62 — — 1,440 3,840 85,549
CauileU, English, „ 55.312 1,:^75 — — 1,650 1,787 60,634
„ Dutch, „ 6«K) — — — — — 600
Blankets, pairs 513 425 -. ~ 05 250 l^2i}Z
Bombazetts, pieces — — — — -^ II4 114
Iron Bars, &«., piculs 3,057 — — 96 — 3 155
„ Wire, „ b40 — — — — — '^40
Lead Pigs. „ 212 3,200 - — — -. 3413
Tin Plates, „ 239 120 — 70 — — 42i|
Swedish Steel, „ — 4 — — — 4
Mu/cellatuouSf —
Glassware, value £42 JCG25 — — £218 £406 £1,291
Rattans, pjculs 610 — — — — — 540
Saltpetre, „ 31MI — — .— — — 30Q
Hardware, value £l,fNiO — — — £156 — £1,156
Soap, piculs 85 — — — — — e{5
Sandalwood, „ 3,102 9,575 — — — _ 12,676
Ebony wood, „ — — 830 — — — ^0
Sapanwood, „ — — 3,978 - — — . — 3,987
Wine, Beer, Ac. „ £3,:)49 — — £305 £135 — £3.879
Misceilaoeoas sundrie8£18,312 — 380 — — — £18,692
Estimated value in sterling at 4a. 2d. exchange. £1,066,173
So. VIII. —A Synoptical table of the export trade to foreign countries at the
port of Shanghae, during the year ending the 31st December, 1846, specifying
the description and quantities of commodities, as well as their Estimated value,
and distinguishing the.National Character of the ships in which they were
exported viz:—
UKSCKIPTIO.M qVAirriTtSS AffD IN WHAT SRIPi KXPOaTBD AOOREGATS
or ^ qcjANTrriBs
COMUOOITIBS BrUlak AmttietH Spaidak SmUitk Bntmm Haimhmgk BXPOaTltD
Alum, piculs 204 — -r — — — 204
Nankeen Cloth, „ 181 — — 7 — — 1^
Raw Silk, bales 15,926 3Ul— — — 129 16,357
Silk piece goods, piculs 32 ^ — — — — 32
Tea. pounds 10,orJ,758 2,510,944— 5,320 — 208,411 12,798 433
Hemp, value £1,311 — — — — — £1,311
Camphor, boxes — 400 — — — — 44)0
Cassia, piculs -~ 5*1— ... ... ... 50
Copper Cash, bags ... 12,781... 12,781
MidcellaneouH, £700 ... 770 .. 250 Ijgii
Laliiiiatcd value in sUrlini' *l 4» •**• <-'"liaiijfe XljGa^'jOj ^
1847. Regulations for British Skipping at Shanghai: Ml'
Rdiidbrikf.-The preceding returns hove been compiled from- the entriefi in
the books kept at this office, and the quantities specified are those that have
paid duty.
The weights and measores stated are the same as the standards in use at
the five ports in China.
Th^ value given has 'been estimated according to reported sales prices.
The reduction of Spanish dollars into sterling has been made at the exchango
of 4.) per dollar.
A v<^ry considerable quantity of treasure has been imported from Wasung,
bill the amount unknown.
RtrniBapoaD Alcocx, Consul.
Brtitsh Consulate, Shanghai, 31st December, 1846.
h ^.c-v^k^a^^^^^^^i^.A '-^ *»
Art. Vn. Regulations for the anchoring of British shipping at
the part of Sk&nghdi, (Prom the China Mail, May^6, 1847.;
Regulations for the anchorage, in the Hwang-poo, set apart for
British ships by his excellency the intendant of circuit for Sti-chatr
fij, Sang-kidng fiJ, and Tae-tsi^ng-chau, in concert and commu«
nication with H. B. Majesty's Consul at Sh>1hgh^i.
^ In accordance with the Ist Article of the Treaty of Nanking*
which provides that the subjects of both governments " shall enjoy-
full security and protection for their persons and property within the
domimons of the other," and in order more effectiTely to guard
against accident or collision, and give the required security x6
British vessels loading and discharging goods at Sh&nghdi, it
has been agreed between me the Tntendant' of Circuit and you
the' Honorable Consul, that ihe Hiirhornwe for British vessels to'
Toad and unload, heretofore ext^^mling from the Suchau creek' to'
the Tang-king-pang, shall in like minner as the ground adjoihing;-
atlotted for the residence of British Merchants, be subjefit to all'
stfch regulations as may be determined upon with* the aforesaid
object by me the Intendant of Circuit in concert and communica-'
tion- with the Honorable Consul.
In accordairce with thi:) determinntion the following regtilations,'
being^ thirteen in number, have been fully considered and agreed*
upon, and are now declared to be in force : —
I. It being necessary that a pRi^sage be always preserved on the
east 'side'of the river to afford free cnmmiihicatioh for velieisbr^ bralP
nations, it is clearly agreed thiit certain limits be laid down within
the anchorage for British vessels, viz :— to the north' hy a line*
drawn fronf the north end of the battery (Consulate Ground) ex***
roL. XVI. no: VII. .46
362 Regulations for British Shipping at Shanghai, July,
tending across the river due east a distance of 240 pti or 1,325
feet (English) from the low water mark upon the line: — to the
South by a similar and parallel line drawn from the North Bank of
the Yang-king-pang across the river a distance of 3U9 pii or 1,700
feet (English) from the low water mark thereon. The points at
which these lines terminate shall have buoys moored over them, and
these anchorage boundaries may be clearly known to be within a
line drawn from each buoy north and south ; and it becomes impera-
tive upon all vessels anchoring therein strictly to conform to these
limits, and not on any account to pass beyond them, which would
obstruct the passage.
II. A free passage to the custom-house for cargo boats, and along
the west shore for the towing of the grain jnnks, shall be maintained.
' III. All vessels must be* moored, as has been heretofore provided,
within the period of two tides from the time of their arrival at the
anchorage ; and in no case can a vessel aAer she is moored, move
or shift her berth without permission from the British Consul.
IV. Whenever more than iif\een vessels shall be in this anchorage
at one time, it shall be imperative upon the master or officer in
charge of each vessel within the limits, to moor his ship head and
stern with two anchors, to prevent collision in swinging, and to pro-
vide space for an increased number of vessels.
V. Masters requiring to beach their vessels for the pur|>ose of
inspection or repair, must apply at the British Consulate for instruc-
tions.
VI. No goods can be landed, shipped, or transhipped, without
t^e proper chop from the Chinese authorities, or between sunset and
sunrise, or Saturday evening and Monday morning. In like manner
the same regulation holds on all such Chinese festival days as shall
be .duly notified by the Chinese authorities to the British Consul.
VII. The discharge of fire-arms from the Merchant vessels, in*
the anchorage is strictly prohibited.
VIII. All cases of death on board a vessel in the anchorage
shall be reported at the British Consulate within twenty-four hours,
together with the best information 'attainable as to the cause of death
in cases of sudden demise. :r
IX. Seamen and persons belonging to the vessels in the an-
chorage jire not to be permitted to go onshore without a responsi-^
ble officer in charge, the masters being held distinctly responsible
(br the conduct of their men on shore. In'lhc eveiilfof any men on
liberty reuiaiiiing on shore after sunset, the master ifr- required vtwh^
1847. Cdmmunirations with Honan. 363
out delay to send an officer to find and take them on board, and if
he fail, to report the same at the British Consulate, in order that in-
vestigation may be made.
X. Accidents or violence occurring within the limits of the an-
chorage; involving personal injury, loss of life, or property, from the
collision of vessels or other causes, to be reported at the British
Consulate as soon as practicable and in cases of theft, or assault in
which any individuals belonging to a ship in the anchorage and
Chinese are both concerned, a Chinese, if in the wrong, and there
be no officer of his country at hand, may be conveyed to the British
Consul, who will proceed to investigate the extent of the offence and
accordingly proceed against him. But under no circumstances are
the crews or officers of such ships to use personal violence towards
Chinese for the redress of their grievances.
XL In the event of any vessels of other nations desiring to an-
chor within the limits above specified, no obstacle shall hereafter be
raised, such vessels being subject during the time to the same re-
gulations, in like manner, and as fully as British vessels.
XII. Hereafter in all these matters determined upon in accor-
dance with Treaty, should any corrections be requisite, or should it
be necessary to deter mine^ upon further regulations, or should the
meaning not be clear, the same must always be consulted upon and
settled by the British and Chinese authorities in communication
together.
XIII. Hereafter should the British Consul discover any breach
of the regulations above laid down, or should any Merchants or
others lodge information thereof, or should the local authorities ad-
dress the Consul thereon, the Consul must in every case examine in
what way it is a breach of the regulations, and whether it requires
punishment or not, and he will adjudicate and punish the same in
one and the same way, as for a breach of the Treaty and regula-
tions. Taukwiug, 27th year, 2d month, 6th day, (4thApril, 1847.)
•^^^^N^v^tf^tf
Art. VIII. CommunieaHons between the governor of Hongkong
and the people of Hondn, {From the China Mail, June 17, 1847.^
Sir John Davis. Her Britannic Majesty** Plenipotentiary, dtc, im^ direots this
to Her Majesty's Consul at Canton, in order that a copy of its tenor may be con-
veyed to the Gentry an4 Elders of Honan. The Consul has already been request.
304 Communications with Honin. JuLr«
cd to tend them t copy uf the Plenipotentiarv's foply to the Petition of the Elders,
and Kindred of the Pwan family of f limAn. (mm which it will have appeared that
th^ alarms as to seizing land by force were tlie consequence of attending to foolish
and mischievuuB reports. It would bo better tc> make enquiry of the lligh officers
concerning the true state of arta:r.s, iiiatiead of (giving riiio to doubts and distrust
by attending to anonymous writinprg arid placards, the work of mischievous villains.
. ^jV^ien the Plenipotentiary lately visited Cantun to secure the punishment of
aggressors on British Subiiects, he was accompanied by a large body of men. It
ihight be perceived that tnis wan art^^ized and ordered as one man, and not a
fingle Chinese was injuriously treated, a few disorderly vagabonds only being
punished. Does this look like an ij^noraiice of the principles uf control, or like
making use of power for purposes of oppression and spoil 7
Mioreover, for five years the British government quietly kept the fine territory
of Ofaiusan as a security for the payment of Tvventy.one millions of Dollars com.
pensation, but not a coper coin of Tax or Tribute was taken from the people.
^*ben that territory was faitlifuUy restored last year, according tp Treaty, the
people regarded the departure of our soldiers with sincere regret, because they had
received much money in return for provisions and manufactures, and the friendship
^nd gpo^.feoling wore mutual. Thus it appears that, while other parts of China
are truly aware of IJoth the power and the moderation of Great Britain, the people
of Canton still shut their eyes to the same.
Sinoe the English then do not desire to take lands by force, but only by amica-
blp bargain and agreement, the people of Canton should not combine to oppose
tlie Treaty made by their sovereign, thus perpetuating troubles and alarms during
j» series of years. Again, it is not true that the British trade with China haf
diminished. It has very much increased in the gross, but gone from Canton to
the Ports, where the people are friendly. To the English this transfer makes
jittla difference ; but at Canton many thousands of Chinese are deprived of employ,
ment ; apd in proportion as the Canton people continue ill-disposed to Foreigners,
still more will the trade eontinue gradually to be transferred to the other Ports'.
7*he Plenipotentiary undeistancu that some warehouses have already been for a
considerable time rented in an amicable manner by British Subjeots at Honan. If
other warehouses can be rented without disturbing the iamiiies and villages, where
is the obstacle ? If British merehants cannot house their own goods, but are oblig*
od to trust to Chinese, who either become bankrupt, or pawn the goods committed
to their charge, they will proceed to other Ports, where they can liave their own
places of deposit, and where trade is more advantageous.
' Moreover, Honan is not the only place in the Canton River. Let other places
be pointed out between Canton and Whampoa, where waste land may also be
rented with an advantageous return. Having made this public declaration, tlie
Plenipotentiary has done his part; and if niischicvous persons spread false rumours,
and are attended to, leading to improper treatment of British Subjects, he cannot
be cbargied with the calamities which may ensue.
A Special Declaration. Dated at Hongkong, this 27th May, 1647.
The pentry and Elders of the Forty-eight villages of Honan hereby most re.
speotfully ^eply to the great Consul of the English nation. We, in common have
to inform' yon that on the 36th May we received from you a letter in reply ; on the
28th you transmitted to us a copy of the Honourable EnvnvN replv (to a pctiiiorri:
and again on the 31st a copy of a Declaration to be translated and communicated
to OS. All of these we have received, and made ourselves fnlU* acquainted with
the whole of their contents. The people of the country of Honen return their
deep acknowledgments for your excellent letter, in which you most earnestly and
sincerely notify to them that it wan nuvor il:eintrntion to take their property forci-
bly |rum thena, or to disregard the Treaty ; .-ind Raid aUo tliat tlio Envoy doubtless
mlended to deal considerately with them. Fnim this it is evident that you rest
on integrity and maintain good faith, and that you will ccrainly not rely on power
to cominit insults.
Again, on perjsal wc find it stated in the derhratinn in reply that, (the ho.
norable Envoy) would ** prevent En^liMhmen from laUinfr our land by force," and
that, •* if people are averse to renting their ground Jhey most not be molested^'**
1*847: Communications with HouAn. t)6S
and airain (in reply to the petition) that as the surveyor had to return immediate-
ly to Uongkonif, he did not wait till our Authoritica accompanied him. but pro-
coeded witliout ceremony to make the aurvey, which was the oauae of Uie late
agitation. From thia may be perceived the real greatness and splendour of the
honourable Envoy, who does not in the slightest det^roe entertain views of favour,
itiam and partiality; and whose eonaideration for the fecUuga of Ujc people and
the principles of reason extends to every point.
When the gentry and eldera of all ihe villages communicated copiea of tlieae
documenta to each other and carefully perused them, every one felt grateful and
glad, and, without entertaining further apprehensiona, attended with tranquil
minds to their occupationa. We, then, too, awakened to a aense of the fact, that
what we aometime ago heard of your honorable country'a intending to take for.
ciUe possesaion of ground at Honan was really, as your honored notificatioB
9(atpd, the consequence of a mistaken attention to Iboliab reporU.
. As to what is stated in the copy of a declaration : ** Honan ia not the only
place on the Canton river — let other places be pointed out between Canton and
Whampoa where waate land may also be rented.** we the Gentry and Eiders
ought in obedience Co your notification to wait patiently till affaire are satisfactori.
^y settled between the authorities of the two countriea in cooiunction.
The declaration in reply of the Honorable Envoy, states that whatever land ia
rented in order to build houaos, muat, in accordance with the lawa of China, be
aatiafactorily arranged by agreement with the proprietors.** Of course if there are
any proprietors willing to lot their landa they arc at liberty to come to an equita-
ble agreement on the subject, for since we the gentry and elders now. know that
your Honorable Nation will not forcibly seize the lands of Honan, the reeent
diatmst and apprehension has been at once dispelled, the anger and hatred
has all disappeared, and how then should aiivpioion and.dislixe still exist between
the peof>le of the two countries 7 Hereafter we ahould reapeetively admoniafa the
nerehaata and people to treat each other with civility, to maintain in common
tilt Treaty of peace, and forever enjoy universal tranquiUity. What aatiafaotion
can equal that which they will then experience ?
^ to what (the Honorable Envoy) says of vagabonda carelessly creating trou.
blea, posting placarda, and spreading idle stories; this is not the work of the good
among our people. And aa these latter deeply dcte.st such lawless vagabonds, we
liave now determined to assemble all the principal literary gentry* of the city,
together with the merchants and people of the varioua atreets, and make known
to them a prohibitory agreement for controlling the vagabonds and preventing
them from availing thcmselvea of circumstancca to create troublca, in order that
good people may all be enabled to attend tranquilly to their occupations, and the
commerce of the varioua countriea flow ou unreatrained. We shall thereby un.
qu^tionably realize our emperor's high purpose of cherishing and shewing kind-
neaa to people from afar, and at the same time make a return for the elevated in.
tontion of your Honorable Nation to extend to us sincerity and justice. From
thia time forwarda the Chineae and foreigners must be as one family, acting towarda
.each other with aincerity aud good faith ; and, as hosts and gueata, without deceit
and without apprehension. We will then aoon see a spirit of harmony leading to
happineaa, and the trade of the various countries daily flourishing more and mora.
We the Gentry and Eldera have communicated to the literary gentry of the
whole city, as alao to the oflicers and merchants of the various nationa, the fact
that your nation haa no intention to take forcible possession of Honan, together
with our feelings of gratitude and thankfulness on that account ; thus spreading
the fame of your auperabundant benevolence. We have also communicated to
them for perusal the different copies you gave us, that all may know your Honora-
ble Nation firmly maintains the Treaty, and adhcrea to ita promisee ; that your
condnet being uniform from beginning to end, an amicable and friendly behaviour
wiU certainly exist between ua without end ; and that Chinese and foreigneas may
thetefoiv all carry on commerce with tranquil minds, without alarm or moleata-
tion ; for even vagabonds and low people will not be able to avail themaelves of
circumstances to raise atrife, or to take opportunitica o( creating trouble.
We conceive that with jour eminent intelligence you will certainly be able to
' oee through and thoroughly underatand the cireumatances connected with thia
aflkir, and that we need not trouble you with reiterated statements.
3(56 Journal of Occurrences, July,
We now respectfully present to you this reply commnnicatingr onr thsnks.
We also entreat that you will make known its contents to ihe Honorable
Envoy, loudly expressin)^ on our part our thankfulness and devotion.
Respectfully laudinfir your happiness, we hope that you will condescend to cast
your (i^Iance on this imperfect reply.
Delivered 4th Juno, 1647. (A true translation,) Thomas Tatlor Mbaoows.
(True Copies,) A. R. Jountrojf. .
Art. IX Journal of Occurrences : general remarks ; the late ex-
pedition ; notice of the decease of Mr, Everett ; death of Mr,
Clopton: French mission; negotiations for obtaining rent:
Pwdn Sz*shing ; robbers in Tungkwdn Hien.
Thouoh but little has transpired during the post month that will specially
interest our readers to find recorded, and the clamor and alarm of sudden
invasions, have given place to the quietness of peace and the steady pro-
secution of useful labors, yet such are the progress and the prospect of events
in the new world of life, business, and activity that is opening upon us, gra-
dually indeed, but constantly, and surely, that they cannot fail to enlist
attention and interest in the minds of all who are engaged or concerned in
the welfare of so large and so promising a portion of our race as is found in
the empire of China. The effect of the recent expedition has. been the
subject of very general remark — ^very properly indeed, for however suddenly
and even temerariously it may have been devised and carried into execution —
and however severely and justly it may have been animadverted upon in
various quarters, as far as any immediate and visible effect has been pro-
duced, it must we think be allowed to have been beneficial. Not that
such measures are in general to be advocated — much less by those whose
great object it is to advance the cause of the Prince of peace, and on this
account seek so far as is practicable to have every important measure car-
ried by peaceable means — ^but the prompt exhibition of power, the reason-
able demand of justice, the skilful conduct of affairs, the equitable settle-
ment of difficulties, which are certainly distinctive characteristics of the
policy that has been pursued, have, as in the natural remunerations of justice
tliey ought to have done, not only gone far in securing the particular ends
that were desired, but appear sensibly to have increased the respect and
good will, while they have tended not a little to suppress the contempt
and ill feelings of the Chinese community towards foreigners.
The expedition .has served to set matters in their tnie lij^ht, both in the
minds of tlie magistrates and the people, in the former that it has led them
to apprehend that there are otlier considerations to be attended to besides
the turbulent, mobocratic, self-ruling propensities of tJieir own people — that
just power is to be established by otner means than by dalliance and cor-
ruption —that the father of the people has become the neighbor of man-
kind— and is required in his efforts to please and provide for his own family,
to have some regard to the more extensive and important relations which he
sustains to the great family of man. The peopfe also seem to have been
still more awakened than before to the important fact, which tliey'have
themselves so properly expressed, but so strangely labored to forget, that
<* within the four seas all men are brethren **— and have learned to admit
men and women to tread upon the same soil with Chinese, and to treat them
with some analpgous respect We speak of these things not so much for
what they are in themselves as for what they portend in the future. It is
easy to be insulted by those who know no better — and to labor to make
1847. ' Journal of Occurrences. 367
ouraelves respectable among those who would seem to have lost all thought
and knowledge of such considerations. But to be painfully sensible that
we can have no influence because we are not respected — that we can never
be regarded as men and as messengers of truth and salvation^ that men
must perish because they are too besotted and too proud to receive the
truth from their fellow men — this is the evil at which we have grieved, but
which we hope is to be gradually dispelled. To accomplish this we appre-
hend depends greatly upon foreigners themselves — and while it is altogether
unnecessary to urge that the treatment which we exhibit towards others
should correspond in some measure with that which we desire to receive
from them — we cannot too highly commend the truly generous, if not some-
what original conduct of the present governor of Hon^koncc, for leading the
way, as he has done, in the discbarge of that duty emmently proper for men
in office, the exhibition of courtesy towards others, and the evident desire of
a reasonable accommodation which appears in his late proceedings.
So sensitive a people as the Chinese, will not we apprehend be anxious to
be outdone in civility of national intercourse, but will rather while they see
us aiming at perfection in this department, labor the more earnestly in this,
as in other things, to prove that they are the first inventors of a practice so
useful and honorable. A great variety of papers have appeared or late, some
from the magistrates, and some from the people, which aflRird an indication
of the state of feeling that prevails. Some of these we have already publish-
ed. There are others which we may present hereafter.
The following notices are given as recorded in the China Mail. We
could have desired a more extended obituary of the latter, and it is hoped
that one will be furnished for publication. The providence of God mani-
fested thus nearly and forcibly seems peculiarly worthy of consideration.
Station, activity, influence, usefulness, talents, and learnmg, cannot exempt .
us from death. They to whom the prospects of life are but just opening are
cat down at the same time with those who are farther advanced in this stage
of mortal action. In the midst of life we too are in death, — a momentous
and most deeply interesting fact, which in the ambition, the hurry and per-
turbation of the world, we seem too often to forget.
The decease of the hon. A. H. itverett :-^
The decease of this distingaiibed icholar ahd statesman, c^curred on the
t2SHh inat , at the house of U. S. Legation, CantonJ Th<^ funeral solemnities
took place at 3 o'clock p. m. the following day, attended 'by nearly the entire
foreign community : the Rev. P. Parker ofiicratodon th6 occaiaon. After the
reading of an appropriate portion of STdriptu re and prayerj the remains were
conveyed to the place of interment Dane's Island; Whampba, by^ the Steamer
Cortair, accompanied by moat of the American and K&veral of the English
oommouity, and officers belonging to H. C. Steamer Phtto, Captain Airey
having with kind consideration provided seamen from thut veesel to convey
the body to the grave. At Whampoa the procession waa joined by a detach-
ment of armed men, sent by the French Commodore i^apierre, under the di-
rection of Commandant M. Liviere, (to escort it and render military honors
to the remains of the deceased,) and by a train of boats, from the English,
American, and other vessels. The tfagskt half maiilt,' and minute guns from the
French Frigate La Gipire'y-ihe flag'ship'of Commodore Lapierre, conspired to
mark the interest and sdlemnlty* of the occasion.
Mr. Everett was a graduate of Harvard yntversity. which he entered at
the early age of tweliii and a half year8> hf '1809, after studying law in the
office of Mr. J.' Q. Adams,- he wiRDt out as his private Secretary to St. Peters,
burg; in 1814 he became Secretary of Legation' to the Netherlands under
Mri Enstise, Minister, whom in' 1618 h^ silbctfedetf ai Charge d'Affaires.
in'IK25 he was appointed by President Aidams as Ar^nfster Plenipotentiary to
tH^ Court ot*S(M?n; returni^d inlb^ to BoMionv Mtr native city, when he
occupied himself in literary pursuits, besides serviitg' in* the liouse of Re pre*
369' Journal of Occurrences^
sentatives and the Senate, for several yean; and in 1645, waa appointed bjr^
President Tyler. Commiasioner to the ooart of Pekinj^.
Mr. Everett waa a man of extensive and profound erudition. In the lan-
guage of a contemporary : —
^•Mr. Kverett was one of that class of men, the growth of thirty continuous
years of comparative peace, now enjoyed by Christendom, who, to eminent
natural endowments and high literary cultivation, add the qualities and the
distinctions of a practical statesman. For, if the great nations of Europe and
America have, some of them, been more or less engaged, during the present
generation, in conflict with barbarian or semi-civ ilizeo races around them, —
and if others have seen their own soil stained by civil bloodshed, — yet they
have been withheld from mutual hostilities, until the empire of the voice anil
the pen has almost superseded that of the sword ; and mind has found a nobler
and more congenial field of ambition in the arts and accomplishments of peace,
rather than of war. Thus it is, that, to names like those of Lord -John Russeir
and Macaulay in England, or Guizot and Thiers in France, we may, on our
own part, pomtto those of Bancroft, of Irving; and of the two Everetts, as
alike conspicuous in literature and in public life."
Died. — At Canton on the 7th instant, at 10 p. m. the Rev. Samuel Corne-
lius Clopton, of the Forei<^ Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Conven-^
tion, U. S. A., after an illness of about ten days, aged 31 years.
It is stated in the home papers that the frigate La Bayonnaise from Cher-
bourg is to bring out M. Forth-Rouen envoy of the king of the French to
China. The seat of tlie mission is to be established at Canton. The envoy
is accompanied by count de Noailles^ Secretary of Legation, and an in-
terpreter.
Arrangements for obtaining rent in Honan have at length been efiected;
though not according to the provisions of the late arrangement Negotia-
tions have also been entered into respecting a piece of ground called Shih-
weitang near the Fati gardens. The proprietor has expressed his willing*i
ness to dispose of it for this purpose, out there is some objection on the
part of the Chinese in the vicinity. -*
From the China Mail we extract the following notices.
The Board of Offices received an Imperial decree to the following effect ;
— The salt inspectorship of Kwangrse beingvacant^we direct that Pwan Sz'-
shing (Pwan-kee-kwa's son) should fill the same. Now it is a certainty
that Pwan Sz'-shing does not wish to become Salt Inspector, therefore oi|
tlie 7th month he will proceed to the capital to ask for another appointment.
Taukwang, 27th year, 4th month, 30th day, (I2th June, 1847.)
The Lipii (Board of Civil Appointments) Having had the honour to receive^
in answer to the irmemorial. His Majesty's pleasure, by which PwanSz*-shinf(
was appointed to the vacant post of Yen-yun-sz' of the Two Kwang ; it
now appears that Pwan Sz'-shing cannot act as Yun-sz', and he has deter^
mined-^togo npto Peking in the 7th moon,- to request His Majesty to appoint
hiro to some other province.
An investTgationr is now going on in the neighbourhood of Teh-kcang^
heanr in the district of Tung-kwan-hicn, where a band of robbers have
tamultuously assembled together to the number of above 20,000.
They have-already fortified tlieir lurking-place by a raised earthen rampart
surrounded by a trench and moreover they n4ve for a long time made nse of
various stratagems for their defence. Some time a^ all the inhabitant^
of the district of T'ung-kwah-hien petitioned each oAhe magistrates that
they would distribute soldiers throughout the country, for the purpose of seiz-
ing and exterminating these villains, and. generally speaking,- but few days
elapse without some officer starting Off with a liUrober of soldiera on sucK
service.
Taukwang, 27th yoar, 5th-mOon^ 11th day, (23d June, 1847.)
THE
CHINESE REPOSITORY,
Vol. XVI— August, 1847.— No. 8.
Art. I. Remarks on Tracts in Chinese, with a list of books written
and printed by the members of the Ultra-Ganges missions,
Mr. Editor, where is the missionary who has not again and again
wished for a chapter on Chinese Tracts ? The writer has with many
others, frequently sought to learn the extent and variety of Tract
making, but has hitherto (a period of eight years) sought in vain.
Even the oldest sinalogue is unable to supply a copy of the numerous
Tracts which his indefatigable industry has thrown amongst the Chi-
nese for the last quarter of a century. Before the opening of China,
missionaries were so far separated that they were not able to avail
themselves of each others' labors. Now however it is different. The
6ve ports will ere long be within a few days sail of each other, and
we«need no longer be ignorant of what is doing at the several stations
in the way of translating, preparing and printing religious books.
" Of making many books there is no end " is a proverb as true as
it is ancient. What are the motives which actuate writers? Not
unfrequently a mere pride of authorship. The temptations to fame as
an author are often too great for human nature to withstand, and even
missVwiaries have not been free from '* the writing and publishing
propensity." Some who ought to have bent all their energies to
acquiring such a command of the language as to be able to proclaim
vioa voce, fully, freely and intelligibly the good news of salvation,
have spent the prime of their missionary career in '* making many
books." As might be expected few of these productions are '* good,"
some are ** bad," while many are '* iiidifllerent." Is it not time to
!itop the press, and see what has been done ?
VOL. XVI. NO. VIII. 47
370 Remarks on Dracts in Chinese. Ado.
Your " Repository'* is a place of preservation for manj things of
value; how is it that you publish nothing of the labors of the first
protestant misbionaries in the department of religious books ^ I
learn there is a tendency in some quarters to depreciate the works
issued by Drs. Morrison and Milne, but can we make no uu wkat"
ever of what cost ikem so much toil, and the religious public so
mnch roonef^ Living for the most part out of China, and having
limited opportunities for improving in the language, it is too much
to look for perfection in the Tracts published by those pioneers.
But we can still avail ourselves of their labors ; we can separate tlie
chaff from the wheat, the precious from the vile ; we can revise, prune
condense ; enough has already been printed. What we want is to
select the good, and cast the bad away. A few good standard Tracts
and books are better then thousands of poor ones, which are merely
taken up by Chinese rcniders, and cast away with disgust, as con*
taining so much gibberish.
Here then is a Herculean task to' be performed. Most of the work
done by protestant missionaries in furnishing this great people with a
Christian literature, is mere trash compared with that performed by
the Roman Catholics. Our Tracts, as existing at present, contain the >
accumulated excrescences of thirty years, and we are at a loss* where
to begin the pruning process The first question is, " what books
have been published in Chinese down to the present time f" The next,
*' what are their contents !*' Can any one answer these questions ?
if so, the Repository is the proper channel for information. Let any
missionary communicate what he knows. As a beginning, I Jiere-^
with send a *' List of books written and printed at Malacca." It
is copied from " Milne's retrospect of the first ten years of the
protestant mission to China*' which in connection with the Malay
was denominated, " The Ultra-Ganges missions." This list comes
down to the year 1820. Since then, presses have been in operation at .
Macao, '8iam, Singapore and Batavia, from which hundreds of new
Tracts have aimuflJIy issued. The list can easily be complete^ iind
I doubt not copies of each Tract can be found sufficient to furnish
each missionary Board represented in China with a specimen.
Perhaps there are few old Tracts but might be profitably employed,
and before any sfts done to prepare a new Trdct, let him ask the
question. '* Is there not something already on this subject?" "Can
I not build on another man's fotindation to better advantage than to
begin anew?" This may be humbling to our pride, but the result
1847. Remarks on Tracts in Chinese. 371
will show that oar publications are more intelligible, more free from
the errors of style and idiom into which former missionaries have
fallen, bnd more fitted under God to impress the minds and hearts of
those who peruse them.
If any entirely new Tracts are published it seems to the writer
that they should be of a local character such as bear on certain errors
or superstitions of the place in which the missionary lives. Sheet
Tracts will be found> very useful. This is the form of the short
native Tracts which are posted up everywhere, and read by thou-
sands. The Parables of our Saviour, or other short portions of the
scriptures will be found "quick and powerful." Short comments
should be added, inasmuch as the best translation is stilT, and oden
unintelligible. The beauty of all is to *' be short." Some of our most
evangelical Tracts are marred by useless repetitions. A verbose style
is feminine, and will not be read The gospels are a model which
will stand in all lands and in all ages. The brief, simple and instruc-
tive style of the evangelists should be imitated by &11 who write for
the heathen.
The " conclusion of the whole matter" may be summed up in the
words of the wise man. ''And moreover because the preacher was
wise, be still taught the people knowledge ; yea he gave good heed,
and sought out and set in order many proverbs. The preacher sought
tojind out acceptable ipords, and that which was written was upright,
even words of truth.**
M. N. N.
Amoy May, 1st 1847.
List of Books written and printed by the members of the Ultra'
Ganges Missions. The following list contains the books and tracts
printed by these Missions, up to the close of 1819. They are not
arranged according to the order of time, but under their respective
authors ; the year in which they were completed and printed is also
marked. The Chinese Books translated or written, with their size,
the number of copies printed, and a short view of their contents, are
as follows :
By Dr. Morrison.
Date Leaves Copies Totals
1.
A translation of the
New Testament,
Separate parts of,
Acts, 8vo.
1810
Luke, ditto,
1811
Ditto, 12 mo.
1819
Epistles of Paul, 8vo.
1812
1000,
100 I
500 (
50^
1650
372 Remarks on TVacts in Chinese. Auo.
}
Complete, ditto, 1813 2000
, ditto, 1817 587 100 . -.on
Ditto. 12 mo. from 1815 ^^''"
d-ywn to the close of, 1819 3420
2. A translation of the Old Testament, except the following
books which have been rendered by Dr. Morrison's colleague; viz.
Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges; the books of Samuel, of the Kings,
of the Chronicles, of Ezra, Neheiniah, Esther, and Job.
Such parts of these as have been already published were submit-
ted to Dr. M.'s revisal. Of the Old Testament, the following books
have been printed :
Genesis, 12 mo. 1814 125. 200
Ditto, 1817-8 500
Ditto, 1819 500 1200
. Exodus, 12 mo. ditto 104
Deuteronomy, do. ditto 91 403 403
Joshua, do. ^- ditto 61 403 403
Psalms, do. ditto 148 403 403
Isaiah, do.* ditto 136 500 500
3. Tract on the Redemp-
tion of the World, 8 vo. 1811 6 100
Ditto, do. 1814 10,000
Ditto, 12 mo. 15 100
Ditto, do. 16 20
Ditto, do. 17 300
Ditto, do. 18 500
Ditto, do. 19 1,500
A Catechism, on the plan of
the Assembly's Shorter
Catechism, 8vo. 1812 30 200
Dittoi do. 1814 5,200
Ditto, 12 mo. ditto 300
Ditto, 1815 100
Ditto, IS16 200
Ditto, 1817 400
Ditto, 1818 300
Ditto, 1819 300
12,520
7,000
5. Short abstracts, relative
to the Scriptures, 1814 1 1800 1800
6. Outline of the Old Tes-
tament History, 800 1815 9 300
Ditto, ditto 500
Ditto, 16 100
Ditto, 17 . 900 -
Ditto, 18 700
Ditto, 19 1400
3,909
" Daniel and the Minor PropheU are in the press.
1847^ Remarks on Tracts in Chinese, 373
7r A Hymn book, 1818
27
300
300
8. Daily morRing and eve-
-
ning Prayers of the
Church of England,
fitted tothe Psalter, 18 mo. 18
,30
400
400
9. Miscellaneous Essays,
•
12 mo. 188
17
2000
2000
10. A Tour of the World,
8vo. 1818*9
29
By Mr. Milne,
21. A Farewell letter to the
-
Chinese on Java do. 1814
3
2000
2000
12. Life of Christ, 800 14
70
100
Ditto, 15
100
Ditto, 16
•
100
Ditto, 17
300
Ditto, 18
200
Ditto, 16
400
1500
13. Chinese monthly Maga-
zine (six months) bound
up together, 12 mo. for 1815
33
725.
14. Ditto do. for. 16
73
815/
2,840
15. Ditto do. for 17
33
800(
16. Ditto do. for 18
81
500'
Besid^Bs these, there
were printed in separate
•
monthly numbers, as
-^
follows: for 1817
5108
3000
•
Ditto, for 16
6108
6000
Ditto, for 17
7109
6060
Ditto, for 8
ditto 10,800
«
Ditto, for 1818
ditto 12,000
37,860
N. B. A few papers in these
Magazines, especially in
1819, were communicated
by Dr. M. the Rev. W.
H. Medhurst and Afah.
17. Tract, entitled the
Strait Gate, 12 mo. 1816
10
1000
•
Ditto, 17
1300
Ditto, 18
2000
Ditto, 19
500
4800
18. Tract on the Sin of Ly-
ing, and the Importance
of Truth, 12 mo. 1816
5
1000
Ditto, 17
800
Ditto, 18
2000
Ditto, 19
3000
/
5800
374 Remarks on Tracts in Chinese. Aua,
19. A Catechism for Youth,
written in 1816.7, 8vo. 1817 37 2200
Ditto, 12 mo. 18 1600
Ditto, 19 2800
0600
20. An Exposition of the
Lord's prayer, written
inl817, 12roo. 1818 41 700
Ditto, 19 1200
21. A Tract on Idolatry,
written in 1817, 18 7 3000
Ditto, 1819 6000
1900
9000
22. A Tract on Justice be-
tween man and man, 1818 10 2600
Ditto, 19 5400
23. A Tract on the evil of
Gambling, written in 1819 13 6000 6000
24. A Tract containing
twelve short Sermons, 1818 12 1000
6000
7000
25. Dialogues between Chang
and Yuen, written in
1818, 1819 20 2000 2000
26. Sacred History vol. Ist
12 mo. 1819 71 2500 2500
27. Duty of Men in time
of public calamity, 19 13 2000 2000
28. Three Pearls, or an ac-
count of the Missionary,
Tract, and Bible Societies
12 mo. not yet printed, ditto 33
29. A volume of Sermons:
now in the press. ditto 65
By Mr. Medhurst,
30. A Geographical Ca-
techism, ditto 21 1100 1100
By Afah^ a Chinese Christian :
31. Miscellaneous exhorta-
tions, founded on various 300 300
passages of Scripture, ditto 37
To these may be added ;
32. A reprint of a Chinese Pamphlet on Vaccination, written
formerly by Sir Geo. Staunton, Bart, (now M. P.) whose attain-
ments in Chinese literature are well known to the public :
15 50 50 '
1847. Remarks on Tracts in Chinese. 375
33. A reprint of the San
tze-king, a Chinese school
book, for use in the schools, 18 I 1000 1000
Total number of Chinese books d&c. 140,249
As these books have been printed at the public expense, it be-
comes a sort of duty to say something about their contents^ and to
give their respective titles in the native language may prove conven-
ient to the members of the Mission. 1 shall therefore go over the
nnmbers again, begging the reader to refer by the figures back to
corresponding ones in the Preceding list.
I New Te,Un.ent. ^ ^ % ^ hl^^'^Mc^^
» «9 ^^ Yay Soo Ke Le Sze tilh, wocho kew chay sin e chaou
shoo; i. e. Jesus Chiist, our Lord and Saviour's New Testament
book.
2. Old Testament title not fixed on, as the translation was com-
pleted only in Nov. 1819.
3. Tract on the Redemption of the World. ]jil|l ?^ |m 9^ ^
\^ $^ WL ^ ^ ^^*" ^^^" '"" ^^^^ kew she tsung shwoh chin
pun , i. e. ** A true and summary statement of ihc divine doctrine,
concerning the redemption of the world" — notices briefly, the being
and unity of God ; the l4w of God ; the desert of sin ; future retribu-
tions ; the manifestation of divine love, by Christ's death ; aids of
the Holy Spirit; faith, repentance, and comforts of the Gospel;
judgment to come ; duty of Christ's disciples — and concludes with a
form of prayer.
, 4. A Catechism.- ^^^f^f^^^i^ W»n t&h
tseen chu Yay-Soo keaou fiLh ; i. e. " An easy explanation of the
doctrine of Jesus, In question-and answer*'— contains in all 97 ques-
tions ; commences with the creation; then notices the Scriptures; the
perfections of God ; and is thenceforward in substance the shorter
catechism of the general Assembly of divines, a tittle modified — con-
cludes with the Lord's prayer, the creed, a morning and evening
prayer; graces before and after meat ; the 100th Psalm in verse;
and Cowper's hymn, '* Sweeter sounds than music knows."
5. A short Abstract — Notices the leading contents of the New
Testament, and of the catechisms and tracts issued in 1814 — very
short — the plate of this was lost.
6 ' Outline of the Old Testament History, ^Q^ |[p Pc^ @
^^ f V ^ ^ ^^^ ^^^ Jbo^te-a kwo, f^Sh tae l6oh ehuen; i. e.
" A brief relation of the successive generations of the ancient king-
376 Remarks^on Tracts m Chinese. . Aug.
clom of Judea" — notices the writings of the Jews relative to the
world ; the descent of all nations of men from one common progeni-
tor; the fall; the flood; Abraham; Sodom ; oppression of Israel in
the giving of the law at Mount Sinai ; the reigns of David and Solo-
mon ; the temple ; Prophecies of Isaiah ; Babylonish captivity ; the
coming of Christ, and closes with a metre version of the Hymn,
*' Take comfort Christians, when your friends — In Jesus fall asleep."
7. Hymn Book, ^ il!^ |i^ p|f Yong sin shin she; i. e. "Sacred
Odes, to nourish the (virtuous) mind" contains a short preface — and
thirty Hymns, being in general prose translations by Dr. M. of
Psalms, and Hymns commonly used in Christian countries, which
were turned into verse by his Chinese assistants:
8. Daily Morning and Evening Prayers of the English Church,
^ ^^ 9B ^^i@i0^^ Neen chung mei jih is'aou
wan ke taou sen shlh; i. e. *' Forms of prayer for the morning and
evening throughout the year," — with references to the Psalms, 6lc. icT
be read. — ^This being a translation from the Common Prayer Book,
no farther analysis is requisite.
9. Miscellaneous Essays, IR^ ?^ ^ ^ ^ {$ ^^^1° ^'®^"
taou tsuy tsSeh chuen : i. e. '* A collection of miscellaneous, papers
on divme subjects,"— concerning divine Revelation; the visible
heaveua to be distinguished from the Supreme Being ; Christ the
Saviour ; the Holy Spirit ; origin of all things ; incarnation of Christ ;
a practical address to various Classes ; the Sacraments ; worshiping
at the tombs.
10. Tour of the World, g^ ^ :% J^ Rfl ^ Plg^ ^ Se yew
te kew w&n keen leoh chuen; i. e. "Summary observations made
on a tour of the world, westward." The traveller says, he belongs
to Sze-chuen province — relates the motives that led him to under-
take his travels— passes through Tibet— and part of India — embarks
at Calcutta for France — relates the state of education in that couii-
try and in Europe — studies foreign literature — western opinions on
the origin of the universe — European views of the globe — a map of
the world, with explanations-division of time in Europe the sab-
bath-^nature of European governments— customs — religion — ^he re-
turns to China by way of America — but is wrecked on the coast of
Loo-Choo — obtains passage from thence in a Fokien ship bound to
Canton.
11. ** A fnreweil address — A translation of this p/^per appeared
in one of the Missionary Society's publications, two years cigo.
1847. Remarks on Tracts in Chinese, 377
12. Life of Christ— # Ifc ig" "g ff It ^ tE ^ew she
chay yen hing chin she ke; i. e. '' A true record of the doctrines
and acts of the Saviour of the world." — The preface notices the
creation, providence, sin, misery of roan ; the book is divided into
twenty sections : 1. The dispensation before the Gospel, 6lc. 2.
Christ's forerunner, 6lc. 3. Birth of Christ. 4. Herod, and the
children of Bethlehem, 6lc. 4. Wise men from the east, Slc, 5.
Christ at Jerusalem, in the temple. 6. His Baptism. 7. Temp-
tation. 8. Calls his disciples. 9. His charge to them. 10. His
doctrines. 11. His doctrines, continued. 12. The manner in
which he taught 13. His miracles. 14. The holiness of his life.
15. Institution of the Lord's Supper. 16. Jesus betrayed. 17.
Condemned and crucified. 18. His resurrection. 19. His ascen-
sion. 20. His Apostles go forth to teach ail nations.
13. The MagMine ^^i^^^^^^^ T«4li she
suh mci yueh tung ke chuen, i. e. " A general monthly record, con-
taining an investigation of the opinions and practices of society."
The five volumes of this work being all of a miscellaneous kind,
Nos. 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 of the list may be all taken together.
Things of ephemeral moment, anecdotes, news, religious intelligence,
Slc. need not be mentioned. The following papers may be consi-
dered of some value. The importance of knowing the true God-^
Summary of the doctrine of Christ— the power of the invisble God-
faith in Jesus — idolatry — goodness of God in providence and redemp-
tion— Unity of God— doctrine of the Trinity — exhortation at the close
of 1815 — explanation of passages of Scripture, where members of
the human body are ascribed to God — a discourse on the spirituality
of God, and the natjije of divine worship, John iv : 24. — Curses of
the law of Moses— view of European principles of Astronomy, the sun
the centre of the system, — the planets — satellites — the earth consi*
dered as a planet — its spherical form — diurnal motion round the
sun^-Address at the commencement of the year 1817 — Sermon —
the moon and her ph 'ses^-comets — fixed stars — What is meant
on being '* new creatures" — discourse on human depravity— on
being dead in trespasses and sins." — Omniscience and omni-
presence of God — Labor for the meat that endureth to everlast-
ing life — Paul's description of chnrity— exhortations to godliness —
God so loved the world, 6lg. — Repentance — To huve our conversa.
tion in the world in simplicity anH godly sincerity — Eclipses of tha
sun—" to die is gain'* — Eclipses of the nn>on — address to youth—
VOL. XVI NO." Vllf. IS
378* Remarks on Tracts in Chinese. Aug.
Pagan objections against Christianity answered — evils of an errone-
ous adherence to the ancients— explanation of Rom. 1 : 32. — good
men should be zealous to spread knowledge. The ancients offered
sacritices to the sun — Pagan objections answered. . On death — The
celestial g!obe, with an interpretation of the Latin names of 93
constellations, &c.
18. Tract on the Strait Gate, ^ ^hY^^^^f^t^
Tsin seaou mun, tsow tsTh loo keae lun. i. e. "A discourse con-
cerning entering in at the strait gate and walking in the narrow
road." — Notices the moral character of God — the sin and redemp-
tion of man — explanation of the terms strait gate and narrow road —
characters of those who walk in the broad way^-destruction does
not mean annihilation, but eternal misery. Repentance urged —
Eternal life diflTerent from the transmigration of souls^^human de-
pravity makes man's duty hard. In time and eternity, the righteous
and wicked are the only real distinctions among men in the eye of
God &c.
19. Tract on the sin of Lying, f^^'giUM^U
Tsung chin sliih, k*e kea hwang leoh shwoh ; i. e. '*^onor the
truth, and reject lying.*' — Founded on Cph. iv. 25, and^otices the
different kinds of lying common among the Chinese — sin and danger
of it — injurious to society and to the individual — it excludes men
from heaven, &c.
20. A Catechism for Youth, ^1^'^fj^f^^ Yew he6h
tseen keae wan t&h; i. e. ''Easy instructions for youth, in ques-
tion, and answer." — The preface notices the importance of the in-
struction of youth — more necessary for them than mere relative
duties. The Catechism contains 165 questions on the difference
between men and brutes — the design of God in creating man with a
soul — attributes of God-^the relations he graciously sustains towards
man — His law-— our duty to God and to men in different ranks of
society — sin its kinds, source and demerit — the Gospel — Incarnation,
life, and death, resurrection and intercession of Christ — Repentance,
faith — Holy Spirit renews the heart — pardon of sin — means of salva-
tion— word of God — Baptism — Lord's Supper, soul aflcr death, hea-
ven, hell, saints and angels not tb be worshiped; of evil spirits;
resurrection ; general judgment, and what follows it , the earth to be
consumed with fire ; concludes w-ith' morning and evening prayers
for children.
21. Exposition of the Lord's Prayer, jjlfffH ^ j^ ^ |5?
Ke taou chui fah choo keae; i. e. *' An explanafton of the true
1847. Remarks on Tracts in Chinese. 379
method of prayer," containing a preface and ten discourses; 1. In-
troductory ; existence of God ; obligation of man ; salvation by Christ.
2. Proper object of prayer ; dispositions suited to it, its various
kinds. 3. Name of God explained; how it is to be so hallowed*
4. Nature and laws of his kingdom ; the church ; how to be ex-
tended; objections answered. 5. The will of God, what* dLc. 6.
How we should pray for temporal blessings. 7. Sin, — the pardon of
it to be prayed for ; mutual forgiveness to be exercised. S. Temp*
tation; kinds of it; nature and operations of Satan ; doubts resolved ;
9. Deliver us from evil ; natural and moral soil considered ; the
Evil one; we may not seek deliverance from the vanities of the Gen-
tiles. 10. How we are to give glory to God; his Majesty; power
and government of the world — God not to be confounded with
idols ; concluding exhortation.
22. Tract on Idolatry, ^' || ^ $^ fj| Choo kwdh e shin
]un ; i. e. ** A discourse concerning false gods of the nations."
God, the creator and preserver, is one only ; various sorts of idolatry
prevalent in China; folly and sin of it; several classes of men who
support, or live by idolatry addressed ; an appeal to their reason
and conscience.
23. On justice between man and man, ^ /3| -2^ -^ ^ ^
^ Sang e kung ping tseu yih fdh ; i. e. " The method of gaining
by justice, in the transaction of business." — This tract is founded
on Deut. 25 : 3 — notices the several kinds of employments among
men ; the various ways of practising injustice which prevail in Chi-
na, in the respective classes of society ; weights and measures : spoil-
ed commodities; over-reaching in bargains; covenant breaking;
awful consequences of this sin.
24. The evils of Gambling, [^ ]$ Bfl Slffl ^ ^ T*oo poh
ming lun ieoh keang; i. e. ''A brief discourse on gambling," notices
the variety there is in the condition and pursuits of mankind ; speci-
fies the several kinds of gaming that abound among the Chinese ; the
causes from which the disposition to gamble proceeds ; points out the
pernicious consequences of this practice, on families, communities d&c.
25. Twelve short Sermons, ^ § f p f ffe "f* H |J|| Shing
shoo tseSh choo shih nrh heun ; i. e. " Twelve discourses, explain-
ing texts of sacred scripture,' Unity of God ; depravity of man ;
manifestation of divine giace; faith and salvation; good works; rela-
tive-duties; death; difference between the righteous and wicked in
their death — the resurrectionist he judgment — the eternal state.
These topics are but very briefly explained.
380 Remarks on Tracts iti Chinese. Aitg.
26. Dialogues. 5^ j^ !^ ;^ ^B t^f ^'^^^^ y"**" '^^"^ ^^'^'
seang lun, i. e. " Dialogtie^ between two friends, Chang and
Yuen."— Chang is a worshiper of the true God, and Yuen is his
heathen neighbour. They meet by chance on the road, enter into
conversation, and afterwards generally meet in the evenings, under
the Wootung tree. These Dialogues have extended yet to the 12th
only, but are to be continued. The c<mtents of those already print-
ed are as follows: 1. Questions proposed by Yuen concerning
Christian principles and character ; the Being of God. 2. Evange-
lical repentance. 3. Character of Christ, and faith in him. 4. Good
men seek their chief happiness in heaven ; annihilation of the soul
considered. 5. Chang relates his first acquaintance with the New
Testament. * 6. Yuen having retired, is struck with horror at his
own neglect of the true God ; visits Chang and finds him with his
family at prayer ; the resurrection of the the dead. 7. Nature and
qualities of the raised bodies; doubts and objections. 8. Yuen on
visiting Chang in the evening, finds him in his closet, which leads
to a discussion on the object and kinds of prayer; worshiping
the dead, d&c. 9. The awful judgment to come ; a midnight prayer
under the Wootung tree. 10. Yuen objects to Chang.'s last night's
prayer, because he confessed himself to be a sinner; 11. Yuen
deeply impressed with the ideas of eternity and of sin spends a whole
night in his garden bewailing his miserable condition. 12. Chang
explains to him the method of salvation by Jesus Christ; the felicity
of heaven ; and misery of hell.
27. Sacred History, "^ ^ S^ ^%^^ Koo kin shing sze
ke tsih ; i. e. ** Sacred History, ancient and modern." It is intended
to continue this work through the Qld and New Testaments, and
down to the present time; hence the title, Vol. 1st, contains 20 sec-
tions. 1. The Universe, not eternal, nor the work of chance:
2. The order of the creation. 3. The two great progenitors of
mankind in Eden. 4. The fall. 5. The consequences of the
fall. 6. The promise of a Saviour. 7. The Institution of Sacri-
fices. 8. Cain and Abel. 9. The antidiluvian patriarchs. 10.
The deluge. II. The traces of the deluge, etill visible in all na-
tions. 12. Concerning the origin of idol Htry. 14. Call of Abraham.
15. Abraham's journey to Canaan. 16. He goes down to Egypt.
17. Abraham and Lot. 18. Melchisedec. 19. Sarah, Hagar,
and Itthmael. 20. Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Of vol.
2d only six sections have yet been printed.
1847. Remarks on Tracts in Chinese. 381
28. Duty of Men in times of public calamity, i@« fj^ ^ 0^
Wii t% Show tsae heoli e lun shwouh ; i. e. '* A discourse, shew-
ing that we ought to learn righteousness in time of public calaroiy,"
founded on Isaiah 26 : 9. This tract was inscribed to the Chi-
nese community, in time of general sickness in Malacca ; notices
the extent of the existing calamity ; their erroneous conceptions rela*
tive to the causes of such general afflictions ; the lessons we ought
to learn from the judgments of God ; the falde pleas which the hea-
then make for putting off all concern about their souls ; concludes
with exhortations to various classes of persons.
29. Three Pearls, ^ ^ '^ San paou hwuy; i. e. "The
three precious,'' viz. The Missionary, Tract, and Bible Societies ;
treated according to the order of their establishment, In the intro-
duction, the nature of the gospel of Christ, its propagation, introduc-
tion into the nationvof Europe; state of those nations before that
time, and the numerous benevolent societies in the west, are briefly
touched upon. 1. The Missionary Society. A translation of its rules,
with explanatory notes; its resources; its operations among the hea-
then ; methods it employs for the accomplishment of its object ; a
variety of doubts and objections solved. The existence of other
societies of a similar kind, is noticed. 2. The Religious Tract
Society. Translation of its plan, notes; its operations; nature and
qualities of the publications it issues; its agents; the method of cir-
culation, &c. 3. The British and Foreign Bible Society. Its plan,
with notes; its vast and increasing operations; patronage; annual
receipts and expenditure; books issued; translations, &c. Auxiliary
Missionary, Tract and Bible Societies are hinted at in this pamphlet,
which closes by shewing that though these societies differ in their
plans of operation, their object is the same; that they are equally
founded in true benevolence ; and that they are highly beneficial to
mankind. Some freedom was taken in rendering the rules of these
Institutions ; one or two of mere temporary or local interest are lefl
out — and in several instances, two rules put together ; but the gener-
al sense is preserved throughout.
30. A volume of Sermons, >^ D]| ~f" Zl Keuen heun shTh
urh; i.e. "Twelve hortatory discourses," viz. Christ the only
Saviour. — The wandering sheep returnd to the great shepherd, a
thief in the night, a well spent day, why the heathen make light of the
Qospel, true happiness — the good man in affliction, the happy death of
the righteous, the penitent sinner seeking for mercy, who are ex-
3S2 Papers relating to the riot of July 1 946. Avg,
eluded from the kingdom of God, prayer, discourse for the new year.
31. . A Geographical Catechism t^ttl i^ 'fSl ^ 1^ 1^ '^^ ^®
peen tung ie5h chuen ; i. e. " A summary of geography, adapted for
youth " — contains four maps, one of the world,— one of China — one
of Asia — one of Europe — notices the general divisions of the globe —
the boundaries — extent, productions — population — and religions of
the principal countries in the world such as China, India, Persia,
Palestine, Egypt, Russia, Germany, England, America, &c. dLC.
This being an elementary work, for use in the schools, is short, but
will be enlarged afterwards.
32. «< Miscellaneous Exhortations." ^ ^ ^ j^ ^ ^ |^
Kew she 15h tsQh yaou leoh keae ; i. e. " Brief explanations of the
most important passages in the Scriptures of the Saviour." A preface
concerning God as the creator, and object of worship, to which the
ten Commandments are attached, passages in the 2d chapter of the
Hebrews — 2 Peter, 2d chapter; whole of the 1st chapter, and part
of the 2d, 3d, and 4th of James, explained — 2 Tim. 3, 15 — 1 Peter
3, 10, i John 1,8—9 ; James 5th — Three hymns and prayers. These
exhortations being the composition of a christian Chinese mechanic,
who was totally unacquainted with the Go9pel six years ago, can-
not be expected to display a deep acquaintance with theology ; and
to mistake occasionally the scope of a passage of Scripture, is what
might have been expected ; but they appear upon the whole evange-
lical, serious, and useful.
^^^^^(^'^^^^^^^^'^■MM^^WW^^W^'W^'W^
Art. II. Papers relating to the riot at Canton in July 1846, and
the proceedings taken against Mr. Compton, a British subject ^
for his participation in that Riot, Republished from the China
Mail
1 : Mr Johnston to Mr Mdingtan. — (Received Sept. 23.)
Victoria, Hongkong, July 2S, 1846:
Sir. — The recent disturbance at Canton, in connection with the departure
of the mail to England to-morrow morning, seemi to render it important that
the E&rl of Aberdeen should be furnished with all the official information that
has been received at this office relative to the serious riot of the 8th instant ;
and 1 have therefore the honour to inclose you copies of despatches with their
respective inclosures, from Mr Consul Macgregor to the address of Her
Majesty's Plenipotentiary and Chief Superintendent of Trade.
In the absence of any instructions to this effect. 1 hope that this>-step will
meet with the Earl of Aberdeen's approval. — 1 have, dec.
A. R. JoHifSToir.
1647. Papers relating to the rial of July 1846. 363
2. Consul MaegregOT to Sir John Davis. Canton, July 9, 1846. at 7 ?. m.
Sir. — Last evening, at a quarter before 7, I received a note from Mr Comp-
ton, a Britiah nnerchant of this place, riifonning me that he had been struck by
a Chinaman, had retnrned the blow, secured the man, and carried him in cus-
tody to Minqua's hong, in front of which a large crowd was collecting. Whilst
1 took measures for informing the authorities o{ what was going on, and calU
ing on them for immediite assistance to repel the theatened attack, Mr Jackson
went to the factories, and exerted himself to repress the disposition of our
countrymen to attack the mob. This he succeeded in doing, until the arrival
.of local military oiHcers with troops. In the meantime he reported to me the
progress of the affair, and the probability of its becoming serious. 1 then repair-
ed myself to the factories, and finding on the arrival ol*the local military that
they were either unable or nnwilling to repel the mob, who were now increa-
sing, and had begun to demolish the wing of Minqua's hong^ inhabited by
British merchants, I was compelled to yield to the importunities of my country-
men and to accompany them to the scene of the riot, in order to disperse the
rioters ; on condition, however, that they would not fire upon thejUM>wd. The
prisoner in the meantime had been allowed to escape. '"^
On seeing us advance towards them, they showered a volley of stones at us,
and retreated, followed for some distance, as I afterwards learned by several
with muskets and otlier tire-arms. These were at length provoked to fire on
the crowd, by which I lament to state three Chinamen were killed. I was not
present when this occurred, nor was I cognixant of it till some time aflcr.
Another party of foreigners who had remained outside the gate at the top of
Old China-street, being pelted furiously by the rabble collected there, were
also induced to fire on them, by which some were yiroundcd, two of whom
were lefl on the street, and afterwards conveyed to the hospital in Hog-lane.
A Parsee in the house of D. and M. Rustomjee and Co., had his leg broken by
A stone, and a German is, i understand, hurt, though not seriously, hy another.
The foreign community formed themselves into watches for Uie night, and
were stationed at the several gates of the factories, and the avenues leading to
them, the Chinese military oflicers disposing of their force in the manner they
ihonght most advantageous. The rest of the night* passed without further
disturbance.
Early this morning I received assurances^ from the authorities that they
would use every endeavour to prevent further mischief, siiid they entreated
me to urge upon my countrymen to keep quiet within their factories. Several
ships* boats haxixig arrived with menfrom Whampoa, it wassoon found neces-
sary to prevent them from obtaining spirituous li(|ilorB. I' accordingly issued
a circular to our merchants, calling- on tiiem to keep the crews of such vessels
•as were consigned to them, within their respective factories, and again exhort-
ing them not to commit any acts of aggression, but to Use all-proper means for
the protection of their lives and properties.
Captain Steen Bille has ordered fiAy of his crew to come up from Whampoa
to assist in repelling any further attack. It is difficult to conjecture at the
present time what may take place. The rabble are much incensed by the
.death of their companions, and the shopkeepers of China-street are remov-
ing their goods, which people of experience here look upon as an indication of
further violence. But it is to be hoped that the misguided mob will become
cognixant of the preparations making for resistance and 'defence, and will be
deterred by the certainty of serious personal loss from resuming offensive
measures. — I have, dLO. P. C. Macoregor.
3. Consul Macgregoi'td Sir John Davis. i^anton, July 13, 1846.
•. Sir. — In reference to the late disastrous riot at this place, I have great
satisfaction in reportin|r that since my last despatch on the subject, perfect
quiet hss prevailed in the quarter of thc^ factories. Early in the day afWr the
disturbance, a body of armed men from the Dtanish frigate, and several armed
boats' crows from the merchant- vessels, came^p and were quartered in the
factories- by tlieir re»pe<^tive consignees. The following morning, however,
384 Papers rtlating to the riot of July IS46. Aug.
they all returned to Whampoa, and nothing more hat tince been deemed neces-
«ary than to post a few lentriet from among the foreign residenta themselves,
in order to prevent the possibility of a lurprise. A strong and apparently suf-
ficient force of Chinese and Tartar soldiers is stationed at the top of China-
street, with outposts at the principal avenues, and to all appearance no danger
exists of any further outbreak for the present.
The inclosed correspondence with the high authorities will shew your Ex-
cellency the nsture or the difficulties now to be contended with, and will supply
details it was impossible to furnish in my first report.
A proclamation has been issued by the Governer for the purpose of allaying
the excitement of the rabble. As soon as obtained, 1 will forward it for your
Excellency's information.
It is rumoured that meetings are being held within the city by the literati
and gentry, but the tenor of their deliberations has not ^et transpired.
Business in the shops has resumed its usual course, and there is nothing to be
noted in the demeanour of the populace indicative of a more angry feeling than
usual. — I have, &.c. F. C. Macorkoos.
4. Commi$9ioner ICe and Uu Governor af Kwamgtung to Consul Macgregor^
— .^ Comtnvnieation.
Ke, a member of the Imperial Family, Commissioner, Guardian of the Crown
Prince, assistant Minister, a President of the Board of War, and Governor-
General of the Two Kwang; and Hwang, a Vice-President of the Board of
War, and Governor of Kwangtung, hereoy make a communication.
Yeatecday evening the District Magistrate of Naohae reported to us that an
Englishman named Coinpton had got drunk- and created a disturbance with
the people ; and we also received your note stating that ** a disturbance had
taken place at the factories," ^c. On this we issued a proclamation, and at
the same time sent orders with the utmost speed to Lew, the Prefect of Kwang-
chow, and to the Colonel Commandant, Yee, to proceed to the place with
soldiers. Further the Provincial Judge, Ten, and the Grain Collector, Chaou,
hastened there with all speed in order to suppress the tumult; but three of the
people had already been killed, and a number of them wounded by the fire-
arms of the English, and it was only afler the officers and soldiers hadexerted
themselves to the utmost that the people began to disperse.
We have arain ^iven orders to the civil and military officers to take soldiers
and protect the thirteen factories and that neiffhbourhood. But we find on
examination that it is reported the Englishman Coinpton had previously to this
got drunk and created a disturbance ; why is it, therefore, that you hsTe failed
to restrain him, so that he has again, influenced by liquor, acted in a disorderly
manner, and been the occasion of a serious case, and [why have you] permitt-
ed EngTish to discharge fire-arms at their pleasure, so as to kill three of the
people and wound many of them.
A perpetual peace having been established between our two ootintries, both
parties must restrain their merchants and people, not allowing them to create
disturbances. Then will it be possible for us to give mutual protection, and
for all to enjoy profit and advaJitage. But the present violent conduct on the
part of the English is certainly not the way to promote perpetual mutual
tranquillity.
Jt IS therefore our bounden duty to write to vou on the subject. As soon as
this communication reaches you, ascertain with all speed what it was that gave
rise to the fighting, and who the various murderers are, that made use of fire-
arms so as to wound the Chinese people, and give us a reply on the subject,
and also take earnest and sincere measures for the prosecution and punishment
[of the guilty] in accordance with the treaties, in order to manifest justice and
f^ood faith, and dispel hatred and dislike. This case involves the loss of many
ives besides the woundinj; of many persons; henoe if ideas of partial protec-
tion be in the slightest degree entertained, it follows that people's minds will
rebel, ang<>r will ar.cumuUte in a still deeper degree, and it is to be apprehend-
ed that ft may produce Komelhing not anticipated, and which occurring i^uddenly
it will nol be pi>»;iible to guard uj^diiist. You, who have hitherto been intellig-
1847. Papers relating to ike rioi of July 1846. 3)i5^
ent in bnsineM and in riff ht principles, oinst devrnt mature measores for the-
■atiafiietory ■ettlement of this affair. A neceaaary oommnnieation.
For the British Conanl, Maegregor. July tt. 1846.
5. Conml Ma€gr§gor to tlu Oovenutr oj
Canton, July 13. 1^46.
I was addreaiing jour Excellency a complaint on the dilatorinesa by the
local authoritiea in dispersing the rioters assembled between Minqua's hong and
the foreign factories in the afternoon of the 8th instant, when I received your
Excellency's communication of the 9th on the subject of the events which:
have taken place in consequence thereof.
On submitting to your Excellency the following details of what [ have
myself witnessed, and what has been ooroinnnieated t/i me by other parties, I
must premise that the disturbances which happened last Wednesday are mainly
to be attributed to the crowded state of the streets on both flanks of the foreign
ftietories. where, contrary to the stipulations of Sect 4 of the Regulations of
the 19th July, 1844. a multitude of idlers of the lower classes of Chinese ai*
constantly attracted bv the presence of quacks, fortune-tellers, barbers, beggai««
and showmen, noiwithsunding that repeated applications were made to the
loeal authorities to remove these nuisances. It was in one of theee streets, on
the west side of the thirteen factories, that the late distnrbanoee took their
origin.
On Wednesday evening, between 6 and 7 o'clock, 1 received a message from
the British merchant Compton, by which he informed me that in psfsing
the etreets leading to Minqua's hong he was struck by a Chinaman, whose
blow he returned, and was then violently pelisd with stones by the crowd ;
that he succeeded however, in securing and conveying the offender in custody
to Minqua's hong, before which a large crowd of the lowest class of people
was eollecting with every indication of being intent upon mischief. 1 beg to
observe that when this happened Mr Compton was far from being in a state
of inebriety, as has been erroneously reported to your Excellency, although he
wimld naturally have ehewn some excitement at the indignity offered to him.
His statement was eorroborated by several persons who successively arrived
at the Consulate to claim assistance for dispersing the rioters, whose principal
attack was directed npon Minqua's hong (the residence of several British mer>
chants), notwithstanding that the prisoner had been allowed to escape ^erj
soon after his capture.
After having given notice of the disturbance to the local authorities, and
claimed their prqCeetion for the foreign factories, 1 repaired U> the spot in person.
I-found all the foreign residents (who were provided with arms for their
defence) in A stale of conaidereble excitement, and the mob activelv emnloyed
in throwing large stones over the walls of the factories, and in demokshing
Minqua's hong on the opposite side of the street
For upwards of half an hour I was stationed near the western gate, within
the fectories, but no preparations for checking the progress of the rioten being
apparent, foreigners grew more and more impatient at the delay of the military
force, whose speedy arrival had been repeatedlv announced to them.
The lanterns of the AssisUnt Magistrate of jlanhae, followed by poUce-mn*
nere, were now seen moving towards the scene of the riot, but it was not long
before that officer was obliged to return, leaving the mob to continue their
work of destruction without interruption. Already they had succeeded in
destroying the iron ban of one of the lower windows, and in battering in the
wall in another part of the building, into which combustibles were thrown,
evidently with the intention of setting it on ^n»
It was near 9 o'doek, p. h.; the disturbance had been going on fnllv two
honra, and no military force to repel it was in sight. Toe winds, although
light at thai momenf, blew from the southward. If the rioten were allowed
to establish themselveein Minqua's hone without an effort being made to dislo.
dge them before they had set Are to it, die thirteen faetories were in imminent
danger of bei«g pillaged and burnt by the mob, an event that would have hees
VOL. XVI. NO. VIII. 49
386: Papers relating to the riot of July IS46. . A i/o. *
attended with the destruction of a great deal of valuable property, and eventual-
ly with the loss of many lives.
Considering these circumstances. I held a consultation with Dr Parker, the
actiniT American Charge d' Affaires, with whom I agreed in opinion that there
was perieuluM in demard. and that it was the common interest of all, Chinese
as well as foreign, to drive the thieves from their lodgement and keep the place
clear until a sqfiicient Chinese military force should arrive. A number of
persons consisting of English, Americans, and other foreigners having volun-
teered for the service. Or Parker and myself ofiered to accompany them to the-
•pot, with the understanding that no fire-arms should be used, unless in a case
of emergency and by command.
Accordingly we went out of the gate, directing our steps towards Minqaa •
factory. On seeing us advance upon them, the thieves who had gathered there
assailed us with a volley of stones, and then precipitately retreating, were
pursued for some distance, as I afterwards learned, by several of our party
with muskets and other fire-arms. These were at length compelled to fire on
the rioters, in which sffray i lament to state several of the latter were killed.
I wa« not present when this ocourred,^ nor was 1 cognisant of it till some time
after. Another party of foreigners who had remained outside the gate at the
top of Old China-street, being pelted furtcusly by the rabble collected there,
were also constrained to fire on tbem, by which some were wounded, two of
whom were left in the street and afterwards conveyed to the hospital in Hog.
lane.'
On the side of the foreigners a Parsee had his leg broken by a stone, and a*
German, I understand, is liurt in ihe head, not to mention several contusion»
received by others from the eflTects of missiles, but of minor importance.
At about 10 o'clock, or half an hour after the affray was over, the Prefect
arrived with a band of soldiers. The gates at the avenues of the adjacent
streets were closed and guarded, and nothing further occurred during the night
to disturb the public peace.
FVom the foregoing statement of facts your Excellency will .perceive how
utterly impossible it is to deal with this matter in ithe way you propose, and
that they are not cases of murder that are now. treated of, but justifiable
homicide incurred by rioters illegally sssembled and in the act of forcing into,
and -destroying the dwelling of peaceable individuals for purposes of plunder.
Tbcfre was no* intention whatever on the part of the foretgnera to take life:
they fired at random in the dark streets, and each of them is consequently
ignbnint whether or not his ball took effect. Thus it is impossible for roe to
indieate- the 1 individuals who were the immediate. instruments of the several
deaths which- unfortunately occnrred. But I shall at the u^mgf time be ready,
so (kr as I am' able, to afford your Excellency any otiier additional ioformation
in' this untoward event, which yon may point out to mei-- -^t ■. •>
In reference to the coucludinff part of your Excellency's letter ,4 find myself
called' uponJto- remark that, on the part of the HritisK residents and foreigners
genersllyi "a -strong desire: prevails^ to improve our relations and cultivate-^
friendly feeling with your countrymen ; .but it is obvious to every body that a
like disposition is not fiistered in the minds at least of the common people at
Canton, whose insolence* towards foreigners is almost proverbial, eyincingi an
exdusiveness and wantof hospitality unparalleled in any other civilised country*
' 1 would therefore respectfully and earnestly submit that the common people
should be cautioned not on every slight occasion to endanffcr the lives of fore,
igners by assailing them with stones or other missiles, the Tatter being, far fron^
disposed quietly to endure such indignities. Cn the present instance-it will be
manifest to the good sense of the respestable portion of the Canton population,
thkl they ouieht not to identify themselves with, or demand repacatioa for the
easUaldeathof a few.' common thieves and vagabonds, whose lives woold have
beeti' forfeited to the laws of China if the offenders had been roaptared in. tiie
verjF^aet- -- Shonld any one whosuffered belong- to' a^ better elass than those
deserilNid, It miMit b«* sincerely lamented bv eTerymaa -of right. feel ingv who
«aiHior 'however but be sensible that, whosoever' from* idle etiriosity or any
1847. Paprrs relating to the riot of July 1646. ^7
other cause g}Vfm coontenaDce to a mob of riotera by swelling their numbers,
must necessarily involve himself in the same danf^r and eouseqaences to
which all m'ere indiscriminately exposed.
F. C. Macorkgor.
6. Viscount Palmerttan to Sir John Davis.
Foreign Office, October 3, I(!*46
Sir, — I have had under my consideration the account of the late riot at Can.
ton, which is contained in Mr Consul Macgregor's despatches, of which copies
were transmitted to me by Mr Johnston, in his letters of the 'i4th and 25th of
July last.
1 have to instruct yon to state in writing to the authorities at Canton, that
Her Majesty's government regret that the people of Canton shonld by their
lawless violence have compelled the British residents to use fire-arms in de.
fence of their own properties and lives, and that in consequence thereof, several
subjects of the Emperor of China should have been killed and wounded. But
thf Chinese authorities will act kindly by the people of the town if they earn-
estly impress upon them that the British residents are not to be attacked or
insulted with impunity ; and you will request the Chinese authorities to bear
in mind thnt if they shall he unwilling or unable to keep order, the British
subjects will defend themselves, and the greater the violence of the mob, the
greater will be the loss of life which will be inflicted upon them.
The British government, however, trust that the Chinese authorities will not
again neglect, as they seem to have done on this occasion, the discharge of the
duty which belonff» to them of preserving the peace of the city, and that by a
vifftlant police and by an active repression of the beginnings of -disorder, they
wHl in future render it unnecessary for the British residents to take up arms
in their own defence. You will also say that as it is essential, with a view to
prevent future outrage, that an example should be made of those who were
engaged in that which happened in July, the British government request tiiai
the Canton authorities will make proper inquiries into the transaction, and
'punish according to law the most guilty of the rioters ; you will fbrther say
that the British government has ordered a ship of war to be stationed off the
factories for the protection of British subjects and their property. But it is to
be hoped that the Chinese authorities will take such effectual measures of pre-
vention, as may in future render it unnecessary for any British force, either
nsval or military, to have recourse to acts of hostility against Canton, in order
to prevent or to punish a violation of the Treaty of Nankin. — I am, &c.
Pauirrstor.
f _.
7. Viseount Palnurstan to Sir John Davis.
Foreign Office, October 17, 1846,
Sir,— In my despatch of the 3d instant 1 instructed you to call the particular
attention of the Chinese authorities at Canton to the necessity of their taking
■measures, by establishing a vigilant police and by actively repressing the
beginnings of disorder, to prevent the future occurrence of events of the same
character as the late riots at Canton.
But while Her Majesty's government are prepared to insist on the exercise
by the Chinese authorities of such an effective oontroul over Chinese subjects,
as may secure to British subjecta the full enjoyment of the privileges to which
•they are entitled under the late treaty between Great Britain and China, it is
•at the same time their duty to see that British subjects do not exceed the limits
which have been assigned to those privileges, nor by a wanton disregsrd of
the feelings or prejudices of the Chinese, provoke a state of ill-feeling calculat-
ed to produce acts of violence and disorder.
I hsve accordingly to instruct you, if you should not have already done so
before the receipt of this despatch, to cause an inquiry to be instituted at Can-
ton into the circumstances out of which the late riots originated ; and if the
result of that inquiry should justify your taking such a step, you will follow it
dSS Paperi relating to the fiat of July 1646. Air<l.
op br a pvblie notifieatioo, eantibnini;. Her Majefljr's tobjeets in China as to
lh« flanfera lo which they muit neceMariljr expose themselves, bj proceedings
on their part calculated to wound the prejudices or to excite the snimositj of
the Chinese ; and warning them at the same time, that should such proceedings
on their part end in the commission of acts of violence by the Chinese, British
subjects cannot expect tliat Her Majesty's government should insist upon the
Chinese goTemment making ri>paration for losses or injuries which a proper
forbearance or consideration might have served to preTent4~I am, Ac.
PaLMJKKSTOI.
D. Bit John Davis to tU Earl tfAbwdun, rReeeived Oct. 26.]
Victoria, Hongkong, August 7, 1846.
My Lord,— With reference to Mr Johnston's communications, in my absenee,
lo tlie address of Mr Addington, forwarding copies of despatches iVom Her
Majesty's Consul at Canton, I have the satisfaction to report that up to yester.
day (nearly a month after the occurrence of the late riot) complete tranquillity
has existed.
A note received by me at Chusan (immediately after completing the evaeua.
tiofi) ftx>m Maior General D'Aguilar, induced me to return with all speed to
Hongkong, which 1 reached in only five days, on the 8d instant
1 received the inclosure from Mr Macj^regor, forwarding a communication
from Keying, in which the Chinese Minister takes a view of the late transac-
tions hardly warranted by facte, inasmuch as be represents the foreigners as
unnecessarily aggressive, while in truth their prompt and united energy alone
saved the fsctories from sack and pillaj^.
Mr Macgreffor in his reply makes a fair statement of the actual eircumstanoee
of the ease. As 1 observe in my inclosed despatch to him of the 3d instant, it
is plain that when a desperate attempt was made by the rabble to burn and
plander Mr Church's residence, nearly three hours elapeed without any as-
aistanee from the government, and the combined energy of the English, Ame-
ricans, and others alone saved the fkctories firom a general sack, to which even
the Chinese shops were equally exposed. The deaUi of the three Chinese was
therefore as inevitable as in the Amenoan case of lt544.
The Consul appeared to me upon the whole to feel too secure of the main,
tenance of tranquillity, as from the representation of the ease on the Chinese
side I was inclined to expect some trouble, and thought it best to be prepared
for the worst
The attempt on the part of the Local government to simplify the question
by pretending that the English alone were concerned in the repulse of the mob
I considered nighly objectionable, and therefore directed the Consul not to
submit to it. 1 at the same time approved of his not requiring the protec-
tion of a vessel of war at Canton as long as adequate aid was afforded by the
government, though I should be prepared to send one up if necessary. The
presence of such a vessel obviates any need of the vory objectionable measnre
of having marines on shore.
1 now add copies of the merchants' address to the Consul representing tho
Bfcesstty of sn armed vessel being immediatelv and permanently anchoied at
Canton, and Mr Macgre^r's reply, in which he denies the policy of such a
course I have ainee received from Her Majesty's Consul the inclosed rejoinder
ftom the British merchants, in which they strongly urge the necessity fat tha
protection of a man-of-war.*
In my inclosed despatch to the Consul of this day's date 1 repeat my will-
ingness to be guided by his own responsible opinion (being on the spot) as to
sending up the ** Nemesis '* when the arrives, hut at the same time point to
him the absolute necessity of preserving the privilege of anchoring a vessel in
case of need at Csnton, which he had shown same disposition to abandon^
though we have always hitherto practised it at every port. I conclude with
exptessing my sincere hope that his expectations of continued tranqnillity may
be realised.— I have, dtc^
J.F.Davis.
9 (k 10.
1847. Papers relating to the riot of July 1646. 389
Tbtf Dext two docnnwnU eoDfitt of a oomroanication from Keying to Mr
Coo»q1 Macgregor and that gentleman's reply. Both are of such great length
thai we are oompelled to give extracts only in plaee of the entire docaments.
In reference to the Consm's commnnication of the 13th Jnly, Keying states :—
** On extmining into the particulars reported, we find that the-British mer-
chant Coropton had previously, on the 4th instant, at the door of the guard-
hooae at Old China-street, kicked to pieces the small furniture of a fruiterer at
that place, and on the military officer, Lefung-tseang, going out to admonish and
flop nim, he beat the latter with a cane which he held in his hand. The people
•nembled in the street were already in a disturbed state, and a riot had almost
taken place, when fortunately the te-paou (overseer) informed the compradors,
who having stopped the quarrel by their representations, all parties dispersed.
On the 8th instant, at about 6 o*cfook p. n. (yew kik) a foreigner was disputing
and wrangling with a Chinese, a vender of plums, at the entrance to Old
China-street, which Compton perceiving from an upper storv, again descend-
ed with a cane in his hand, and hastened to inflict random blows with it on the
vender of plums. In the course of the quarrel Compton suddenly laid hard
hold of a man and took him into the Changho hong, where he tied apd beat
him, thus causing the assembled Chinese, who were not disposed to submit to
the proceeding, to make a disturbance at the back of the said hong. It waa
therefore Compton who repeatedly created disturbances. Nothing could be
more violent and perverse than his conduct in disgracing the military officer
by blows, and in taking it upon himself to tie and beat a Chinese ; and since
hit was in a state of intoxication from liquor it follows that he calmly proceed-
ed to excite disturbances, which is quite inexplicable.
** Afterwards, when the man who had been tied had already been let out by
the owner of the hong, the Chinese crowd not being aware of the circumstance,
and wishing to get into the hong to liberate him, eoUtfcted and threw stones so
as to destroy the wooden rail barrier and the back wall of the said houg. The
Chinese crowd did not, therefore, by any meana create a diaturbance without
cause, but feeling resentment at the insults of the English, wished to retaliate.
M The English collected together a number of persons carrying fire-arms,
went out and attacked the Chinese, who, dreading their violence, immediately
retreated and dispersed ; bnt again the English pursued them in diiferent di-
reetions with fire-arms, and attacked them so as to kill three and wound six.
The District Magistrate has held an inquest on the diffiprent bodies, which wera
by no means (found) at the back of the Changbo hong, the scene of the distur-
bance, one being at the entrance of the Danish bottom of New. China-street,
and one at the bottom of Old China-street. It is therefore evident that the
English had determined to commit violence, between which and the being con-
strained to kill and wound others in self-defence, there is a wide difference.
** Moreorer you had at the time agreed with the others that they should not
An except on command and upon an emergency. Now as the Chinese had
already dispersed, there was no emergency, still less were any serious conse-
quences for the lives of the English to be apprehended, yet the latter disregard-
ing yonr restrictions, precipitately pursued after and fired at the Chinese,
acting therein in a very unnatural and unreasonable manner.'*
Kevingf then gives toe names and designations of the men who were killed,
and denying that they were, as had been alleged, ** vagabond thieves, but all
daily employed and gaining a regular livelih(M>d,** adding that *^ if people then
who were killed, have the name of thieves hsstily bestowed upon them, not
only will the dead be filled with resentment, but the respectable people of Can-
ton will afso be in a disturbed state on their account.** In reference to the
Consnl's explanation that those who conntensnce a mob involve themselves
in its consequences. Keying ssys ** this speech very much exceeds what is
right and proper :— >
** If indeed the English kill the Chinese it may still be said that good people
ought not to collect together and look on from the side so as to be wounded
and injured in mistake ; but on this occasion the Chinese, had already fled and
dispersed, not daring to make further oppoaitioa to the English ; yet the latter
390 Vapers relation to the riot of July 1846. Aua.
puraued after and fired at them, wildly attacking them, so an to kill with them
other persons who had no concern with the matter. If it still be considered that
these people drew down the calamity on themselves, we sincerely apprehend
that it will pain every one who hears of it.
** We haTe no desire to favour the Chinese in this case, but there is in every
affair a true right and a true wrong, and if a mutual tranquillity is to subsist
between the Chinese and foreigners, the common feelings of mankind and the
just principles of heaven must be conformed with. Besides, human life is of
extreme importance, and the anger of the public difficult to appease \ hence
we cannot regard this as a common matter, nor fail to aim at what is fkir and
proper.
*^ As you were not present at the time, and had besides before the affair
previously admonished and warned the others not to make a light use of fire-
arms, there was ttr reality nothing unfitting in your manner of management;
but it is really a matter of difficulty lightly to shew indulgence to Compton iQid
the others who, disregarding your restrictions and taking delight only in pre.
sumptuous violence, have regarded the lives of the Chinese as grass (i. e. of
no consequence).'*
Mr Mncgregor in his reply sets out with enumerating the charges brought
againttt Mr Compton and the English, in effect the same as those produced
before the Supreme Court and published in the China Mail No. 92, Nov. 13,
1846, and thus proceeds : —
** Before entering into a consideration of the merits of the above points, and
of the arguments therein adduced, I must necessarily revert to the Regulations
of the I'ilh July 18 14, for the protection of the for^.^n factories, and to express,
my conviction that if they, namely, Article iV had been strictly adhered to, the
late riot would never have occurred. I am cognizant of the fact that repeated
official applications were made to your Excellencies to have it strictly enforced,
and 1 do not doubt that the most positive orders to that effect were given ; but
it is no less certain that for a considerable time past they have been utterly
disregarded. All sorts of hucksters and other persons, expressly excluded by
the regulations from the two streets flanking the foreign factories, were suffered
notwithstanding to establish their stalls there, attracting a great number of
idlem of the lowest class of Chinese, who continually crowded the place, much
to the annoyance and discomfort of the foreign community. - A collision with
the intruders, long foreseen, took place at last ; but as it is just and reasonable
in such cases to l^gin with the beginning, I conceive that the primitive cause
of the late disturbances must be ascribed, not to tlie alleged eccentricities of Mr
Compton, but to the palpable neglect of duty and thesupineness of the officers
charged with carrying the regulations into effect.
** On thiii occasion 1 think it right to recall to your Excellencies* recollection
the- fact that it was not the British alone, but the whole foreign community of
Canton who were actively concerned in these occurrences, whence it is proper
that any strictures upon their conduct should not be confined to the former,
but be made to include all foreign residents collectively.**
Having stated that Mr Compton's case had been represented to him in a
manner differing very materially from the result of Keying's investigations, he
adds, — '' I have judged it necessary, in order to arrive at Uie truth, to examine
that gentleman upon the various charges brought against him, and to hear
wHnesses in the case,** and then proceed to point out some of these discre-
pancies.
We select the most important passages: As regards mobs he reads the
Imperial Commissioner a lecture upon tlie law '*as observed in well organixed
sUtes •*:—
•^ The assemblage of large masses of people for unlawful purposes, under
any pretence whatever, is strictly prohibited by the Legislature, and if the
crowd do not immediately disperse afler having been warned by the police
magistrate coercive measures are resorted to in order to inforce obedience
to the laws.
" It can be proyed that no attack was made upon the mob assembled in the
1847. Papers relating to the riot of July 1846. 39t
immediate vicinity of Minqua's factory \ on the contrary, when our party came
op with the rioters, they attacked us with a volley of stones, notwithstandinjo^
which, so longr as the foreigners followed them in a body, not a shot was fired.
On continuing their retreat, into the back streets in diverging directions, pur-
sued by sepsrate parties of foreigners, for the purpose of driving them beyond
reach of their factories, the mob appears to have rallied at different times and
braved them in various places by throwing stones at them. Thus situated, and
finding themselves assailed by superior numbers, the foreigners were compell-
ed to fire in self-defence, and if they had not done so they would in their turn
have been driven back and severely injured, a contingency which might have
led to the most disastrous consequences. So far from the mob dispersing, as
alleged in the report made to your Excellencies, it. was in the streets intersect-
•fr- ing the foreign factories that they were most prepared to show fight, and if
several Chinese were killed and others wounded in this afiVay, it was also here
that several foreigners were badly hurt from the effect of missiles."
To Keying's charge that the English sallied out with firearms and attacked
the Chinese the Consul answers : —
" However much the circumstance is to be deplored that the Chinese who
lost their lives on this occasion should on examination have been found to be>
long to a better class than those which I designated as most actively engaged
in the riot, yet, irrespective of the general feelings of humanity, I find no rea-
/ son for altering my opinion of their case as taken in a legal point of view ; and
I must therefore reiterate to your Excellencies that, according to the laws of
most of the western nations, a person who rcmaius with a mob ailer their hav-
ing received warning to disperse, (and whether belonging to the good or bad
people,) is viewed in the light of an accomplice, and must take his chance of
the consequences along with the rest." * * *
** In conclusion I would respectfully represent to your Excellencies two
points, which appear to be of the highest importance, and indispensable for
the preservation of order and tranquillity in the precincts of the foreign factories
in future, viz. :
"1 That arrangements, should be made for securing a more prompt and ef-
ficFent interference of the competent local authorities in cases of pnblio distur-
bances than has hitherto been evinced ; and.
*< 2 That more effectual means than heretofore should be adopted for prevents
ing the assemblage of crowds of common people in the thoroughfares around
the factories, in order to avoid as much as possible' the chances of collision
between natives and foreigners.
*^ I consider it merely necssary to call your Excellencies* attention to the
first (if these points, to insure its fulfilment. • -
" With regard however to the second, I shall have the honour of submitting
a plan for your consideration, which seems to be well calculated to prevent the
recurrence of outbreaks of popular violence such as we have recently witnes-
sed. •
"In the meantime I am under the necessity of intimating to your Excel-
lencies that should the populace of Canton, under any pretence whatsoever,
again endanger the lives and property of British subjects by any further at-
tempt upon the foreign factories, without more prompt and efticacious measures
being taken by the Local government, upon whom we depend for protection and
' the suppression of tumult, circumstances may eventnaily plsce me in the un-
pleasant predicament of withdrawing the British Consular Establishment from
Canton, leaving the Chinese authorities and government responsible for what-
ever consequences might result'!'*
" ir. Sir John Davis to Cotmul Mkeftregor. Victoria, Hongkonsr. .\ngust 3, 1846.
Srrf'^Since my srrival yesterday from 'the N^irth. I have attentively perused all
your despatches relating to the late serious riot at Canton.
From thoso it )» plain that though the disturbance commenced in a private
squsbble willi one of the Eii<Tlif>li merr.harits. it ended in a dtsperale attempt on
the part of the rabble to sack and burn Mf Cliiitch's rcbidcnce. It is equally
992 Papers relating io the riot of July 1846. Ava,
phin that for nearly three honra no aaahtanee whatener was aflbrded by the Lo.
eal government, and that the onl? thing which saved the foreirn factories fro no m
general pillage was the repalse of the mob. by the armed English and Amorioana
under your direction ana that of Mr. Parker. In this proceeding which was
renderml necessary by the attack of the rabble with stones, the foreigners merely
acted in defence of their lives and property ; and the death of the three Chineae,
however mach to be regretted was inevitable.
I am prepared to expect a great deal of trouble from the insidious and uncandid
turn which has been as usual given to this unfortunate transaction by the Chi-
nese government ; and though you appear to feel secura as to the preservation of
tramjuillity for the present, it appears to myself that the danfirer of violence is
very far from being passed away and that it behoves us to be prepared in every
manner for the worst.
Nothing can be more inadmissible than the attempt of the local authorities (fol-
lowing exaelly the example of the late commissioner Lin) to fix the odium and
responsibility of the tliree deaths on the English alone, when it is notorious
that Mr. Parker and many other Americans and foreigners were equally engaged.
It will be your bounden duty to disclaim in the strongest terms all concern wHh
the matter apart from the other parties, and to let no feelings of punctilio or
delieaey to tlie latter interfere with this obvious and indispensable line of proved*
ing.
It
appears to m3rself that the British merohants at Canton have no incontidera-
ble grounds for alarm for the safety of themselves and property under existing
eiroumstances. I do not deny tliai you were right in not desiring the presence ^
a vcMcl of war near the factories at the exact period in question ; but eontingen-
ctes may soon occur in which such protection may be indispensable for the securi-
ty of our people's lives. I must draw to your attention the broad, dear, and
pialpable distinction between an armed force on shore, and one of her majesty's
ships anchored in the river as a place of refuge. There is notlitng wliatever in
article ten of the Supplementary Treaty to prevent a man-of-war lyinr opposite
to Canton, in common with Shanghai. Ningpo, and Amoy ; and though I am far
from thinking that one shotild be pennanently retained there; it would be a most
superfluous and uoeailed-for concession on my part to the crafty gov«rnment of
China to make a voluntary surrender of so indispensable and indisputable a right.
By article 30 of the Frendi Treaty, a man-of-war is entitled to go wherever she
can float ; and the restrictions in our own Treaty are obviously appileable only to
ttierehantmen.
Being hurried to save this day^a post I can only request at present that you will
keep the above principle gennraJly in view in your eeanmunioatious with the local
autnorities. — I have ^c.
J. F. Davw.
19. Sir J. Dam§ to f As Earl of Aberdeen — (Received Oct. 96.)
Vietcria* Hongkong, August 18, 1846.
My Lord,— With reference to my despatch nf the 7th instant, my last despatch
upon the same subject, I have the satisfactkm to annoonce that I have received
information of everything being tranquil at Cant^m up to the 15th instant.
The ** Neroesis" steamer having arrived from the north, I have availed myself
of her services to convey despatches to Keying and to her majesty's oonaul, with
}>erniisston to the latter to detain her near Canton, if desirable
I had just received the inekieure from Keying, giving a colour to the late unfor*
lunate transactions very wide of the truth, and I accordingly replied that the ener*>
^tic and combined defence made by the English and Americans alone s&ved the
factories from pillage, in the absence of all aid whatever from the Iiocal fpvam.
ment.
I moreover corroborated this by inclosing to his Excellency the translation of
the American account of the afliir, as published at page 964 of the ** Chinese
Ropositdry," which f beg to forward herewith.
The Chinese srovernment mav jiwtly be charged with the late riots on two dis-
tinct grounds : Fintt for not having carried out the Regulations agreed upon in
July lPi4 with the American auihoritimi; and ffcnndly. for allowing the foreignere
to remain three hours exposed to the rabble, until they were^ compelled to disperse
the assailants them:ielveH.
1847. Paperi rtUiing to ihi riot of July 1846/ Ml
I eoatiddrad af the nnie time that the first ddndudt of Mr. CoiiliMon iii kiekfiiK
dfMTit a man's stall had been Intemperate, and seeordtnf^Iy by the inclosed letter
suffjfested to Mr. C^nsal Mic^re^or ths propriety of fininsr him- for the act. I
alfio sanctioned a aeh^'nie, first suif|re4*ted by Mr. Macgrregor himself, that of some
peeaoiary compensation from the mercantile community to the relatioiis of those
peiiona who had fallen victims to Uie riot— I have, dbc.
J. r. Datb.
13. Commi*9ioner Keying and th9 Oov^rnar of Kwangtung to 8ir J. Datls.
Keytng, High Imperial Cemmseioner, dCrC. Hwang Lieuienant^Gdvemor of
Kwanglung. ^tc., send an answer and acknowledge the despatch of you th^
hoiMrable Ef^voyi dated 6th month ]3ih (day (4th August,) after duly peru*
sing the same.
- Yoo Ihc honorable Envoy refer to the-etent that Oeeurrad in the Sth intercalary
month. 15th day (8th July,) being anxious that the local authorities' should xff^
train the Chinese'populace to prevent rabseqnont similar disturbances, which fully
proves your thorough acquaintance with the state of affairs And yoar selicitade
for the future. Alter however examining all the particulars of the case, we ascer-
tained that Coroptnn, a merchant of your honorable country, smashed the vessels
of a fruiterer in the Tsingyuen-street at the K«*antny entrance. When however
Le-fung'seang, a militarv man, remonstrated with him, Compton immediately
Ujied the handle of his whip to chastise and insult him. This divpleassd the peo«
pie of the street, and hence the disturbance arone. The constable however having
given notice of it to a comprador, induced the multitude to disperse.
On the 15ih (Sth July) about 5 o'clock some foreigners quarrelled with a man
that sold pluina at the entrance of the Taingyucn.BtreeL Comnton observed this
from his house, came down, pursued the man with his whip, and beat- him roost
cruellV' The bystanders would not allow this, and an altercation ensued. Comp-
ton then collsred a man, whom he to«)k into the house of Changho, bound and
heat him.- The Chines did not remain quiet, and thus arose a strife at the bot*
torn of the bnitdinga; and this was the origin of the affray.
The English in the meanwhile came armed in large numbers and returned tlie
Mows, whilst tlie Chinese apprehending, murder immediately dispersed. Tho
English however took their firearms, divided themselves in parties, and pursued
them. By this time Consul Macrgegor commended t'lem not to act rashly, snd
without his orders not to fira. Still the English would not yivld to this rostrai'nu but
discliarging their muskets,, killed three men and wounded six. Tlie pieces where
this luen of life occurred are at the entrance of Tikhing street, and at tho end of the
Tsingyuen and Tungwan streets, and nut at the bottom of tho Changho establish^
mrnt.
' The killed were, ancordinflr to the examination of the magifft rate, the following )
Hwang.sowoo. a native af Hoshan dintrict, who used to retail pork for the Yuen*
hing anop in Shih-tseih.poo lane ; Le-a-lin, a native of Sanshwuy, a fruiterer by
trade ; Tang-af4iing, a native of Kaou-yaou. and a jonrneyman of the tailor h'\n*
hop*lin. AH these were tradesmen and not vagabonds. Under such circunv-
stancee we trust you the hontirable Envoy will clearly perceive which party was
in the right and which in the wrong, without referring to us the Great Minister
and Lieutenaut-Gwcrnor to decide the poinL .
: The moment the loc^l authorities obtained knawledge of this- occurrence they
aseembled the military aiid police, and hastened thither with the- utmost uperd tb
(yiell without delay tho di!<(urb-xuce. Being however at a diRtanoe of above ten
)e,. thev were nn'able to be on tho spot in a moment. The twofold affray
created by Compton was at the entrance of a street, and not as- mentioned in youi
letter in the arena bo faro the foreign factories. .
' The exeifemont of th^ people is at present by no means yet allayed, and the
relations of. the decoaned insist upon retribution, so that, another outbfeak itf to
6e -feared. We therefore hope that yon the honorable Envoy will manage thia
matter in accordance with the provisions of. the Treaty, in ordes to shiesp iropar«
tlatity^and quiet the minds of the muliitude. Thus, the local officers- will perhapi
tm able iii future to put down the popnlart: if a fsinvilsx ■ occurrence takes- placet
and this will be of advaaiage to both parties, and of the utmost importance.
VOL. .\vi. vn v>ir. 5»J
1^4 Paptn relating to ikt riot of July 1846. Avo.
. Regirdinir the me of . for the obanetori alluded to in year deiipetch as
bein^r not in accordance with the provisioa of the Treaty, we find that the two
eharactors and have the eame toiind (eha)« and are therefore used pro-
rotsououely for each other in the ChinoM official letters as well as are
nsed or written for one another from times immemorial, jost as if they were the
same withont drawing a distinction between hi^h or low. Thoog^h no deviation
from the Treaty docs thas take place, stiU we have u^vtxi orders to the clerks tn
use always in future the character because you the honorable Envoy consider
the former improper.
Whilst forwarding this reply we wish you the most abcmdant happinesa, and
address the same to
. His Excellency Her Britannic Majesty's Plenipotentiary, Sir John Franeie
Dayis, Bart, du:. du:.
. Taonkwang, 26th year, 6th month, 18th day, (9th August, 1646.)
)3Lb inatanL
14. ' Sir Jokn Dati9 to Commiooionm Keying
Victoria, Hongkong, Aognat, 14. 1846.
I yesterday received a note from your excellency concei ning the lato riot at Can*
ton. Being about to send despatches in a steamer to Consul Macgregor I hasten
to reply. Having directed Consul Macgregor to instil ute a rigid investigation
into the causes of the disturbance, I find that the circumstances differ gr«;atly
from those stated by ynor excellency. It has been wrongly asserted that Comp*
ton was intoxicated, whereas all the witnesses declare he was perfectly sober, and
that he is not accnstomcd to be intoxicated. Moreover he did not assault any
militsrv officer, but merely called on him to quell the disturbance when he neglect-
ed to do FO.
A Chinese having thrown a large stone at Compton was seized and carried into
Mingqua*B hong, in order that he might bo delivered to the mandarins. This man
however ewaped, and instigatod the vagabonds in (he crowd to attack the foreign
residences. Notice was immediately sent to the Engliith and American authorities,
who applied for Chinese police and soldiers to disperse the assailants. But as those
did not arrive, it was evident that all the foreign fad ones would soon be pillaged
and buhnt, as in the vear ld42. Therefore the Engliah Consul and the American
officer Parker aFscmblcd the English and Americans, who combined and armed
themselves for the protection of their lives and properties. The foreigners were
navagaly attacked with showers of stones, and did not fire until several of them
had been wounded. This in fact constitutes necessary self-defence against plnn*
derers and incendiaries and cannot be constmed into the crime of murder.
I herewith send. the translation of a very correct account of the riot and attack
on the fsetorie^ published by some Americans. Your E:ccelIoncy will perceive
tbelf aceoimt of the transaction agrees exactly with the Engliah account.
Since no assistance arrived for three hours from the commencement of the die.
tfirbance. all the foreigners were obliged to combine for their mutual defence.
Tour excellency sajrs the distance was ton le. But surely ten le can be traversed
in less than one hour-^why should three hours bo required ?
The foreigners, not being assisted by the government, have now organixed
themselves into armed bands of some hundreds for mutual dofenco. If your ex.
eolloncy hnd carried out the regulations agreed upon in July 1844, tliis would
have been prevented.
The people of Canton have excluded foreigners fronvthe city, and these regard,
ing the popular feeling, have for a time consented to forego tlieir rights. But
shall thieves and incendiaries also come and attack them in their own residencee,
and shall foreigners, not boin^ protected by the government, fail to protect them*
setvrsT
' If tonr exnelleney listens to false statementti of the case if will only inereaaii
the diffiedtttes. Lot Chinese snd foreign officers joinilv investigate the facte and
emfVwit the parties. li wonld'be well if some of the thieves also could be appra.
bended and punished. Cot the Rcsulattonfi of Joly 1844 be also . canted" out^ in
order to prevent attacks oa the fonsign residencos. ^^
1647. Papers relating to the riot of July 1846. 395
I be^ to renew to yoar exoellenoj the Aeeuraitcee of my distinipiisbed ooneU
dentioo.-
J. F. Datis.
15. Sir John Davit to Conml Maegrtgmr,
Victorit, Hongrkong, Angoet, 14, 1846.
Sir.— -I have ftttentiTely penned the ititemente and dcponitione concerninff the
origin of the late distnrbanRet at Canton, conveyed in your despatch receivecT yee.
tcrday. Aa it appeara frem Mr. Cumpton's own etatemcni that ho kicked down
the atail of a Chinoee Tender for no other reason than because the man stood in
bia way, it mast be admitted that each violent conduct was unjustifiable and
eminently calculated to create a disturbance.
It would have been and might still be a proper cheek upon the conduct of British'
■ubjects.'if you had levied, or were to levy upon Mr. Compton the full fine war.
ranted by your Consular powers on such an occaaion, and in no other way can the
Chinese be satisfied that all is done on the part of the British government that
justice requires for the control of its subjects at Canton.
For the satisfaction of those persons whose relatives foil victims to the late riots,
I can see no measure available under the oircnmstanees, except a sum of money
from the mercantile community in alleviation of their loss. Such a measure would
have thts effect (if adopted at the right time) of calming the irritation of the popiU*
ace.— I havo, 4be.,
J. F. Dav».
16.
Sir John Davit to the Earl of Aherdten,^(Roed, Oct. 96.) Victoria, Hongkong,
August 97, 1846.
My Lord,—! have the sattafactSon to state that up to the latest period I have
continued to receive from Mr Macgregor reports of the continuance of completo
tranquillity at Canton. Thus, although I deemed it right to be prepared for the
worst, aeven weeks have elapsed without any renewal of troublea. Tiiough the
death of the three Chinese is to be lamented in the abstract, I cannot help think,
fng (from the experience of the previous American case in 1844) tliat the example
will tend to deter the thieves and vagabonds of which the Canton mob« are com.
poeed. from their predatory speculations, by shewing them that the foreigners cab
defend their own property, and that there is more risk to themselves than they
anticipated.
The Chinese shopkeepers in the neighborhood have fortunatelv become alive
to the danger of their own dwellings, and there b a general sense of the
necessity of strong and effectiTe measures for the maintonance of the public peace.
On the 35th instant I received inclosuro No. 1 from Keying, proposing, in reply
to my previouji suggestion of a conjoint investigation, that soma person should be
detached from Hongkong. This however appeared to be a moat unnecessary slur
upon Mr Macgregor, whose proper business it is, accredited Consul on the spot,
to eomnmnicate on any subjects with the Local government. It will further be
observed that all allusion to American participation is evaded by Keying.
I accordingly replied by inclosure 2, stating that the British Consul would carry
on any conjoint investigation that might be necessary, but he could take nn c<ig.
nizanee of the acts of Americans. I further proposed the terms on which tha dis.
oossions might be am!0ably arranged, by the punishment of the Chinese officer
whose duty it was to prevent the riot ; by the fining of Mr Compton for his violent
conduct at the outset ; and by a pecuniary compensation from the roorchanta
engaged to the relations of those persons who were accidentally killed. But above
all, I ibsisted on tho necessity of preventive measures for the future, by the enfor.
cement of the rules agreed upon in July 1844.— I have, dtc^
J. F. Davis.
17. CommiMaiontr Keying to Sir John Davit,
Keyinir, High Imperial Commissioner, die., sends the following reply to a desp-
atch of the honourable Bn voy. rc*>peeting the events of the 8th July. In this it
is stated that tho result of our investigation diffbrs Tcry much from the representa.
twn made by Conaul Macgregor. It is therefore requested that the respective
396^ Papirs nlaiing to the rivt of July 1846.. Aoa.
ty^tn^Mft be confronted, and an invetti^tion be inilttuted in cjnjunction with tbo
Chinese officer*. This paper covered a relation of the evcntn, which I Uie great-
Minister have pf nited.
I have repeaiediy given orders to investigate the causes of this di«turbsnce. As
however the details are at variance with the statement made by Consul Macgro^*
Of, it is roy duty to tppoint an officer for examining conjointly into this affair, that
the troth may be elicited. Th>«* is also in conformity with the regnlaiions of the
Treaty, accordin(r to which Chinese mandarins are requested to carry on an io«-
vcitigation conjointly.
* 1 the great Minister have therefore tiretdy nominated a fanotionary for this
purpose, and am now only waiting for the arrival of your (officer at Canton,
who is for that purpose appointed by you the honourable Envoy to manage this
affiur unitedly*
Whilst wishing jrou glorv and happiness I address this answer to His Excellency
Qer Britannic Majesty's Plenipotentiary, Sir John F. Davis. Baronet, &.c.
Taoukwaug, 26Lh year, 7lh month, 3d day, (23d Aug., 1^46.) Received SSOi.
18. . Sit John DavU to Commistioner Keying.
Victoria, Hongkong, August 96, 1846.
I had the honour to receive yrur Excellency's note of the 7ib month, 2d daj,
proposing that I should send up an officer for the invest^tion of the matters eon.
nentcd with the laie riots.
My opinion is, that as Consul Mncgregor is expressly appointed at Canton for
all the national affairs of this govemincai* it will be roost in conformity with the
Treaty tliat he shiiuld he -the person to communicate with the Chinese officers in
tKe investigation of this business. But as Americans were also concerned, I must
inform your Excellency that the British Consul cannot interfere regarding theoi.
They are exdusiTely under the control of their own authorities.
It Appears to myself that the proper and eqnitable mode of arrangement a'onldi
be as follows i— The Chinese officer « ho failed to prevent the riot ought to be
punished : Compton ought to be fined for throwing down the fruit.scUer's stall in
the first instance : the relations of the three persons killed ought to reoeivn a pec-
hniary and compassionate compensation from all the foreign merchants at Canton.
Since the foreigners merely doflended their persons and property from robbers, in
Consequence of no succour arriving from the Chinese authorities. I really concerve
that the stx>ve is the only mode of rettling thin unfortunate bnsiness. flad a Chi^
nese force arrived in time to prevent the attack on the foreign factories, the Eng-
liah and Americans would not have been obliged U) fight in their defence.
But the most desirable point is to enforce the rrgulatiouA of July 1844. It is
bstter to prevent an evil than fo ) t v de a remedy after it has arrived. Those
regulations if faithfolly executed will put a ftop to the assemblage of idle vaga*
bonds and robbers, who are slways ready nesr the factories for any scene of vio.
lenee and plunder.-^I rencwi^ Ac,
, ^ J. F. Davis.
19. Sir John DavU <e tkt Earl of ^Aerdr^<— (Reed. Nov. 26 )
Victoria, Hongkong, September IK 1646,
My Ix>rd, — With T^ferenc^ to my (fe'|»atch of 27lli Au«ru!>t,. my last report on
the same subject, I have the honoar to inclose further correspondence with Ke-
ying concerning the Canton riot. • .
On the 9th instant I received the inclosed pole from the Chinese Minister, be.
|ng a mere cepetLtipn of forrner statements utted^v 8.t variance with the facta whicli
are notorious to every foreign resident at Canton The two circumstancee. which
(as t before stated) throw the blame oi^^the late outbreak on the Locsl government,
tre — firstt the non-folfilnient of the arrangement which followed the American riot
in 1844'; aYid, secondly, the want of anv assistannc from the civil authorities for
throe hours, until t ha incendiaries hsd been repulsodby iho union of the foieign
CB.8Jdejitf themselves.
Ir.cying (with that slight imporlsnce which Asiatics atfach to the charge) un»
coremoniooAly throws on Mr. Macgregor the impntation of having made a lalse
m^ctf In my r&p\y I rebut this in terms of decorous moderaikm, and prove that the
1847. Papirs relating to tht riot of July 1846. 397-
real ftceoont of tho trannotion n the one nnivemlly and emiiiiitentlj fplven by all
tbe forei^ repi«ienta. I repeat my opinion that Mr. Coinpton ought to be fined
for hia mitdemeanoor, and ihe relatives of the innocent eafieren in the riot reliev.
ed, but at the aame time call on the Chinese government to do ita own doty by
ita people* as iha only effeotoal meana of preventing the like or even wotae occur,
rencea.
Mr. Mncgrrgor has repeated to me the aaforanee that the lapae of more than
two mooiba appeaia to have removed tho fee! nga of irritation. lu my despatch
to him I have referred to my pre/ioua animad versions regurding the case of
Mr. Compion, and called hia aitentiun to th# propriety of atiU fining that mer-
chaai (or hia misdemeanour. — I have 6lc^
J. F. Davis.
20. Sir John Datin to Commiationer Keying.
Victoria. Hongkong. September, 11, 1846.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of yujr czcellencys's note of the
6th instant, concerning the attack up<in the foreign factories.
* It is undoubtedly true that Compton in throwing down the froiterer's stall bo.
haved.very improperly, and I have already infonncd Mr. Consul Macgregor that
he ought to be finud. not as compensation for the small value of the things dam.
aged, out a heavy fine in dollars as a punishment. Since innocent persons, being
mirad up wiih the robbers, were killod, compensations should be made to their
relatives. Thia the English and Americans wish to do.
~ Tour excellency says that the consul did not send me a true report. But how
la it that the evidence of two hundred English and Americans confirms every
word he stated t Tiic account I inclosed yuur excellency was an American state.
mout, and exactly agreed with the English one. All tho newspapers containing
these acoounta are universally spread over the whole world and cannot be con-
cealed. Why therefore did the district migistrate try lo conceal the truth by
slating that only English worn engaged with the robbers? fi is Excellency
Hwang truly t»ed the word ** foreieners," which was in exact accordance with
the facL Why should inferior offipers bo allowed to publiah untruths tending to
confusion 7 Since tho robbors attacked an American factory, is it likely that the
Amarieans would consent to be burned and pillaged 7 The Americana under*
stand reason, and can distinguish the righr of destroying robbers from the guilt of
nnlawfully kilUng When therefore, after three hours they saw that the district
officers did not assist them, they bravely combined with the Englibh residonts and •
drove back the banditti who were already throwing fire into the factories to burn
ihcm.
The military ofBeer on gnard stated that Compti»n went Into his station where*
he was eurroundcd by his soldiers and boat him. But surelv a child couid not
believe that an unarmed man would venture to beat an ofl^cer among his own
Boldiera; and evon if this officer had been an aged woman he would not have
submitted to it. Jlow therefore is it posfible to believe one word uttered by that
6fflctr7 l^e troth is, that Compton went to scrk that officer to qnell the riot,
and he, neglecting his duty, was the cause of the attack by the robbers and loaa
of life. It lain vain I hat he attempts to shift the guilt on another.
* Unleaathe Rules of the 12th July. I8i4. are rigorously enforced, I foresee that
Uondy oonteats will every day be agjfravated until the trade is renioved Ui other
ports. It cannot bj the desire of the Sover:;ign of your honorable nation that the
jkK>ple. being nnconi rolled, should constantlyattaek the foreign factories, and that'
•amhecB shonld be killed in bloody affrajra. In 1844. ihe AmericaiM shot a man*
and again this year they together with the English have shot three. Is it not
better to enforce tho regulations of 1844 and by preventing the attack:* of rob*
bersy to avoid the deslruetion of human life? If the district magiatratea do not
eonlml the people, the result must bo general confusion.
' I, Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, wishing that the trade should attll eontinne'
kktta old ehannflls at CanioiH am aincerely desiroea tliat theeo bloody feuds,
ahould be prevented, and therefore reqoeat your excellency to enforce the regula.
tiona of 1844, which were -eauaed by the Amerieana ahooting a Ckineae in self.'
defence. — I take dbo.
368 Vojf age from Canton to SMnghdii, Aua.
Abt. III. Notices and Rtmiaiseenees of a voyage from Canton^
vid Whampoa^ Kinsing Mun^ and Hongkong, to Wusung
and Shanghai, in the summer of 1847. From a private joarnal.
In the policy of the Chinese, during^ the last ten years, a very inn.
portant change— a partial revolution — has been brought about, whicir
may be regarded as a pledge of still greater encroachments on a sys-
tem at war with all right and reason. Where this partial reTolutioa
will end, or what will be its future progress, no mortal can tell. la
what has transpired there are clear evidences of an invisible hand
bringing good out of evil ; and it is safe to conclude that the same-
Power will continue to work, till the nations of the East and the
West, as members of one great family, shall be brought into free
and friendly intercourse. Already those unnatural and unjust res*
trictions, that once confined foreigners to one little spot, *' like fi^b
in a tank," have been given to the winds ; instead of one city, five
are now accesitible, and instead of a few rods of earth, miles and
tens of miles of territory are open for the traveler, and security for
his person and property guaranteed by solemn treaty. In confirma-
tion of, this witness the recently published volumes of Mr. Fortune
and the Rev. Mr. George Smith. The whole coast of Chinst like
the interior of the country, was almost one entire terra incognita,
prior to 1832. That year Mr. H. H. Lindsay projected a voyage,
which, in company with the Rev. Mr. Gutzlaflf, gave him an oppor-
tunity of visiting many of the principal sea-ports between Canton
and Tientsin. Mr. Lindsay was then in the service of the English E.
I. Company, and a member of its Factory in China. In 1885 the Rev.
W. H. Medhurst of the London Missionary Society and the Rev. E.
Stevens of the A. B. C. F. M. made a missionary voyage and visited
numerous places between Canton and the northern shore of the pro*
montory of Shantung. This latter voyage was made in the Ameri-
can brig Huron; the first was in the English ship the Lord Amherst.
Both were deemed hazardous, and the former was disapproved of by
the Directors of the E. I. Company; they both however served to
attract attention to the '* far east." In both the voyages, they
visited Sh&nghr\i. In 1840 the " opium war," so called, commenc-
ed, which after repeated expeditions, terminated in the opening
of foiir new poru, and paving the way for a more extended and
thriAy commerce. • • • •
1847. Voyage from Canton to Shdngh&i, 999
After a residence in the south of China — at Canton, Macao, and
Honffkong — for seventeen ye^irs and a half, a voyage northward
could hardly fnil to be a subject of siime interest, since it would
afford opportunity of forming acquaintance with new persons . and
places and of milking comparison.') between men and things in dif-
ferent latitudes and under various circumstances.
Leaving Canton at half-past four o*<^Iock p. m., Tuesday June Ist
1847, in three hours our fastboat was along-side the American bar-
que Coquette at Whampoa. Though the evening was rainy and
dark, our baggage was all very soon and safely housed on board.
At daylight next morning we were drifting down the river, leaving
in Whampoa and Blenheim reach several merchantmen with one
English and two French men-of-war, the steamer Pluto being off the
Factories at Canton.
On the 3d, at 10 o'clock a. m. the barque anchored in Cumsing-
moon (or Rinsing Muu, ^ ^ p^» the Golden-Ptar harbor,) six or
eight vessels being then in the anchorage— one of the best on the
coast of China. Early the next morning she was under way, but
the wind being light and the tide contrary, the anchor was dropped,
and it was not till 4 o'clock p. m. that she left the harbor, beating
out against a fresh breeze which had spring up from the east. Late
in the evening, she anchored under Lantao. The next morning's
tide was out before she was through the Kap-shui-moon (or Kih*
thai mun ^ ^ Y^* tbe Swift-water gate,) and she compelled to
ran back anchor. In the afternoon she again got under way, and
took up her anchorage just off the house of the harbor-master in
Hongkong.
On Monday evening, she proceeded to the Lyee-moon (or LUy&
mun ^^ m^ P'j, the Carp Passage), from whence she took her de-
parture for Sh'ingh^i at six o'clock on the morning of the 8th. The
northeasterly winds, which had prevailed since the 4th, still con-<
tinned, and her course was shaped accordingly. In good trim, un-
der full canvass and close hauled, her motion was just sufficient to
produce a degree of seasickness noi very unwelcome to one long
pent up in the dense atmosphere of a Chihese city.
At sunrise on the 0th we were off Pedra Branca,— by the Chinese
called T^i-sing-chiu, ;^ J| ^i the Oreat-star-pih, with light
winds.
. Onthe Ilth we were off Namoh, t\(h island which marks the boun-
dary between the provinces of Canttm and Fuh-kien. At' midnight a
40d Voyage from Canton to Skdnghii, Auot
dead calm succeeded the fresh northerly breezes thai prevailed during
the day — a change hardly desirable eren to those who had been suffer-
ing from sea-sickness. Next day at noon, the monotony was relieved
by gentle zepliyrs, most welcome from the south and west. We saw the
*' Brothers" in the course of the day ; and the next morning hanng
passed Amoy, theOckseu (or Wukiit^ j^ ^,) were in sight aad
the high lands about Chinchew.
The fi''st view we had of Formosa, in the afternoon of Tuesday
the 15th, was enchanting. The sua hid descended more thai^ half*
wiry to the horizon and was pouring do\vn its oblfque rays ofi 4
range of dark heavy clouds that enveloped the whole island. Very
soon, as if by magic, this dttrk miss became illummed, and rose up-
tincovering the tops of the mountains distant from us sixty or seventy
miles eastward. The scene was beautiful beyond description
• On the I7ih we were off Puhchiu, with head winds ani no land
(n sis^ht The ISth was a* stormy day ^ cofJ winds blowing fresh from
the north, accompiriied with rain. Evrfy on the 19th, the raiir
eeased and the clouds disappeared, and before noon we were' be*
calmed off the Chusan group, in lat. 29* 3S' N., long. 133^43^
3D" E. For some hours it was doubtful whtt course- the- Coquette*
would take. The winds however, soon turned her head westward
towards the main, and having run by the Blouse^ Starboard Jack^
€md the Corkers, she dropped anchor just off Buffnlc^'s nose, of
-'•^ A llf, Nif>pi nkdn. This i'lland is a mile and a half in extent
from north to south, and half that from east to wes^; it ha» tliree
peiaks, the central one is the highest, and rises: 500' feet abore thd
sea. The eastern shore is rocky, and near the northern extreme the
island is perforated, and hence probably the Chinese have given it
the nnme B*[ffalo's no.*t. ^^ • -r.
Sabbath morning, Janv 29th, as the sun threw his dawning raya
ever the- summits of Luh*w4ng, the prospect on. the south and went
and north was very charming, especially to a Strang, w^io hiid nevei'
before visited the Chtfsan Archipelago. The island, and mountains ris^
ing^ in the distsnop «n the main, beautifully green checkered withcuhii^
tivated p itches, answered faithfully to the deRoriptiona that have
been given of them stnree the arrival of Mneartney's embessay in
China,. fiDiy-fbar years ago thb day. At S o^clocfe mir -.barque* w«e
u:ider way, and a light breeze from the south carried us showly on
through <}(Mjgh's Pa«age,". to Kito Poin^, muod Rrmtid about rtrl and,
and tlufM up Tower^hiH Channel, leaving Tingbdi with its adrjacem
1847. Voyage from Canton to Shtinghdi, iO\
wlands off on our starboard. In the evening, after having run i^p
by the Steward, Golden Island, Blackwall, and the '•' Volcanic
Group," we anchored before midnight just off the ''Southwest Horn
of the Rugged Islands."
At it A. M. the next day we were off "GutzlaiTs Islaqd," a conical
rock rising 210 feet above the water a few miles northeast from the
*'Hen and Chickens," and distant say fifteen or twenty from the great
river, Yang-tsT^ Kidng/^ If. ^X* or '* Child of the Ocean.'' Dur-
ing the whole day, light winds prevailed and ui the evejiing a fresh
breeze springing up carried us quickly to the mouth of the Wtisung,
where we anchored for the night. Next morning the Coquette
moved up to Wiisung where a dozen or more foreign vessels were
lying, and on Wednesday afternoon ran up to Sh&nghii and anchored
at 8 p. M. close off the foreign Factories.
To those who have repeatedly voyaged along the coast of China,
such a trip as ours might be uninteresting. But to me it was far other-
wise. The vessel, her captain, officers, crew, and passengers, and the
constant change of scene, from the hour we gave the parting hand to
our friends in Canton till we were welcomed by those in Sh4ngh4i,
have left many agreeable impressions which wi4I not soon be oblite-
rated.
As these notices may fall into the hands of some who are famil-
iarly acquainted with the coast and the ports now open to foreigners,
a glance at them will show their relative bearings. The following
memoranda indicate with tolerable accuracy the population and
geographical position of the five consular ports and the settlements of
the Portuguese and English in China.
Macao, lat 32 11 30 N., Ion. 113 32 30 E.; Pop. 30,000
HoifOK05e,lat 22 16 30 N., Ion. 114 06 30 E.; Pop. 20,000
CARTOff, lat 23 07 10 N., Ion. 113 14 30 E.; Pop. 1,000,000
Amot, lat 24 10 18 N., Ion. 118 13 30 B.; Pop. 250,000
FuQCRAU, lat 26 02 24 N., Ion. 119 25 00 E.; Pop. 600,000
Niirepo, lat 29 55 12 N., Ion. 121 22 00 E^ Pop. 300,000
SHANOflAi, lat 31 24 29 N., loo. 121 32 02 E.; Pop. 300,000
Previously to the late war the navigation of the Chinese sea at least
of that part of which is north of Hongkong — was both difficult
and dangerous, but with the aid of the charts and directions that
have been prepared by captains Kellett, Collinson, and pthers, it
is aow probably as easy and as s^fe as that on any equally
extensive coast in any quarter of the world. The tyfooiis — literally
tofung, 7^ IbL»" great winds" — thnf iiccur in these seas are quite
\OL. XVI NO. VIII. i'>|
402 Voyage from Canton to Shanghai, Auo«
like the autumnal storms, " the hurricanes/' that are frequently enco-
untered on the Atlantic oceanr Reigrular tyfoons seldom occur earlier
than the 20th of July or later than the middle of October. From the
first of October to the end of May, northerly winds usually prevail ; and
the southerly, during the other months of the year ; but it is not in-
variably so, for sometimes as in the present instance, the usual or*
der is reversed. Vessels that had preceded ours only a few days
made the trip with fair southerly winds in less than a week. Bui
instead of such, she had either to encounter northerly winds or was
\eSi becalmed to drift backward by the current still running to the
south. .
The Coquette*-her name notwithstanding — possesses excellent qua-
lities with capabilities every way such as to render her a match for any
thing of her kind, not exceeding her burden of 473 tons. Her crew
was not one of the best, comprising some three-and-twenty Manilamen,
a few of whom only were fit for their places, or such as had been
engaged to come on board : the remainder of the crew, the carpenter,
saihnaker, cook, 6lc,^ were as different from each other in their
national character as in their profession, no twaof them being fpom
the same country. The first officer, Mr. Williams^ was from Stock-
holm, gentle in his bearing towards the men, able and evidently well
acquainted with his business. The second and third officers were
both young, looking forward to advancement, anxious to qualify
themselves accordingly. Captain Prescolt is fully entitled to the high,
reputation he enjoys. The passengers — Charles J. Braine esq. and
lady^ and the Rev. Dr. and. Mrs. Bridgroan— could, not but be well
pleased with his care and kindness. That the voyage occupied four-
teen instead of six days was no fault of our barque or her comman-
der; nor was it in any way tedious— ^certainly at least it was not so
to me. Indeed, it would have been agreeable, had circumstances
rendered it necessary, to have stood* off and on and touched at all the
principal places along the wholie cDasti,ii» the provinces of Canton,
Fuhkien, Chehki&ng, and< Kiingsu up to Sh^nghii.
The little we saw of the isfamis and mainland only increased our
desire to see more. We met two or three sail ofT the coast of Fuh-
kien, and spoke the Dbnia off' EHephant's Island. The number -»f
fishing smacks was small, though some were in sight ever] day. Of
fish, fowl, d&c;, there were few to attract attention^.
Until we reached the Chnsan group, t4ie islands- and the main
were so distant that we could form no idea of their particular eha-
racteristics. But when the* clouds cleared away, on the forenoon of
1847. Voyage from Canton to Shanghai, 403
the 19th, and enabled us to get a glimpse of Luhw&ng, Patahecock,
and the highlands beyond, it was evident enough that we had
changed our latitude.
So far as I could see there was no diflference between the islands
and main land. Both seemed equally diversified with rocks, shrubs,
straggling trees, and (what was roost characteristic and picturesque)
strips and patches of cultivated soil, oflen extending from the water's
edge quite over the highest ridges. Their general contour is not
unlike that of the islands at the* mouth of the Canton river. There
is however, at the north, less of rock, more vegetation, and the
peaks and ridges are less sharp and rugged. " Ketow," the most
prominent point on the main, instead of being a bluff headland, as
I had supposed, having bleak and barren sides, is, like most of the
islands, more or less cultivated, wearing a subdued and softened
aspect. Roundabout island is a fair specimen of the whole group — >
so far as it came under our observation. It is of a circular shape,
a quarter of a mile in diameter, its center rising say 300 feet and
forming its highest point. One third of it — its entire base — seemed
to be solid rock, the remainder was soil, most, of which was highly
cultivated.
. The rock, wherever it appeared among the islands, I took to be
granite. In some places it shoots up into high summits, two, four,
six and more, hundreds of feel high. Oflen, however, it is seen in
bowlders, scattered here and thereon the hill-sides and giving them a
beautifully checquered appearance. Between the peaks and bowU
ders, perhaps, on an average, one third of the surface is arable or
cultivatable soil — for the plough seems not to be used on the hill-
tops— while the remaining third is covered with shrubbery and
green sward.
Of cattle, on these " thousand hills," we saw only one small herd.
Near Singkong, as we were running up by Golden Island and Black-
wall, some buffaloes were observed grazing on the hills, lean and
dark as the herdsman who was keeping watch over them.
The people everywhere seemed miserably poor, seeking a subsis-
tance in part by hook and net from the sea and in part by cultiva-
tioD of the soil. A few stacks of grain and some huts and hovels were
seen here and there, and now and then a little cluster of houses.
Of the abodes of the dead, one solitary grave, on the east side of
Golden Lsland, was all that came under our observation.
• On entering the River— -Child of the Ocean — the numerous na -
live, craft, seen in all directions, indicated our approach to some
40-1 Voyage from Canton to Shanghai. Ava,
great mirt long before the low batiks to the westward were visible
trotn out deck. While anchored off the month of the Wrisang, on
the morning of the 21st, a continuous line of junks and boa^s came
up with th^ Wind and tidd both beiitg fair and strong. A few pro-
ceeded up the great river, whild the Urge part entered the W(isun|r,
all |;^as6ing close by the Coquette ; for a tinrie they eould not have
been less than forty sail per hour. Bich junk and boat was num-
bktisd, dhd 6H it the ilame of the pila^ to which it belonged.
On the udernoon of the 22di I walked on shore, first to Pi^ush^in
ktid then to the toWn of Wfisuug. Considering the richness and fer-
tility of ill the surrounding country, everywhere highly cultivated,
it were natural to exptet that these towns wbUld afford some signs
bf Wealth and prospei'ity, instead of being, is they are wretchedly
poor and dilapidated ; the houses rude and filthy ; atid a population
of men* women, and children degraded and miserable.
• Piiiflhin ii a walled town< situated on the western bank of the
Wilsung, near the point Where it enters the great river, the ground
th^l'e forming an obtuse angle,— on line of the bank^ that of the Y4iig-
ksz\ Ki&hg, running northwest by west^ ktid the other, that of the
Wusung, nearly southeast by south. Standing on this ahgle^ ahd
dose to the water, you hav% lihd^r yoti )i noble pi6&e 6f Work : it is
a stone-wall, rising ten or twtelve feet above the surface, buiU of heavy
blobks, laid tiier above tier^ the topmost one s^ctired by iron fasten-
ings, and the whold, Witii the liiud embankment raised oh its inside^
forming a stibstahti&l biirf'ier against the ehcroiichment of th6 witves^
which, in hi^h tides ^tid stormy weather, dash upon it with great
fury. Along th^ Wu^nhg this Wall eitends soilie two hundred rods;
and apparently ihuch farther in the other direction towards the
northwest.
Upon this barrier are the riiinsWf these faitidus batteries that Were
so easily carried by the British forces on the 16th bf June, 1842.
These batteries together with those on the opposite bank of the Wu-
siing, in which Were nearly three hundred pieces of artillery, must
have tip'peared formidable. A few of the old guns are still to be
sieen along the ruins, while others are piled up in a neighboring
temple. The battle of Wirsung is chiefly memorable in the annals
of China on accoutrt of the loss of Chin Chungmin, who fell covered
With woUnds, and has since been elevated to a seat among the gods
of his country.
Piltfsh&ri is the capital of a district or AtVi, and by imperial au>
th^ity has its own niagistratei a chUhien, It is " four square/' each
1947. Voyage from Cauton to Shanghai. 405
of its sides facing one of the four cardinal points, and each having
its own gate. We entered the northern one, and walked strnight
through the town, and made our exit from the southern. When
near the center, we passed under a very high tower and at the same
lime crossing a street running at right-angles to that in w hich we
were. These two seemed to be the principal streets, in breadth
perhaps twelve feet, and were once paved or flagged, partly witii
brick and partly with stone, both now almost buried in mud. Houses
lined both sides of the way, and would remind the traveller, who
had been in New England, of the lines of horse-sh'^ds seen contigu-
ous to some of the country churches, — with this difference, that
instead of light shingles and heavy boards and timbers in the one,
you have here dark tiles and black mud and brick walls. Nothing
could be more dreary and sombre than the houses of Pdu-shan— or
" Precious hill/' as it name, being interpreted, signifies.
Beyond the two principal streets, there were others, with gardens
and fruit trees, &e. There were also several ditches, all supplied
from the Wilsung by a canal which unites with the river at the town
of Wusung, the water, at the rise and fall of the tides, running in
the direction opposite to that in the river. The walls of the city
might be, judging from our wall, 80 rods on each side, their height
^ay 20 feet, and their thickness nearly the same, — built chiefly of
brick. On approaching the gatei boys shouted at us and gathered in
great numbers after us as we passed along the street — more than
once shouting kwei Uz\ ^ ^, instead oi fan kwei so commonly
heard in the streets of Canton. Most of the men were idle, whild
many of the women were engaged in spinning, reeling, and weaving
cotton. The whole place had an air of great antiquity, and with a
little help of the imagination one might easily fancy both it and its
inhabitants to be the same that they were in the days of Y^u and
Shun who flourished two thousand years before the Christian era.
The town of Wusung, two miles (more or less) distant from Pdu-
sh.in, stands at the mouth of a creek of the same name, and has
given its name to the town and to the large river, which above Wil-
sung is called tiwAnfpit, " it having been first opened by a man
whose surname was Hwang," Wusung has no walls, and is very
inferior to Piushdn, except that, having a custom-house and a good
anchorage, it is oflen thronged with sea-going people.
My '* first impressions" of Sh^nghii were for the most part in
-perfect keeping with those opinions, which, first formed by the oral
and written accounts of Mesars. Lindsay^ Q4itzlaff, Medhurst, Steven*
406 Bibliotheca Smica. Auo.
and others, have been confirmed or modilied by subsequent repiirt.
What seemed most striking, was the existence of an out-line European
town, and the presence of a hundred or more foreigners — and these
where four years ago nothing of the kind was to be found. There
are here already established not less than twenty-five commercial
houses, and three or four protestant missions.
^*^^^>^MM[AMM#^tfMMMtfWWMWWWWMW»
Art. IV. Bibliotheca Sinira: Introduction: No. I., Ming Sin
pdu Kien, or Mirror of the Mind. By the late Rev. Dr, Wil-
Ham Milne.
Among all the papers published in the Indo-Chinese Gleaner, from its
commencement in April 1817 till its close in April 1822, the Biblio^
theca Sinica are the most valuable, useful, and interesting, both f)
the general reader and to the student of Chinese, they are, though
sometimes hastily written, the most instructive papers extant, on
Chinese literature. The series comprises fourteen numbers, and
were, we believe, all written by Dr. Milne. As copies of the Gleaner
are no longer to be procured, and as but few of our readers in or
out of China possess the work, we propose to transfer the whole series
to our pages.
To THB Editor, Sir, — ^In one of my crawling expeditions, I chanced to
come in contact with a letter, signed by a professor in the Northern University
of Scotland* and suggesting the utility of some one's compiling a short ac-
count of tliose books which are held in highest estimation among the Chinese.
I have since reflected a good deal on that gentleman's suggestion^ and as I
am now creeping through some shelves loaded with such books, it occurred
to me, that I might try my skill in this way ; and sd at length, I resolved to set
about it ; for though I am, as my name imports, a mere book-worm ; yet Sir, I as-
sure you, I am by no means insensible to the attentions of the human species,
or willing to conceal from public view, tliat I have some *^ learned friends '*
among mankind. This little spice of vanity, you will be the more ready to
.excuse in roe, from the circumstance of its being so common among your
own race as I perceive in those folios, quartos and octavos, through which I
have lately had the pleasure to eat my way. It occurred to me, that in the
English language, some imperfect hints of which I have learnt in my way
through numerous Libraries, nothing of the kind above proposed, had yet ap-
peared ; and, meeting some weeks ago, witli a work which you call the Jndo-
Ckinete GUaner^ — a work which seems, like John Bunyan's rake, to scrape to-
gether sticJu and straws, du^^t and stones ; yea, I had almost said, sheep and
1847. BibUolheca &ttica. 407
oxen, birds and fishes — the labours of men, and I cannot see why not the pro-
ductions of insects also— meeting, I say, with this work, it seemed exactly fit as
a medium for the communication of my Incubrations. My reasons for thinking
so are three : First, because your work is sufficiently miscellaneous, bo admit
what I can by chance or design scrape together for you, without regard to
order of time, regularity of arrangement, or refinement of style. Secondly
because, as you only profess to be a sort of caterer, I think, there is a good
chance of my escaping the pointed teeth of those author-devouring wolves^
called Critics. For though now-a-days, it has somehow become the privilege
of 'the creeping tribe tr» which I belong, to acquire some smatterings of liter-
ature ; yet, I fear, my productions are of a texture too tender, and too unskil-
fully put together, to bear the eager-eyed glance, or the rough pawing of
your Edinburgh, Eclectic, British, and Quarterly Reviewers. I have there-
fore every reason to think that, lying snug between the leaves of your
humble work, my productions will never be seen by them, or at least never
judgedfittofurnish them with half a meal lean, however, tell them for
their satisfaction, that, if they ever do treat me rudely, they shall suflfer Vor
their pains ;. I shall dig through the veiy first of their elegantly bound octavos
whicli I chance to meet Thirdly, because your publication will probably
carry' my name4>ver the ocean, and make my papers familiar to others of my
own species, whose favor 1 am not unwilling to court, and whose gratification
I shaU not be backward to promote.
1 know very well, Sir, the conclusion that will be formed by sagacious and
penetrating spirite, on the seeming inconsistency between this and the preced-
ing* paragraph^ viz. that they here discover a high degree of pride, vanity, and
self^omplacencyj lurking under a specious mask of humility ; and a consci-
ousness of incapacity to appear respectably before the -public united to an
ezeesaive desire to be known ; I have only to say for myself, that their- sus-
pioiona may perhaps.be well founded; but, in the present age, -so highly
favorable to improvement^ why should it be deemed a crime for a worm to
pot on wings? • Indeed, Sir, to tell you' the truth) the literary vanity of not a
fewjof your tribe has furnished me with* many hearty dinners ; the thick and
maMy volumes— the many leaved, (not liiany lined) prefaces — and the hand-
some, apologies^ which it has dictated, have cost me no short time, and no
small pains, to get through ; tell your readers therefore not to be surprised,
if they find' my breath a little' a^cted by the qualities ioi my food. I
would add a fourth reason, were I not a little afraid, that your riders will
perhaps question the truth of my professions; namely that a wish to encourage
the benevolent objects of your publication has fed me to prefer it as my
medium to the public, nther than any others for though! eat books, T never
eat men ; but am on the contrary, a hearty Welt-wisher to tlie human species ;
I strive daily to imiiioite the ai^tions of thode of them, whom I deem most'
worthy,* and would feel a sensible pleasure if my scrapings, could ever pro-
cure a dinner for the widow, or a coat for the orphan. I have alpo a certain
partiality fur those men called Missionaries, because tlicy have oflm —tfr-^r.
408 BtUioiheca Siniea. Auo.
tained me very hospitably OD the afaeWefl of their book-caBes; and you will
allow, Sir, that on the principle of gratitude, it becooiee a kind of duty in
me, to render my productions ae acceptable and useful to my kind hosts as
possible, (at the same time not forgetting otheis to whom 1 may in fUture be
indebted.) I must therefore, if you mean to admit me as a correapoedentv
beg leave to accommodate my papers in a more paiticular manner to this
class of men, which like my own, is very apt to be neglected and trampled
ppon.
The work which I propose, sir, is not I believe, superseded by any oth«r
yet published, in the English isogua^ ; at least so far as I know. A short
time since, I cut a road through an old Latin folio, published in France^
under the title of ** Calaia/^ LSbrorum •S&ttoonmi,'' by Forroount Its object
seens to have been very nearly the same with that of the pages which I now
propose. But as it is not in English, I consider it as in no way superseding
my plan ; and as it is now very much the pcactice, to give a blow at the bones
of dead authors, so, that I may assimilate as much as possible tothe manner
and spirit of the age, I dismiss the old gentleman, venerable indeed in his
^sy^ by stating, that his book did not satisfy me. His list appeared defoc-
tive, and indifferently arranged, and the whole seemed to have been compiled
without care, from deUchod papers, furnished by the Romish missionaries;
compiled by one who, howovstr great a general scholar, had but a very inad-
equate knowledge of Chinese literature, for such a work; and one under
whose hands the productions of the missionaries suffered considerably.
I intend therefore to send you now and then, short accounts of such Chinese
books as come in say way, of whatever kind^Kxf their contents, composition,
and style ,* names of their authors and date of publication, when these can (be
ascertained— accompanied with short extracts from them, and ocoasiooal
illustrations and remarks. Finally a systematic arrangement of the whole
will perhaps be made at some future time, the defects ,of these miscel-
laneous papers supplied, and their errors corrected. I mention this also,
in conformity with the spirit And custom of the age^ to let you And the
public know, that I consider Um pnmnce at mif awn^ and hofe mo UUrmy
tnarauden wiU ^teniwe to wmufe my krniory, rob my pouationt^or aoum
ihtmMt'v28 wUh sty launU! If they do, I shall gnaw the root of their glory,
and cause its leaves and branches to wither! But Sir, tho' I strive to.be
humorous in tho preamble, I shaU be more grave in the^ prosecution of the
work itself; unless indeed I be provoked by neglect, To spit a little book-
venom on this ungrateful and indiscriminating age !
No. I.
TVtfe.— 3^ ijji § ^ «^ng «» poou keen ; u e. a precious mirror to
reflect light on the heart, or the mirror of the mind. The book is intended
chiefly for children, hence the words ^ ^ pdn mung, i. e. convenient, or
•easy for children, are frequently prefixed to the name.
Author — There is no preface in those editions tiiat I have sccti, nor any
1847. BihUoihrca Sihica. 409
'iiafiie.in the title page, by whicfartbe compiler can be known.. ' Bat a. learned
Chinese whom I have consulted, saya, that he thinks it must hsFe been oom-^
piled^ by some school-master, for the use of domestic academiesi which are
common in China among persons of property.
.< jOfirfCiP— When first published does not appear. The edition from which I
write, was published in the 58th year of Keenlung, (1793.) There are other
^dkions, some of which being mere catcb-penniesy are exceedingly defective
-^-long and useful paragraphs are : curtailed — and ehaiacters of a simpler
construction, but easier cut than the genuine characters, are substituted.
• • JVMov of ike Wcrkr^lt contains the cream of all the moral writings (^the
Chinese. It consists wholly of quotatioha froim their most approved writers,'
botir Ancient and modem; There are quotatibkis from upwards of seventy
diflSsrent Authors; moralists and philosophers, and writers of all the -three
religious sects ; — ^who lived in all the intervening ages from the time of Yaii
down to about the middle of the last century, embracing a period of chronology
of little less than four thousand years.
Ihrm — One volume, small octavo, containing 54 pages; twenty sections;
and is divided pto two parts ; costs in China about four-pence half-penny
English. ^ ,.,
CfnUinU. — ^The Sections are arranged in the following order : 1. On the
practice of virtue: shewing- particularly the duty and advantage, of delivering
tit dowiMo posterity* fL On reason — ^The word ^ j^ Theen lee, which
1 hbre render reoMm, seems several times to mean Providence in this section.
3.'*On the duty of acquiescing in the decree of (ate. ' 4. On filial piety. 5*
'OilKectifyings6li;"d On contentment 7.'On keeping the- heaart- 8. On
'lestraining the temper.' 9> On diligence in learning. 10^ On instructing^
children. (Here ends the first part) II. On examining the heart 152. On
education in general. 13. On government 14. On the regulation of fam-
ilies. 15. On the duties of the relations of life. 16. On the observance of
'thoiie cercmaonies of politeness, which are dictated by propriety. 17. On
fidelity. 18. On conversation. 19. On the intercourse of friends.. 20. On the
duties of women.
, . Those are the titles of the several sections ; but the reiader jis greatly dis-
appoijBted in finding that there is oflen scarcely any connexion between them
and^the sections* themselves. Indeed tliey are mere, mottoaiStuek in at the
J beginning, as if for the .purpose of allowing the compiler to arrange under
them whatever chanced to come first in his way, wheUier connected with the
fsubj^tor not': •" ^^
CoN^Mfiltbn and $tyU. — ^The work is wholly of the didactic kind. • It is a
compound of poetic and prosaic compositions — of anecdote, aphorism, and
•hislMy-. The'style is often figurative; and partakes of all that variety that
may be expected in a book of mere quotations, made from so rbany different
' authors, of different periods of the world, and of different taste and talents.
The Christian Missionary, ^ho* stuHics this bf>r>k will find many suitable
words and phrases, which he may torn to j^uod account, in communicating
VOL. XVI. yo. VIII. 5rZ
«1* BMklhna Smim. Atai
inm^tnith. Biili^tK«lwftoIeitwbyiniiietiwi«^ a modii of
09^ ^ ^^^ «ilih«f for cowrottstioii or .«ritiii|[f^. •*> u^p'A i * " i . // '><;>i : .. : }
A« « ■fMcnutt •fith* tMrtetmb aiidr cKMpontioi^
two out of every section. -Kir,.. . • .. >. ;n: •■>
i;**Ti«AMrea^f6M to hiitHf dowifrlapo«(^i^;<ffrrfl f^ it not eertem that
IMtoriCjr will tike doe ttio ^H: <;<il]e<!$ hook* Cf» liati4> cTowrc to poUMity,
ftRai«i«iiot.Mit«rathatitMBtericy'w)ll4teftM» to imici tiMfn. It w lherofc««
bt*ler?lo kjrup iii.ilaikorabiL«lomf«f MarettiftMt, m the raiO'pJmv of per-
mamNHftdvaoUftrtofoeltfH^yV- ..-■'- :• : r.Ar.- . . _• • • .n :..;::•.! .:;
oiJ^-fHVThe^.inantwliobif ffvninHl^ if BWB.do
4' t * jH^ |^^l><^ acUiiliAiJyr towairds iua pftcentai, hit. owa.obildrea will .ojao fta,t
you do not believe, only look at the drop from the eaves, how li auccessi vefy
•A^ff*; and witli6iit ferror/* * - ' ' "• "^ ' - ^ '^ - -^^ ^^
'C"B: <( tte'wfio does not vaW himMlf, witT sillier disi^race/ 11^ who' ii^^
rvspeet himself, invites minery. He who is not self-full, receives advantage.
'«e «irlio JBnoi 96\t^tn\6tt^te^, wffl «t»in eVuhiii^e learriTny/^' ~ ; ;' ^ >
'. '6: ^* C^iilenlftieiift ftir^Shea 'Constant joy. -^Moeh eoVeUmifn^siti odviiitsEHt
ffrisft To ll» isentBBte^Tove* pe^tiy Iv- J091. n Tooths- dfis^MMentoiY^'Oveti
. iprosHb b t vexalioflv^^sTflerQOOIoitteifc will ahragFs 4iave4i.oonpetBiiacrr andr:biB
>'l||heijt> whoI^'^ii^irtfeit|loat'4iii^t«oeuT He ^whorkiiQwo w4sfo to aloilt ond ttkiraya
i0^pS(thew«;iiH4J|is:«4MdsKlifii)bf( wjUipol^ali^Mnefv Compjirsd with 4has«<or
^jfOHj;,sai^riMH| yeur ciMumatatioe^ iBa]{.;ii9t.be compateak} oempsjosd wii^i
^^ujr.iflfeKiora« :^ou pqssess .aapertluity." ,, -^^ , ^•. .., .^o^o ^.,,. ;i,.-,
'h %^}^'^^y-^^^' vcfeit chamber*. iw^,. if (Hta8ii»f throo|^, Uut peblfo s.tree}-
. Ta}ce. c«p8. of thif. iiicbf lajrge heaet^i as if drivi.ng; si< hprset,** . , - • ,,..:•
\ ^. J^tMsns lemper.ialike water. Water overturned, eaniiot ^ ffstliered up
iiffaiiL,' /The 'tern per^ let loose,' cannot be airajn orbuirht under resticaihl.** , '
9F/^* The liviiiff mah who'aoes hot leioLrii, Ts daricVdark, like one 'iRcalkini; iii
the night' . , . _T.n„ ...♦:*. / r.- 'T
''•'lav •♦fiJi Mio brfn^'dpa senClfrntTiegtects to' irtstruiot hirn,'^ Idves/RPifi ^not.
^r;;,5|^; i»^/^j^yj^^— .jjj^,>^„^j^j,^j^ ' Wrfdom sheds IFght on^he'lwWt.
'Yf^e mtVm%^\}f%ft^-M8f'«anlio(%tath if. ^ffWladom be clear, iha(%%T^
1*2. ** He who is without education in jouth, will be without knowMgouin
>aldjdgeJ* .^••,;i:.L • ■•: • r .•" . r.*- •. .' - »k-!i» ^ -,-' • v. ..'{'"itwo'^
' :A7^Kiifm^/f*\^t/t^'\% g;eiiesoiiB4o iHs-^peoplet-withoHt-extsavagaaoorvein-
pUys Ihent in labout, aiidVkey^ murmur aou II S'cUisiffss without ooyetousoosn;
. ib4igni fied wilhvuL pride '^ displays majesty, .wi tbpnt^ si^ertukess. • . • . , , .r.|
:-t4,i*vYoAii&^ persons. and servanti ousr^t not in any aifiurr jvfaeiher small.or
,.Ureirt,.to act >;1" themselves ; they nughl afwffya to aek.Qf Ihc «lder braoehe^-of
. he. family.. ", , ..,.,,,
1847. BiUiotkeca Smica, ill
15. ^ Brother! are like hands and feet. A wife it like one's clothes. When
olothes are worn out, we can subalitute those that are new* When hands
and feet are cut off, it is difficult to obtain substitutes for them."
16. !*T%)benevol«nt man loves others. The polite man respects others*
He who loves others, others will always love him. He wiio sespepts others,
others will always respect him."
17. **He who is ready with promise!, " will rarely fulfill them. He who
flatters one in his presence, will commonly be found ioepeakevil elf him behind
18. ** The month is the door of human misery ; and the tongue^^cane whic^
eiterminates the body." ' ^' v v7 ',^ «-> '" .MxjnmaA
19. ** To hold intereourse with a good man, resembles the scent o)" t&e IrPm^
Atom flower. One man plants.it, and all inhale tlie fragrance. . Ta"ai^cK)j^
with a bad man, is like one climbing a vrall with an inftiht in his arm*. If lit
slip his foot, both fall and suffer.'* - < . i
90. *' There are four^hings in women which deserve praise : a womto's tir?
tue, her countenance, her words, her labours. A woman's virtae requires ne
extraordinary talent, above that possessed by others. Her countenance reqeims
not the exquisite charms of snperlmtiTe beauty. Her words require not -flvent
lips or the talent of discussion. Her labours require not a higher degree of skil]i
and dexterity, than that commenly possessed by others. Let her be ohaste, in*
nocent, sober, and economical } raindlier duty ; be neat ; in walking and reeling)
preserve modesty ; in her actions, obserye a rule ;— these consllituls female
Tirtoe. Let. her wash aod :duf i well ;. ktep her clothes neat and clean ; bathe ajt
proper times ; and preserve bcrpemon fisom filth ;— these constitute female beau-
ty. Let her choose her words; ^Toid utibecomingcoversation^ »pe4k at proper
times ; thus she will not displiease others ; these constitute female oonrersathm.
Let her diligently spin, mad 4nake deth ; let her not indulge her apiMtite, i^
regard to savory food and liqnois ; let her prepare good things to set befims the
guests. These constitute female- fabour. These four combine the esswiii^
Tirtues and duties of womeo. • They are exceedingly easy, and site wh6
practices them is aTirtaova-womtn." ! ..,. . ,
Thai, Sir, have I given yoq a short sketch of the Ming-m^paea^kijen.
Year readers will form their «>wa conclusions. I shall close by two remarks
— ^The first it, that, as thedi^ akelcfaee are intended in a great ineasuTOfi>r(hoee
who may ilu4/'d(ibeeef eo I have given the title of the %eek in the native
character ; that, if they wiih to pdrchm it, they may be at no loes for tlia wprd^
which Ann fthe mxm. ThenoM (method I shall observe in my future oom-
moBkatioM with yea on Aie subject' The second is, that howererexeellenC
the extract from the 20th section,. on ISie duties of women msy appear, {and I
own that it is very uaefol, l^oogji, .defective) it is l>f ^^moias «4equale to
atone for the detestible seBtimeiit, which lies at the fi>unjdation> of the
ludicrous comparison drawn in_that extracted from the 15tb section. Tliiii
sentiment of ^peepept to the ienate cliaracter, pervades iChioeee^ beokiv
manners, and hearts. i J' . .; /-i " • ' • ! -.s '
•— V ,;;^::; v' Yo«rt truly, g |B IV T5"-
! I
412
List of Foreign Residents.
Ava.
Art. V. List of Foreign Residents at Shanghai and Amoy^
August, 1846.
Shdngkdi.
Meredith, K.
Cngltoh.
Alcock, R. and family,
Anderaon, J.
A»piiiRll, jr . R. '
Aspinall, W. G.
R6ale« .T C. . ■ ■ t '■ •■ .r
Beaumont, J.
Birclieye, T. J-
Brodie, O. F.
Bowman, A.
3owman, J.
Brown, W. W.
Bam, N. and family.
Burton, E.
Calder, A.
Clark, H.
Cohen, —
Cooper, J.
Crampton* J.
Dallas, A. O.
Davy, H.
Dandas, H.
£mpaon, C.
Farquahar, W. C.
Fearon, C.
Fincham, A.
Gibb, J. D.
Gibaon, E.
Grant, J.
Gray, H. M. M.
Hale, T. H.
Har^reaTes, W.
Harrejf, F. E.
Hetherington, J.
Hogw, W.
Hurbertaon, G. F.
Hume, G. and family,
Hutchinson, W.
Kay, W.
Layton; F.
LoTin, E. H.
Lewis, A.
Lewis, J.
Lookhart, W. and family,
Lomaz, J.
MaeDtinald, J.
Maekenxie, C R. '
Mackensie, C. D.
Maltly, C.
Matheson, C. S.
M*Clatchie, Rev. T. and family,
Medhurst, Rev. Dr. W. H. and fam
Milne, Rev. W. C. and fiuntly,
Moncrieff, T.
Norton, W. ' • >
Parkes, H. S.
Piatt, T.
Potter, D.
Potter, W.
Pyke, W.
Pyke, T.
Richard, P. T.
Robertson, D. B. '
Robertson, F.
Ross, J. B.
Saul, R. P.
Shaw, C.
Sillar, D.
Smith, J. C.
Smith, H.
Smith, G. F.
Stewart, J.
Syle, Rev. £. S. and family,
thisUewaitc, J. : ..
Thorbum, W.
UUett,R.B.
Urmson, G.
Wade, J. and family,
Warrington, J.
Waters, C.
WaUon, J. P.
Welch, J.
White, J. and family,
Wildman. J. R.
Wills, C.
Wilson, C.
Winch, J. H.
Americaas.
Bates, E.W
Baylis, N.
Boone, Rt. Rev. W. J. and fkmtly.
Bridgman, Rev. Dr. E. C. and fiunv
Brinley, C. N.
Coolidge, ■'
Cunningham, E.
Fogg, H.
Graves, P. H.
Hall, ;
Pierce, W. P. and fkmtly^
Saul, R. P.
Sturgis, R. S.
Taylor, E.
IWild,
1847.
Journal of Ocmrrentes.
413
Woleott, H. Q.
Woodberrv, C
Parsees.
Dadabhoy Burjoijee.
Backhouse, J.
Brown, Rev . H. A.
Doty, Rev. E.
Hertslet, F. L.
Jackaon, Robert
Lay ton, T. H.
Lloyd, Rev. John
MacDonald, A. J. B.
Miln, Jamea
Muir, J. O.
Myrtle^ David
Feet, Rev. Lyman B.
Doaaabhoy Hormuejee,
ifloluininiedana.
Isaac Ruben.
Phaik Husaen Budroodeen.
Amoy.
IPohlman. Rev. WiUiam J.
Reia, T.
Reyea. Jacinto
Stronach, ReT. Alexander
Stronaeh, Rev. John
■. Stronach, Miaa
Syme, F. D.
Talmase, Rev. J. V. N.
Tait, Ames
Thoropaon, John
Wincheater, C. A.
Zabell, F. W.
^^>^*^^^*^^^^0^m0^0^^i^^^^>^i^m0^0*0t0**^^*0^090*0^
Art. VI. Journal of Occurrences: general remarks; papers re-
lating to the riot ; obituary ; office of Chargi iP Affaires ; ar-
rival of missionaries ; correspondence with 8hih»wci'4ang.
Wb commeDce in this number a republication of papers which have
already appeared in the China Mail. As it is thought that they
possess sufncient interest to render them generally acceptable to the
readers of the Repository, we shall transfer the entire series to
bur pages.
We heartily approve of the discretion and the very rational
manner in which this correspondence was conducted. The deter-
minatiou evinced to bring the Chinese authorities to an equal
and practical consideration of mutual interests and responsibilities
is a favorable indication of a more reasonable and free intercourse
in future. It is high time indeed that the ignorant pride and un-
founded self-conceit of too many in this nation should be humbled.
Such appears to be the will of Providence, and such we believe
are->the signs of the times. And may it not be added that it is time
the foreigner should be able to feel himself more perfectly at
home in this country, possessing rights and privileges and dignity
equal to the highest and the best around him. We have perhaps
yielded too much deference and bowed too long to the boasted supe-
riority of these " celestial spirits." We live not in the dark ages of
a pagan antiquity, to be neglected and oppressed by secluded des-
pots. We like to see our rulers while we pay them deference, and
to see them assume the garb and humility of man in his terrene
habitation, and come out from the place of their august concealment
to a rational and free intercourse with their fellow-mortals. In the
4 1.4 Journal of Occurrences. A ug.
conduct of the Chinese, in times past and at present, there appears
to h(ive been not t little of- bravado, and it is interesting to observe
how readily they have relinquished their unwarrantable pretensions,
and granted concessions as fast as they have been called for. Coui-
paring our present privileges and safety with those of the foreign
community in China thirty and even ten years ago, though it is
no cause of surprise that such a change has been raected, there is
much reason why we should be gratified with the improvement
In the riot itself of July 1846, there are some portions of the pro-
ceedings on the part of the foreign community which we have never
been able fully to approve. While we maintain and advance our
rights we cannot be too careful to avoid aggression, and while we
strenuously assert necessary privileges it behooves us to be on our
guard lest we inflict an unnecessary injury. A good matter may be
carried to a needless extremity; and as the Chinese proverb ex*
presses, that '* the extreme of joy is the beginning of sorrow," it
may as truly be added, that the extreme of right is the commence-
ment of wrong. There is some justice we think in the following
remarks of Kiying.
^' If indeed the English kill the Chinese it may ttill be said that good people
ought not to collect together and look on from the side so as to bie wounded
and injured in mistake ; but on this occasion the Chinese had already fled
and dispersed, not daring to make ftirther opposition to the English ; vet the
latter pursued afler and fired at them, wildly attacking them, so as to kill the
other persons who had no concern with the matter. If it still be considered
that these people drew down the calamity on themselves, we sincerely appre*.
heod that it will pain every one who hears of it.
*^ We have no desire to ftvour the Chinese in tliiS'Casei but thero is in
eyery aflair a true right and a true wrong, and if a mutoal tranquillity is to
subsist between the Chinese and foreigners, the common feelings of mankind
and the just principles of heaven must be conformed with. Besides, human
life is of extreme importance, and the anger of the public difficult 1o appease ;
heooe we cannot vrgard this as a common msiter, nor fliil to aim at what is
fair and proper.
With reference to the present state of things and the oecorrences
of the past month we hare now but few remnrks to offer. Affairs
eoBtinue oomparatirely quiet^ bat numerous causes of irritttton
exist, which there is too much reason to apprehend will termmate st
length in an open rapture. Many among the lower classes ef the
Chinese seem to hare no hesitation in perpetrating any outrage
which may tend to awaiken- national aaimosky, provided it only con-
tri bates to satisfy their own evil disposition for |^iii, insult or re-
venge. Since tliey cannot openly retalisle for what they consider
as aggressioo, they appear -disposed to make up for it by private ven«
geance and rapacity. The instances of outrage, murder, tand plnnder
enacted of late years upon this coast would not suffer in comparisan
of an unfeeling atrocity with those horrid ckpredations of pirates^
which added :gloo«i . to 4ihe darkness of leas eel igfatened ages. We
w€fM not be in too imuch haste to regard these things .as a poblio
efie^ce^ or rashly ooistrae them into a joit cause of war. Still they
are evils, which it is the iduty of (govemsiKiits, and espeeitfliy the
1847. Journal of Ockurrencenl 415
€liin«s6rgjmrernment icy teek'to hare term inaled. ^It cannot, wc
tn«tit will ior be tolerated^, that a vuJgai rabbia, the^dregs. of tbe
aCreetS' and iiekla«^ men' who ahadder not at any aort^of indecencjr or
-wlakedneaa; sboiild order the management of thia empire; etther in kn
tateffaal: affairs m* ita foreign intercourse. It is altogether intolerable
tttaeegoremments: swayed by a set of desperadoes^ and viilains,.who
wosld-roore propeely siiifer tbe hiftietion than direct tlie administrv-
tanv of justice. Wd rejoice t(» be- in aabjection to the powers that be,
hull tbe powers that be not^ bat exist only in profession and the tM»-
wwrantable aasenipiionof prerogatirea v^ich they hare bo knowledge
dcr.capaeity to- exercise^* if titey^ cannot humble themaelrea to ol^
dience, it may be expedient to coerce by the jndioioiia bol free e»-
-Qrcisetdf civil power. Bu4l to subtert thia government cm* weaken
it in the least is no part of our desire. On the contrary it ahonld
,be ibe object of every friend of homafiiiy whe coneevna himself in
*the<aff«ir8 of this people to aeek the consolidation andperpetoity of
thn -empire. Certain remarks have appeared of late in some of
the western papers of which we. entirely . disapprove. Too severe a
ieenaure cannot well be passed upon them. If trade requirea tbe
.ooantsf to'be opened, if fiiireign manafacturera require a anarket for
their wares, fet the object be secured in a regular and peaceable
^WJiy; if p6ssibre, and fet us not begin " to cry havoc^ and let loose th|B
doga of war," befor^ei «uiiie fair pretence of hosiility can he urged.
A great, a fair, and noble object lies before us. It depends upon
•tMe men 'Of this generation, in great measure, to say, whether they
'wilf'.see' ft ^accomplished. Upon rlieir moderation and 'humanity
J^re is .puv^h. depending. . If. we are i& haste, to call back the
idvkneaa of the middle agea^ if we are going to uufuxl -the banners
iof (Satan and devastate a Nnd with) blood, then let ua not cease to
Whar the war truropiBt and f6t' the cry of battle arid vengeance be
[CAtniituallyoii bur tongues . Hut. if we desire to see nations con-
'soTidated and enlarged, if we wish to have the arts, and commerce
lienhieliifig, if we would behold rrghteoeeneaa and proapevity reign*
itfg throughout all tbe earth, and alT men* everywhere ae happy as
thdy'can bf ,. let us as speedily and as fully jis we are abfe, proceed
'. to. eatabtiah our conduct upoiv those principles, which we so earnest-
.lytidesiie to. see adopted and to prevail, when "natioo shall not
liA^^up aword 'gainst nation, neHher shall they learn war any more.
' '^pepiKrted th^^^^ Macao on Thursday, July 8th, Mary
£%inif/rd; itifant and only daughter of the Rev. Wm, Speer, aged
.five Bontha and thr^ee days*. . ,. .
I TtlitnnoticiflTg the decease of Mr. Everett the United States commis-
•siener to China, in our Fast mimher, we omitted to state, that the
liiffhnra of the legation again devolve on Dr. Parker as Charge d' Af-
. f ibices. jttf£ interim,
';-:. Arrival of mistiionarieB. The fiolh^wiiigarethenamesef theseveral
missioriarins who hnve returnerf or tirst ;rrr:tved in China during tlie
month ; Dr. Hob&ion, niedicht uiisbVoRiiry at Hongkong^ and lady; as-
416 Jokrmtd of Occwhrencesl I
«ociated:withiDr. H.ifliDr.^Heirachberg a German missionary ; th6
Revi J. L. Shuok and lady, accompanied by the Rev. T. W. Tobey
and Rev. M. T. Yales and their wives, members of the Southern
Baptist convention of the United States of America. These mission-
aries are to be stationed at Shinghii. The Rev. F. C. Johnson of
the -SB me Board is to be stationed at Canton. An American Episco-
-pal missionary, Rev. P» D. Spaulding, is also to be located at Sh&ng»-
hku A female missionary, Miss. Selmer, is- to be associatedi wiUi
Miss. Aldersey at Ningpo : Rev. Mr. Doty has returned to Amoy
accompanied by Rev.. Mr. Talmage. Rev. Messrs. M. C. White and
J. D; Collins of the Methodist Episcopal Board in the United States
have gone to Fuhchau^ .
With the; two following notices from the China Mail we close our
journal: for the month. , ., . . .
" Oh the 90th day of the ^th month, (2d July,) the Oentry and Eldera in
' the- neighbourhood of Shlhiwei-tang went in a body to the ffovernor'a houae to
* n^aent a petition, requeating Keying to prevent tne Englial barabariana tak>
ing.forcible possession of that place, and worda to that effect; but Keying
wished to detain these Eldera in his office, and enjoined them to let the Engliah
take tlie spot^ without engaging in- qnarrels with them. But they were all
unwilling iOiComply ; and at the same time a crowd of aeveral thonaand:men
having, assembled before the gates of the office^ which they wanted to break
.open. Keying being apprehensive of creating a tumult, let theae Eldera and
Gentry go, and they returned t6 their homea.
Tdtfkwang. 27th year, 5th month, 83d day. (SthJuIy)'
V iKe,- Imperial Commissioner, ^vernor-general of the two Kwang,^e. 4lq.
SLC^berehy gives a Declamtion m reply to the representation of Koo-gan-yung,
aiid others : — ^ ,*....»
After examination I find thkt aii Imperial Edict waa a long' time back rea-
p^tfully received • permitting foreign merehanta to dweU at the porta open
to foreign commerce, ; and atatinc that the land ^and ihouaes to bexented
.by them ahould be determined by ue inclination, or otherwi8e,.of the: proprie-
tors to let. It cannot, therefore, in any way concern other people that Pwan*
~she-]e6 is now inclined to give up his patrimonial property of Shih-wei-tang
for this use of government. ' " - .l^: . '; •
- I 'Yon have represented that .** the fbrergnera will stlsalthily.take.ponesaionbf
the -upper streams, aeiie the most important passagesi: settle on the mostojm-
portaot places, inflict bitter iiynrieaonthe villa^p^'* ao. Thia ia of.courae^in
consequence of yo'ur hav'ng Iiatened to, and being moved b^ idle reporta. Yon
should reflect that the whole traet of country in the vicinity oif tnis city is
important, and that it is. not Shih-wei-tang alone which is so. - Further, Shih-
. wei*tang does not lie at any distance fVom^ihe Thirteen Factories, the tnhabit-
.ants in the neighbourhood of which have for a long time paat had peace, and
.tranquillity : why, then, ahould your several tens of villages forthwith suffer
bitter injuries.' •' ' ' * • ' ■ ■ ' •' '
Having had the honour to receive a commiaaion flrom Hi^ Imperial Majeaty
-to take the management of iall affairs' between Chinese 'and- foreigners, and
.having'in all matters reverently received his sacred . instructions, my object, is
to put a stop to troubles and to .tranquiliie the people, without in the alightest
degree entertaining any aelflah views.
You. being all people advanced in years, ought. I concede, to possess a
thorough knowleoge of affairs, and not allow yourselves to be deluded by idle
Ules.
A paper Miiipjced to the pri:;inal representation. ...
Published officially on the 5th- July, I'Sii
THE
CHINESE REPOSITORY.
Vol. XVI— September, 1847.— No. 9.
^^^^^^^0*0^0^^^0^'t^^^0ii^^^^^^^*^^^l0^^^^^*^^^F>^^^i0*^^0^^^^
Art, I. Hdi kwok Tu chi, %^^^* Siaiisiieal notices of
tko ocean kingdom with mops, in ffty books. Communicated
for the Repository by a Correspondent.
Bt way of preface, and before introdacing the Review which has been prepar-
ed for oar pages, we most beg to. detain the reader with a few words regard-
ing both the Book and its Anthor. Daring the last fifteen years the name of
}d( ,^|j /^ lAn lMiro& has appeared often in pablic and we find it in the
latest extracts from the Peking Gasettes. Tbecareer of this man has been
a very remarkable one. His first introdoction to our acquaintance, was in
a long and able memorial to the emperor, written in consequence of inunda-
tions and famine that had afflicted the people of one of the central provinces,
over which he was they^-jfiien or governor. That paper was pronounced by
Dr. Morrison to be one of the most interesting Chinese documents he had
ever read. Lin's devotion to the sovereign and to the welfare of the people
was perfect, judging from his language. The people pleaded their want of
means as an excuse for the non-payment of their taxes. With a view to
ascertain the extent of this want the governor went, in disguise under cover
of night through their fields add hamlets; and he drew a most touching
picture, and represents himself as in deep distress on account of the calamities
that had fallen on the land. Not many years after this, we hear of Lin's
being before the emperor, recisiving his sovereign's commands to stop the
traffic in and the use of opimni And straightway down he came from the north,
armed with plenipotentiary power, making all quail before him. Those who
were then in Canton; wilf never forget die scenes here enacted. A strong
cordon was thrown arouOd the factories; and starvation was to be tlie portion
of the rebellious foreigners, while Uie poor hong merchants and olher traito-
rous natives, loaded with chains ami shut up iir priison, were to await a doom
VOL. J*tl. NO IX. 5*5
4 IS 'Review of the Hai kwoh Td, chi Sep.
DO leas dreadful The.sorreoder of the 20,283 chests of the drag, and its
destruction followed. He had now reached a high point ; and it was not longf
before reverses came— degradation, dismissal from office, banishment, and
(had reports been true) death. Indeed his death was formally reported, in
what were, at the time, received as veritable extrac|a from the Gazettes. Much
as he loved his sovereign and the black-haired race, Lin had to reflect on
himself as being the immediate agent in bringing on the late war, with all
its calamities,— out of whiclv however, under an all- wise overruling Pro-
vidence, are likely to come to this nation many and great benefits. God will
make the wrath of man to praise him, and restrain the remainder thereof.
Of the Book we have but little to say, in addition to the remarks on it by
our correspondent . We have never heard of the work in the bookstores of
Canton ; the only copy we have seen is that noticed in the sequel, and was
obtained by a friend at Shanghai, and after having been a short time in the
hands of our Correspondent, and examined as a curiosity by a few friends,
passed into the hands of a French gentleman and has gone to Europe. The
work was a handsome octavo, in twelve volumes, if we rightly remember,
and was printed we suspect with metallic type, its appearance differing a
good deal from the usual style of Chinese books. We hope erelong to have
in. possession, for our perusal another copy, and may then say more of the book,
but for the present must content oorselve* with the brief and rather hastily
written notices which foUaw.
Who has not beard aboiH the famoixs ComnrissioDer Lin 7 A name
not only known within the eelestiai en»pire, but universally spread
over the wide world f so thai the distant east. and the far west pro-
nounce it wtib- great empbasi^. Nor. do we even believe, that the
ruler of more than 360 millione of human bemgs has ever attracted
so much renown in foreign lands, a^this said gifted statesman. In*
a public point of view be- is a wonderibt man, and few mortals ci^n
boast so many good cpMlities^ who have at the same tilne displayed so
many vices as this one individvah There is in film a depth ot
thought worthy of a sage, the adbption of measures excellent and
opposite, an unshrinking firmness to carry them out, a policy far
above the ken of his countrymen, a patriotism that knows no bounds,;
and a noble disinterestedness scarcely ever found in a Chinese of rank.
At different timea we seetbie ao highly taliented politician, showing
himself mean and despicvbfo, cruel', ruthles?, and! vrle, obstinate and
ignorant of the first principles of for-eign intevcoorse,. goading his
country into a direful war^ and< then, in the hour of danger, becom-
ing as helpless as a child. How to' reconcile so many contrarieties
in one man is not our present object, nor are. we going to write a
biography, hut merely to give some account of his book, aud of liiiN'-
self as a literary ciiaracler.
1847. Review of the Mat hook Tu chi, 419
The present work, which we may call a digest of foreign matters,
political, historical, statistical, religious, d&c, is a compilation, with-
out any thing to equhl it in the history of Chinese literature. Whilst
Lin resided at Canton, he carefully collected everything published v
by foreigners in Chinese, and made from thence his extract to eluci-
date the terra incognita — that is to say every country beyond China.
For this purpose he made use of the several religious tracts, the
Chinese Monthly Magazine, a treatise on commerce, a description
of the United States, do. of England, a general geography, the post-
humous works of Ricci, d&c, all more or less abridged. Not satis-
liedr with this, he had regular translations made of all such articles in
the; newspapers, as contained anything regarding opium or China.
.To these he added the principal edicts, that were issued during Ihe
great crisis, had a version made of an essay on gunnery and gun-
powder, and other miscellaneous matters, such as steam, universal
•power, repulse of barbarians^ &.C., and then presented the whole to
•Sh&ngyang weiyuen,: one of the inferior members of. the Cabinet.
This gentleman searched diligently amongst the state papers in the
capital and soon discovered a number of documents that were to be
inserted, himself adding to the same his own valuable information.
Thua decked out this work finally appeared, in the summer of
1844, and was most extensively circulated amongst the. higher of-
ficers of government, both at- Peking and in the* provinces. The
object was to enable them to frame their creed regarding foreigners,
and-in a semi-official way impart to them the views which the supreme
government at present holds upon the subject of barbarian intercourse,
science^ trade, d&C: i
. i Before writing down our humble opinion upon this extraordinary
.work, we shall give an abstract of its contents, to convince the rea-
ders that it is indeed a miscellany, such as only a high imperial
commissioner could write.
• From -an examination of the preface and first book it would ap-
pear, that the great aim in writing this elaborate work, was to dis-
cuss the strategical talent and superiority of barbarians and to recom-
' mend their adoption, so as to defeat them with their own weapons;
that is to say^ first to make them your masters, and then to hate
and exterminate them, — as a reward for the improvements that were
'introduced by their means.. This is rather paying royally for educa-
tion, and as the plan is so magnificent, we shall not further discuss it.
What is said of the past in chapter first, refers to by-gone times
and no regret can recall the extraordinary events that have taken
420 Review of the Hai kwoh Tiu, chi. Sbi>.
place. The second chapter of the first book is filled with proposi-
tions for the defense of the country, and Lin there discovers, what
his grandfather might have told him, that China wants a standing
army and regular navy, an axiom, which none can contradict. The
great question, however, is, how are these to be procured, — which
we Leave the high officers to solve, and they will not find it an easy
thing, nor Lin's suggestions as practicable as they look on paper.
This chapter is naturally followed by another, describing how Chi-
na ought to make war. We should better have liked a treatise on
the preservation of peace, and regret, that our author should have
taken so very much trouble to lay down theories, the greater part of
which are only practicable in Utopia, where the people are too wise
to decide their quarrels by the sword. The fourth chapter has a
good deal about the balance of trade, Opium, Tea, Rhubarb, and
sundry other matters, upon the establishment of the Canton hongs.
There are many sound principles laid down in this discussion, the
result of a minute examination of facts, and therefore worth the
reading.
The collector turns now, in real good earnest, to geography. A
whole book is filled with sad imitations of our own maps, then a
clumsy representation of the whole Mongul empire, under Kubl&i
khan, an outline of the Chinese coast, and finally the ancient maps
of the world, as they were drawn more than a thousand years ago.
The next four books are taken up with a miscellaneous and geo-
graphical account of Annam, Siam, and Burmah. Many interesting
descriptions occur, and various remarks about these countries,
which we never met in any other work, may be gleaned from these
pages. If one wishes to know something about the connection, that
existed for so many centuries between China and the south of Asia,
and what is the feeling at present respecting these countries, these
passages may be studied with advantage.
The next books treat of Manila, and the islands possessed by the
Dutch and English,— namely, tiie Indian Archipelago. In giving
an outline of these islands, Lin has rather presumed to talk bitterly
of barbarians. The old story of the bullock's hide, for marking off
the territory ceded by a native rajah to his foreign guests, is palmed
off upon the Spaniards, honored with the name of Fatlangke (or
Franks). In the whole of this, Lin has copied very much from
European reports, and never fails to pay a tribute to their rapacity.
With the situation of the islaiids themselves, he shows no accurate
acquaintance. Had he consulted a common sailor of Fuhkien, he
1847. Revicto of the Hdi kwoh Tu cM. 421
might have been prevented from confounding names. We learn
from his quotations, that Borneo as early as the sixth and seventh
centuries of our era, had intercourse with China by means of tribute
bearers. The presumptive evidence of a previous higher state of
civilization of this great island, appears thus supported by historical
facts.
Of Java, Lin has much to narrate admirably assisted by the tales
of his countrymen who in myriads visit that beautiful island. Of
other equally important isles he says very little ; but Penang and
Singapore are duly noticed. The writer may justly be proud about
the emigrants from Fuhkien who constitute the soul and moving
power of the whole trade and industry amongst the Malays and other
tribes.
The twelfth book on Japan is an original collection, rich in infor-
mation, little known to our book-makers. Lin mentions the severe
prohibition of popery, and the treading on the cross, as well as upon
an image, details the wars, that took place between his country and
ihese islands, waged on the part of the latter by mere merchants^
and also shews his dislike of the Dutch.
After this, there follow no less than six books on India, ill arrang-
ed, and full of errors, mostly taken from accounts of foreigners, in
all of which the poppy, this destructive plant, holds the most promi-
nent place. Arabia as well as Persia obtain here a portion of the
commissioner's observations, who clearly proves that he has no cor-
rect idea of those two countries ; and this is the first time, that we have
heard of their belonging to western India. We were neither prepar-
ed to be told, that India was part and parcel of the same; however
such it is, and we shall not gainsay the great man. He quotes sun-
dry accounts to prove, that Christianity, or rather the doctrines of
that country, (likewise called Tatsin and Fuhlin) entered into China
at a very early period. As Lin does not possess great partiality for
the professors of the said creed, we may take his word that such was
the case. His account of Turkey in Asia, is, as might have been
expected, poor enough ; and we shall therefore not dwell upon it.
To this follow a retrospective view of all India, in three books*
which contain a great deal new, respecting the former intercourse
of China with this far famed country, and something also of the
politics of the celestial empire in regard to the land of wonders*
This becomes more conspicuous, when Lin descants upon the north-
western frontier, and speaks about the Afghans, Cashmere, and Yar-
kand as well as Bokhara. But the reasoning is from sheer ignoranoe
422 Review of the Hdi kmh Tu chl Sep..
defective. We- believe however, that Lin is the first of his country-
men, who has troubled himself about the territory of the southwest
of Samarkand.
We' are now come to Libya, the name Lin bestows upou Africa. In
the whole he communicates without much order upon what a schoolboy
knows better. He also descants upon the slave-trade, and the position
of the native princes; a subject which appears tolerably important,
under his descriptive hand. As for the kingdoms he enumerates to
exist in this land of heats, and rivers, we cannot vouch, nor could
we subscribe to the detail of the customs of some of their citizens.
Th(& commissioner knows best what is true, or merely a tale ; but his
confounding ancient Carthage with Barbary, when speaking of Ar-
chimedes and the worthies just descended into the grave, is highly
nmusing.
From such interesting^ lore we are suddenly transported to Europe,
and the opening chapter of the twenty-fourth book is Portugal follow-
ing which are Spain, Holland, and Neuzhnejin, which we translate for
the r^ader'b information Belgium. Throughout the whole is an inge-
nious flow of language, much truth, and still more nonsense, most
-artificially, and in defiance of all chronology mixed together. France
comes next in for its share, then Italy — alias the Roman empire,
wit}i its nine states, and finally, Germany and the countries belong-
ing thereto, in which is a very sad confusion, the commissioner di-
-viding this country of dukes, princes and sovereigns without number,
in to twenty-five districts, or tribes after the Mongul fashion. We
-have then the almost unwritable Austria ( Gmosibtikligaou), ^nd
Hungary and Poland. The two following kingdoms Suylin and
-Foonowei (Swedea and Norwei?), we have not yet been able to find
on any map, and believe them to be a discovery of Lin's, of which
Europe ought instantly to be informed, for it is really something to
hit upon a kingdom in the nineteenth century, that was not known
to the great western commonwealth. >
The thirty-first and thirty-second books are occupied with Den-
mark, Switzerland and Prussia ; the latter country is sadly mingled
•with all its principalities and dispersed provinces. Northern Turkey
follows as an appendix, no doubt, because there existed, and for
ought we know still exists an alliance between the Grand Signor and
•the land of schools and education. That we do not quote largely from
■the lucubrations of the minister, may be ascribed to our fear of being
•contradicted in our own assertion by a boarding-school miss, which
•isiS .very feeling insult to a reviewer.
1847. Review of the Hdi kwoh Tu chi. 423
We are now fairly arrived in England, Scotland, and Ireland, and
find there a very fair estimate of the said realms, their resources,
trade, colonies, &c., all in keeping with the subject, and interspers*
ed with sundry envious remarks, that shew Lin's prejudices in a bad
view. He allows himself fairly to discuss the merits of these islands,
and expatiate upon them like a statesman of the middle ages.
Our next step is to Russia, in Europe as well as Asia, in which
the compiler shews, that he is not acquainted with the colossal mag-
nitude and influence of the said empire.
All at once we find ourselves transferred to Mrhiikia (America)*
the A being left out for euphony's sake, and subsequently to M6H-
kien, which we translate the United States. The whole account of
these countries is transcribed from the published description in Chi-
nese, and presents nothing interesting, but on the contrary an absence
of any sound knowledge of the Great Republic. Their come Mex»
icoand the colonies of North America. Then South America with
its sundry mushroom republics in yonder regions of the manufactory
of constitutions ; several however are left out, and the account is
altogether unsatisfactory. The richness of the mines -attracts Lin's
attention, yet he does not reflect, that his own dear native country
haa larger and more productive ones, than even Peru. As many of
o^ur readers, will doubt so bold an assertion, we^must fully explain
this subject another time by names, descripiionSj and cyphers, which
we have all in store, sufficient to satisfy the most sceptic money-hunten
After having given a glance to the West Indies, the writer honors
^he newly discovered continent towards the south pote with a transi-
tory notice. We scarcely believed, that seals and whales, with their
kindred tribe, which occasionally visit those seas for pleasure's sake
in summer, were deserving so much attention from our terse writer. '
...The forty-third chapter gives a very short and incorrect account
of all religions, and presents a comparative table of the chronology
of China and the West. Then there follows a dissertation of ancient
geography, as first taught by the Budbists, a very instructive chapter,
if we add the opinion on the Kwanluw mountain ridge, the highest
in the world, of which the Himalaya is a mere* branch.
^ Lin closes his descriptions with treatises on Mathematical and
Physical Geography, in which the celebrated Ricci figures very
much, for he was- the father of geography in China.
The forty-seventh, forty-eighth, awl forty-ninth chapters are on
politics, polemics, theories, and newspapers, and of the latter not k
few extract;}, to show what grand ideas barbarians entertain ab<">^
424 Review of ike Hdi kwo Tu chL Sep.
the celestial empire. A whole liook of the work contains nothing
but a description of the barbarian character in all its bearing, and
the concluding (iflieth chapter is on gunnery.
Thus we have given to the reader some idea of the multifarious
contents of these volumes. Though geography is by far the most
interesting part, still history, tales, and erroneous representations
occupy many of its pages.
As to its style this work does not rise above mediocrity, being in
some measure a mere translation, but it is on the other hand not defec-
tive in perspicuity, yet at the same time devoid of ail interest, except
to the very diligent inquirer. When we take into consideration the
multifarious occupations of the commissioner, and that amidst all, he
could still find leisure and inclination to wade through such a mass
of matter, perfectly foreign to his pursuits, we must admire his un-
shrinking diligence. His political opinions, that obtrude themselves
everywhere, he might have kept to himself, for the realisation of
them would be fraught with misery to his country, greater than his
former movements in the anti-foreign sphere. To recommend to his
nation improvements, without which it will remain a mere cipher
amongst the countries of Asia, is very laudable ; but to inculcate
at the same time an undying hatred towards the inventors, is worse
than ridiculous. We are still of the opinion of a very celebrated
Japanese writer, that the Asiatics may be compared to wood, the
Europeans, to iron, and to shape the former, the latter is indispensa-
bly necessary.
But with all these faults we rejoice, that such a distinguished man
as Lin has taken up the subject of discussing foreign matters. His
example has stirred up many of his fellow officers, and the readers
will be pleased to hear, that a number of mandarins of very high
rank make geography at present their study. This is the commence-
ment of better things however insignificant the beginning.
We now take our leave of the author, a man still of high renown
in China. And should he favor the world with another of his lucu-
brations, which we suppose will be a dissertation upon the means of
subjecting Turkestan and making the Afghans with the Dost to boot
tributary ; we shall be only too happy to pour over his work with
interest and assiduity.
^^^i^^^%^MW^M^^^%»^^^^MWV^^*.^^^^^^^MN^^"^^»»
1847. Papers reiating to the riot of July 1846. 42a
Art. II. Papers relating to the riot at Cojiton in July 1846, a^id
the proceedings taken against Mr, Compfon, a British ^ubjeit^
for his participation in that Riot, Republished from the China
Aiaii. (Continued from page 397.^
31. Sir John Davis to Co.' jul Maegregar,
Victoria, Hongkong, September II, 1846.
Sir,^I incloie you a copy of iny note by thia oonreyance to Keying, in
which you will perceive that 1 do not ahelter or juatify Mr. Comptou in hia
real ahare of blame in the ocenrrencea of the 8th July, though 1 object to tlie
abanrd portion of the chargea againat him. You will obaerve that I admit the
propriety of that merchant being 6iied, aa I before atated to you in my deapatch
of the 14th Aug. He ought infaei to have keen fined in the first instnmee on hia
own admiaaion of the fact, and I am peranaded that Her Majeaty'a ^vernment,
in reviewing thia aeriona buainem, will be decidedly of that opmion. The
Ordinance authoriiea your puniahing miademeanoura with a fine noteiceeding
SOO dollara, which I fear ia a very inadequate penalty to a peraon in Mr. Com.
pton'a circumatanoea.
I have repeated to Keying ray opinion of the propriety of acme relief to tlie
relations of those who, beinff mixed up with the guilty rioters, unfortunately
suffered in the affray ; ahd 1 have moreover dwelt on the indispenaabie necea.
sity of executing in gix>d faith the agreement with the Americana of July 1844,
concluded in oonaeqtience of the riot of that period. 1 do not wish the Jfemesis
to remain near Canton longer than you deem il neceaaary. — I have, &4S.,
J. F. Davis.
23. Consul Mnsgregor to Mr. Compton. Canton, July ^35, 1846.
, Sir,— In a representation addresaed to me by the Imperial High Commia-
aioner Keying, and governor Hwang, you are charged with having, **■ on the
4tb inatant, at the door of the guard at Old China Street, kicked to pieces the
stall furniture of a fruiterer at tliat place, and with having beaten with a cane
the military officer there, on hia going out to admoniah and atop you,*' on
which occasion, tliey add, a riot had almoat taken place. Further, that on the
8th inatant, when a foreigner was wrangling with another fruiterer at the
entranfee to Old China Street, you came with a cane and dealt random blows
with it on the fruiterer. That in the course of the quarrel you auddenly laid
hold of a man, and took him into the Chung- ho hong, where you tied and beat
him, thua causing the aasembled Chinese to make a diaturbance at the back
of the said Hong.
It being incumbent on me to inveatigate these chargea. which the Chinese
authoritiea declare to have occasioned the riot on the night of the 8th instant,
in which the lives of Chinese subjecU were sacrificed, I have to requeat you
will attend at this Consulate, on Monday next, the 37th instant at 11 a. m.,
with whatever witnesses you can produce to depose as to the truth of the
above allegations. — 1 have, &c.,
Frakcis C. Macoreoor.
33. Sir J. Davis to Viscount Pnlmerston. -^{Recd. Nov. 88.)
Victoria, Hnnjrkong, September 82, 1846.
Mv Lord —I have the honour to inclose herewith a copy of a ourioua paper
from Canton, tranalated from one of those placards which are so oflen exhibit-
ed to the turbulent population of that pUce. Its abuse is directed against Mr.
Peter Parker, an American, who acts as <*hiirg6 d' AflTaires for the United Sta-
tes. It takes no account of the really vaiunblo and benevolent services which,
in his double capacity nfsufireon and missionary, he has rendered to the po-
vofc. XVI. \o. i». 5(
496 Payers relaiing to the riot of July 1846. SbpI
Salation, by healing their diieaaea and retloriiif maqy of tbem to aifht, hot
olda him ap to general obloqay on the grouncTof aonie alleged abtiaea in his
official eapaoity.
The moat remarkable feature of thia paper, however, ia ita making (for the
ftrat time that I am aware of) reapeetful mention of ihe Governmenta of fo*
xeign Statea, and attaching importance to the eontinaance of peace with them.
** We alao preaume that all the Governments of the varions honourable nations
will, fh>m the general view of -the case, form no partial opinion,** &e. **As
thia" (the execution of certain threata againat Mr. Parker)-^** would injurs
the peace and friendahip now existing,'* &c., — 1 have, Ac,
J. F. Davis.
94. Sir J, Dmri$ to ViteomU Palmer9tom.^Recd. Nov. 28.)
Victoria, Hongkong, September S3, 1846.
Mv ifOiD, — With reference to my despatch of the II th instant to Lord
Aberdeen'a address, 1 have the honour to report the atate of aAira at Canton
to the latest date.
1 received the inclosed despatch of the 17th inatant from Mr. Consul Mae.
gregor, commenting on an abusive and inflammatory placard, of which «
translation is herewith forwarded. This is one of those appeala to the bad
passions of the multitude so frequent at Canton ; and though I am not diapos-
ed to attach a great deal of importance to it, Mr. Macgregor waa right in at
once bringing it to the notice of the local authorities.
The one thing needful however is the enforcement of tboae regulations on
the part of the Government which they engaged to earrv out in July 1844,
but which have been entirely neglected from that time to this. 1 accordingly
6n the 10th instant i^dressed the inclosed note to Keying.
I call to his recollection that the riot of 1844, in which the Americana ahot
"^ Chinese, led to an agreement concerning certain regulations of a preventive
nature which were to be eatablished and maintained by the Local Government,
but which regulations have been altoffether lost sight of, leaving the neighbor.
hood of the factories in exactly the former state.
1 then observe that fbreignera have abstained fW>m any attempt to exercise
their undoubted right of entering the city, but that in spite of this forbearance
they have been assailed in their own dwellings by vagabonds and incendiariea
intent on pillage, and met with no sort otprotection or aaaiatance from the
Government. After calling -to Keying's mind that he was appointed by the £m.
peror for the express purpose of maintaining tranquillity, 1 conclude by inform*
mg him that Her Majesty's Government have been duly apprised of all the
eircomstances, and by convey ini^ a solemn warning that in the event of any
disasters resulting from such palpable neglect and violation of good faith he
must be perpared to expect a demand for indemnification.— I have, Ac,i
J. F. Davis.
25. . ConnU Macgregor to Sir John Dam§.
Canton, September 17, 1846.
Sib,— I have the honour to transmit for your Excellency's information copy
and translation of an inflammatory placard, posted up yesterday in the neigh-
bourhood of the factories, relative to the late disturbance. Upon being made
acquainted with the fact. 1 immediately addressed' a letter to their Excellencira
the Imperial Commissioner and Governor, requesting that they would adopt
such prompt and efficient meatfures as might prevent acts of violence on the
part of the populace.
In consequence of this placard, and also for the satisfkction of the commu-
nity, I have ordered the steamer AisiwMij to return to her station opposite the
factories, she having been for some time anchored at the entrance of the Ma-
cao passage.
Notwithstanding my repeatfd remonstrances that the regulations should be
strictly enforced as to the crowded state of the avenues leading to the factories,
I have to observe that thiMr pf^s^nt iit,itF in that respect is quite as bad as it
was previous to the late disturbance.— i have, A:c.,
FftANcia C. MAcaacooR.
1847. P(g>ers relating to the rioi of July 1846. 427
96. Sir John Dawia to Commisnoniar Keying.
Victoria, Hongkong, September 19, 1646.
I have reeeived an official communication from the consul Maegregor, re-
presenting that the Regulations of July 1844 were still entirely unexecuted,
and that ragabonda of all descriptions crowd the neighbourhood of the fo.
reign factories.
Your Excellency is aware that the congregation of idle vagabonds in 1844
led to an attack on the Amerieans, who in consequence shot a Chinese in de-
fending themselves. As the result of this occurrence the Regulationa were
resolved upon ; buV nothing was done to enforce then, and accordingly ano-
ther attack was made en the foreign factories on the 8th July last, on which
oeeasion the Americans combined with the English and repulsed the assail-
ants, leading to the death of three Chinese.
Foreigners have long abstained from entering the city, to which they have
acknowledged right. They have exercised this patience and forbearance with
a view to improve and maintain friendly feelings. But they find that in
return for this |»atience and forbearance they are quickly returning to the
former state, which it is impossible to endure, and which previously led to
disastrous occurrences.
I repeat, that they have abstained from any attempt upon the interior of the
city— but now they cannot live unmolested in their own dwellings. Their
indignation is therefore intensely aroused, and it is impossible to control them.
They perceive that the Regulations of 1844 are not enforced, and that they
are obliged to defend themselves against robbers and incendiaries.
1 conceive that your Excellency was appointed by the Emperor of your
honourable country for the promotion of peace and the prevention of bloody
feuds. Now there is no better mode of preventing such feuds than by preser-
ving order, and it is impossible to preserve order without repressing the con-
gregation of vagabonds. Until this is done, we may daily expect the recur-
rence of disturbances, snd perhaps the death of hundreds on both sides.
I have informed my government that the regulations of 1844 are still un-
enforced, and that the district officers of Canton do not contrdl the populace.
Indeed the Treasurer and Judge of the province publicly encouraged ihe peo-
ple in their hatred of foreigners, as is on record. 1 therefore sclemnly give
your excellency previous warning, that should disssters occur iVom the defect
of necessary precautions, my government will be prepared to demand in-
demnity. A most necessary communication.
1 take this occasion to renew, A«., J. F. Davis.
Stt, Sir J. Dmrnt to yUcmmi Pa/msrjtim— (Reed. Nov. 98.)
Victoria, Hongkong, 8etember26, 1846.
M^ Lord,r-With reference to my last despatch on the same subject of tiie
93d mstant, I have now the honor to report the most recent state of the ques-
tion reffarding the Canton riot of July 8th.
Mr. Consul Macgregor was disposed to make the levy of a fine on Mr.
ComptoHi for his misdemeanour in assaulting a Chinese, dependent on the
punishment of the mandarin who neglected to quell the riot ; but it appeared
to me that this bartering of one act ofjuatice against another was objectiona-
ble, and that bv fining Mr. Compton and putting ourselves in the right, we
should place the Chinese still further in the wrong. I accordingly directed
the consul to levy the highest fine of SIN) dollars under the Consular Ordin-
ance.
It is satisfeetory to sUte that my formal protest to Keying on the non-en-
fbroement of the regulations for preserving order (of which a copy was inclosed
in my previous despatch) has had the desired effi!Ct,and Mr. Consul Macgre-
^r reports the clearing of the streets and avenues about the foreign factories
in a very effectual manner.
The same is implied in the inclosed reply from Keying, received yesterday,
i«i which the punishment of the persons who killed the Chinese assailants is
again proposed.
428 Papers relating id the riot of July 1846. Srp:
lo my repjy, herewith forwarded, I announce the 6ne of 200 dollara leried
on Mr. Coinpton for hia roiademeanour \ and at the aame time comment on the
circumatance of no puniahment whatever having been inflicted on the man-
darin who neglected to quell the riot.
I then point out the abaence of candour and fairneaa in confining the
chargea ezclitaively to the £ng!iah, when it ia univeraally notorioua that all
foreignera were promiacuoaaly engaged in repelling the aasailanta on the fac-
tories, and that even Chineae peacetul inhabitants having been alao attacked
by thoae intent on pillage* had taken meaaurea for their own future aaiety,
by preventing the congregation uf vagabonda. ^ -
The '^ Nenieaia" ateamer, at the requeatof Mr. Maogregor, remains opposite
the factories, and the ^ Wolverine*' aloop of war will be anchored at Wham^
poa; but the Conanl reporta that everything is perfectly quiet, and that pie.
ventave meaaurea are still in progress.—! have, dee.
J. F. Davis. . :
38.. CommiB9unuT Keying and lAa Chmemor qf Kwmkgtung.to Sir Dm
Keying, High Imperial Commissioner, Jb.c., Hwang, Lieutenant-Governor
of Kwangtung, Ac, aend the following reply to a dea|mtch of the honourable
envoy (dated September 19) reapecting the non.carrying into effect of the
regulations [here foUowa an extract of the above paper.]
We, the Great Minister and the Lientenant-Gk>vernor, after duly perusing
this communication, ascertained that the military authoritiea and the magis-
trate had received direetiona to make known the regulationa of 1814 to the
public, that measures might be adopted for carrying them out. We moreover
resolved to appoint an able officer to take up his abode [near the foreign fae-
toriea] with a good number of soldiers, for the sake of making investigations
and keeping down [the mob.] The people however are powerful by their
numbers, whilst their superiors stand isolated. The authorities therefore cait
only then constrain the people and reduce them to obedience when thev treat
them rationally ; but they cannot be coerced by vainly employing prohibitions
and injunctions. Though the lawa of the central empire differ from'-those of
your honorable country, yet in thia principle I suppose we both agree.
As there is now a ease of the loss of three lives pending, which has not yet
been arranged according to the principle of reason, the Chinese authorities
cannot render an account to tlie people. If we attempt to induce them by
main force to yield obedience to thoae regulations, this would furnish them
with a sufficient plea to ask for retribution and seek for revenge. It is on this
account that we, the Great Minister and Lieutenant-Governor though much
wishing to issue a severe and lucid proclamation, must still delay it, and can-
not do ao in a hurry. ,^^
Tou say in vour letter that vou are apprehensive of another dislurbanoe, in
which on both sides hundreds of lives may be lost, and words to that effi?ct.
Aa the present case csnnot be managed according to the Treaty, the Chinese
will in future not yield to the mandarins, when they are about to quell. [a riot],
and we fear thiit a disturbance is unavoidable. . . ,
The inhabitants of Canton are of a violent and obstinate disposition, the
cIuIm are fond of displaying tlieir spirit and bravery, and it is to be very -much-
feared that the matter .will not end with the loss of a few hundred Itvea. We
the Great Miniater and Lieutenant-Governor are eondtantly under deep
aniiety on account of thia circumstance, and rjin neither sleep nor eat quietly.
As you the honorable *»nvoy, therefore are guided by benevolence, and are
apprehensive of a new riot, in which many lives may be lost, you have mere-
ly accord in<r to the prrivisions of the l^reaty to proaecute some foreigners
who wantonly fired to the destruction of life, and there will be a atop put to
the causes of disturljanee, the livea of hundreds will be preserved on both
sides, and we may adopt measures for carrying the protective regulations into
effocf; and would thii not he excellent^ Ton, the honourable envoy, will
take this matter under matiire consideration and act [up to your conviction]. .
•
1847. Papers relating to the riot of July 1S46. 429
' We •hall not dwell upon the topics on which we have repeatedly spoken in
our. various correspondence, but send this answer, whilst wishing jou every
happiness, addressing the same.
To his Gzeellency Her Britannic Majesty's Plenipotentiary, Sir John
Francis Davis, Bart, Slo.
Taoukwang, ::6lh year, 8th month, 4th day. (23d September, 1846.)
Keceived 25th.
99. Sir JakH Dans to Commissi&ner Keying,
Victoria, Hongkong, September 26, 1846.
I beg to reply to jronr Excellency's note of the 23d instant, concerning the
punishment of certain rioters.
Mr. Consul Macgregor has been informed that Compton, who threw down
a (Vuiterer's stall, mast be fined 200 dollars. This is the highest fine that can
be levied by the ordinance against any person conducting himself irregularly.
Your Eicellenoy is aware that the military officer who ought to have pre-
vented the public riot has not been punished at all. This does not seem
equal or just.
With regard to the .attack on the foreign factories, it was made by robbers
and vagabonds, who endeavoured to set them on fire and to pillage them. Had
Chinese soldiers come in time, this attack might have been prevented ; but
for three hours they never appeared, and the shops of Chinese merchants
were also attacked. Such being the cose, could the foreigners be expected to
sit at borne while their factories were burned and pillaged ? 1 have ascertained
that the Deputy Magistrates of the householders of Old China street, appre-
hensive of such attacks bemg repeated, have taken measures against the con-
gregation of vagabonds.
Not onlv were the English factories 'threatened, but those of the Ameri-
cans and all other foreigners. Both Americans and English and all foreigners
promiscuously armed' themselves, when they saw there were no Chinese sol-
diers to coerce the vagabonds The commander of the Danish ship of war
' sent up fifty men the same night. Can this be called only an English afilair f
I before sent to your Rxcellencj an American account of the whole business^
in which it was stated that all foreigners were alike concerned. This is a
notorious fact cognixant by hundreds, and it is useless and vain to deny or
disguise it.
It is so far from being candid or right to attempt the confinement of the
charge to the English, tnat I should be quite justified in declining all further
correspond '.ico on such a view of the subject. But my disposition is to follow
a lAoderate and friendly conrse if possible.
Mr. Macgregor cannot take charge of American or other foreign subjects,
bnt he endeavoured to ascertain if any particular Englishman had killed one
of the Chinese. As it was qi^ite dark, and aa all the foreigners were mixed
together in a crowd, it has been impossible to fix on any individual. The
American who killed a Chinese in 1&I4 was actually ascertained, but no ca-
pital punishment could be inflicted, because the man only acted in self-defences
The English law is exactly the same, and wiUi very good reason. All the
foreign merchnnts, Americans aa well as English, are desirous of subscribing
for the relations of the deceased.
I regret exceedingly that this unfortunate event should have occurred. The
regulations of 1844 Were not only unexecuted, but the vairabonds and thieves
were permitted to attutfk tlie factories without any assistance for tlnve hours,
and thus several lives were lost. I feel assured that this can never again
occur if the neighbourhood of the factories is kept clear of vagabonds, and if
the commencement of a riot is checked before it becomes serious. — I take, die.
J. F. Davis.
30: Consul Maegrtgor to Sir John Davis.
Canton, September 26, .1846. .
Sir,— I have now the Honor to inclose copy and translation of a proclania-
430 Papers relating to the riot of July 1846. Srp.
tion ifMoed by the acting astistant diatriet Magiatrate of Nanhai for the par-
poae of enforcing the regulation of 1844 ; and 1 am h&PPJ to be able to inroria
jour excellency that it naa already had the deaired rneet of removing from
the atreeta flanking the fkotoriea the nuiaanoea ao oAen complained of by the
foreign community ; and there ia every reaaon to aappoae they will remain ia
thia etate, aa the houaeholdera in the neighbourhood haye combined with the
goyernment in watching over the atrict execution of the lawa framed for the
protection of the factoriea.— 1 have dbc.
FaaRcia C. MACoasooB.
31. Sir J. IkoHM to Vinotau PafaiarjiOK.— (Reed. Dec. 99)
Vicloria, Hongkong. October 18, 1846.
My lord,^With reference to my laat report on the Canton diaouiiion* 1
have the honor to ineloce copy of a note fVom Keyin|f, in which remiaaneaa of
the Local Government aa to the auppreaaion of the not ia aummarily evaded ;
and it ia added that since more persons were killed on the iaat occaaion than
1844, the two instances cannot be compared.
It is universally notorious that the inuuU waa put down aolely by the fo-
reign residents, without whose energetic conduct the factoriea would infallibly
have been burned and pillaged aa in 1842. Tour Lordship will observe thai
Keying atill aeems to expect sooie further settlement of the question, though
he persists as before in making no aort of call on the Americans or other ro*
feigners, who were aa much concerned in the late affiiir as the English.
1 wrote to Mr. Macmgor, as the person best acquainted with what had
occurred on the spot, for his opinion aa to the desirability (under the foregoing
circumstances) of subjecting any of the Engliah to trial at Hongkong ; although
their acquittal muat be matter of conrae. In the indoaed reply lie4>baerveB
that the certain acquittal of the parties would in no manner aatiaf^ the Chi-
Deee, while the trial of the Bngliah alone would confirm the fklae impresaioa
that no other foreigners were concerned, and thua assist the unfair attempt to
oonfine the odium to the English. <-.
In my inclosed anawer to Keying I have pointed out the heavy fine on Mr.
Compton, as a satisfacturv proof of my determination to prevent acts of aggrea.
■ion on the Chineae; I then repeat my remonatrancea againat the unfair attempt
to make the Engliah alone answerable for what occurred on the 8th of July, aa
acquiescence in which would tend to confirm the unjust charge.
I point out to Keying that in 1844 the Am'vncan who had ahot a Chineae waa
known and identified, but that he waa not puniahed, on the ground of having only
exereipod the right of neceaaary self-defence exactly, aa in the late case ; and I
add that on any occasion of really culpable homicide I should not wait for a le.
presentation from himself, but proceed at once to subject the guilty party to
poniahmeht. ~
Conaidcring it at the same time right that Engfliah aubjecta at Canton ahould
be duly warned of the consequences of any rash or unjustifiable use of arms on
their part towarde the Chineae, I addressed the inclosed despatch to the conaul,
eallmg upon him to place them on their guard upon this point. — I have dtc
J. F. Davis.
39. Coinmi'ssiejter Keying to Sir John Davio.
Keying, High Imperial Commiasioner, Acn aends the following reply to a dea.
patch (dated 26th September) from the honorable envoy, respecting the Canton
troubles [here follows an extract of that paper,] which he fully peruaed.
In a former letter I explained very distinctly that the mandarioa were by no
roeana dilatory in putting down [the mob], and I ahall therefore in my present
note not again refer to this subject.
It still remains to decide how to settle the caae respecting the low of life, for
the sufierers were no vagabonds, and each_^ had a profeasion and a family. I the
Great Minister cannot, on account of the great deatmction on the preaent occa.
aion, bring forward the Ute oocorrance with the Americana in 1844, or draw a
1647. Piqttrs r doling to ike riot of July 1846. 431
oompariion between both caiee. If jon the honoimble envoy will epeedily, instly,
and properly manage thie affiur, the relatiom of the deceaaed will willingly ao-
quieeoe [in the decinion], the roinda of the people will be quieted, and the malti-
tude will on a fotnre day have no pretence for revenge and new riota. I the
Great Minister will then also address a perspicnoas proclamatiim to the people to
allay the indignation of the maltitade, whilst means may be adopted for carrying
the regnlationa for the protection of the foreign factories very soon into eroct,
which will be of the highest importance.
Whilst forwarding this reply I wish ^a mnch happiness, and address the same.
To hia Eicellency Mar Britannic Majesty's Plenipotentiary, Sir John F. Davis,
Bart. 4bc.
Taookwang, S6th year, 8th month, 14th day. (3d Oct. 1846.) Received 7th.
33. Coimul Maegregor to Sir John Davit, CanCon, October 1, 1846.
8ir,— I have attentively perused and considered the contenta of year excel-
lency's despatch inclosing copy of yoor last note to the imperial commissioner,
the original of which was duly received and forwarded to its destination. •
With regard to the expediency of putting upon trial a certain number of such
persons, British subjects,^ may have been concerned in firing while repelling the
late attack of the mob on the foreign factories, I am inclined to think that such
a measure, which could only end in the acquittal of the accused, would not have
the efieet of allaying the feelings of hatr«s<j and revenue that may rankle in the
bosom of the populace, who want life for life, and would attribute to undue par.
tiality what is merely the effect of different laws. The object in view, of satisfy.
ing them, therefore would not be attained by a measure likelv to create great
diasatisfaction among the British rcaidenta at thus being singled out and sutjeot*
ed to trial while other foreigners were not ; it might besides word a handle to the
mandarins of throwing all the blame upon us, to which from the commencement
they have been and still are very much inclined. It seems clear indeed that
whether a trill at Hongkong be resorted to or not, the Chineeo people will never
be made to believe that justice has been done to them. As on the one hand
therefore the meaaore doea not promise to do any good, while on the other it may
be productive of some evil, I feel great reluctance in recommending it, unleae
Keying himself (who has been made acquainted beforehand with the result in the
event of a trial) should notwithstanding urge the necessity, for the maintenance
of public tranquillity, of going strictly through all the forms prescribed by the
Treaties ; and in such a case I shal use my &§i endeavours in finding out some
of the persona who fired into the mob during the late riot. — I have &«.
F. C. MAcaaiGOR.
/
34. Sir John Davis io ComwUaoimugr Keying,
Victoria, Honffkong, October 9. 1846.
I liave received your excellency'^ note in reply to my last concerning the late
riota.
Since Compton was certainly guilty of an act of great irregularity and diaorder
in his violent conduct towards the man whose stall he overturned, I deemed it
necessary that an example should be made, and he has accordingly been obliged
to pey the highest fine which the ordinance prescribes for a misdemeanour, vis.
$300. I feelcertain that this will have the eflect of deterring other persons from
similar misconduct.
With regard to the foreigners of different nations who fired m self-defence
when the factories were attacked, I have from the very first informed your excel*
lency (hat the subjects of my ^nvernmont were greatly dissatisfied that they alone
should be charged with shooting the Chinese, when it was as universally notori-
ous as the sun in the sk/ thst all foreigners were promiscuously engaged in
defence of themselves an/ property, and that therefore it was not admissible to
confine the matter to the K.-iglish alone.
Your excellency I repcffl niunt he w«*ll awarr. that from the eommencrment a
most unjust and uuusual attempt has been made to' fasten the udium of the late
432 Papers relfUitig io the rioi of July 1846. Skri
exdiwively od the lubjeots of my goverament My ^tcry 6nt deiipaieh.
protested ag^intit this, and I stiall continue to protest m^inst it m long aa it is
peraiated in. My oountrymen, not without reason, are highly incenacd at such a
flagrant injuatice^4it such an unfair and odious distinction — and I cannot expect
them to submit to it. Had an impartial and fair line of conduct been adopted at
first, the affair migrht long ago have been arranged.
I have already shewn my desire both to do justice and to prerent future disor-
dera by the effect of example in punisbipg Coinpton for the assault of which he
vras really and tangibly guilty ; but the unfortunate occurrences of the night of
the Sth July could not hare taken place except for the neglect of proper regula*
tions, and the total absence of controul on the part of the District Magistrates.
Had the local authorities put down the vagabonds and plunderers who attacked
the factories and attempted to fire them, the foreigners would not have been com.
polled to shoot, and the Chinese would not have been killed*
It is a rule with all nations, founded on the plainest principles of a natural jus-
tice, that any person who chances to kill an aggressor in the necessary and there-
fore lawful defence of his life and property, cannot be punished. According to
this universal rule, the American who happened to shoot a Chinese aggressor in
1844, could not be punished. But if an Englialinian malioionsly, and witliont the
jastification of necessary self-defonoe, wore to kill a Chinese. I should not wait
until your excellenoy called for it ; I would instantly take measures for subjfeeting
him to the last penalties of the law. — I beg, dec.
J. F. Davis.
35. Sir J. Daots to Viaeomni Paim«r«toii.-»( Reed. December 99.) '
Victoria. Hongkong. October 36, 1 84 6,
My Lord, — Mr. Consul Macgregor has informed me that Mr. C. S. Comptou
whom I deemed it necessary to fine 200 dollars aa the originator of thefatal riot of
the 8th July last, intends to make some sort of appeal to the Suprmie Court oC
this colony.
My previous despatches have placed your Lordship fully in psssession of the
reasons which made it indispensable to fine Mr. Compton. *It was the only act
of justice which I could render to the Chinese government on their reiterated
requisition, and if that merchant could by any possibility relieve himself from the
penaltv, the chances of forbearance on the part of our people towards the Chinese
and of the consequent maintenance of peaceful relations, would be small indeed,
I forward the charges made by the Chinese Mbister, and a portion of these were
proved on investigation. Inclosure No. 3 in .Dy despatch of the 7th of August
also contained the charges against Mr. Compbn.
I have the honor to inclose a copy of the Odinance Nu. 5 of 1844, enacted by
Sir Henry Pottinger, which I conceive fully enpowera me to levy such a fine^or
even double the amount) and which at the same time precludes the prospect of
-any action against the consul, who has merely to plead my order or sanction.
I have deemed it necessary to furnish Mr. Hulme (the Chief Justice) with a
copy of the inclosed despatch from mvself to Consul Macgregor, in which my
reasons and motives for insisting on Mr. Comptoa*8 fine are fully stated. With
this in his possession, Mr. Hulme, I trust, will see the advisability of supporting
my authority orcr the Queens's subjects within the Chinese territory, where the
government of the country has to far eonosdod to us its inherent rights of so-
vereignly.
Mr. Compton seems to found some hopes of impunity on tlie cireumstance of the
consul, in announcing to him his penalty, having misquoted the number and clause
of the ordinance under which I authoriied it to W levied. After having com-
mcnicated Mr. Compton's very just and necessaryj>unishment to the Chinese
Minister, it would bis absolutely impossibfe to satislS his crovemment ss to the
remission of tho fine on any such ground as this, and I need hardly add that the
consequences would he cxcetMively misciiioviiiis ; and lihorefore hope vntir Lord-
ship will a|»prove of my precaution in* officially nupplyii^ the Chief Jublice with
1^47. Papers relating to the riot of July 1846. 433
all the circumf Uinoes under which I deemed it neceeaarj to authorize the finc.-^
I have, &c.
J. F. Davw.
36. Ckarget made by the Ckinue Mmitltr ogahtsi
Mr. Compton.^-^A Declaration.
Ke, Imperial Commitsioner, Governor.General of the Two Kwang, dtc., and
Hwang, Governor of Kwangtung, &c., hereby give a declaration in reply.
Sometime ago we received your statement stating [here follows a condensed
abstract of her majesty's consuPs letter to the imperial commissioner, dated 6\h
August, 1846.]
When this reached us we gave orders that an examination should be instituted
into the matter, and we have now received the reply of the District Magistrate of
Nanhai, stating:
** In obedience to your instructions I immediately despatched runners to summon
before me the witnesses, for the purpose of interrogating them. Afterwards I
received a report from -the runners in question, ststing that the person who was
selling plums at the entrance of Old China street on the 8th of July was an
itinerant dealer, whose name and dwelling-place were unknown, and that the per.
son who had been laid hold of, taken away, tied and beaten by Compton, was a
man from a Sha-wei boat, whose name was also unknown ; that they had there-
fore no data by which to search out and summon these people, but that they bad
brought all the others. I thereupon examined them, and the fruiterer Lin.a-he
deposed as follows :—
" * On the 4th July current, at about 3 o'clock (wei pae she how) I was carrying
lychees about for safe, and had arrived at the doorway of the guard-house at tiie
mick of the thirteen factories, when an Englishman came and kicked over on to
the ground the basket containing the lychoes. I was expressing to him my dis-
inclination to submit to this proceeding, when the officer and soUiers in the guard-
house came out to explain the affair away, and admonish us ; and I, yielding to
their admonitions, immediately gathered together the lychees again and put tneuk
into the basket and carried them away. Ibis is the truth.'
'* The military officer, Lcfung-tseang, deposed as folbws :—
*** On the 4th July Compton naving kicked over the fruit-basket of Lin-a-he
before the guard-house, and Lin-a-he being disinclined to submit to this proceeding,
t went out with the soldiers and exhorted the parties to disperse. There was no
throwing of stones by the bystanders. Compton followed into the guard* house,
said sometbrng, we know not what, to myself and the others, and then beat me
and the soldiers with his cane ; which the^ crowd in the street perceiying. were
thrown into a state of excitement. Compton carried no stone in his hand at the
time. On the 8th of the month an englishman, whose name is unknown to me,
Oki'iisaiiig from' the hong, ran against a vender of plums, whom he thereupon b^t
with his cane. Tlia vender of plums and the crowd in the street all shewing their
disinclination to submit to this, a mutual clamouring ensued ; which Compton
perceiving from an upper story, immediately descendeid, carrying a cane,> and is-
suing-from the hong, assisted the other in beating. He also laid hold nf a man,
and. took him into the Chungho shop, where he tied and beat him, thereby causing
the crowd to mako a riot. This .is the truth.* • •
** The soldiers Le-tih-shuig and Pei-tsung.taow on being examinedi made de-
positions agreeing with this.
** The proprietor of the Chungho hong, the nominal uHcur, Pwon-sb^'young,
deposed as followii :— .
*• *Od the 8th July at about 4 o'clock (thin pae she how), the eoolies and work
peopletmsdea report to me to the eflbet that the Englishman Compton had,
for what reason they did not know, run down from a hack upstair room, and with
Gtlmait and some other individuals laid hold of one of the people and brought him
into<-the hong; and that they had tied him with the cords of aJfire-engine, and bad
beaten him. Just then the te-paow (overseer of the quarter) Leang Kwan arrived
nmning^ upon which wc together immediately addri'ssed our admonitmas to the
Englishmen, cnjcilning them to deliver the pumon who was bound to the people
VOL. XVI. NO. IX. 55
434 Papers relating to the riol of July 1846. Sbf.
the gu&rd.house, or to the te-paow, to be handed over to the mandarine. Tliis
Compton rcfuued to do ,and eojuininff two Eii^flblimen to keep guard, went himaelf
into PihohinV (Buxton's?) house. 1 immediately set the man who was bound at
liberty, tnd he ran off; but tbi« being observed by the Boglishmen who wero
holding guard over him. they made pursuit, and again laid hold of and detained
him. The struggling and wrangling of the parties beins heard by the crowd, in
the streets, the public indignation was suddenly aroused, which led to the riot.
1*liis is the truth.'
" The te-paow Leang Kwan, the shopmaster Chin-a-tsae, of Hog.lane, and the
shopmaster Lu*a.kwang, of the Leenhing-street, on being examined, made depost.
tions to the same effect.
^ As in duty ^uud I now make this report in reply, based on the facts,** dec.
On examination we find, with reference to the said English merchant Compton
having disgraced the military officer by beating him, that on referring to the ar*
ehives of the District Magistrate of Nanhae, the circumstance was found to have
been put on record according to a report made on the 4th of the month, when it
ii'as quite impossible that the said military officer, dec, could foresee the occur,
renees of the 8th of the month, and falsify and gloss over the facts beforehand.
Further, the statements in the depositions of the soldiers made on being interrogat.
ed are as if they had been made by one and the same person, and hence of course
strictly true.. No matter whether the person who was tied had or had not a quar.
rcl with Compton, the latter in evcrv case ought not to have laid hold of him, ta.
ken him away, and tied and beaten him. If it be said that the desire was to hand
him over to (ho authorities, (hen why did the said merehant not listen to Pwan.
she-yung and the te-paow, when they exhorted and enjoined him to deliver the
man (o the people of the guard-house 7
As to Ccinpton's having descended from an upper story with a cane and assist-
ed in beatmg, when he pereeived a foreigner quaneliing with a vender of plums—
as to this cireumstance the stalements in the deposition of Pwan^he-vnng, dtc.,
made on being interrogated, are in perfect unison with those made a( first by ihe
neighbours, Ac; and it appears therefore needless to take any further measures
with reference to them, everything else has been detailed in our former declara.
tioni
We have now to give you a declaratran in reply, in order to communicate to
you the report received' that there was ho data by which to seareh out and sum-
Aion* the vender of plums and the- person who had been tied ; and also the deposit
tions made at the present examination ; that you may examine into the afiair and
take such steps as may be necessary. A necessary declaration.
' A declaration for the British: Gbnsui, Macgregor. 23d August, 1846.
37. ' Sir John Dam* to Consul Macgregor.
Victoris, Hongkong, October 92, 1846.
Sir.*-In reply to a kitter forwarded by you from Mr. C. 8. Compton, you will
have the goodness to inform that gtsndeman (as you have been already directed)
that the ordinance under which' I authorized- yov to fine him is not Ordinance No.
2, but Ordinance No. 5 of ld44^ to Carey into' eflbct upon Chinese territory the
treaties between Great Britain and China, anc^ for the preservation of peaee and
amity between the two nations. By Afticle- %\ll in the Sehedule annexed to
that ordinance, Mr. Compton was bound* torprocbed' tO' the Consulate and state any -
cause of complaint against a Chinese. Instead of doing this, his violence exeited
the /rightful tumolL and bloodshed* in which' three Chinese were killed, and by
which the peaceful relations between the two countries are still endangered.
Under these extraordinary eireumsiancus I Tia^ eonsidoredi myself bound to
exert those high powcra with which it has Been deemed neeiissary to invest roe for
the govemuHsnt of Her Majesty's subjects within the Chinese dominbna, with a
view to the most important object of securing international' tranquillity ; and the
British government and Legislature will be prepsred to support me ow an oecasion
of such a peculiar kind. As before din:clcd, you will plead my order w your suf-
ficient warrant for the -fine ui 200 dollam, under Ordinance No. 5 of ltj4^ **fur
1847. Papers relaling to the riot of July 1846. 4J15
Britiah sabjecU within the doininiont of the fiinperor of China,** at paised by mjr
predeeenor, Sir H. Pottinger.
While the rafcty of not only the British but the whole foroi|Bpi conimanity is
■till endangfered at the consequence of his conduct, Mr. Compton cannot reason,
ably expect that a fine, deliberatelY levied after the fullest inquiry, on a complaint
repeatedly urged against him by the Chinese government, for a violation of Trea.
ties on their own territory, should be remitted. This would be only to aggravate
the serious evils for which Mr. Compton must be considered as dec|>ly responsible,
and it would at the same time prove me utterly unfit for the discharge of those
international functions with which it has pleased Her Majesty to honour me, in
the very unusual circumstances under which we exercise a foreign iurisdiction
within an independent sovereignty. You will observe in my circular to Her
Majesty's Consuls of November 22, 1844 (since approved by Her Majesty's govern,
ment,) that the " Emperor of China havinfr, like the Sultans of Turkey, waved
in favour of Christian Powers rights iiinerent in territorial sovereignty, such
Christian Powers, in taking advantage of this concession, are bound to provide, as
far as possible, against any injurious effects resulting from it to the territorial
Sovereign.**
If the recovery of 4<»,0U0 dollars private compensation from the Chinese govern,
ment at another port proves that I have protected the rights of British subjects,
it is only just that I should be equallv firm in enforcing their obligations. On no
other terms can we maintain a bene^cial intercourse with China, and on uo other
terms can I undertake to administer my trust, — I have, dec.
J. F. Davis.
38. Sir J Davis to Viteount Palmertton.—iRecd. Dec. 29.)
- Victoria, Hongkong, October 28. 1846.
My Lord,— I received from Keying on the 17th instant the inclosed replv to my
announcement that Mr. Compton hid been fined as the originator of the latal riot
of the 8th July.
Yonr Lordship will observe that he still persists in confining the charge of firing
to the English ; but as he suEgcsts at the same time that I should ascertain by a
fomml inquiry who thoee really were that fired, and to what natk>n they belonged,
I took advantage of Mr. Johnston going up to Canton to authorize htm, conjointly
With Mr. Consul Macgregor, formally to investigate the circumstances already
publicly and universally known, in order that I might transmit the report to the
Chinese Minister. My note to Keying on the subject is annexed.
Mr. Johnston returned last night with (he inclosed report. From this 3wur
Lordship will perceive that a number of Americans, Germans, and other forpiirners
were quite as actively engaged against the Chinese assailants as the English, and
that the late American Cnarg6 d' Affaires, Mr. Parker (now relieved by the arrival
of Mr. Everett) led one of the parties, though without himself being armed.
When the departure of the mail has left me time, I intend to forward to Keying
a translation of this report for his satisfaction.
With reference to a despatch from myself to the Consul, conveying warnings
as to the use of fire-arms (already transmitted to your Lordship on the 12th of
October). I beg to inclose the correspondence of theCommitee with Mr. Macgregor,
as printed in the *^ China Mail," It has given me. much satisfaiotioo to learn from
the Consul, in a letter dated the 23th instant (as herewith transmitted), that prepa.
rations are making by Keying for converting the late Consoo Honse into barracks
for a strong foroe of Chinese police or military ; and the Consnl adds in a private
letter that an ofiicer of respectable rank will be stationed with the men. When
efficient means of coereing the populace have been really established. I shall con-
sider it my duty by every means to check armed associationa of British subjects,
I have, die.
J. F. Davis.
' 39. Commi99ioner Keying to Sir John Davit,
Keying, High Imperial Commissioner, dtc., sends a reply to a do«patch receivrd
from the honourable Envoy respecting the Canton tronblcs, [hero follow the con.
tents of the despatch dated 9th October], which 1 fully perused.
i2B ^ Papers relating to the riot of July 1846. Sbr.
•
From this it would appear that Conipton was paniahed by you the bonoorabia
Envoy for his citreniely disorderly behaviour, which gaye rbe to the subsequent
calaioity ; and henoe you adopted this course. It was therefore not without a
eauae that a noisy crowd [of Chinese] repaired to the factories, as there waasome.
body who orifrinated this affVa? ; and it cannot be aaid that the foreifners who
immediately fired and caused toes of life itvere innocent, and the death of three
persons csnnot be looked upon as not requinng a judicial prosecution. Now as an
Englishman was the author of this ease, it can only be brought home to English-
men. It wiU'moreovsr not be difficult to you the honourable Envoy to ascertain
what countrymen those were who fired, and to establish the tnith, for you are
invested with Plenipotentiary power, and have alwajra been hold in respect by all
the other nations. After having clearly examined into the facta, yon will justly
manage the whole.
At present the relatione of the deceased make continual application respecting
thii buaineaa. So long howere r as tbia aSkir is not aettled, the people will not
lemain quiet, and though we might endeavour to restrain them, we shall not b^
able to do ao ; another outbreak will take place, and it will be atill more difficult to
arrange and mannage that.
As you the honourable EuToy possess knowledge and the clearest perception,
yon will endeavour, as I hope, very soon to settle this matter in an impartial man-
ner, for it is of the utmost importance that the foreign and native merebanta and
people shall alwava lire peaceably together.
Whilat forwarotng this reply I wish you evenr happineas, addremng the same
To bia Eicellency Her Britannic Majeaty's Plenipotentiary, Sir John Franeie
Davi4, Bart.
Taottkwang, 25th year, 8th month, 25th day. (14 October, 1846.) Received
17th.
40. Sir John Dovtt to Cammi»noner Keying,
Victoria, Hongkong, October 19, 1846;
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's note of the 14th instant
relating to the late riots. i ,^
The punishment of Compton for his disorderly conduct has evinced my aincere
desire to preeerve peace and friendship between the English and Chinese. With
regard to the aubsequent atUck on the foreign factories, in the defence of which
all the foreigners were engaged, it become difficult (in a ease where so many
were concerned) to particularixe individuals. As your Excellencv however sog.
gests that I abould endeavour to aacectain to what nation those belonged who fired
upon the assailanta, I have directed an inveatigation to be made by otticera depot,
ed for the purpose to Canton, and will inform your Excellency of the reault.— I
have, dtc. • • -, «.
J. F. Davis.
«
41 . Report of Inveotigation a» to firing on ChineH el Conion.
Canton, October 93, 1846.
The Honourable Mr. Johnston having been inatmeted to proceed Canton and to
coHMWiate with F. C. Maegiegor, Esq.. Her MajesU's Consul at that port, in an
investigation into the principal circumstances of the attack on the foreign
factoriM. in which several Chinese were kiUed on the 8th July Ust, accordingly
proeeeded thither; and a cooaulUtion having been held on the Sdd October at
Her Majest/s Conaulate as to the best way of conducting the inveatigation. came
to the decision, aa no Chinese evidence appeared aflfainat foreigners, to commence
the investigation by examining auch of the Consular Officera aa were present at
the diaturbances alluded to, and then to proceed further to examine those of Her
Majeaty's subjects (and others if possible) who may appear to have been present
on the occaaion in questk>n, as well as to asoerUin those who most prominently
bore fire.8rms on that occaaion, and the nations to which they belonged, in ac.
eordance with the instructions of bis Excellency Her Majeaty'a Plenipotentiary,
under date »Hh Oct., 1846. r^t %m a »-i
[Here follow the depoaitions of Messrs. Backhouse, Giles,. Meadowa, Biriey,
1847. Papers relating to (he Hoi of July 1846. 437
JohnMon, Bourne, Maijoribanlu, H. Smilh, and Cuvilller. giving details of th«
liot already in poaeeation of our readera, and proving the participation of Ameri.
cane* Paraees, Germane, and othera in tlie atepa adopted in aelf.defence by the
foreign cpmmnnity.]
42. Sir John Davis to Commissioner Keying.
Victoria, Hongkong, October 31, 1846.
I before informed your excellency that I would depute officera to Canton to
make inquiriea respecting persona who fired in defending the fkctories on the
8th July.
These persons having finished the investigation have reported as follows :
The principal attack was made by the Chinese mob upon the residence of
Mr* Church, a merchant. They broke the windowa, and one man waa seen
endeayonring to remore the iron bars fVom a lower window, in order that he
might enter and pillage. Fire waa also thrown in order to burn the building.
All the foreigners seeing this, armed themselves, and when the Chinese
pressed on in greater numbers, wounding several persons, both the £nglish
and Americans, and the foreigners of other nationa, were obliged to fire. None
of these foreigners deny or conceal their having done ao because they only
defended their dwellings from being pillaged and burned. In no conntry is it
necessary to submit to this.
The American narrative which I before aent lo your excellency agrees with
the above.
It appears that the Chinese soldiers arrived at 10 o'clock, after which no*
more firing took place. Had these soldiers been present iromedistely after
the commencement, no Chinese would have been killed, because it would not
have been necessary for the foreigners to use fire.arms. The Consul informs
me that the neighururhood of the factoriea has now been cleared of stalls and
hucksters, and it may therefore be hoped that no more disturbancea will take
place. If vour excellency restrains the Chinese, 1 shall be able to restrain
the English ; but if the populace are encouraged by the Treasurer and the
Judge of Canton (aa in the last year) to hate and oppose foreigners, then our
people will constantly fight together, many persons will be killed, and your
excellency and I can only write notea to ^ach other. It appears to me that
officera like the Treasurer and the Judge should be reported to the emperor,
as the encouragers of bloody feuds and mutual troubles.
I have hitherto abstained from moving many ships of war into the river ;
butlT it ahould be rery plain that the Chineae government cannot reatrain the
people, tlien it will be necessary to protect the English, and I cannot be blam-
ed iff am obliged to act in thia manner aj^ainst my inclination. 1 sincerely
hope that mutual tranquillity will prevail for the future. — 1 conclude, d^c,
J. F. Davis.
43. Commissioner Keying to Sir John Davis,
Keying, High Imperial Commissioner, See., and Hwang, Lieutenant-Go-
vernor of Kwangtung, &o., aend the following reply to the honorable envoy
reapecting a letter they received about an officer being deputed to Canton for
investigating the circumstances of the outbreak on the 8th July.
[Here follows a full extract of that paper.]
We vemembered, on peruaing the above, that you the honorable envoy in a
previoua despatch atated that you were aending an officer to the provincial city
to ascertain who were the persons that fired. It doea not however appear in
your preaent communication that the foreigners who fired so as to occasion
losa of life were found out
Every stranger as well as native is aware that this occurrence took place-
beeaoae Compton gave riae to the disturbance, and that therefore the mob not
without a cause, attempted to born and pillage. The people fell, one at the
entrance of Tik-hing-street, another at the bottom of Tung-wan-street, and a:
438 Papers relating to the riot of J\dy 1846. Sep.
third at the bottom of Tsini^-juen street, and not at Chunff.wo hong, where
the affray originated. It is therefore clear that the foreigners committed
homicide intentionally, and not in defending the space in front [of the HeU^
ries.] Those killed were all of them people that earned an honest livelihood,
and by no means ruiBans \ still you call them in your letters a vagabond mob,
which is indeed doing them injustice. Had the Chinese military been pre*
TioQsIy informed that the people were on the ere of an outbreak and distar.
bance, they would haire tak^n beforehand precautionary measures. But it
was Compton that collared an ordinary man, bound and beat him, and thus
rousing tne indignation of the multitute constitued himself alone by this
rashness the author of this disturbance. Tet in your despatch you still Dlame
also the tardiness of the soldiers in quelling the uproar, and throw upon them
too much responsibility.
Not only do you the honorable envoy vigorously protect the British mer-
chants in China, who are here for tlie sake of trade, but we the Great Minis-
ter and Lieutenant-Governor also exert ourselves to procure them quietness.
This ouffht however to be done in a complete manner and Justly so as to ren-
der the Chinese submissive, and then both parties will live in peace and be
kept from all harm. It is vain to attempt putting down the Canton people by
main force without a show of reason, for their numbers are too great, and defy
the application of physical force.
To sum up the whole, we ought lo act with equity, and maturely think
about the steps to be taken. As the foreigners have destroyed the lives of
several Chinese, and not behaved in conformity to the Treaty, the Chinese
are filled with hatred and deep ill.will. How have we to act if a foreigner
should lose his life on a future occasion ?
If you the honorable envoy would decide this affair, and manage it speedily
according to the Treaty, it would be very fortunate. It is however of the
highest importance not to give heed to mere rumours.
You the honorable envoy will have heard that we the Great Minister and
Lieutenant-Governor have established near the foreign factories a perpetual
military post for the protection [of the inmates.] But we must at the same
time settle this case of loss of life with egulty, and the hatred and ill-will of
the Chinese will be allayed, and no unforeseen disturbances will ever take
place.
Whilst sending the abovf we wish you much happiness, and address the
same.
To his Excellency Her Britannic Majesty's Plenipotentiary, Sir JehirF.
Davis, Bart, ^lc.
Taukwang, 26th year, 9th month, 19th day. (4th Nov., 1846.) Received 9th.
44 6iir John Dmns to Commissioner Keying,
Victoria, Hongkong, November 10, 1846.
I have to acknowledge the receipt of a note fVom your Excellency jointly
with the Lieutenant-Governor, dated the 7th instant. However culpable the
repeated acts of violence on the 4th and 8th of July, it appears on record that
Consul Macgregor at least did his duty by giving, formal warning of the pro-
bable consequences of similar conduct on the very doy preceding the 4th. I
have reported to ray government the fine I ordered on the exciter of the riot,
and it will be sufficiently clear that 1 did what the case required.
I have often told your excellency that the mixed company of the foreigners
of all nations, who combined to defend their persons and property, were com-
pelled to fire for the safety of their lives. But under any circumstances you
must be aware that I have no authority except over British subjects ; and I
repeat mv previous declarations, that 1 cannot acquiesce in the continued at-
tempts which have been made to charge the homicides exclusively on them.
It would moreover be useless to distinguish any particular individuals among
a crowd who, acting solely in defeqpe of their lives, can scarcely be considered
as enlpable in any degree.
1847. Papers relating to the riot of Jvly 1846. 439
It is notorioui that the lamentable deaths of three sabjects of China might
have been prevented had the soldiers arrived immediately after the tumult
began, instead of delaying for about three hours afterwards. If they were not
answerable for the commencement of the disturbance, they certainly were
greatly so for its continuance and consequences.
It is satisfactory to learn from your Excellency and from Consul Macgre-
gor, that a guard is being established in the neighbourhood of the foreign fac-
tories. I will take the most efficient measures in my power to restrain those
under my authority, and 1 am resolved to afford no protection to such as do
not deserve it. This care however must be strictly mutual — Chinese must be
irestrained as well as English ; and i once more repeat my previous solemn
warnings, that all damage from the populace, sustained by inoffensive British
subjects, must be made good at Canton, as it was at Foo-chow.
I take occasion to renew to your excellency the assurances of my highest
consideration.
J. F. Davis.
45. Sir John Davis to ViMcouni Palmerston,^{Reed. Dee. 89.)
Victoria, Hongkong, October 'i9, 1846.
My Lord,— With reference to the subject of my despatch of the S8th instsnt,
I have received the inclosed letter from Mr. Compton to be forwarded to your
Lordship. The fine which he says was levied by the Consul was in fact
levied by myself, after a view of his own and others* depositions. It was by
my order. Ordinance No. 5, inclosed to your Lordship.
it will be difficult for Mr. Compton to prove that he did not excite the
tumult, as, except for his violent acts, the tumult would not have taken place.
Keying has adopted effectual means of protection only since the fine was an-
nounced.—I have, dec,
J. F. Davis.
46. ' Sir J, Davis to Viscount Palinerston.'~(Reed. Jan. 93.)
Victoria, Hongkong, November 12, 1846.
My Lord,— Referring your Lordship to my former despatch of 28th October,
I have the honour to forward additional correspondence with the Chinese
government on the late disturbances.
One inclosure contains the substance of the report made by Messrs. Maogregor
and Johnston, after their investigation of the circumstances attending the death
of the three Chinese. It especially points out the concurrence of all other
foreigners with the English in opposmg the attacks of the Chinese mob, and
refutes the exceedingly unfair and improper attempt to confine the charge and
the odium exclusively to our people.
The reply to the fore^ing and mv rejoinder t have disemed it expedient to
publish for the information of British subjects in the Chinese dominions. The
difficulties to which 1 am personally reduced- by these occurrences are a small
portion of the evil ; but 1 feel that i cannot too strongly demonstrate to our
merchants the necessity for abstaining from that contemptuous and aggressive
conduct towards the natives of China which has already driven the trade from
Foo.chow-foo, and threatens to have the same effiect at Canton^ It is in this
point of view that Mr. Compton's repeated acts of violence, in spite of formal
warnings, assume their proper hue. I; need' only refer your Lordship to Mr.
Consul ATcock's notice to British subjects at Foo.chuw, Herewith inclosed, to
shew the extreme importance of restraining that violent demeanour towards
the natives so unfortunately eharacteristic of our countrymen. — t have, &c.,
J. F. Davis.
47. Sir John Davis to Viscount PatmtrsUm. (Received January 23, 1847.)
Victoria, Hongkong, November 12, 1846.
My Lord, — The late ferment amonir tli^ English merchants at O*"*'^" *»
consequence of the fine 1 ordered on Mr. Compton, may perhaps r
440 Papers relating to the riot of July 1846. Sbp.
sarprife your Lordship, who were eoipaixant of the proceediogfl of Mr. Innei*
under Captain Elliot, and who perhaps heard the evidence of Mr. Inglis, an-
other merchant, who declared, ^ We never paid any attention to any law in
China that I am aware of."
The importance of possessing the means of a summary restraint on the con-
duct of our people, in that very peculiar position wherein we exercise a foreign
jurisdiction in an independent territory, probably dictated that clause of 6 and
7 Victoria, cap. 8(), by which an order of Her Majesty in Council has the force
of law in China.
I am not the first who has been compelled to remark that it is more difficult
to deal with our own countrymen at Canton, than with the Chinese governs
ment ; and I offer the best proof of this in the fact that it has cost roe infinitely
more trouble to make Mr. Compton pay a fine of 200 dollars, than to obtain
a compensation to our merchants of 46,000 dollars for losses which accrued
partly from their own misconduct. The inclosed copy of the deposition signed
by Mr. Compton himself, admits the whole of the repeated acts of violence for
which I fined him. He even adds this confession. **That these circum-
stances led to the riot is very probable.*' It appears to me that tliis deposition
fully authoriied my ordering the fine on complaint of the Chinese govern,
ment. Conpul Macgregor mij^ht have fined Mr. Compton, and ought to have
done so, on the first commission of the offence, but he did nothing until my
feturn from Chusan, nearly a month afler the occurrences, when 1 was obliged
to take the question up, on the requisition of Keying. What deprives Mr.
Compton of all excuse for his repeated acts of violence, is Uie fact that the
inclosed was expressly addressea to him and others on the 3d July, the very
day before his first outrage on the Chinese.
. The next inclosure is a letter from Mr. Compton to myself, by way of protest
against the fine, which the Consul declined to forward on account of its dis-
respectful tenorj but which, on its being sent to myself, I did not return. His
endeavour to represent his proceedings as partaking of the character of mere
common assaults can hardly be maintained. Repeated acts of violence, afler
previous warning, in a place like Canton, where the natives and foreigners are
in a state of hostility, and the ffovemment can scarcely restrain its subjects,
were- naturally followed by results very different from those of common assaults,
and seem to me to render the exercise of my powers under the Consular- Or-
dinance No. 5, not only justifiable but necessary. The acts were* committed
on a foreign territory, and satisfaotion-«ae demanded by the government which
had yielded to us its inherent rights on its own soil.
It was in my despatch of 26th September, that I reported to your 'Lordship'
the fine of 200 dollars, which Ihad ordered on Mr. Compton. This order had*
been carried out two days befbre, on the 34th, by a letter from the Consul, in
which he named the wrong Ordinance, a fact which I did not learn until the
16th October. He has admitted this to have been *^ hie own error, '^ and f can
hardly be responsible for the mistakes of the Consul. Should Mr Compton
obtain impunity on this ground, what will be the feeling of the Chinese govern-
ment, or the future demeanour of our own people towards the Chinese ? -
' Mr. Compton, it appears, applied for the judgment of the Court, and an ap-
plication was made to my Secretary for the recorded evidence from Canton. T
could perhaps have denied the -jurisdiction of the Court under Ordinance No.-
5, but this might have been construed into a desire to conceal the evidence, or
it' might havel>rought me into unseemly collision with the Judge, a contin-
gency much to be deprecated on every ground. I accordingly directed the'
inolosed reply to be returned, stating that the Consul had been authorized to
supply the evidence, and drawing Mr. Hulme's attention to* my letter and indo.
sure of the 27th October, as noticed to your Lordship in my despatch of 26th
October.
Thri evidence was tranamitted by Mr. Consul Macgregor,> <witli a letter^ of
which I beg to inclose the copy. This embodies at once the charges and com-
plaints of the Chinese government, and the results of the evidence in reply to
themr By his own deposition, Mr. Cumpton kicked over the stall of the (Jhi-
Papers relating to ike rial of Jnly 1S46.
aewe vender, beciiue it itaod in hit mj, on the 4tb JdIt, an oatnge which
nearlf prodaceil * tomult tha lame ity. Br hii cnrn arpoiitian he al Irut
idled the pemn of the ChineM officer whom he brought to the *pot.
oonlnietiaed another diapate on the 6th July followiDg, b; puahina ■ Chineee
aiide ; and whoa the Chineae, reaeoted thia, he beat and dragged him into an
adjoining baiiding, where he tied him ap, Thia he conr«aea " probkbl; led "
to lb* mmuu of that day, in which three Chineie were ibot.— I ha* e, fto.
J. r. Da«i«.
48. Catuml Macgrtgor U Sir Jekn Davit.
Canton, November 18, ISffi.
Sir, — With referenee to m; deapateb No. 107, I have the honour of ineloaiU|f
to joirt excellency, in original and traoalation, the aniwer I received from iJie
Imperial Ccmmiaaioiier under date of the }4th initant, to m; letter anno nncing
the departure of the iteimer Jftmttii, judging it of importance that joa ataoald
be informed of ita oontenta aa conveying an oSlciaJ communication of the
arrangement which have been made bj the Chineae autboiitiea, and are to be
carried out for the preaervatioo of public traaquilJity in thia cil;,
1 am hippr to add that notbiag hu happened since my lail communication
indicative ofa diaposition of the part oftbo people to diiturb that ttanquillitf ,
A military poat ia atill atalioned in Old China-atreet aonth, and meaaurea are
adopted to keep order and prevent* large caocourae of people at that place. —
1 have, Ao.
- F. C. Mic
40. CMtMuaieaar Ht *»i (&a gmtmor af Kyttmglmng to Cnuai Macgnger.
Ke, Imperial Commiaaioner, govemor-genenl of the Two Kwan^, Ae., and
Hwaar, governor cf Kwangtang, du., hereby give a declaration m reply.
* We bate received yonr atalement to the foliowing effect: [here followa an
' atietract of the letter of Her Majeaty'a Conaol to their eieeliencMa, dated 13th
November, IMS, expieaaing a hope that they would increaae- their mcana of
defence for the protection of the foreign lactoriei in the event of a popnlar
riot, die.]
After eiamination, we find that in the month of July, when tbedtatnrbaDce
attended with loaa of life took place at the thirteen factoriei, we immediately
despatched officera and aoldiera to guard against and auppreaa tomulta, and
that fbrlnnately they have for aevrral niontha preaerved ua from cause of
Considering however that to deapatch aoldiera upon the occnrtence of any
event ia by no meana a permanent plan, we have therefore, aher fVaming the
neceeaary regolationi, appointed one military officer, a major, and one civilian,
an officer having independent juriidiction, to take charge of aoldiera and po-
lice, and reaide constantly in the oeigbborhood of the thirteen factoriea, aa a
goard and proleetion, and that they may, in the even! of sltercatiooi, quarrels,
and dlsturbancea between the Chineae and foreigner!, be thus able, in the im-
mediate vicinity, to aacerlain the facta and arrange mattera according to reason,
aepmtely dispelling Ibe causes of discord in order to prevent their ending in
eiaiting great evils ; and orden have already been deapatched for the neces.
B«ry meaaurea to be taken in dne order.
Apart from these, no other preparationa for protection have been made. If
however a state of mutual tranquillity and absence of trouble ia to have ezis-
tenoe, it ia indispensable that equily obtain in the interoourac and relation be-
' Iween the two countries. It is Iherefore neceaaary that you restrain the
British merchanta, so that they may not, like Compton, employ violence and
take a delight in overeoming other*, thereby exciting fights but that they may
' regnlate their conduct by reason and the common feelingt of mankind. Both
parties will then enjoy pleaanre and prnlit in common, wuhoiiL depending on
the dofenee and proteotionof the miliiaty and police alone —A ipenn
cla ration.
For the British CananI Maegregor. I4(h Norember I
«oi., XVI, Nil. IX 56
442 Papers telaiing to the riot of July 1846. Ssp.
50. Sir J, Davu to VUeaunt PalmerMtan. (Reod. Jan. 23, 1847.)
Victoria, Hongkong, November 25, 1846.
My previoua numerona deapatchea during nearly four montha will probably
have convinced your Lordahtp that Mr. Compton, the originator of the fatal
riot, bad not been too heavily fined. The fine waa impoied on a conaidera-
tionofMr. Compton'M proceedinga, not only on the 4th July in wantonly
kicking over a Chineae atall^ but alao on the 8th following, in aaaaultinff and
falaely impriaoning a aubject of China, which led to the mobbing and riot.
Mr. Compton had received written warning from the conaul (being the day
preceding his fint act), of the conaequencea of " acta of violence originating
among ounelvea.*' His repeated violence waa in apite of thia recorded warning.
The amount of the fine aa a penalty must be viewed relatively to the offen-
der*a station and meana ; and in thia light, and under the aggravated circum-
atancea of the case, it waa not ezceaaive.
The only object of the penaltv being the prevention of aimilar violence in
future, the Chief Justice must have been aware that any interference with it
under preient circamatancea at Canton must be attended with mischief and
danger.
Ajbove all, at a moment when I am asaailed by continued demands for satia-
faction on account of the shooting of three subjects of China, who it ia con-
tended|were slain in pursuit to a diatance, and therefore not in necessary self.
. defence, the announcement to the Chinese government of Mr. Compton *■
total impunity must be attended with the worst international tendencies.
Mr. Hulme has however entirely remitted the fine on an appeal from Mr.
Compton. This waa not the verdict of a jurv, but Mr. Hulme's individual
opinion and judgment ; and I regret extremely that it waa in hia power to
interfere. Though 1 cannot agree that ordinance 5 doea not refer to all dia-
putes between Chinese and English, I have been advised to let his judgment
have its course, notwithstanding ita manifest evils ; but some fresh ordinance
will inevitable be required to prevent such mischievous interference in inter-
national cases ; and with the aaaistance of the Legislative council I propose
taking such an ordinance into consideration. In the meanwhile I have the
honor to submit for your Lordship*s approval a draft of an enactment for the
deportation of English offenders on the just complaint and requiaition of the
Chinese governmeiit. Ita inherent right 1 Believe would. be to aeud them out
on ita own part.
Inclosed with this despatch ia a copy of the report of Mr. Hulme *s decision
and a copy of the rule. As to the law of the caae, Mr. Macgregor being no
lawyer, and having (like myaelf, in the absence of the Attorney- General) no
legal adviser, has made mistakea in point of form which vitiate hia aentence ;
and this sentence was not communicated to me until after he had aent it to
Mr. Compton.
Mr. Hulme. suppresses the fact that Mr. Compton provoked the blow of the
Chineae by the aasault of puahi^ng him aaide. He auppressea the fact of the
Chineae being aeixed ana tied up, which really caused the riot, aa Keying
atatea. He also suppresses the fact of the written warning which Mr. Comp-
ton had received only the day before hia firat act of violence.
I cannot better close this despatch that by forwarding the inclosed letter
from Rear-Admiral Sir Thomaa Cochrane, conveying the high authority of hia
opinion aa to the disposition of the Chinese people at Canton, and what he
very . properly terma the bullying conduct of our countrymen. He speaks
from personal inveatigation and experience.
T hold the highly responsible . office of preserving peace between the two
conntriea, and therefore look to your Lordship for a fair eatimate of my mo.
tivea in deairing to reatrain the excesses of the English within the Chinese
territories, where the inherent rights of the government have been given up
to iia. Mr. Holme's argument will operate, I fear, as an encouragement ta
our i»eopie to be violent in a place like Canton, where tlie elementa of mis.
chief nrc rile.
it ia with great satisfaction I dilate that Major- General D'AgiiiUr, to whom
1847. Papers relating to the riot of July IS46. 443^
I have read thia despatch, reqoeaU me to add that he ** entirely concara in
every word of it/* and that he ia prepared, as a member of the Lei^islative
Council, to aid me in providing as much aa poeaible against the chancea of evil.
51. Sir J, Davia to VUetmnl PalmersUm, (Red. Jan. 23, 1847.)
Victoria, Hongkong, Noverber 29, 1846.
My Lord, — I have just on the morning of the mail steamer'a deapalch (being
Sunday) received the inclosed letter from Mr. Compton forwarding very volu.
minous documents under open cover. Thia is in violation of a plain principle
recognised in the following words under the Colonial regulations (page 49),
but applicable of course to all departments of her majesty's service :
** The practice which has in some instances been adopted of addressing me-
morials direct to this office, and only sending copies of them to the governor
on the eve of the departure of the vessel which is to convey them, will not
be recognished as a proper course of communication, and muat not be re-
peated.*'
Among the documents forwarded hy Mr. Compton, 1 am glad to find he has
included his own deposition (not on oath) before Mr. Vice.Conaul Jackson at
Canton, in which the whole of the facts for which he waa fined are admitted
by himaelf—even to the confeaaion that they ** very probably** occaaioned the
faUl riot of the 8th July.
On account of the weight and volume of Mr. Compton 'a indosures they are*
forwarded vid Southampton.
J. F. Davis.
52. Viseouni Palnuraton to Sir John Davis.
Foreiffn office. Januarv 25, 1847.
Sir, — 1 have received your despatches of the 13th and 26th of November,
respecting the fine of 200 dollars imposed by your directions on Mr. Comp-.
ton, for the part which he took with reference to the riot at Canton on the
8th of July, and the aubsequent remiaaion of that fine by the Chief Justice of
Hongkong.
It IS my intention as soon as the papera transmitted to you by Mr. Compton,
and referred to in your despatch of the 29th of November, ahall arrive in this
country, to refer the whole proceedings, and especiall v the decision of the
Chief Justice, to the consideration of the Law Officers of the Crown, and I con-
sequentlv abatain for the. present from entering upon that part of the question.
* But I have to state to you in the meanwhile that 1 entirely approve of your
having fined Mr. Compton ; for 1 consider it indispensable that British sub-
ject in China should be taught that if, on the one hand, her majesty's govern-,
ment will ezaot and require from the Chineae that Britiah aubjects should be
as free from molestation and insult in China as they would be in Euffland ;
yet on the other hand her majesty's government will exact and require of British
aubjects that they ahall in China abstain as ipuch from offering molestation
and insult to others, as they would if they were in England -, and it never can
be tolerated that they should indulge towards the people of China in acta of
violence or contumely which they would not venture to praotiae towards the
humblest and meanest individual in their own country. -
With reference to the draft of the ordinance for the deportation of English
offenders on the just complaint and requisition of the Chinese government,
inclosed in your despatch of the 25th November, 1 have to atate to you that 1.
have doubta about the expediency of such an enactment, and I think it would
be beat to postpone it. — I am, &c.
PAutsasToa.
53. yiseoumt Palmorston to Sir John Davis.
Foreign Office, January 25, 1847.
Sir, — With reference to your despatch of the 12th of November, infi.-- : —
copiea of your further correspondence with Keying respecting thft\W
444 Papera relating to the riot of July 1846. Sep.
ton of the 8th of July, and cnlUng my attention to a notiee publiahed bj
i^omul Alcook at Foo-chow-ibo on the 94th of June last with a view to rest
Mr.
restrmin
disorderly conduot on the part of British subjects, I have to state to joa that
you are quite right in using all the means in your power to prevent or to punish
such irritating proceedings by British subjects and persims employed bj them
towards the Chinese, as are mentioned in Mr. Alcock's public notice. While
oil the one hand no unprovoked aggression on the part of the Chinese should
be permitted, on the other hand the British in China ought most carefully to
abstain fW>ro any conduct calculated to provoke, irritate, and offisnd the Chim
of any class, high or low. — 1 am, die.
PALMtaSTOir.
54. .. yigemmt Palwttraton to Sir John
Foreign Office, February 94, 1847..
Sir,-^ Although I must reserve for the next opportunity the fuller instrne-
tions which I shall have to address to you on the subject of the riot at Cantou
of July last, and of the prooeedings against Mr. Compton in consequence of hie
eondoct with reference to that transaction, I will not allow the present mail to
depart without informing you that all the papers connected with the. case have-
been referred to the Law Officers of the Crown, and that they have reported
to me that they are of opinion that Mr. Compton was gulity of offences on the
4th and 8th of July for which he might and ought to have been punished by
proceedings in the Consular Court of Canton, under the provisions of Ordi-
nance No. 7 of 1844, but that the proceedings which were taken against Mr.
<^ompton were not justified by law, and that &e Chief Justice was therefore
bound to reverse the judgment of the Consul.
I presume that the fine levied on Mr. Compton has been returned to him ;
and I consider that under existing circumstances no further proceedings should
be instituted against him on account of his share in the transaction of the 4th
and 8th of July. At the same time, however, yon will carefully abstain front
offisring him any apology or amends for what has occurred with respect to him
I shall have occasion to write to Mr. Compton by the next mail in reply to
his letters to me on this matter ; but I am prevented by want of time lironi
doing so to-day. — I am, dtc.
Palmsrstoii.
65. ' VitanuU Palmtraton, io Sir John
Foreign Office, March 11, 1847.
Sir, — 1 stated to yon in rov despatch of the 34th February, written immedi-
ately before the departure of the last Mail, that the Law Officers of the Crown
Bad reported to me that in their opinion Mr. Compton was gnilty of offences
on the 4th and dth of July, for which he might and ought to nave been punish-
ed by proceedings in the Consular Court of Canton under the provisions of the
Ordinance No. 7 of 1844; but -ihat under existing circumstances no farther
proceedings were to be institntad against him on account of his conduct on
those days, but that you were not to offer him any apology or amends for what
had occurred with respect to hihi.
I now inclose for your information a copy of a letter which I have addressed
tki Mr. Compton in reply to his letters of the 88th of October and 38th of
November, which you forwarded to me with your despatches of the 89tlr
October and 39th November.
I cannot however dismiss this subject withont some further observations.
And in the first place I must state to you, and desire that you will impress upou
sU Her Majesty's Consular Officers, that it is the intention and injunction of
Her Majesty's government that you and they should enforce to the fullest
extent, for the maintenance of good order and peaceable conduct on the part of
lier Majesty's subjects resorting to China, those ample powers of repression
and punishment which have been vested in the Chief Superintendent and in
the Consular Officers by the Legislature and the Crown.
1847. Papers relating to the riot of July 1846. 445
Hrr Majesty's ffoveniiiieiil are fflad to believe Uiat by far the greater pro-
portion of those British subjects who are established in trade at the several
purtsof China are duly sensible of the duty which is peculiarly incumbent
upon British subjects in China to respect the feelings and habita of the people
among whom they dwell, and to abstain from any line of conduct which may
produce disorder or give rise to feelings of ill will, and thus tend to interrupt
the state of peace between their own country and that in which they reside.
All well*disposed British subjects must also be fully aware of the duty which,
though in a foreign land, they still owe to the sovereign authority of the British
Crown and legislature ; they must be prepared to pay a ready obedience to thoaa
lawB'Of their own country, which, with a view to their protection, the British
government has obtained a right to enforce in China as regards the subjects
of the. British Crown. . But unfortunately the case of Mr. Compton affords
sufficient evidence that in the British community in China, persons may be
found, who, disregarding their duties as peaceable citiiens, are unmindful
of the great commercial interests which they may put in jeopardy, and heedless
of the disastrous consequences which would ensue, if tumults, which they
wantonly provoke, should lead to a renewal of hostilies between England and
China.
Her Majesty's government trust that the orderly and well-disposed subjects
of Her Majesty in China will not only discountenance all evil doers, but will
moreover aid and support to the utmost of their ability Her Majesty's Consular
officers in their exertiona to preserve the public peace.
Her Majesty's government are preparea to maintain against all infractions
by the Chinese government or people, the treaty engagements between the
two countries ; but on the order hand, they are determined, not merely from
a regard for British interests, but on the higher ground of justice to the Chinese
government, to provide as far as possible that no injury shall arise to peace
and good order in China, from the concession which has been made to Her
Majesty of exclusive jurisdiction over British subjects in China.
Her Majesty's government therefore think it right to warn, through you, all
British subjects resorting (o China, that they must pay due obedience to the
Britiah Consular authorities, and that they must refrain from insulting the
Chinese, and from exciting or joining in any riots, or any disturbances of the
public peace. And in order that all Britiah subjects may be fully apprixed of
the leeal character of the offence which any person would be guilty of, who
should by an act of violence give rise to riot, in the course of which loss of
life should ensue ; and in order that it may be known what is the degree of
punishment to which such person would be liable, I have to inform yon that
the law officers of the Crown, in an opinion which 1 have received from them,
say that. —
. **lf a person by some act of violence jpve rise to a riot in the course of
which loss of life ensue, he wiU4>e guilty ofmurder or manslaughter, as the
case may be, or not guilty of either of those crimes, according to circumstances.
For instance, if by some act of violence he give rise to a riot, but take no part
in such riot himself, he will be responsible for the act only, but not for the
riot nor the consequences which may ensue
** So, though be commit the violence intending to give rise to a riot, and ac«
tually take part in the riot himself, yet if in the course of that riot death ensue
from the act of another wholly unconnected with him, he will be guilty of the
riot, but not of the murder or manslaughter, as the case may be. But if with
other persons he resolve generally to resist all opposers in the commission of
a riot, or any other breach of the peace, and to execute it in such a manner as
naturally tends to raise tumults and affrays he must, when he enga^tes in such
bold disturbances of the public peace, at his peril abide the event of his ac-
tions ; and therefore if in doing any of these acta he or his confederates happen
to kill a man, they are all guiltj of murder or manslaughter, as the ease may
be, provided the act done were the result of the confederacy, and happened
during the actual strife or endeavour, or at least within such reasonable time
afterwards as to leave it probable that no fresh provocation intervened.
446 Papers relating to the riot of July 1846. Sep:
«* The puniihmenl will vary according tci the degree and qaaljty of each
ofTence."
It will be the duty of Her Majeity's Consalar Servants to be guided by
thia exposition of the law, however painful to their feelings may be the necea.
sit? of enforcing it.
1 have to instruct you to transmit to all Her Majesty's Consuls in China
copies of this despatch, and of my letter to Mr. Compton ; and to direct them
to make the same public within their respective Consulatea. Tou will also
direct them to republish at the same time Her Majesty's Order in Council of
the 7th of April, 1844, and the Ordinance Sio. 7 of the 20th November, 1844,
** For the better administration of justice in the Consular Courts and to eata*
blish a Reffistration of British subjects within the dominions of China.*'
You will make a similar publication of these several documents at Hon^^
kong. — I have, &c.
Palmibston.
56. Mr. Addington to Mr, CompUm,
Foreign office, March II, 1347-
Sir, — I am directed by Viscount Palmerston to acknowledge the receipt of your
letters of the 28th of October and 28th of November, the last inclosing copies of
correspondence and other papers relative to the proceedings taken agsinst you by
her majesty's consul at Conton, in consequence of your conduct on the 4th and
8lh of July, 1846.
Lord Palmerston dheets me to state to you in repl^, that her majesty^ govern,
ment entirely approve the conduct of Sir John Davn in directing her majesty^
(Xkosul at Canton to proceed against you for what you did on those two days, and
they regret that in consequence of the irregular manner in which these proceed,
ings were conducted, you have escaped the penalty which you would otherwise
have incurred ; for her majesty's government are advised by the law officers of the
Crown, to whom all tlie papers connected with the occurrences of the 4th and
8th of July, have been referred, that you were guilty of offbnces on those daya,
for which you would have been liabfe to punishment if yon had been oroceeded
against in the consular court of Canton under the proviswns of the Ordinance
No. 7 of 1844.
Her Majesty's Government, however, trust that your having escaped from anv
penalty on this occasion, in consequence of a defect in the form of the proceed-
ings against you, will not serve as encouragement either to yourself or to others to
commit towards the people of China acts of violence or contumely which you
would not venture to practise towards the humblest individual in j^nr own coun.
try ; for her majesty's government, while they will exact and require from the
Chinese that British subjects shall be as free from molestation and insult in China
as they would be in England, are determined on the other hand, so far as lies in
their power, to exact and require from British subiects in China that thsy shall
abstain as much as they would do if they were in England, from oaring molesta-
tion and insult to other persons ; and her majesty's chief superintendent in China
and all her majest/s consular officers will he most strictly enjoined to enforce to
the fullest extent against all offenders those powers of repression and punish,
ment which have been vested in them by the Legislature and by the Crown.
Her Msjesty's Government would mnch neglect their duty if they were to per.
rait the permanence of peace between China and England to be endangered, and
the great interests involved in its continuance to be put into jeopardy, by the
wanton acts of inconsiderate or reckless individuals, — I am, &c.
H. U. ADDINGTOIf.
57. VUeount Palmer§ion to Sir John Davis.
Foreign Office, March II, 1847.
Sir,— I have to instrnct you, in transmitting to her majosty's consul in China
copies of my preceding despatch of this day, to call the attention of those officers
to the absolute necessity of strictly adhering, in the administration of justice in
1847. Papers relating to the riot of July 1846. 447
their consaUr coorti, to the regrulatione prescribed in Ordinance No. 7 of 1844.
If dne attention had been paid in Mr. Compton'a caao the forma required by thia
Ordinance, much inconvenience would have been avoided.
In the instruction which you issued to the consub on the 22d of November,
1844, with reference to Ordinance No. 7, you restricted them, m conformity with
the reflations laid down for the consuls in the Levant, from sending to Hong,
kong for trial any other persons than those accused of murder. You will consider
whether it may not be expedient to modify this restriction, and to allow the
Consuls to send to Hongkong for trial before the Chief Justice of the colony, in
conformity with the provisions of the Order in Council of the 1 7th of April, 1844
parties implicated in serious riots.
I should wish yon also to consider whether it may not be expedient to pass
an Ordinance in the Legislative Council empowering her majesty's consub to
require disturbeii of the public peace to find security for their good behaviour.—
I am,dc«.
Pauubbston.
58. Sir John Daw to Viscount Pa/m«r»ton.~(Recd. March 23.)
Victoria, Hongkong, January 29, 1847.
My- Lord, — Your Lordship's despatch of October 17th leaves it to my discretion
to be guided by circumstances as to issuing a public notificatk>n, cautioning Britinh
subjects against the dangers to which thoy must necessarily expose themselves by
prooeedings on their part calculated to excite the animosity of tlie Chinese, and
warning them not to expect reparation for losses incurred by their own misconduct.
I have had sufficient reason to anticipate you Lordship's instructions, as my
despatches will have shewn, in consequence of repeated acts of violence on the
part of the same individual, though speoally warned by the consul at Canton.
Enough appears to me to have been done on this point lor the present, and I
believe Uie merchants are fully aware that they would have to bear losses traeea-
ble to their own misconduct. The consul informs me that, from opposing au-
thority, they have turned to recriminating on each other, a very natural course.
Everything is so perfectly qviet and orderly at Canton, that I shall prefer
postponing your Lordships caution to any time when it may be hereafter needed,
rather than provoke the subject anew at present. When I have nnde the com.
munication to the Chinese government prescribed by your Lordship's despatch of
3d October, it shall be duly reported. — I have, dccr
J* F. Davis.
59. Sir John Davio to Viocomnt Pabnentoti.'^UeeB, April 23).
Victoria, Hongkong, February 12, 1847.
My Lord. — As soon as possible after the receipt of your lordship's despatch of
October 3d directing me to make the communication to Keying therein pointed
out, I addressed the inclosed to the Chinese Minister, embodying the substance
in nearly the same words. Your Lordship's depatch was received nearly four
months after its date (October 3, January 23); and time and distance hsd made it
neceasary (as it appeared to myself) to exercise the sort of discretkm wbich some,
times becomes requisite under such circumstances, in omitting the following pas.
sage : " that as it is essential, with a view to preventing future outrage, that an
example should be made of those who were engaged in that [disorder] which hap.
pened in July, the British gorvemment request that the Canton authorities will
make proper inquiries into the tiansactiofi, and punish according to law the most
guilty of the rioters."
More than six months had elapsed sirrce the occurrence, when the numbom
killed and wounded by the shots of the foreigners had inflicted a nvore severe
punishment and made a more striking example than anything that cnuld now be
done by the Chinese government, whose attempt fjn pmiish any of its people at
this time for those occurrences might involve it in very serious consoqnenccs, con-
sidering its confessedly weak state. I trust therefore that your Lordship will con-
sider 1 have vxvrcised a proper discretion under the circuuistanuea.
448 Bibliotheca Siiiica 8bp.
I have every reuon to hope tbmt my deepatch of J&nnary 96th will eonvinoo
yoar Lordship that there wis no ondue bsckwardness on my pert to sopply the
protection of a steamer to our merchants at Canton. I beg, with reference to this
subject, to inclose some very strong opinions of Sir H. PotUnger (exactly eoineid-
ing with Sir Thomas Cochrane), which were entirely approved by her majesty's
Sovemment. With this before me, added to the particular instmctions I myself
ad received, and the decided objections urged by the consul to the presence of a
steamer, I could not but consider that I incurred some personal responsibility in
sending up the ** Nemesis when I did.
I have received the inclosed reply from Keying to my note, conveying your
Lordship's communication. It is worded in some degree as reply to myself, and
I therefore sent the short rejoinder which is herewith forwarded, repeating that I
had made the communication as directed by her majesty^ government, giving th<i
Chinese authorities credit for the exeKioos and precautions which theyliave oer.-
tainly displayed of late, and expressing my hope that proper restraints on both
sides would efieetually prevent the chance of future troubles. — 1 have, dtc.
J. F. Davis.
60. Sir John Devts to Commiooioner Keying.
Victoria, Hongkong, February 13. 1847.
I have had the honor to receive your excellency's reply to my note of the 30th
January, in which I conveyed a communication from her majesty's government,
according to the instructions I had received as in duty bound.
It will be my duty to transmit your excellency's reply to her majesty's govern-
ment. I shall state the truth in announcing that the precautions taken by the
Chinese government have been lately much greater than before the disturbances
of July last and I therefore hope that troubles cannot Again occur. British sub-
jects have been very strictly warned against originating uisturbances on their own
part, and thus we may hope that tranquillity will be preserved on both sides. This
will be most just and expedient, and for the general good. — I beg to renew, dtc.
J. F. Davis.
f>*>0'tt0im0>t>mim>*0>0*0f0>t»f>t»r^0kt^ttmr9f^0tft0t0>^
Am*. III. Bibiietheea Sinica: Introduction; No, 2., Si Fang
kung iCfi, or Public Proofs from the west. By the late Rev. Djr.
William Milnb. (Continued from page 4\i,)
Mr. Editor, — ^In tbe coarae of my creeping over some book-ohelves, I have
met with r remark to thia effect : it ii common for weak minda, and half-drilled
echoiara, to apeak most of what they have been last thinking becaase they
think moat of what they have been last reading; and thua, with an affected
originality of thought, they figure away in convemtion to the great enter-
tainment of the company, tiU aome sagacioua friend, who haa gone over the
aame ground before, bega leave to pat the gentleman in mind, that what may
aeem original to him, waa- not new to the learned world for more than a
centnry ago. For, the aame ideaa were published in atich a year by Mr.
, the celebrated historian, and author of a tragedy ; or by Dr. ao &> ao,
that moat subtle metaphysician, and excellent mathematical scholar ; or by
the Rev. , a judicious critic and sound divine. It is not my inten-
1847. Biblivtheea a«iea. 449
tioD, air, on tfie oae hand, to dispute the trath a( fha remark, with thoM
atiO; dogtnitical beingi, who would check the Treedom of useTul and enter-
tai Din? conversation, bj thoir cold fonTnUtiea; who would daprive the nom-
ptny of the pleuure of a good remark, because it did not chance to fall
from their own lipa; and who perhap* are not extremely averse to inform
thoir frienda, that abouL fifteeo yean ago, th«r met with the aima ob^erva-
tiona in tfafl Greek clasxics which they read at Khool. and in the mar^n
of which they had since written aome notei, critical and explanatory. Nor
18 it my int«ntioD on the other hand, to justify the preinmptuona forwardnew
and impertinence ofthoae who are constantly dunning their frienda, with
mangled quotatioDi from their fdvorite authors. Homer, Quiotilian, Virgil,
Voltaire, and air Iiaae Newton; who are ambitioua to ahine, if even in bor-
rowed feathers; and who think that the ideas formed in their iraaginaiimi,
will be hailed by othen, as the bud of an original genius. 1 shall leave it
to abler pens to adjust matters between these two vary different clt^see of
men, and to point out a proper medium (■ taak indeed '.) of converation and
writing, by adopting which, one may instruct and entertain the majority,
without exciting; the envy, rankling the anger, feeding the vanity, or offend-
ing the (crupuloaity of any.
But, to be ahort, 1 will tell yon a Mere', if yon will promiie to keep it ae
well as the generality of my confidants da I aend ynn the analyaie of a
Chineee book; but do not on any account let your readen know, that [
was lately reading it;fbtthey would instantly identify me with tJioea who,
having no resources of their own, are, like beggar*, aolely dependant on
what the day may bring in.
Your'a truly, TA YO.
No. II.
TiTLi.-^ ^ -iV ^^ Si ling kunfckii, L e. -Public prooft from
the westf* intimating that the work contains tiie common evidences of Fuh,
orBudha.
ADTRoa.— It wa« compiled by Shin Tainif-chin and Chow Yuen-chin, who
ware believers in the doctrines of Fuh. The preface woe written by Sha-
hung, a priest of Fuh. He aaya, " when the compilers had finished the '
work, and had it ready for the blocks, they asked me to write a preface ■
and I have written on the three grand means [of attaining happiness,} viz.
belief, conduct, aitd desire, in order to lead on, and advise the reader."
Datk. — It was published in the 13th year of Kien lung, about «. o. 1748
and nprinted at the Hae^chwing^xe temple. Canton, in the 30th year of the
Hune Emperor.
NaTtraa or thb Woaa.— A compilation of miscellsneoua essays, illus-
tnted by thirty plates: There are in all fourteen eesays or papen, some of
them supposed to be very old. It is wholly of a religious nature, deseribea
minutely the happiness which the sect looks for in the life to come, points
out the way to it; and contains animated exhortations to the wor^hrp
jdols, &c
VOL. »v.. N... IX. 57
4S0 BiUioiheea SMea Sb9
. Form. — One volame troall octa?ii^ containinif 33 pages. Gnala^ in Chi
about the value of two ahilliiigv, English money. But is most generally
giveiii away gratis; a practice not uncommon in China^ with books which
are supposed to have a useful tend«mcy. There is subjoined to it a list of
subscribers, eoiwisting of twenty-fire names, two priests, and three disci-
ples, who each contributed a small sum to pay the expense of printing.
. They subscribe in all the difierent proportions fhxn seven shillings and aix^
pence to about nine-pence. r * • • • ;« ^ : ' - '^- »
^^^CoicTKirFs. — ^The subjects though not numbered in the original, I shall
Vange in order, for the sake of making a few extracts ftom them. 1. A
jnafboe. 3. • • Seventeen plates, representing the peach-garden of Paradise ;
Qtnaa,; a disciple of Fuh, forming a groupt of penons and teaching them ; the
world, twenty stories higl^ widening towards the top, Hkean inverted
Pjnunid, and resting on a lotos fiower, beneath which is the sea of (Vagranc
watBrs,^ver whose surfiice the winds^ of the metempsychosis blow ; the ani*
vtBtae (Uvided into four ishnds^ in the midst of which is the lofty mountain
Ses^oe, rising up above the height of the sun and moon ^ the most felicitoaa
pad of Paradise (the seven palisado fences; the seven canopies of ndt-work;
the seven rows of trees ; the turrets ; the seven peari and lotus pools ; the
floors of the palace, paved with square tiles of gold ; the birds of- Paradise,
perching on the treei^ and singing stanzas frorp the sacred books ; Ne-to
- Fuh delivering lawe^ au assembly or group of the more eminently virtuous ;
the air and manner of those who are travelling in good earnest 16 life in th^
vfoat;. the people of the six quanera^ (via. north, south, east, west, above, and
below,) praising Fuh, in the language of a book which lies in the midst of
them ; and the manner ia which the followers of Fuh perform worship, — these
with a variety of other things, all belonging to the otlier world, are repre-
sented. 3. An introduction to the following papera 4. A ^reneral ex-
hortation to cultivate virtue. 5. Fuh delivers the O-ne-to canon. Thia.
piece is said to have been translated from some western langtiage, by Kew^
mo-lo shlh. It treats of Fuh, and of Paradise. 6. A prayer, or charm, for
the removal of all eyil. It is wholly unintelligible to the Chinese,; being,
the bare sounds of Indian words expressed in Chinese characters, without
any explaniitionl 7. The ten repetitions. To contimie repeating the words,
'^O-he-to Fuh,** as long as a person can, without pausing to draw breath,, ia
called a Nnen, i. e. repetition. 8. A hymn of pxaise to Fuh. ; 9. . Nina
plates^ representing various forms pf Fuh ; together with the forma of the
superior, midd(e, and lower classes of persons, produced in Paradise .from,
the lotus fiower. These peraons all sit cross-legged on the lotus, and are
encircled with six lines of small dots, rising from the lotus at the bottom,
and'whtch,' after forming nearly the shape of a pear, terminate in a pojut
at the top. TOi*' The priest Sze-8in*s address to the youqg and the, .aged, to
those that have children and those that have not, to the rich and the poor,.—
exhorting them to seek life ia the west 1 1. On constancy and persever-
a'nce in repeating the name of Fuh. V2, The ten advantages which arise
1347. Bihliotheca Smiea. 451
from repeating the name of Fuh. 13. Footsteps or traces of those who have
alieady gone to life in the west 14. Paradise, and the way to obtain it.
15» « A discoQise dehorting from the dread of death. 16- The teacher,
Leeh-ming-keu*a two things that oaght to be done, and three things that
oaght not be done. 17. Yun-lee, dehorts from taking away animal life,
and exhorts to reseae it when others attempt to take it away. 18. Yun-lee
on the monthly and annual fasts. In every month of the year, there are six
fasts, viz. on the 8th, 14th, 15th, 23d, 29th, and dOth days. Besides these
there are three fall months of fasts in every^ year, viz. the ls(^ 5th, and 9th
months, — so that this sect has one HUfiDaxD aud sixty two fasts xvxar
TEAR ! , Both to the monthly and annual fasts, are affixed six small circular
plates, with thirty dots in' each, and the word <* Fuh" placed in the centre.
These are for the purpose of fixing the lowest number of repetitions in one
fast 19. List of subscribers to the second edition.
CoMFOsiTioir AifD STTLS. The style is what the Chinese call Chang-tang-
clibsran, L e. middle class composition ; neither above the comprehension of
the onletisred reader, nor ofiensive to the eye and ear of the learned. Never*
theless the great number of technical phrases peculiar to the sect of Fuh,
and of foreign words left nntranalated, renders the book in some parts hard
to be understood. In other respects, the style is simple and animated, and
a veiy good model for tracts and discourses on practical subjects, where it is
an object to touch the feelings and reach the heart. The Christian mission'-
ary should not be unacquainted with the b(x)k : those noble and divine sub-
jects which it is his busiuesd to teach, if expressed in such clear and animat-
ed language, would fall with great force on the heart; and would be read
knd beard with a degree of pleasure, even when their influence may not be
felt The far greater part of the books of Fuh, are exceedingly obscure from
such causes as those above mentioned ; glossaries are sometimes attached to
the end of them, but these are also frequently so o))scure as to leave the
reader without satisfaction. A person skilled in the Pali and Sungskrit lan-
giiages, reading the books of Fuh in Chinese, would possess great advantages
for understanding them. Constant references to the metempsychosis, occur
throughout their books, which also tend to render them difficult at first A
Diolionary of the technical and foreign words employed by this sect, would
be4i useful help to the Chinese student
Extracts. — ^I shall follow the arrangement of the subjects above given.
1. ^1 have examined all the books and canons, and find that the trae laws,
viti belief, conduct, and desire, are the coin and food [used on the way to]
the. pure land: like the feet of the tripod, one cannot be wanted."
9. In plate 3d, which represents th^ world like an inverted pyramid, it is
esid.— ^* There are infinite and innumerable worlds saeh as thier this is bat a
sitigle specimen selected ont of myriads of myriads'* — **eaeh stng^le seed* of
thrworld,prodncea twenty ^^Jds/*
* This fi«rare would lead one to suppose, that they belicTe that worlds
PROPAGATG worlds, as seeSb do their kind !
453 Biblioiheea Siuica. Sep.
3. ** Mr. Koo-tTh laid :— When other lectt seek to le«rii the true way, it
reaemblei the crawling of ants up a steep and lofty mountain : tnTellin^ to
obtain life in the pure land, reaemblea niling on amooth water, with a fair
wind and M\ canvasa.'*
4. ** Alas ! this body is totally void of anything that is good ; yet who is
there that is not deceived by it! Its bones, which ejcceed seven feet in
length, must be bound together by tendons. Its fleshy parts must be covered
over with skin. Its nine apertures are constantly pouring out that which is
impure. Its six senses ara blindly indulged. Its hair, and nails, and teeth
collect heaps of dust! Its mucus, tears, and spittle, resemble the filth of a
house of office. Worms are assembled in crowds within ; and its outside often
becomes food for flies, who eat into the flesh. A single disease puts an end
to its life !"
6. ** If there are any virtuous men and virtuous women, who, hearing of
O-ne-to Fuh, shall hold fast the mark of his name; if for one day, if for two
days, if for three days, if for lour days, if for five days, if for six days, if fbr
■even days,— they hold it fast with one mind ; then when the end of their life
arrives, O-ne-to Fuh, with the whole multitude of the sacred ones, will appear
before them.*'
6. [The reader is referred to the 6th Number of the Gleaner, page 168,
where an extract of the subject of this particular is given.]
7. ** Every morning, after dressing, turn your face to the west; stand
upright ; clasp your hands v and with a continued sound, say — * O-ne-to Fuh."
To exhaust one breath is called ^ a repetition.'* Ten such, are called the tea
repetiUpna. But these must be according to the length or ahortness of one's
breathing ; and cannot be all fixed at one length, or one diatance. When a
breath is quite out that is the limit. The sound should neither be high nor
low, neither slow nor quick ; but modulated to the due medium."
8. ••O-ne-to Fob! thy body IS the color of gold!
•• Thy countenance is lovely, and without compare !
•• Thy snow-white looks, wave around the Wo-see-me hill !
•• A glance of thy scarlet eyes, rendera transparent the four seas !"
9. '• [He who] knows that all lawa and rules form but a perfoot vaouom,
will be without fear and trouble." ^ ^
10. •• You, poor people ; it is good for you to repeat the name of Fuh. At
present your clothes and food are deficient ; you are poor and vile ; always hun-
gry and cold ; these all are the consequences of your not cultivating virtue in
a former stale of existence. Toup: .retribution is manifest. If you do not re-
form, .the past, and do well for the future, the moment you die, you will be
like the weight which falls from the scales into the well — when will it again
be taken out ?"
li. •*. Having vojred to repeat the name of Fuh, you muat ardently pray,
vigorously act, confidently hope, and be aincere in all : cheriah not other
thoughts. Be serious as if you were going to execution ; as if fleeing from a
mortal enemy ; as if flames or floods beset you around. With your whole
heart seek to be delivered from the bitter pains of the transmigration, that
you be no more subject to mortal births."
1847. Bibliuiheca Siuice. 453
12. *^ [The ten adfanU^i which the man who repeata the nameofFuh
enjoya, are here abrid^^d.] — " I . All the powerful goda of heaven will aecretly
and alwaya protect him. 3. All the demi-goda will conatantly follow and
keep him. 3. All the Fuha will day and night protect and think of him. O-
ne-to Fub will constantly keep him within the circle of his resplendent light.
4. No devil can harm him ; neither aerpenta, dragons, nor poison can touch
him. 5. He shall neither be hurt by fire nor water, by thievea nor aworda,
by arrowa nor priaons, by an untimely death nor by a aufiering life. 6. All
hia former Crimea ahall melt away ; and he ahall be delivered even^rom the
guilt of murder. 7. His dreams will be all right and pleasant. S. Hia heart
will be always glad; hia countenance shining; and hia atrength abundant
9. He will be alwaya respected by the people of the world, who will liberally
give to him, and worship him as they worahip Fuh. 10. When he oomes' to
die, hia heart will be without fear ; hia thoughta will be regular. He will see
O-ne-to Fuh with all the aaered ones, who will introduce him to the pure
land."
13. **In the Dynasty Sung, in the district of Tan, Mr. Hwang, a *blaok-
amith, at every moving of the tonga and every atroke of the hammer, uaed
with his full force to repeat the name of Fuh. One day while in good health,
«he called a neighbour to write tlie following verse for him : —
•* Ting ting tang tang,*
** The iron oft refined, becomea steel at length.
** Peace ia near !
** I am bound to the west."
** Having uttered tlieae worda, he waa inatantly transformed ; (i. e. died,)
thia verse spread far and many people of Hoo-nan province became folio wera
ofFiih."
14. (Vide pagea 94, 95, 96, &c. of the present number of the Gleaner.)
15. ^ When one*a sickness becomes serious, and he ia about to die, let not
relativea weep, sigh, and make a noiae, and thua disturb his spirit ; hut let them
with one voice repeat the name of Fuh, and assist the man in hb progress to
life [in the west] A long time after the breath ia gone, it will be soon enough
to mourn."
16. ** [Two thinga that ought to be done.] 1. To aeek to live in the pure
land. 2. To practice all kinda of good deeds. [Theae thinga that ought not
te be done.] 1. Do not enter into corrupt aects." — [It is remarkable that the
T*een-ohu Keaou, or Roman Catholic Religion, ia here apecified, as one of
those which ought to be avoided. It eziated in China before thia book waa
written ; and I suspect the compilers improved their own system by it, especi-
ally in what relates to another life ; for the hooka of Fuh written previoualy to
tlie date of thia one, are much more groaa and have much less sense in their
dogmaa ; at leaat this is the case with those of them that have come in my
way.] 2. Do not reckon that [your repetitions of the name of Fuh] will be
turned into money [in the life to come.] 3. Do not take away animal life.
17. ** All men love life. Every creature covets existence. Why then, kill
* Ting ting, dkc.^these words have no meaning, but barely expreaa the
aound of the nammer on the iron.
454 Readings in Chinese Poetry, Sbp.
Uie bodies of other living beings, in order to fill our own moothi? — I advise
you to beware of killing animals. Families who do not take animal life, good
demons protect them ; their calamities melt awaj ; the thread of their life is
drawn out in length ; their posterity are yirtuons and filial ; and countless
good fortunes attend them.
18. [On fssts.] The canons say, six days in eYwy month, four celestial
kings walk about in the world, examining the actions of men. [On four of
these dtys they send deputies ;] on the 13th tnd 15th, they go round in person,
%nd examine who among men, are filial to .parents; who faithful to Princes;
who accord with the San P4u, (i. e. three precious ones ; duties of the sect,)
tnd who, cultivate virtue.
P. S. I suppose, sir, the length of this analysis, will be to objection to it
with many of your readers; but I could hardly on my plan, do justice to the
book, in a smaller compass. I shall try to make an atonement for this error,
by condensing as much as possible my next communication. I shall only
further observe, that this book is also called Ne-to-king-toa It was publish-
ed under this name in the same year, with the one of which I have given the
analjTsis. I have collated them, and find the only difference is, that the lat-
ter wants the preface.
^^^*^^^^^^*^*^^^*^*^^^*^t0*^^^^^t^^»^^^^s0^r^f^^^
AaT. IV. Readings in Chinese Poetry : specimens Nos, I and 2,
the Harmonious Water-birds, and tht Mouse^Ear. ConnnuDicat-
ed for the Chinese Repository.
Ab. 1. Tfte flbnnonfoiis fFater-hirdt.
m
^
^
^
m
vpj
%
1-
m
z
^
»
id
m
■k
m
The harmonious voices of the sacred water-birds,
Are heard from their river island home ;
This excellent damsel, retiring and mild.
Is a lovely mate for our virtuous prince,
^ & ^ $ ^ JS & tl
^ ^ ^ U Z « « «
1846. Readings in the Chinese Poetry. 455
z -k z ^ m t m
On the waveii of the river's running stream,
(The Hang plant's stalks uneven stems,)
Are swaying to and fro:
This excellent damsel retiring and mild,
When waking and sleeping, our prince was seeking.
While seeking, but not having found,
His troubled thoughts waking and sleeping exclaimed,
How long! Oh how long!
He turns him around on his bed, and turns back.
He turns him all around, and returns.
Mi- ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
5* ife -fe
!«:. ^ 4^ ^t.
S * . ^ K ^ « J&
S
m
M
z -k z m z ± z
The Hang plant's stalks uneven stems,
Are swaying to and fro. He gathers them now ;
This excellent damsel retiring and mild.
With lutes and guitars he welcomes her home.
The Hang plant's stalks uneven stems
ArC' swaying to and fro, they are fit for offering now :
This excellent damsel retiring and mild,
WiUi music of bells and of drams come welcome her home^
The above is a translation of the first ode in the Chinese collec-
tion of poetry called the Shi King. It is referred to more than once
by Coafucias, as a specimen of highly finished composition, and
chaste human feelings. A literal translation into English is an im-
poesibility for the idioms of the Chinese and English languages,
which differ widely enongh in prose, are still more remote in poetry.
" Mwutarin dueks qiiaek-^uack" might be a literal translation of
the first line into '* Canton English," but such h version would give
the English reader, no other than ludicrous images, without express-
ing any one of the really beautiful allusions which the lines convey
to a Chinese mind. In the translation, therefore, no attempt hag
been mado to transfer the Chinese idiom to our language, but the
effort has been made to give the ideas as accurately ai possible
350 Readings in Chinese Poetry. Ssp'.
in language which claims to be nothing more than very slightly
measured prose. The onl^ addition which I ha?e ventured to make
to the original, has been in adding the first line of the second verse.
" On the waves of the rivers running stream." This is not necessary
in Chinese, for the Hang plant being a familiar water plant would
at once suggest this idea to the native, while to the English reader,
the name being unfamiliar, the idea would not occur.
The ode commemorates the marriage of the ancient king
"^ 3E W*** Wung founder of the Chau dynasty, with ^ jjjf
T'di Sz', a lady equally celebrated for her beauty and her virtue. It
is supposed to have been composed by some of the inmates of the
king's palace, to commemorate the events and was written imme-
diately after her arrival. In its structure it belongs to the class of
Chinese poetry included under the denomination of hing^ ^.or
''Suggestive", in which some other object than the one intended is
first mentioned, and some quality or trait in the object thus men*
tioned, suggests or introduces the idea which the poet wishes to present,
and in the comparison or the contrast of the two, consists the prin-
cipal beauty of the composition. In the ode before us, the points
of suggestion and comparison are not very remote, though some »
acquaintance with Chinese history and customs are necessary, in
order to appreciate them. Fortunately however, one has not to
look far for such knowledge, for all the odes in the Shf King
have been so fully commented on, by innumerable scholars, that
the chief difficulty is to choose which commentator to read. This
difficulty too, is completely obviated if the student is so fortunate
as to possess the ^fc ^ l# »& jf gj^ lH^ Kin ting Ski
King chuen shwoh wei tswan, an admirable compilation in twen-
ty.foirr volumes, made in the reign of K^nghf, and comprising the
most valuable notes of a large number of authors. In this work as
in every thing else that Velates to the Chinese classics, the first place
is given to the notes of the Chinese " universal scholar" Chufu tsz'
and for the convenience of the reader, the more important notes are
printed in large type, which may be read continuously, while the
notes in small type, which commonly contain something worthy of
notice may be left unti( such time, as inclination or the course of
his studies, turns his attention to them. Partly as an elucidation of
the ode already given, and partly as a specimen of the character of
Chinese commeiHary, .the notes which are subjoined, Iiave been
selected from the twenty solid [rages of comment in which the mean-
ing of the twenty lines of text, is copiuu^ily »et forth.
1847. Readings in Chinese Poetry. 457
' Kin^ Wan of the state of Chau was naturally possessed of the
most eniment nrtue, and was further so highly farored as to obtain
a virtnoQs lady of the Sz' family for his consort. On her arrival
at his palace, the inmates perceiving that she possessed the retiring
and meekly chaste virtues, composed this ode in her praise. They
first spoke of the responsive notes of the water birds, which dwell
in delightful harmony on the islands in the river. This excellent
damsel so modest, meek and mild, so respectful, reverent and chaste,
comparable in all these respects to these sacred birds, is a most
suitable match for the virtuous Wan W&ng.
In the second stanza, the feelings of the king before he had secured
this partner of his bosom, are described. The uneven stems of the
Hang plaut float uncertainly on the water, and are tossed about by
Ha waves. Thus the king's thoughts, while his acquisition of thic
rare prise was aa yet uncertain, disturbed every oKMnent of his ex-
istence. Waking, his thoughts were of her. Sleeping, his dreams
were of her. The days passed heavily along, and at night he found
no repose on his bed.
In the third stanza, the joy of the king, and of the inmates of his
pnlace, when he secured his birds, are described. The stems of the
Hang plant, which at first suggested the uneasy emotions of the
king, are now used to represent the bride. It is a plant which when
vipe is used both for food and for sacrifices, a person is represented
as gathering the ripe stalks, as they float along the uncertain tide,
when properly prepared, they are offered in the solemn sacrifices.
This suggests the arrival of the bride at her new home, and the
fitness of her union with a man of such excellent virtue as Wan
Wing, while the music of lutes and guitars, of drums and bells, ex*
press the joy with which she is received, jmd the tender affection
she is to share.
By the ^ water-birds" are doubtless meant the mandarin duch,
8*^ long and justly celebrated in China for the affection and constancy
of the male and female. During life the same pair always continue
together, and yet they exhibit none of that forward fondness seen in
animals whose loves are lesd constant. Hence they are said to have
perfect affection with dire restraint, and men may hear their har*
mmious voices,, but cannot see o»ii;rht that is too familiar. In des-
cribing the character of the Udy Sz,* she is called *' retiring and
mild." By mildness is meant the deep gentleness and seriousness
«>f her nature, which shows itself in her modest and retiring de-
portment.
VOL. XVI. NU. IX. 5S
458 Readings in Chinese Poetry. Sep.
The Hang plant grows in riTers and ponds. Its root is in the
ground, and its round stem ; which is white near the ground, and
green near the surface of the water, appears to have some power of
elongation and contraction, according as the water becomes deeper
or shallower Its leaves are of a purplish or reddish color, about
an inch (Chinese) in circumference, and float on the surface. The
flower is yellow. It is sometimes put in wioe to give it flavor, and
onetimes used in sacrifices.
The ^ Kin had five or seven strings, and the ^ Sek had twen*
tj-five, thej are here used for all sorts of smaller and soft sounding
instruments, while the bells and drums denote all those of more
powerful tone. Their being ail mentioned together, shows ho%r
4
great and universal was the joy, when the lady Sz' was brought home
to the palace of Wan W&ng. The joy was most appropriate, for e
man of such talents and worth, as Wan Wing and a woman of such
beauty and virtue as the lady 8%', are not often seen in the world,
and when two persons so eminent are brought together, there is
reason to hope, that not merely will they be supremely happy, but,
what is of far more consequence, all those- under their influence will
also share their happiness.
Confucius said that in this ode there is " music without voluptu*
ousness, and grief without excessive sorrow," which (says Chii
fTitsx,) in my tiumble opinion, is equivalent to saying, that the author
of this ode has accurately conceived the proper feelings of nature,
and expressed them in strict harmony with truth." Wan Wang's joy
was shown by the union of lutes and guitars and drums and bells ; had
it been shown by feasting and revelling and excess, it would have been
voluptuous and improper. His grief was shown by his uneasiness ;
had it been shown by weeping and lamentations, it would hilve been
unmanly and excessive sorrow.
In the opinion of Chiifit tsz', the music to which this ode had been
set, was lost long before his time, but he recommends to students to
be often repeating it, and investigating the composition of its sen^
tences, by which they may in time obtain some insight into the
mysteries of poetic composition.
A large part of the notes on this ode are intended to illufitrate the
various human relations, and their appropriate duties, to which it
refeis, but we shall cootenc ourselres, with the following sentences'
which are printed in Targe type near the close.
Kwing Hang says, "the rnstitirtion of marrrage Nes at the founda*'
tien of a nation's proapcriiy and is f he source of tea thousand happi'
1847. Readings in Chinese Poetry. 459
neases. When the rites of matrimony are duly ordered, all things
assume ther proper place, and heaven's decrees are perfected. Hence
Confucius in arranging the odes gave the first place ^ r this of the .
" Harmonious Water Birds," For he said, that those whn hold the
highest station, are the father and mother of the people, and if the
actions of the prince and his consort do not correspond with those of
heaven and earth, it will be impossible to serve acceptably the divine
spirits, or regulate all things according to just rule. From ancient
days tiJI now, the prosperity or decline of the three dynasties of Hi4,
Shdng, and Chau, have been entirely owing to their attention to or
neglect of these great truths.
ATo 2. T%e Mnum^Ear.
%
J^
IS
%
^
&
n
t
%
^
ti
m
^
n
K
ff
I gather and gather again the Mouse Ear plaatt
But my bamboo basket I cannot fill ;
Alas ! I am thinking about my lord,
And the basket I have laid by the broad road sidt.
» ^ n m
* ^ Sfl ^
« » s a;
» w « «
I wish to ascend yon stone covered hill,
But my palfrey is lame, and cannot go up :
Then bring me the 8torm«cup of gold all enchasedt
That I for a while my long griefs may not cherish.
^
«iM
«
m
«i
a
Si
m
n
m
pf
%
^
46Q Readings in Chinen Potiry,
^ * f *
n % ^ ^
I will] to ascend yon high hill's back,
But alas my black palfrey all sickly and wan ;
Then bring roe that cup of the unicorn's horn,
That I ioT a irhile my long woes may forget.
n * ^%
I wish to ascend that rock biirs gentle slope,
But alas my poor palfrey all weak. with disease,
My page too! unable to walk;
Then I alas! whet shall I do!
This is the third of the odea in the Shf King. It appears to be the
compoeition of the lady Sz', wife of king Wan. The exact occasion
OD which it was composed is not clearly ascertained. Some suppose,
that it was while Wan W4ng was absent on some service for the
tyrannical Chau, the labt emperor of the Sh&ng dynasty. Others
suppose that it was composed during the time when the tyrant, hav-
ing conceived some jealousy of king Wan W^ng had immured him
in prison. Wliatever may have been the particular occasion, it
is evident that the long absence of her husband, and the dread of
some danger befalling him, had filled the mind of lady Sz' with fears,
which are implied rather than expressed in the ode» In it may be
seen the depth of her chaste devotion to her lord.
The structure of the ode, is what is called ^fl^ or direct^ the
emotions of the poet being expressed in dtr ct language, without
comparisons or metaphors. In the fir^ stanza the lady describes
herself, as thinking on the absence of her husband, and having her
mind so filled with painful thoughts on that account as to be unable
to perform the simple action of filling an open basket, with a plant
which grew in great abundance by the road side. The remaining
stanzas, are merely extended expressions of the idea of her anxiety
1647. Readings in Chinese Poetry. 461
and grief, she wishes to ascend a high stone crowned hill, that she
may look out, and see whether there are any signs of her husband's
return, but owing to the lameness of her horse he cannot convey her
thither. She calls for wine, not with the intention of drowning her
sorrows with it, which idea is rejected with indignation by the com-
mentators, but to express the depth of her grief which is such as can-
not be soothed by ordinary occupations. Again she wishes to ascend
a hill of easier ascent than the first which are spoken of, but ahe finds
that her palfrey is so overcome with disease, that his naturally black
color has changed to a sickly yellowish hue, and he is utterly un-
able to carry her. She calls for another cup, the idea intended being
obvionsly the same as in the second. stanza. Bethinking herself how-
ever, she proposes to ascend the gentle slope of a neighboring
eminence, which she could do on foot, and from which perhaps she
may obtain some intimation of the return of her lord. But she finds
that not only is her horse diseased but even her page ie sick, and
unable to walk, and in an agony of grief she bursts into an exclama-
tion, which is incapable of being rendered into English, but the ge*
neral meaning of which is given in the translation.
The '* moose ear," or '' curled ear'' is a plant growing in Shensf,
known by several names. Ir is a kind of creeping vine, with numer-
ous curly leaves green above and white beneath, with white flowers
having slender stems, the leaves grow very abundantly and are used
for food. In the fourth month, the pods are somewhat in the shape
«3f the pendant ornaments worn by ladies in their ears, hence it is also
called Ef. U§^i " Ear pendant." The basket spoken of was an open
shallow bamboo basket, very eas/ to fill, and the commentator's remark
that the lady's finding it so difficult to fill such a basket, with a
plant so easily gathered as the mouse ear, was itself a proof how much
her thoughts were occupied about her husband and not about the
work she was engaged in, and therefore she lays down the basket bf
the roadside, while her thoughts were busy elsewhere. The idea
is certainly a very natural and beautiful one.
The '* storm cup" was a large cup with golden ornaments, and
the " representation of clouds and thunder" engraved on it. The uni-
corn, is doubtless the rhinoceros, cups of whose horn are frequent-
ly found in the curiosity shops of Canton and other Chinese cities.
According to Chufu tsz', the horn in its natural state, is of a green
color, and weighs a thousand pounds, and some other writer says,
will form cups that hold five or six quarts.
Fu kw4ng remarks, that as long as only her palfrey was diseased,
468 Journal of Orrurrences. Sep
she still had her page to relj upon. But when her page too was taken
down with sickness, all her plans were rendered unavailing, and she
could express her grief only by sighs, for even wine could not re-
move such sorrows. Most of the commentators seem to suppose ,
that the gathering of the mouse ear, the storm cup, and the cup of
the unicorn's horn, are mentioned only to give distinctness to the
expression of her feelings, and not by implying that the wife of Wan
W&ng would herself gather vegetables for food, or report to wine to
dissipate her grief.
Art. V. Joiutnnl of Occurrences: Chinese pirates^ death of Mr.
Lamrie; attack upon Messrs. Reynvaan and Voucher; wreck
of French ships ; arrival of missionaries ; count de Besi.
Tax following particulars of the death of Mr. Lowrie are extracted chiefly
from the Chiba MaiL The account of the attack upon Menrs. Reynvaan
and Vaucher, and the death of the latter, which occurred several weeks
since, is taken from the same source. We leave it to our readers for the
present to make their own comments upon these distressing and melancholjr
events. That the righteousness of God shall be fully displayed in the
wrath and wickedness of men, we have no doubt, and though we are called
to mourn the loss of a shining light in our beloved Zion, we may rejoice at
the assurance that the rage of enemies can never harm ua, and that it is the
will of him who doeth all things well.
Chinese PiraUt as we learn by recent arrivals fttMn the north, are becom-
ing very troublesome about the island of Tsunsniing and on the west coast
of the Chusan Archipelago. On the former,. {Wngimfig*, they are said to
have collected and organized themselves, several mousand strong, under
the direction of a youth about twenty years of age, and become a terror to
the native shipping and to the Chinese authorities. Some war junks have
been sent against them, but seem to have had little success. A rumor was
abroad at SMngrhs i of their having made prisoner of the chief military officer
on the island. What they are prenared for on the coast of the Chusan group,
the melancholy report of their aoings on the 19th of August, may ^vaour
readers some idea. There is, we think, ojuch reason to fear that it is not in
the power of the Chinese government to arrest their high career of evil do-
ing. They say, '^the officers rob the people, and we will rob the officers
and any others whom we please." At one time and another, overtures have
repeatedly been made by foreigners to the Chinese government for coopera-
tion against these freebooters ; but hitherto these have, with one or two
exceptions, been rejected. Erelong some more systematic and efficient
measures must be adopted. Western governments most have their repDS-
sentatives at Peking and their own armed vessels on these coasts, for se-
curity and protection.
The Rev. Walter M. Lowrie, who was a Mitfionary at Ningpo, had beea_
appointed to meet with others, at Shtoghii, to revise the tranilation of the
New Testament into -Chinese. He journeyed from Ningpo to Shingfaii the
latter part of May, traveling by native vessels via Chinhai and ChapO,
1847. Journal of Occurrences. 463
It heing necewary for Mr. Lovrrie to return temporarily to Ningpo, and as
no other opportunity of goin; pr«>eented. he decided to retnrn by the route
that he came. He left 8h4nghAi on Monday the 16th of August, by the canal
for Chaoi), being accompanittd by his servant and another man, natives of
Ningpo. He arrired on Tuesday morning the It^th, at Chapu, and immedi-
ately engaged one of the Chinhai pa3Hage boats to convey him to Chinhai.
There being a very strong southerly wind, the vessel did not set sail until
Thursday morning at 9 o clock. IVhen ilie boat hod proceeded soiiie eight
or ten mil«/s, they perceived a piratical craft bearing down upon thv^n. As it
approached, Mr. Lowrie took a small American flag in his hand, aod went on
the bow of the boat. The pirates soon clearly manifested their intentions by
firing upon the boat, and when along side boardine it. There appeared to be
tome twenty or more men, with gingals, matchlocks, spears and swords.
The boatmen and native passengers being all very much terriHed, concealed
themselves as much as thev could, while Mr. Lowrie seated himself in the
eabin watching the work of destruction, and gave them the keys of his trunk
and 'boxes. Though they inflicted injury upon the boatmen, and took the
clothes from off them, yet thev did not molest him, nor rob him ot his watch
or the money that was about his person.
When the pirates began to tear up the floor to rummage the hold, Mr
Lowrie went on deck, and seated himself in front of the mainmast As they
had nearly flnislied the work of pillaging the boat, it appeared to occur to
them that Mr. Lowrie would report them to the authorities on his arrival at
Chinhai ; and the question was started, whether to kill him at once, or throw
him overboard. .This last being resolved upon, two of the ruffians attempted
to execute the fell purpose ; but not being able to accomplish it, a third joined
in the murderous work, and they succeeded in throwing him into the sea. As
the waves ran high, though he was seen two or throe ttmes, he soon sank to
rise no more.
The Pirates proceeded to disable the boat by cutting its sails — taking away
the rudder, dec, and then departed leaving it to the mercy of the winds and
waves. As soon as the crew bad recovered from their fright, they tried to fit
up the boat to return to Chaptk. Not being able to steer the vessel, they ran
her on a low shore. Mr. Lowrie's servants reached Cha-poo in the evening,
and immediately laid a statement of the affair before the Chinese authorities.
Their depositions to these particulars were taken down, and the officers said
they would take measures immediately to apprehend the guilty perpetrators.
The officers wished to detain the servants till these steps should be taken-^but
they said, they must hasten to convey the sad intelligence to Mr:"Luwrie's
oolieagues at Ningpo. Being supplied with some scanty clothing and a little
money, thev started on Fri<My morning the ilKHh by land for Ningpo, where
thev arrived on Monday the 93d in the afternoon.
On their arrival there, with this deeply afflictive intelligence, the matter
was immediately laid before the Tau-tai, who promised to take instant
measures for the apprehension af the murderers. Mr. Sullivan, H. B. M. Con«
Bul at Ningpo, prof»red ^verj aid his official station enabled him to render,
and steps were taken to recover the remaine if possible. Rumors of this nefa*
rioas deed reached 8h6ngh6i on Saturday the 28th, which were confirm«fd
by betters, dated at Ningpo on the 24th received here on the 29th. The
matter was immediately laid before the tdutii, Hitnling. by Mr. Bates, the
acting U. S. A. consul, who on the .^tst^ received a reply, in which the tAutii
states that he had reported the case to the gnvornor-general of the two KiAng^
and the governor general of Chehki^ng and Fuhkien, and to the governor of
Chehkiang and to the governor of fCiingsfr. and bad sent communications to
bis assoeiates and suMllems, that they might all co6perate. At the ssme
time he offers a reward of $300 for the seiaure of the principal, and $100 for
esioh of the accomplices^ In addllroir to the measures thus taken by the local
authorities, the matter is now beinf laid before Keying by the American
Charge d'Affaires; and if is- to be hoped thnf those guilty of so unprovoked
and wanton a murder will be broiiffhC to condign punishment.
On th« evening of theJth ult. M^^ssrs Reynvaan and Vaueher (the former
a native of Holland, the latter a i$wiss) hired the Hongkong fastboat No. 1^
464 Journal of Occurrencen,
to bring them to Victoria. They went on board tt 8 o'clock in the evening,
and, as the Master of the boat, informed them he could not make sail at that
time, retired to bed. About 1 1 o*oluck the boat got under weigh, but the weather
b4»cominff thick and rainy, it was about to anchor betwixt the Ontok and
French torts, when it was attacked and boarded by pirates, who plundered the
passengers of their baggage and upwards of 84000 in watches and specie.
Mr. Vaucher ran on deck, and was either forced or leaped overboard, and
perished. (His body has since been found and buried at Whampoa.) Mr. Reyn-
vaan received two severe spear wounds in the neck, with several contusions on
the head, shoulders, and thighs. Some Chinese passengers were also fobbed.
Fortunaty two gentlemen in a hong boat were returning to Whampoa, and
beinjT hailed by Mr. Reynvsan, conveyed him back to Canton, followed by
the fast-boat, the master of which is missing. We understand that in the ab*
senee of the Dutch and French Consuls, Mr Consul Macgregor instituted an
examination into the circumstances, and forwarded the depositions to the
Chinese authorities, that no time might be lost in adopting steps for the dis«>
eovery and apprehension of the pirates. -
The attack was probably preconcerted for the sake of plunder, and a eorrea*
pondent suggests that the fast-boatman and the servants may have connived
at >t; but it is also possible that as the former is missing he may have been
killed by the pirates; and if alive, there is little doubt he will be traced out,
as his boat is registered here, and his sureties are bound to produce him under
• bravv penslty.
We rormerly mentioned that, in the absence of the Dutch and French Coa.
suls (who have now however taken charge of tlie business), Mr. Maogregor
considered it his duty to institute an immediate investigation Into the circum-
stances of the murderous attack on Messrs Reynvaan and Vaucher, and to for-
ward the deposition to the Chinese authorities. We have since learned that
upon receiving the communication of the British Consul, Keying issued in?
slant orders to the local Mandarins to institute diligent search for the perpo.
trators, nine of whom have in consequence been stftsed and examined by the
Chinese magistrates ; and by these means a portion of the property has already
been traced out and identified.
The French dhips of war La Otoire and Vieiorieuse were wrecked, Au-
, i8t JOth, upon a shoal on the Corea coast, distant 130 leagues from Shaoff-
i&i, at which place two of their boats arrived sixteen days afterwartu^
bringing twenty-four men — having left 540 on a small island with good sup-
.plie^gjm^^e ships. Their object in visiting the coast was to open direct
jntercourse with the court A sarvejr of the coast and Deighboring seas
.was also contemplated. Thev had with them interpreters and also a mis-
sionary, who hoped to join the native Christians m Cores, amounting to
•sereral tkousandis. It is said that, the French admiral, when on that coast
4aM year, intimated to the king that the visit would be repeated this vear,
and direct intercourse demanded ; and the king is said to have roferrecl the
•matter to his liege lord, his majesty Taukw4ng, who was pleased to intimate
that the French ought to be courteously received.
The ships, when thev stmck, were supposed to have been upon the track
of the Lyra, and therefore not suspecting any danger. It is expected that
shipping, taken up at Sh&ngh&i, will convey the 540 men directly to Shang-
hai or to Macao.
The arrival <^ missionaries at Sh&nfcf'^ has been reported : the Rev. B.
Southwell and Mrs. Southwell, the Rev. W. Muirhead, and Mr. A. Wylie,
missionary printer, per Monarch, August 26th, — all from the London Missio-
nary Society.
Also, Ao^pst 38th, from the Episcopal Board of Foreign Missions, U. S. A.
the Rev. Phmeas D. Spalding.
Two other missionaries with their wives, from one of the Baptist Societies*
in the United States, have recently arrived at Shancrhai.
Count He Bern, the Roman Catholic bishop at Shanghai, it is said, will
-soon fctttm to £urope--hia sticcesdor having been aireaidy appointed.
h&i
CHINESE REPOSITORY.
Vol. XV— October, 1847.— No. 10.
Akt. t. Paptri relating to the riot fit Canton in July IS46, and
the proceedings taken against Mr. Compton, a British sulked,
far his participation in that Hiot. Itepu6lished from the tMna
Mail. (Continued from page 448.)
£1. Mr. JahntloA u Mr. ^ddingto*.— Reed. Seplembar Zi.)
" - is. Hangkoug, July 35, 1846.
r to ihe tddrrn of hii Excell-
. ., J--,, - ,- , loperiotendenl ofTrwle were
7»UTdB7 Kftemoon received after mj deipitch Id yoai kddreu wu altwed,
mnd 1 htTe now the honour lo forward coplei of then irllh their reipectire
■nclMDTea for the information oFthta E^I of Aberdeen,— ;1 bare, Ac.
A. R. JouBaioM.
63. Conaid itacgrtgor td $It John tati*.
Canton, Jaljr 16, 1B46.
Sir, — t have Ibe honour to forward io joit Eicellencj oopy of a letter ad-
dreaied Co me by the Briliah commiioitr jd OanaequenC« of a reioluLtOD adopted
at a meeting held by them, or which I alao inctoae oopy oflhe Minutea. In
these docuuipntj they expres* Iheir conviction of the neceaaily for the pernia-
nence of a Briliah veuel of war in the rirer oppoiiie the faotoriea
A copy of my reply to thii letler i* alio inolo^fd, and aa therein lUted 1
now beg to lay the whole before yonr Ezcotlency for tranamiNion to Her Ma-
jeaty'a Governnient, with Kuch reeontinendalian at remarki at you may deem
: adviiable to add iheielo.— 1 bave, Ac.
Frahch C, MiicaaaaoB,
63, Catml Maegngar to Sir John Daeii.
Canton, July 23. 1846,
Sir,— 1 bfg to forward to your Bn:e1]ency fai* Irammiiaion to Ihe Earl of
Aberdeen, a memotisi, with inclojurea, si ((tied by the merohnnla and other
Britiih ■ubjects in Ibis pUre, praying that one of Her Majesty'a shipa be per-
manently stationed at Canton, on' the ground of Ihe inditTertnce or inability of
th« Chinese Government Io grant them speedy and eflectual prol«cltoa in
ciae of sudden allacka by the rabble.
Thia mt^moriol vaa indoaed in a leller to mc from tht Chairman ofa Cnm-
voL. XVI. Nu X. 59
4(KJ Papers relating to the riot of Juljf 1846. Oct.
Lordship by the Miiil to leave Hongkon|^ on the 26lh iniUnt. My inatroc-
tions, however, requiring me to comuiunicatc with Her Majesty's Government
throvgb your Ezoelleney, I do not feel myself at liberty to deput from them
in the present instance.^ I have, &c,
F. C MAcemsooK.
64 V Mt. CtLmpMl to Capimim Tolboi rftk$** Fewimi:'
Canton, Jnly U, 1846,
Sir^^As Chairman of a Committee at a Public Meeting of British Subjects
held in Canton on tbe 13th instant, in consequence of recent disturbances, C
am directed by the Committee to hand you copy of a reaolntion passed at that
Meetiii|r, and to express the opinion of tbe Committee, that the present situa.
tion oraffairs is such as to render it highly expedient that immediate efiect
should be given to the wishes of the community.— 1 have, Ac.
— . A. ClMPBICLL.
'That it is the opinion of this Meeting that it is absolutely necessary for
the protection of life and property that one of Her Majesty's ships of war be
permanently sUtioned off the factories, and that the letter now read, prayine
Her Majesty's Consul to recommend the stationing such a vessel, be adopted.
65. Captaiti Talhoi to Mr, ComwhoU-
Fiiste/, Blenheim Reach, July 14 IH46.
'. 8ir,«— I do mywlf the honour to acknowledge the receipt of vonr letter ef
this date, inclosing the copy of a resolution passrd at a Meeting lately held bj
"British Subjects in Canton, in consequence of the recent disturbances.
~I have to request you will assure the gentlemen of my entire concurrence
in the opinion therein expressed, and that i shall cordially advocate ita adof>-
tion.— I am dtc.
ChIRLKS TlLBOT,
Captnim and Senior Qfieor in Ckinm.
B6. ' Contul Maegregor to Sir John Dams,
Sir, — 1 have the honor to transmit to your excellency the copy of a letter [
iiddressed to commander Clifford, of her majesty's ship IFocMreas, on the
receipt of his letter to me announcing his arrival at Whampoa.
Besides my reasons as therein atated for not desiring a vessel of war to an.
chor near the factories, I may add that such a circumstance would afford the
local authorities reasonable ground of argument for withholding the assistance
they are bound by treaty to sfford in case of need, and which indeed thej
JiAVe never denied, though it must be confessed it has been given wilh their
characteristic tardiness.— I hate^c.
* pRAircis C. Macorxgor. '
.67. ConnU Maegregor to Commander Clifford of the ** Wolverene,**
Canton. July 21, 1646.
' Sir,— 1 have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of yesterday's
date, announcing the arrivRl of her majesty's ship under your command at tlie
anchorage at Whampoa, and that your instructions from Captain Talbot were,
oif acquainting me with your arrival, and that you were further instructed to
anchor!in Macao reach in the immediate neighbourhood of the fsctoriea, to be
gnidpd in that as well as in the nature of the protection to be afforded by her
.inatesty's ship under your command, by my requisitions and representations.
1 have accordingly 'the honor to state, that having in mind the inatructions
tifhtr maiesty'fl government as the basis of my conduct on the present occa*
jo'ion. and judging from the tranquillity that prevails, and the total absence of
Rny popular manifestation of disorder, by which an outbreak of the rabbtc
fnitllttie tnticipated, it Is my opinion thst the intentions of the government
at home, would best be served and the safety of this community best consulted,
bv the fVofn*rrr.ne*M remaining f<>r tfic present at Whampoa. Ffer appearance
IVl&ia eriiis in ftontof of near the factories, might have the effbct it is desiirR.
1847. Paptrs rdating to tht riot of July 1846. 467
Mr to Kvoid of nciting ■(iprplwnriion» of »ioWc* on nur_,pBrt; whrrru lh«
effort of the authaiitin, lidrd bf thoir of the foreign nnmmiinity itaflf. would
.1 pmuuie fullj luffice lo repel an; laddeo ituek of the unirmed mob. antil
■■■nuoce could be forwarded b; jrouneif, of which I woolil not fail to give
VOD liinely advice. — I hare, iiM.
FaAecii C. MAcoiaooa.
KB.
£xlract aft LtUtrfrom Cmttnl Mtugrtger to (A* Chairman tftlu CemMiau of
Brititk Jitrdtatiu.
(Tb« Document will be found at len^b in the China Mail Nn. m.)
Wilh rtgird to the iiecenitT ■■ urged by you for anchoring the Welvrtnt
ia front of the factoriea or in the Macao Paaaaxe, I muil premiie that Article
X of the SiippleinenUrr Treaty loffieiently Indicate* the anchorage of the port
and the purpoae which the presence ofa Tcaael of war waa atipulated for;
while the latter part of the asme Article clearly expreaaea the neceaiity ofciu-
lion asainat eicitin^ mliaiTingB among the people. Attbongh it ia pnibibly
M well known to the Ghineae aulhoritiea aa to ouraeltea, tliat the tTolTtrtnt
bu been aent to Whampoa in eonaequence of the recent dialarbance, it ia ne-
Tcrthelaaa obf loui tn my mind that her audden appearance off the factoriea it
Utia moment wonld eicite the miaglTinga of the popnftce, and that the very
eSiCt would be produced thereby that it In ao neceisary t" nroid, while it la
msoh to be fi>ared that any amoant of force which could be landed wonld
be wholly inadaquale to offer an effectual reaialance to the Infuriated mob nl'a
nily like Canton.
Without mora urgent reaaona therefore than already gixen, I cannot, in op>
pntition to my own judgment and the moat poailtee inatmetion* from Her Ma-
jeaty'a QovernmeDt, take upon myaelf to drreot the nearer approach of the tfol.
. longknng, Auguat 7. 1846.
_..,— lit reply to your letter of yesterday'a date, inclining a correipnndence
with, the Engliah merobanta, I have to eipreaa my aaliafactiun that quiet ia atill
maintained at Canton.
Aa 1 befoi* observed. I see no reaion to qiiPHlion the good policy of jour
daola'on aa to dispenaing with ■ man.uf.war at Cinton under the actual cir-
enmilancca, and sfhile the Chinese GuTeumfnl inamtauied lianqnillity, Tho
wiah of the British me re ha nu to hive ono permenently anchored there is out
of the queation, ae in thia manner two vessels of war wonld be conatanlly re-
quired in the Canton River
But the poaaihle neeeaaity of a steamer or other vesa I beinf, under inevi-
table circumalancea. anchored oppnsite to Cunlon for the aatety of our mer-
ohasta and commerce ia a very diti'prent qiieslion. In my despatch to yoii at
SfTlh June, ltf*4, I p"int<-d out objection* lo nr •" ' ■-
at Canton,
with reft- re
aH<>Bt la to prevent the necesaity of such a course, and la provide a defence and
rpfuge for our people out of immtd.ale contact with Ihe rabble. To over lank
this clem and evident diatinclioii would be in fact to confound together the
evil and the remedy.
That we should reierve to ourselves the unquestionable right of doing that
at Canton which we do every day at the other Four Porta ia auffleiently eirid-
ent, conaidering that, while the mie rests «l itake ate greater at Canton, the-
aeeurity enjoyed la in the inverse proportion. Tlie turn given by the Local
govemmenL to tbo late unforlunate ocourrences ii tiich, that I repeat my ap-
prehenaiona aa to IIip disoosaiona and the duxget not yet being terminated,
thongh I sh-U be most happj. to Riui that Ihev are.
Tn allow our indispitlable right to be questioned as toiendlnc Olte of her
majesty's vcasela to Canton in eaae of neeeaaity would be a dereliction of my
duty. 1 know uf no pteaeot uae lor her majesty's naval for:« in China excep
470 Papers relaiing to the riot of July 1846. Ocn
tion for their common sod motaal defenee against such attaeka. On the eon-
trarj it seema to me that auch a measure is wise and expedient, as it appeftra
certain that in the present state of thin^ at Canton, the only effeetaal reatrmmt
upon the riolenee of the mob must be found in their conviction tiiat the for-
eigners are able and prepared to make aggressors pay dearly in their peraons
for any attempted attack.
I conaider that Mr. Consul Macgregor proceeds on an entirely erroneons
principle in thinking that organization for defence is dangeroua by tending to
irritate the mob. The foreigners should of course abstain from any act of ag-
gression or provocation towarda the Chinese, but they are much more likely to
to be attacked if they are unable to defend themselres, than if they are pre-*
pared to reaist aggression. There is no greater incentive to outrage on the part
of the turbulent and lawless, than a belief that the persons whom they woald
like to insult or. to plunder ,may be assailed with success, and plundered with
impunity. — I am, die.
PlLMKRSTON.
75. Sir John Datia to Vi$e. Palmerstom. (Reed. Jan. 23, 1847 )
Victoria Hongkong, November 31, 1846.
Mv Lord, — Afler the JVemem Steamer had, been anchored for three months
off the factoriea at Canton, and measures had been taken by the Chinese- Go*
vernment for insuring order, I entirely concurred with Rear- Admiral Sir Tho«
mas Cochrane in deeming it right that the steamer ahould be withdrawn, as
her remaining, under present circumstances, would only foster the insolent
and aggressive spirit of the ill-disposed among our merchant residents. The
foreigners of other nations have never demanded such protection from theis
Governments, and their better conduct renders them less* desirous to seek it.
I have received nince the departure of the JVemesM the inclosed despatch
from Consul Macgregor, with a communication from Keying. — 1 have, 4lc.§
J. F- Davis.
§ Sev Nos. 48 and 49.
76. Viscount Palmtrston to Sir John Davis.
Foreign Officr, January 85, 1847.
Sir, — With reference to your deapatch of the 21st of November, stating that
you had entirely concurred with Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane in tha
propriety under existing circumstances of withdrawing the steam- vessel Jfe.
mesis from her anchorage off the factories at Canton, I have to acquaint you
that alth'jugh it may perhapa be useful that the ship of war should sometimes'
be withdrawn for a short time from the anchorage off the factories, I consder
that it should alter an interval always go back again. The presence of such a:
vessel must be a restraint on the Chineae, and by inauring the British with a
feeliuff of protection, render them less disposed to take their defence inla their
own hands. — I am, dtc.
PlLMBRSTOir.
77. Sir J. Davis to Vise. Palnurstom, (Reed. Feb. 27, 1847.)
.Victoria, Hongkong, Decembers, 1846.'
Mt LfORD,— With reference to the characteristic disposition of our people to
misconduct themselves towards the subjects of the Chinese government (con*'
cerning which I inclosed a letter from Rr-ar-Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane-
in my despatch of November 25), 1 have now the honour to add the very res-
pectable testimony of Mr. Alcock, the most able of our Consula in China, as
to the riots at Foo-chow-foo, and the present abandonment of that port having,
been caused by the English.
Your Lordship is already aware that the merchants at Canton have been
clamorous for a war ateamer being conatantly anchored opposite the factories.:
While- there appeared some actual risk of an outbreak, and .the Government.*
had made no proviaion for defence, 1 caused the /t'emssis to be moored in that:
position ; but when the merchants expressed an expectation that such a ves-'
t84T. Paptri relating to the rial of July 1846. 471
wl ihoDld br eaniuntlj lying Ihrre, even iRct Uie local authoritiri had orga-
■twd m efflclrnt piiui, 1 wii obliged to decline, and applied by Ihe iacloatil
lattrr to Ihe Reai-Admiral for hi* piorprainnal npinioa on tbii queition.
Hf hialrDclioai fram Ilia Forei^ Office ill lead to Ihe ooneluiion that tin
Europeaam at CaatOD mait live under the protection of the Local ^vernment,
and that on Tailure of thii Ihej onghl lo retire, and leave redrew lo the proper
quarter, rather than wage a kind of private war on their own aecoDot. The
Rear- Admiral'! replj eoincidei enlirelj with m; preconceived opinion on this
■ubjacl, and 1 deem it onlj justice to mjielf to incloae a copj of Bir Tfaoma*
Cochiane'i letter for jour Lordibip'i peruial.
Under all the-above circumilancea nolhiny can be mora obviooa than the
neceMitj for *uch a lummar; control over Ilie conduct of our people aa ihall
dimtniah to the loweit poiiible Bmounl the chancea ufcolliiion and diaaater.
I have ooniiderrd it a prudent meaaure to mnbe known the incloaed extract
of inalraotiooa wilfl Nfereiioe to the Canton riot of IMJ. — I bavc.&c.
J. P. Davii.
7D. GmmJ .^Uoek la Sir Jokn DavU. — (Eitnel.)
November 17, IW6.
I will merelj itate now that in referring to the previona aeriona riot involv-
ing loaa of property, perMnil aafel;, and riik to our rt-lationa with the Chineae
BUlhorillea, 1 direcird attention to tlioar cauaea which I felt itronglj' pennaded
had principally led tn the dangerous outbreak. The whole af the Information
obtained, aa llie result of long and patient inquiry from every source within
reach worthy of credit, up lo the time of my leaving Foo-chnw, taken together
with varroua c ire nmatancea which came lo my knowledge subsequent lo tlie
riot, in a nwra incidental and often mure oonelnsive manner, lefl Ihe strongest
eonvielioii in my mind, that the conduct of the British residents habitually or
freqnently in the auburbs, together with that of their eatabliahmenta, and the
crewaof the opium veisela, had Ijeen for a long pricxl nnteccdeot to April, such
aa was eminently calcnlalcd lo lead lo ill rppTing and viclrnl popolar outbreak
in the ncighbonrhood. From the peraoni Ihui deiignated as reiidenU al Nan.
taa, 1 diat.ncUy eaeept Mr. Walker «ril Mr. Meredith, whose conduct was in
Bonvielion I enlerliined and madp public m the Not.licaimn No 10 was home
ODt by aa ample evidence and ai conclusive a body of inrormation is cud well
be attainable by foreigners in China. I may go further, and aUte that my con-
eluaioni rested rather upon the concurrent teatimnny, with very rare eicep-
tions, of niii>iproas Britiah subjects ofundoubted credit, who bsd ample menns
of personal obaervation during many months prior lo the oociirrrnce of the
riot: and who referred lo sets dnne in their sight, and to olhers spoken or
boasted of by the parties concerned. I do nut wish to sltach any penonil res-
ponsibility at this dale, or 1 could refer to a distinct admission from one nf
the parties impllualed by (he proceedings of the rioters. Bui the vsrioDs brok-
tn heads which were given (allhough they came lo my knowledge by Bnliafi
subjects complaining) seem distinctly enough to sliest the resdiness with
which violence wn employed. The report so prevalent at Amoy and Hong-
kong, previous to ' he riot, Ihnt there wna i dangerously frequent recurrence on
the purt of persnni frequenting the suburbs to " club law," and a proposition
by porliea in Ihe hearing ofn Consular olTieer to go out on a " knobbing ex-
cursion, " a slang in use for bunting and killing the dogs, may 1 think suffice
to set the injudicious question ra'si'd Mr. Roper entirely at rest.
The mercantile and shipping residrnta in Uie suburbs, and Iheir establish-
ments, were distinclly charged by ihfi aiilhorilies with repeated, long -con ti-
nned, and irritating acta of provocation, iniult, and injury Inwards Chlneso
subjects. These charges were not even mentioned to me until alter the in-
demnity was paid, and when all angry discussion hnd ceased. They were not
pressed in a depreciatory or irindiclive apiril, bul on the contrary were referred
to only as grounds fur precaution to prevent a recurrence of events sn depln-
rahle and prpjiidicial In all finrtTes. so total was Ihe absence of all hostile animus
or apparent motive for false chirgea.
474 Papers rekUing to the riot of July 1846. Oct;
htm; it was however forced open by the partiee, one of whom who entered
firet he feoo|^nieed to be Mr. . They then took hold of and draf^^ed him and
hie eomradee out of the lodge by their tails, shook them, kicked and tumbled Ihem
about, and Mr. — lastly drew a sword out of his stick, and stabbed him in iho
left foot.
Chingragan on being' summoned to make a deposition on oath of the above facts,
oofifirmed his former statement, with this exception however, that instead of af.
firming that Mr. — — drew a sword out of the stick and stabbed him in the left
foot with it, he deposed *' that he did not know who struck him on the foot, be-
cause one person liad bold of his tail while another was beating him; that he did
not see any person pull a sword out of a stick, and that he dews not know how or
with what he was wounded, beini; shaken about and in fear, and that he did not
know of the wound in his foot till after the affair was over, when he got a light,
and saw the blood on his shoe.** I have satisfied mywlf bv ocular inspection that
the wound, in whatever manner it may have been inflicted, is but a very alight
one, and that by this time it is nearly healed.
Mr. — admitted the assault, but denied having any stick in his hand at the
time, which was confirmed by Mr. — — ^> of the .— — — , who was in com-
pany with him, and had participated in the affray with the gate-keepers.
Meesrs. and deposed that on passing the eastern gate leadini^
to the block factories their attention was attracted by a noise of pcuffling and
laughter inside the gate, and on going in they observed Mr. — — and Mr. — —
in the act of pulling three Chinese out of the portei's lodge by their tails ; they
saw Messrs. and give them a shaking, but saw no blows struck, nor
any stick or weapon of any kind in possession of either Mr. or Mr.
The Chinese Chingagan not being able to state by whom or with what instiu.
ment he was wounded, the depositions of his comrades (one of whom ran away
Immediately at the commencement of the affray, and the other hid himself in
the -gatehouse) not affording any elucidation of this subject, and the witnesses to
the transaction declaring that no sticks were in possession of either Mr. -»— or
Mr. — , I dismissed the case of the stabbing, and only dealt with assault
committed by Messrs. — and — upon the gatekeepers ; for which, viewinf^
it more in the light of a drunken frolic than otherwise, I sentenced each of the
parties accused to pay a fine of ten dollars to Her Majesty the Queen, which I
trust your Excellency will approve of. — I have, dtc.
FaAAois C. MAOoatooR.
84. Extract of private Utter firom ConnU Macgregor to Sir John Davit.
Canton, January 11, 1847.
I never was an advocate for statkining any ship of war in the imroodiata vicinity
of the factories, because there is great temptation, as well danger to the preserva-
tion of peace, in having an armed force so very near at hand. It appears to me
one of those measures which must only be resorted to when dictated by absolute
necessity, a ease which, so ikr as I can judge, does not exist. Upon these grounds
I declined recommending such a measure when urged by the merchants during
your absence in the north immediately after Mr. Compton*s disturbances. Apart
from these considerations, I conceive that it would produce more evil than good,
since on the one hand it would tender our people still more presumptuous and
overbearing than they already are, while on the other, in the event of a consequent
riot, a small vessel of the class alluded to, with only about thirty men disposable
in case of emergency, would afford but very inadequate means of protection. But
as to popular disturbances, I must candidly confess I apprehend none for some
time to come, provided they are not provoked by the foreigners themselves. The
rabble know to their own cost that the foreigners are in possession of firearms,
%nd determined to use them when attacked, and that their numerical force is
mueh stronger at present than it has been at any former period. The local autho.
ritiee on vhe other hand, dreadinr the effusion of blood, for which they become
responsible to the people, are much more on the alert than they ever were before,
and have adopted more effioaious measures for the instant suppression of any
outbseak before the flame has time to vprcad. And I would ask, have the Ameri.
cans who run the same riska as we ourselves, been known ever to complain> to
J k.
1847. Papers relating to the riot of July 1846. 475
their fovemmf^nt of insuffioieney of protection, and do they clamour for ahipa of
war at the faotoriea ? Certainly not ; but knowingr that their lafety in a great
meaaure depend* upon their own conduct, their policy it to behave towarda the
Chineae with kindnesa and moderation, but at the aame time not to auffer an
inault without eeeking redreia by lawful meana. They treat their own officera
and the local authoritiea with reapect, while they avoid giving them unneceaaarj
trouble. It aeema that by thua quietly following their avocationa, tlie Americana
have gained great popularity at Canton ; and I feel confident that if our people
could only be brought to the conviction that defying their own authoritiea ia of
no avail, they would aooner or later find it their own intereat to adopt a aimilar
prudent line of conduct.
You will already have oboerved from my public lettera what meaaurea have
been taken by Keying for the more efficient protection of foreign reaidenta, and it
appeara to me that if we ahew at thia juncture a want of confidence by interfering
with that protection which the Chineae authoritiea are bound to afibrd our people,
there ia great reaaon to apprehend that the former will relax in their endeavoori,
and that a state of thinga will result very undesirable, and quite the reverae from
what it ought to be according to the eatabliahed principlea of intematwnal law.
85. Viteotmt Palmer$ton to Sir J. Davit.
Foreign Office, March 95, 1847.
Sir,— I have received your despatch of the 13th January, inclosing copy and
extract of two lettera from Mr. Consul Macgregor, one relating to the misconduct
of two British •objects at Canton, which, under other circumstancea, might have
led to a renewal of the riota which were attended with such disastrous consequences
in July last, the other relating to the queation of atationing a ahip4>f.war off the
faotoriea at Canton.
I cannot but observe that, as regarda the latter point, Mr. Macgregor's argu-
menta contradict each other, becauae if a knowledge on the part m the Canton
mob that a amall number of foreignera in the faotoriea have muskets, and are
determined to use them, tends to keep the mob quiet, it is evident that the presence
of a ship-of.war with more formidable weapona and aupehor organization, muet
raocb contribute to the aame result.
I must also observe, that while Mr. Macgregor aacribea all aoorces of danger to
the habit on the part of the British residonta to insult and molest the Chinese, he
seems to me to have very inadequately punished that tendency in the case of
Mr. — and Mr. — which forms the subject of his letter of the 8th of January. These
ffentlemen appear to have been guilty of a very inexcusable outrage upon some
Chinese in the service of the factory ; and I cannot admit the doctrine of Mr.
Macgregor, that the offence of getting drunk ia a palliation of any other offence
which the drunken person may hanpen to commit.
It may be desirable that you ahould impress upon Mr. Macgregor that Her
Majesty's government expect to find in the Consul at Canton energy and deter,
mination enough to maintain his authority over British subjects, and thus to keep
them in order ; while, on the other hand, he should have firmneas enough to keep
the Chinese authorities to their duty, and to hold in cheek the Chinese mob. It
cannot be doubted that by a proper diaplay of firmness and activity when required,
the British Consul should bo able to make a auflicient atand against either party.
—I have, &.C.
PALMBaaroN.
96. Sir J. Davis to Viaeouni Paimertlen.— (Reed. March 33.)
Victoria. Hongkong, January 36, 1847*
My Lord.^I have the honour to reply to your Lordship*s despatch of Octobert
34, in which I am directed to furnish information as to the practice which haa
hitherto prevailed in respect of the preaenee of a man-of-war at each of the ^^o PorU.
On my arrival nearly three yeara ago at Hongkong. I found that Sir Henry
Pottinger interpreted the terms of the Supplementary Treaty in the aame manner
with myaelf, and that in the four porta then open an Engliah aloop or ateamer
476 Papers reluiing to ihe riot of July 1846. Oct.
wu ** stationed to enforeo ^ood order and discipline ainonnt the crews of
chant shippinijr, and to support the necessarj authority of Uie Consul over Britieh
■nbjeets." The idea had not occurred in rramiiiif the Treaty, that Ihe Chinees
g^vsmment would be so powerless over its own subiects, as to render foreign
assistance necessary, and if it had occurred* would have been repudiated by
Keying.
The port of Canton is at Wharopoa, about ei^ht or nine miles distant from the
town. Every British merehantman (sometimes to the number of forty at oncti) le
anohored there, and even the small passage steamer which pliae regulsrly from
hence is obliged to anchor two miles below the town on account of the sballowneas
and dangers of the river higher up. The iron steamers which I have sent up when
necessary to the town, have not drawn much above six feet water, and though
during the attaekn on Canton in 1841, our small men-of-war got oppoeite the
town, it was under thoee exigencies which war imposes, and with the utmost
exertion, difficulty, and risk.
Lord Aberdeen's despatch of November 16, 1844, was written in reply to des.
patohes of that yesr from myself, urging strongly the necessity of reinforcing the
sanadron in China, to such an eztont as might enable me to obeerve the provision
of the Treaty; and the benefits to British subjects to which your lordship refers
as contemplated in that despatch were those provided by the Treaty. ** liie first
and most immediate occupation for the naval forco in China is to give full effect
to that provision of the 10th AKide of the Supplementary Treaty, which stipu.
lates for the presence of a British man^f-war at each of the &9e PotIm opened to
British trade.**
My several despatches of August and September last will have proved to your
Lordship that I had every disposition to send a vessel of war to Canton when it
seemed necessary, and that I did send the Nemena on her first arrival from the
north, causing her to lie off the factories for three months. My despatch of August
7th eonUined a long letter to Consul Macgregor (Inclosure 6) in which I combat,
ed the argumento and represenUtions of that officer against sending her, and she
was sent contrary to his advice. It has always appeared to myself, that if an old
eaieful man like the Consul had no fears, the danger to other British snbjecto
could not be very imminent.
My own natural dispositbn. I must confess, is perhaps to be too forward and
ready to adopt active measures, and were I to indulge in this, contrary to my
sense of duty, I should find of course a ready echo in the naval and mUitary of.
fieen by whom I am eonstently surrounded. There would not be the slightest
difficulty in destroying Canton with the force actually here— the great difficulty
is in repressing the onward progress of that European ascendency, which acte
with the pressure of a constant spring, and which, if it had full play, would make
our progress in China resemble that in India. I may add that the snbjecto of
every other civilized government get on more quietly with the Chinese, and cla-
mour leas for protection than our own.
. I endeavour on all occasions to adhere as closely to my instmetions as circum-
stances will permit, and the incloeed extract from Lord Aberdeen prescribed a
course which did not allow me to countenance the species of private war and of
military preparation for which our merohante and their jroung clerks at Canton
shewed so strong a propensity.
I have already had the honour to inclose to your Lordship the strong opinion of
the Naval Commander-in-chief against a vessel of war being anchored at Canton,
partly as being opposed to the Treaty. My whole correspondence however will
have shewn the constency with which I have mainteined against Keying the right
of the Queen's ships to go wherever they can float as founded negatively on our
own Treaty, and positively on the 3nth Article of that with France.
"Hie practice cnnreming which your Lord^hio requires information has been
to anchor a vemel of war among (he shipping at the portff of trade whenever
the nival froce in China admitted of it. The demands of New Zealand and
Borneo I presume have been the occasion of this force bemg almost always
under the requisite amount, and my representations on the subject are on record.
At Shanghae, Ningpo, and Amoy. the shipping lie off the respective towns, but
at C«||toii w^d Foo-ch«iw.foo they tre (roni necessity sight to ten miles distant.
Papm relating to the riot of July 1846.
conituitly, I prMunw. liul wfaan
hiltierto dona wi in oppoaitkin to tbc opinioo of Ihi Cooiul.
>ad ia innie mouura to (bit of the Adminl. Tha Ckildrrt (Inop of ivac w now
anohorad ■mong tha (hipping at Wlnmpo* t* anual, ind at (h« crowdMl period of
lb* MW TCar I ihall aend ttaa Plula (o lie off the factohar, to wliich tha CkiUUrt
eonld Dol reach wllhaat difficulty and dan^r.
Id the maanwhilB it ii latiafactorr to pruTs to your Lordihip, by theincloaed
dnpalch tmm Mr. Connul Macgregor. that the feara of the Chineaa pivarnniBiit
hare lad it lo adopt effectual maaaorea for tha praaarialion or order, and thai Ihi
protectton nt our people will reat maiolj where it ou^ht lo do, with the piTemnMut
of the oouotry In which Ihey reelde.
Il onW raniiini Tor Da to protect the Chinaaa from IIm provoking ineolanea nf
the Entliah reaidenta, and I have eiven aoch inilniotioni to the Cuninla le wiJI
praniit Ihoir ■lunioary daciaiona Inun being Mt aaide bj the Chief Juetiee. I
J. F- Dat».
87. Tk* Earl »f Abrrittn to Sir Jala Datia.
(Enraet.)
Foraign Office, October S. liM4.
The eonraa to be punned by Rer MtjaAj't Coniutar Offincn in caa<ie like Ihuee
which have ariaen at Cantim, la frinnally tu demind from the Cliineae aullturitiea
that protection for themaalirea and for Briliah ■ubjecla and properly In geneni, tu
which by Treaty they can Uj claim ; and ralltna to obtain ihiii, rather to withdraw
IhemaalTea and iheir conntrymcn (If the laller ahould aoiuntartiy deaira lo with-
draw) fmm (he danger by which they may be mcnaned. than to teck in avert the
danger bv the very objecUanable, and al iha aame time inefficient remedy of land,
ing a body of marinea.
Stl, CetmJ MaegTtgor la Sir Jelm Datia.
Canton. January 90, tMT.
Sir. — Ae the New Year of the Chinow li approariiine, a period genoraliy marh-
•d by a great influx of tUangera urivery dncnption from the aarroonding countni.
I have thoaghl It right to make diiisRni mqiiinni as ig the meaaum adopted
under tbeae clreumitancea by llie Iw.al iniliurliic* for ihe pmleelion of the Brliieh
reeidenta. in the event of any niiibr^'ait of {Hifmlar dieturbancea.
From the informalion I have ohtaincii iliRJueh the m nj or commanding tha Unnpt
■latkined in our Immediate nei|;hb.iiiihi>'jd. I hivi gathered that about 500
aoldiera are permanently qoartared in tho weitnm luburba, npwardi of lOU of whom
form the parly at the Cooaoo Uooae and at the other poala diitribuled around tha
Fotatgn faoloriea.
Id additkin lo Iheee an armed militia, mid lo amoanl to aeveraJ thamand men,
haa boen araetad among the inbabilanli of the weatem aubarba far their own pra.
teetioo, and a certain number of which are patrolling the itreeta every night.
For eome time back 1 undentand Itie Goremor-Ueneral haa of late been regnlar*
ly dinpaloliiiij.' ■■ - ''-'v '•r "frank to intpeot
themiliiary i--' ■ ■ ■ .ir..- ^n (he alert; and
these officer- nr -., i ■M'h . ,., .■..,... -i .; n j ■■■ ■■.-mr |>art of tha nighl.
Thia unuKual viciiarcp hmL m a er,'al ineacire licir brought on by (he Conaideia-
tlon of threa(enlng letlrn having been repeatedly aont ta the pnwDbroken ia thia
part of the auburha. combined with an apprelieniian for Ihe aafeiy of Ibe bleign
facloriM in caae a lurpnae at this lima of the Vear should he iltrmptiN] on Ae
part of one of Ihe nomerous banda of mbber* that are mfeedng certain pwte of
tha tiitsnor of thia province, and to Iha eiialance of which I drew yoor EioaUenoy^
attantion in my lepon No. I(U ef laat year. — I have. Slo.
FatHore C. MicttuoM.. .
478 Papers relating to the riot of July 1846. Oci-.
(j9. Viseomnt Palmertton Co Sir John Dam*,
Foreign Office, March 35, 1847.
Sir, — I hare to acquaint you that Her Majesty's govemiuent approve generally
of what yoa say in your despatch of the 96th January, respecting the stationing
of a British ship.of.war in each of the five Ports, and particularly off the factories
at Canton.
I have to state to you however that I do not see why the occasional presence
of a ship-of.war at Canton should prevent the British Consul from repressing by
the legal means within his power, any tendency to violence or provocation on the
part of the British residents ; and Mr. Consul Macgregur's despatch of the 9Uth
January of this year, inclosed in your despatch of the 36th January last, rather
tends to shew that additional protection may sometimes be required for the seeurily
of the British community against a sudden outbreak on the part of the Chinese
mob.
It is very well to say that it is the duty of the governing authorities in foreign
countries to afford protection to British residents, and that the responsibility of
doing so ought to be thrown upon those authorities. But the soundness of this
doctrine would be no satisfaction to British subjects and their friends for injuries
to person and property which might be sustained by the neglect of local authorities
in moments of emergency, properlv to fulfil their duty in this renpect; and it is
the frequent practice of the Britisfi government to send ships-of.war to foreign
ports where British subjects are established in commercial pursuits, whenever
local disturbances appear likely to involve such British subjects or their property
in danger. And as to the supposition that while a furious mob was attacking the
factories and attempting to destroy therot the British residents ought to seek a
remedy by embarking, it is plain that such a course, even if it were physically
practicable, would not bo unattended with danger to their pofions, and would
probably involve the certain destruction of their property, and would thus lead to
the renewal of most serious discussions between the governments of Great Britain
and China. — I am, &c.
Palmbiston.
90. Sir John Davig to Commiitumtr Keying.
Victoria, Hongkong. January 30, 1847.
I have the honour to acquaint your Excellency that by the steamer lately
arrived from England, 1 received instructions from Her Majesty's Principal
Secretary of State to communicate to your Excellency as under.
Her Majesty's Government heard with regret that the people of Canton by
their lawless violence had compelled the British residente to use fire-arms in
defence of their own properties and lives, causing several Chinese to be kill-
ed and wounded. The people should be taughLto know that the British resi-
dente cannot be thus atUcked with impunity. If the Chinese Government is
unable to oontroul ite snbjecte, the British must defend themselves, and the
greater the violence of the mob, the greater will be the loss of life inflicted on
them. The Chinese Government may in future, by means of a vigilant police,
and by stopping the beginnings of disorder, render it unnecesssry &t the British
residente to use fire-arms in their own defence.
The British Government has ordered a ship of war to be off the factories
for the protection of British subjecte and their property. If the Chinese au-
thorities can prevent future disorders, it will not he necessary for a British
force, naval or militery, to proceed to acta of hostility against the city of Can-
ton, in order to prevent or to punish a violation of treaties.
The above is the tenor of tlie orders I have respectfully received. — I beg,
die.
J. F. Davis.
91. Extract of a Letter from Sir Henry PotHnger to the Canton Merekanto.
I have now arrived at the consideration of your present position and future
prospecte and wishes, as set forth in your letter, and with respeot to the ad-
vantages, if not necessity, of actual residence at Canton, as well as tlie proba-
1847. Paptrs relating to the riot of July 1846. 479
ble eonaequencefl that would attend on your bein? forced to withdraw from
that place, 1 need only remark that 1 am fully appnaed uf those facts, and that
I ahould and shall very truly regret the loss and inconvenience to which you
would be exposed by the latter step beoominf^ indispensable. I trnst however
that it will yet be averted, through the measures which 1 have already taken
and those which I have in view; but adverting to the closing request of your
communication, 1 must at once, 6nally. most explicitly and candidly acquaint
you, that no conceivable oircnmstsnces should induce me lo place Her Majes-
ty's Government in so false and undignified a posture, as 1 should consider it
to be placed in, were I to send troops and ships of war to Canton in opposition
to the requests and wishes of the Local Government, in order that you might
carrv on your trade under the protection of such troops and ships of war.
Such an arrangement, irrespectively of the conclusive objection to it which I
adduce above, would inevitably lead to further ill-will, heart-burning, and vio-
lence, and its only result must be disappointment, and in all likelihood a re-
newal of hostilities between the Governments of England and China, a oala.
mity which I feel certain you will one and all cordially unite with me im earn-
estjy deprecating.
In conclusion, I have in this letter entered at more length into an exposi.
tion of my sentiments than may have seemed to you to be called for by the one
which you addressed to me ; but even before the Cauton riots took place I had
imbibed many of the impression which 1 now communicate to you ; and as a
copy of this letter will be transmitted to Her Majestv's Government, in ex-
planation of the course which 1 have decided upon following, I am desirous
that the grounds of that decision should be clearly known to all of you. I had
hoped before this time to have had it in my power to intimate to you the pur.
port of the reply as to late events, which I am expecting from the Viceroy at
Canton ; but owing to circumstances beyond my control, 1 am disappointed.
Too shall be made acquainted with it shortly, and in the meantime as it seems
to be quite certain that the presence of the small steamer at Canton is merely
a source of irritation, whilst in truth if there be any danger, she can in no
shape ward it off, I have given my ready assent to Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas
Cochrane's suggestion that she should be recalled.
08. C&mmisntmer Ktying to Sir John Dams,
Keying, High Imperial Commissioner, dtc., sends the following reply to a
communication of you, the honourable Envoy, dated 12th month, 14 day (10th
January), respecting the violence of the Canton populace, which caused the
British merchants to wound and kill several Chinese.
Having carefully perused your letter, I observe that Compton gave rise to
the riot at the factories that took place in the 5th- intercalarv month of the
present year (July 1817), in which six Chinese were wounded and three kill-
ed, and of which you, the honourable Envoy, communicated the particulars
to your Government.
The laws of your honourable country respecting homicide do not differ much
from the Chinese, it is therefore to me quite inex-plieable that you in your
sole speak again about the outrageous conduct of the Canton populace and
the self-defence of British merchants. Ton- also say that if the Chinese Go-
vernment is unable to control its own people, the English must defend them-
selves and the greater the fury of the mob-, the greater will be the loss of life.
If the Chinese are the real authors of the disturbance, it is our duty to res-
train them. The recent outbreak however was occasioned by an Englishman,
and the fault is not to be ascribed to the inabilHy of the Chinese authorities
in not controlling their people.
I, the Great Minister, in conjuction with' the Lieutenant-Governor, have now
given direction to establish military stationrall along the foreign factories,
and appointed- civilians as well as military oificevs to patrol (here and coerce
the Chinese, it can therefore not be ssid that we are not strict. I hope,
moreover, that you, the honourable Envoy, will- teatrain the English, and not
480 Papers relating to the riot ofJufy 1846. Oct;
ugaiD allow them to create a riot. Tbua perhapa (breifoera and oattTea may
for ever live in peace together.
Afl for the inbabitanta of Canton, they are oyriada in nnmber, and all claaaea
are fond ofbrawla and make light of their liTea. The -expreaaion therefore
that *' the loaa of life will be the greater," ia not ealonlated to atrike terror in
them, but rather to ronie their reaentment.
Regarding the ordering of a man-of-war to anchor oppoaite to the faeloriea Ibr
the protection of the Engliah merchanta, I her to remark that by actinia in
eyerything with reaaon and jaatice, the minda of men will be rendered sobmia-
aive, and tranquillity will reign without the preaenoe of a man-of-war; yet if
theae principlea are violated, the people'a mind will not yield, and the ancho-
rage of a man-of-war will be without advantage.
Aa you the honourable Envoy are endowed with an undcratanding oftho
higiieat order, 1 believe you take the aame view of thia matter.
Whilataending this anawer 1 wiah you a daily-increaaing happineaa, and ad-
dreaa the aame
- To hia Rjccelleney Her Britannic Majeaty*a Plenipotentiary, Sir J. F. Davia,
Bkrt., ^Sms.
Taoukwang, 96th year, l»th month, 93d day. (Feb. 8, 1847.) Received ilth.
93. Sir J, Davit to Fiscaunt PalmergioH^(Kecd. Apl. 93.)
Victoria, Hongkong, February 15, 1847.
My Lord,— I deemed it right on the approach of the Chineae new year,
when Canton ia crowded with idle peraona, to addreaa the incloaed official dee -
patch on the 9d inatant to Capuin Talbot — not that I have any expectation of
the occurrence of acta of violence and diaorder, if our own people will only
behave with common abatinence.
The following extract of a letter from Major-General 0*Aguilar, now at
Canton, will tend to corroborate all that Rear-Admiral Sir Thomaa Cochrane,
myaelf, and the Conaul have had occaaion to repeat upon thia aubject^ and wo
have none of ua any motivea for aeeking popularity by appealing, to paaaion
rather than reaaon :
'* I have been a good deal on the river, and conatantly in the atreeta about
the factoriea, and extended aome of my walka cloae to the city gatea, but have
never met with anything but eourteayand eivility. I believe a great deal— I
may aay everything — dependa upon ounelvea, and that a kind manner, and a
bearing free from offence, ia the beat aecurity againat all approach to violence
pnd inault.** — I have dtc.
J. F. Davic.
94. Sir Jokm Davis to Captain TMot.
Victoria, Hongkong, February 9, 1847.
Sir,— -Although the Conaul baa long reported everything quiet and peacea«
ble, yet during the crowded and idle period of the new year at Canton it ap-
peara to roe very deairable and at the aame time in accordance with the in-
atrnctionaof Her Mafeaty'a government, that the Plvto ateamer ahonld lie. near
the factoriea with aoch a crew and armament aa may aeem to you calculated to
inaure her own aafety in caae of an outbreak, and that of Her Majeaty'a aub-
jeetr. It would likewiae be prudent to let the Kv/ftira or aome other additio.
nal ahip of war proceed to Whampoa during the aame period. — 1 have, &c,
J. F. DAVia.
95. VtseoiuU Palm&rtton to Sir John Dams,
Foreign Office, April 14, 1847.
Sir^Sinoe the date of my deapatch- of the 95th of March 1 have received
firmn the Board of Admiralty a copy of a deapatch from Rear-Admiral Sir Tho-
mas Cochrane dated the 9Ut of January, on the queetion of atationing a ahip
of war off the fkctortea at Canton. 1 incloae for your information a copy of
thia deapatch, and alao a copy of the letter ffoaa thia office therein referred to
1847. Pdptrs relaiing to the riot ofJufy 16461 481
Ton will peroeiTe bj the ineloted copy of a letter which I have directed
to be addrened to the fii>ard of Admiralty, that under existing cireamitaneea
the naval oiBoer eomnianding Her Majesty'i shipe in the China Seaa will be
authoriied to oae his discretion as to withdrawing the British steam^vessel
from opposite the factory garden.— 1 am, Ac.
Palmbbstov.
96. . JUmr-Admiral Sir Tkowuu Coekrmtu to ike StrUary to iko MmiroUy.
«*Agincoort,'* at Penang, Janaailjr 21, 1847.
Sir —I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of yoar letter of the 5th
October last, relative to the absence of a ship of war from Canton, on the oc-
correnoe of a tomolt in that city on a late occasion, and inclosing a commo-
Dfcation from the Under Secretary of Stfte for Foreign Affairs on the same
subject, under date the dd October.
As Iha Under Secretary of State does not allude to any communication from
China, on which his remarks are founded, it is impossible for me to do more
than surmise Iha particular point to which his representation is directed ; but
I have no hesitation in ny ioff that if any person nas attempted to convey the
impression to the Secretary of Poreiffn Affairs, that the service at Canton con-
D««cted with the fulfillment of Article X of the Supplementary Treaty has not
been fully carried out on the part of the navy, that person has been guilty of
a. great calumny on the conduct and character of that vigilant officer. Captain
Tubot, whom I had left in command in China on my departure for India, and
who was at Hongkong when the disturbance took place to which the letter
before me reiers.
It would indeed be a great reflection on myself or those officers I have in
command, if after the long correspondence that has taken place between the
Admiralty and. Foreign Office relative to the Treaty in question, we did not use
our best endeavours with the means at our command, both in letter and spirit
to give effect to the wishes of Her Majef|y's Government; and 1 hope to be
able to shew that at any rate in the question now at issue we have completely
done so.
1 will now beg my Lords to be pleased to afford their attention to the last of
my Lord Aberdeen upon the subject, dated the 1st of October, 1844, and trans-
mitted in Sir J. Barrow*s letter to me of the 30th of November, 1844, wherein
his Lordship clearly and distinctly points out what he considers the term
*« stationed at a port of trade'* to mean ; and how far he deems it admissible that
the ship of war so placed may be occasionally absent therefrom.
Applying this rule to Canton, it has been more than rindly observed, for.
while at the other ports of trade, when the ship of war is aosent, either on the
ground of health or discipline, there is no other naval authority to fall back
upon, Canton has invariably had in its vicinity at Hongkon^^, a ftigate, two
steam-ships, and a sloop of war, a requisition for whose services could, by a
boat, reach Hongkong iii a few hours ; and either a sloop of war, or steam-ship,
or a fi'igate, has oeen actually at anchor at Whampoa for a longer period than
my Lord Aberdeen's despatch contemplated, and invariably when Her Ma-
jesty's Plenipotentiary deemed her presence desirable.
It b now necessary I should request their Lordships* particular attention to
the wording of Article X of the SupplemenUry Treaty, and the real objects
therein contemplated by the presence of a ship of war, namely, to enforce good
order and discipline among the crews of merchant shipping, and support the
authority of the British Consul ; and to observe that the whole merchant trade
of Canton, without one single exception, is assembled at Wbimpoa, the port
of trade of Canton.
With the foregoing explanation I can assure their Lordships I shculd have
been entirely at loss to comprehend the last paragraph of the Under Se-
cretary's letter, in which allusion is made to the protection of Britiah' subjects,
h«d I not heard the subject canvassed at Hongkone, and had reason to believe
that the complaints that have reached Viacouot Palmerston likve no reference
VOL. »vi. NO. X. 61
488 Papers relating to the riot of July 1846: Oc-r.
§
to the vetiel stationed, and which invariably from the flrat moment of giving
efieet to the Treaty (and before my attainment of the command) has been
•tationed at Whampoa; but to a new pretension, that of haying a ship of war
stationed off the factories, not for the purpose of carrying ont Uie Treaty, bat
with the object either of coercing the Chinese people, or affording a shelter to
British subjects when they get into conflict with them.
Their Lordships will, I feel persuaded, at once discorer that this is altogether
a new proposition, and founded on a different principle to that which* first led
to the establishment of ships of war at ports of trade ; and while I should as
readily and implicitly carry out the views of Her Majesty's Government apon
any other measures, I assuredly should not feel authorited to enter upon the
new service without their Lordships' previous commands.
Should I have discovered the true cause of the complaints which appear to
have been addressed to the Foreign Office, 1 consider it to be imperatively my
duty to state to their Lordships the grave objections which arise to the propos-
ed establishment of a ship of wsr abreast of the-city of Canton ; and I shall
perhaps more succinctly and satisfactorily convey these objections to their
Ltirdships by transmitting (as I now have the honour to do) copies of two let-
ters 1 had occasion to address to Her Majesty's Plenlpontentiary upon this very
' Bubjebt— one in reply to a communication from him — than' by entering into a
further lonff detail.
I have little to add to the statement and opinions those letters contain, unless
to observe, that nothing but one of the smaU steamers which draw five or six feet
water can approach Canton by the usual channel, and then but at high water ;
and that the pass by Blenheim Reach— the only one available td ships of war^-
continnes so much obstructed by the barriers thrown up by the Chinese during
hostilities, that a sloup of war would find considerable difficulty (and then only
at high water) in reaching the cit^.
Having had the honour to bring to their Lordships' notice the material
points connected with the foreffoinff subject, I have only to request you will
most respectfully assure their Lornsbips that had I remained in command, (
should most readily and implicitly have obeyed any orders and instructions Her
Majesty's Government might have thought proper to have enjoined upon me,
however much at variance with my own impressions ; and I feel fully persuad-
ed my successor, who shall be furnished with a copy of this correspondenoe,
wilf no less zealously devote his best energies to the fulfillment of their Lord-
ships* commands.^! have, &o.
ThOS; CoCHRAWK.
97. Mr. Addington to the Secretary to the Admiralty.
Foreign Office. April 18 1847.
Sir, — I have laid before Viscout Palmerston your letter of the 25th ultimo,
inclosing a copy of a despatch from Real- Admiral Sir Thos. Cochrane relative
to the question whether a ship>of war should be stationed off the factories at
Canton; and I am to request that you will state to the Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty that as there seems reason to hope that there will be no recur-*
renoeof riot at Canton, or attack by the mob on the factories, Lord Palmers,
ton is willing that the naval officer in command should be authorized to use his.
discretion as to withdrawing the British sleam vessels from opposite the fac
tory garden. — I have, dec.
H. U. AoDiNoroir.
'^^^^k^M^«*w«««#^p*rf^wwMW^'^^«^#^>«^«»^«<«^V^
1847. Notices of Fuhchau fu, 483
Art. II. Notices of Fuhchau fH^ hy S, Johnson ^ missionary of the
A. B. C, F. M. Communicated for the Chinese Repository.
Contents. 1 sr. Description of the River Min, together with the con-
tiguous district between its outlet and the city of Fuhchau. 2. Fuh-
chau and its suburbs. 3. Probable population of Fuhchau. 4. Objects
of interest in and around the city. 5. Physical and moral condition
of the people. 6. Their demeanor towards strangers. 7. Lan-
guage of Fuhchau. 8. Climate. 9. Productions. 10. Commercial
importance of Fuhchau. U. Importance of Fuhchau as a mis-
sionary field.
The writer of the following remarks arrived in Fuhchau Jan. 2d
1847, since which time. a period of upwards of six months, he ha*
resided in Chungchau,. a small island in the river Min in the suburbs
of this city. My calling as a missionary requiring me for the present
to expend my main energies in the study of the local dialect of this
district, I am not as intimately acquainted with this city and its en-
virous, as I might have been, had I allowed myself more time for
excursions and extended observation^ The want on my arrival here
of any common medium of communication* with the people^ has also
been no smalf obstacle to the attainment of extensive and correct in-
formation. But as I have been desired to prepare an article descrip-
tive of this place, I have ventured, though with much diffidence,, to
attempt the work, hoping that the attempt may contribute to the
awakening of a deeper and livelier Christian interest in behalf of
the spirituaJ good of this hitherto neglected people. The major
part of the. following: remarks were written before I recollect to have
read any considerable portion of the truly graphic, able, and inter-
esting article of the Rev. George Smith, on Fuhchau fui, published in
the April number of the Chinese Repository for 1846, and on ex-
amining his notices, I am happy to fiind a very full correspondence
between his impressions and my own regarding this place and people.
Though unable to express my thoughts in his clear and fascinating,
style, yet perhaps, the following observations may in some degree
interest the intelligent. Christian reader.
I. The River Min on the north bank of which stands the city of
Fuhchau, about thirty miles from its mouth,, is a noble stream,^ naviga-.
ble for vessels of large size, about twenty miles from its mouth, and
484 Notian of Fuhrhau fii. Oct.
for good lized junks to the bridge connecting Chungchaa with
Nanlai, of which bridge a description will subaequenly be attempt-
ed. Its outlet is about 26"* N. lat. and 12'* E. long. Afler having
entered fully within the river, the visitor finds himself between two
ridges of mountains, whose bases approach often even to the margin
of that beautiful stream. The valley between these mountainous
ridges forms the bed of the Min even to the city itself, and it is said
for a long -distance beyond it. Between the city and the river's
mouth, are several smalLvillages, but much of the way the moun-
tains approach too near the river, to allow favorable sites for large
settlements. But at these narrow defiles, human industry manifests
itself in a pleasing and striking manner ; for here the sides of the
mountains are cultivated nearly to their summitif, ground being
laid out in terraces, rising one above another, till they reach an
elevation, difficult to be distinctly traced with the unassisted eye.
The scenery on the banks of the Hudson, one of the great rivers of
North America, has been admired by many a traveler, for its beauty,
grandeur and sublimity ; but that of the Min bears with it no mean
comparison. In one important respect it is indeed much inferior,
not being adorned with those numerous, neat, and k>eautiful villages,
that grace the Hudson, showing its banks to be inhabited, by a
refined wealthy and enlightened people, blest with the genial influ-
ence of the glorious gospel. Some miles above the city, perhaps six or
seven miles, the river divides, forming a southern branch, which reen-
ters the main stream, about ten miles below, forming an island perhaps
sixteen miles long, and at some points from two to three in breadth.
This island consists in great measure, of alluvial land, and is abun-
dantly productive under that thorough and laborious culitvation com-
mon in China. Not far below the city, the mountains on the north
bank of the Min, diverge from the shore, leaving, between it and them,
the large and fertile plain, on which stands Fuhchau with its exten-
sive suburbs. On this plain are several hills, some of which afford a
wide prospect of the city and its environs, including the adjacent
beautifully cultivated fields, and the encircling mountsins.
2. City of Fuhchau and its suburbs. This city, that is Fuh-
chau within the walls, is situated in a bend of the north and main
branch of the Min, having tl^e river on the west, south and southeast,
being, perhaps, at no point less than from one and a half to two miles
from the same. The ci^y if a)|s are probably at least seven miles
long, to walk round the city on them requiring two and a hsif hours.
A large part of the depsely populate suburbs is comprized in the
1847. Noi%et$ of Fuhchau fu. 485
immense town called Nantai which for size and population is a large
city within itself.
It lies between the city walls and the river, having the latter
contiguous to it on the south and southeast. In extent of territory
and population, it is probably not greatly inferior to that of the city
proper, and being contiguous to the river, it has superior commer-
cial advantages. Chungchau is a small, but very densely populated
island connected with Nantai by the great stone bridge and by a
smaller one of similar construction, with the large town on the
south bank of the Min, being next to Nantai in si-ze and population.
These three places constitute in the main what in this article are
called the suburbs of Fuhchau. Their united population ia proba-
bly not less than within the walls. Little can be said in commenda-
tion of the buildings of the city proper or of its suburbs ; but it is
thought there can be few great cities, in whose neighborhood are
more beautifully cultivated plains, or in whose surrounding grand
and mountainous scenery, our great Creator has furnished to the eye,
a prospect more pleasing, better suited to impress the mind with a
sense both of his goodness, and of his almighty power. So far as
natural scenery is concerned this place well deserves the name it
bears, ig m Fuhchau, the happy region, where its inhabitants
as distinguished for their intelligence, sincere, and enlightened pity,
as for the many natural advantages, God has graciously given
them, though they know him not, this place might be termed as it
were, a second Eden. Among all the places I have yet visited, there
is no one commanding so many advantages, in respect to climate,
romantic situation, prospect of the city, its adjacent verdant plains,
its peaceful and majestic river, and the encircling mountains, as
Wfi shih shan, the black stone hill, the residence of H. B. M. Consul,
R. B. Jackson esq, and family. This hill is in the southwest quarter
of the city just within the walls. It is a commanding eminence in
the midst of a great natural amphitheatre, from which a distinct
view of the most interesting objects within its spacious area is
enjoyed. For an experienced painter, an enthusiastic lover of na-
ture in her beautiful, and in her grandeur forms, the prospect from
this eminence, would afford a rare and enchanting scene. In my
repeated visits, to the consulate, rendered in no small degree plea-
sant, by the kindness and politeness of its respected residents, I have
enjoyed no small satisfaction from tifis oofnmanding position, in
the works of man and especially that of ouf great Creator, as there
portrayed before me. But while I have h^rp fjMsted on |he Creator's
486 Nuiiccs of Fukrbau fit, Ocr.
works, as displayed in the heavens above and in the surronnding
lovely panorama, my heart has been pained, by the saddening reflec-
tion, that the hundreds of thousands of immortal souls inhabiting the
great city, and* its suburbs lying be)ow me are yet unacf|uainted with
the true God, and are the worshipers of dumb idols, the servants of
the prince of the power of the air, aiid with him exposed to never-
ending woe^ May a brighter, happier day sopo dawn upon this
benighted people. >,
. As seen from this hill, with the exception of individual trees, here
and there, lifting, their heads above the surrounding dwellings, the
city appears like a con'iguoua maiis, of murky habitations, generally
one story high, the streets being t(x> narrow to be distinguished from
this, devotion. As to width and want of cleanliness, they are much like
those of Canton, or a medium between that and Amoy. The floors of
the houses are seldom more than a f(x>t above the level of Che -adjoin-
ing streets, and many have no floor but the ground. The upper apart*
roents of the better houses are nought but ill-ventilated garrets and
being covered with tiles, they must in the summer be excessively hot.
The outer walls, of many of the better houses are very thick, built of
imperfectly burnt, brick, or of broken brick combined with a large
amount of clay, and the inner partitions often consist, the lower half,
of well jointed pine boards, and the upper of clay, on a frame work of
bamboo, overlaid with lime,, which gives, them, when new,. a neat and
inviting appearance. The outer walls are more commonly plastered.
This description applies to the better sort of houses both within the
walla and in. the suburbs. But the majority of the people occu|>y|
houses, far less comfortable. The. streets are paved with grsnite,
but often roughJy. In the dwellings of this people there is the same
want of order? and cleanliness, which is characteristic of other heatfaf
en. com muni ties. Tu those accustomed to the neatness and good
order of English and American houses, there is in the habitations of
this people little appearance of comfort Ill-nighted and ill-ventilat-
ed, as they are, one might jus^y infer, that: their, inmates. mMst
greatly undervalue the light of day and the refreshing breeze. Thisi
city being the capital of Fahkien. province, and also the. seat of gov-*
ernmentof that of.Chehkidng^.it is natural the residence of the^vice^
roy, and his. assistants in office, which including tlie. local magistrates
are a numerous body. But. with the exception that the residenpesof
the powerful mandarins, consist of numerous apartments, and< cover*
a large extent of ground,, they have -little claim, to separate notices
The streets have already indirectly beea-represeniedias^narrowiAftd
184?. Notices of Fuhtkau ft, 487
wantibg in cleanliness. The principal one without the city proper, is
that between Chungchaa and the eilr walls, crossing the large stone
bridge across the north branch of the Min, and passing through
Nantai, a distance of three miles. It is the grand thoroughfare of
this place, constantly thronged with passengers, and occupied by
almost every description of traders and mechanics, most common to
China. Its general course is about northwest The streets here,
not allowing wheel carriages of any description, there is no alterna-
tive,-but either to walk, to ride on horseback, or be borne by coolies
in a sedan chair. Few here ride on horseback, and these are gener-
ally inferior officers of the government Riding in the sedan chair is
here a very common mode of traveling, few of the more wealthy and
respectable of the Chinese deeming it respectable for a long distance
to walk the crowded streets, although to many Englishmen and
Americans, the thought of being thus borne by his fellowmen id
unpleasant. Ft>r three English miles the Chinese ordinarily pay not
above 60 cash, or about 4^ cents American currency. The poor
bearers expect more of foreigners. The main thoroughfares are in-
deed so crowded by the multitude, many of whom are ragged and
loathsomely filthy, and the chair-bearers are so constantly passing
to and fro with a rapid step, with but little regard to others' safety,
that the foot man suffers no little inconvenience and without great
watchfulness is likely to be knocked down. Instances oi this are not
very uncommon. The traveler too is greatly incommoded by the
multitude of coolies with heavy burdens passing to and fro for every
description of articles in use among the people-must be transported by
haman labor. However there are duties in connection with my office
aaa missionary,, that induce me in most cases to go on foot. Each
chair haa ordinarily only two bearers, but the principal mandnrins
employ four, and the viceroy and a few others high in office have
eight bearers. Tliere are few points at which the city walls are
vuible from the river, on account of the great distance from it to
them. The low miserable dwellings of the suburbs bordering on
the river, are united to give the stranger a very unfavorable impres-
sion, in r'spect to the physical condition of the mass of this people.
While ascending the river opposite N.iiHai, a distance of nearly two
miles, he will see very few dwellings in which he would feel that he
could long reside without much discomfort and no small hazard both
to health and to lite. And what is the gr«ind cause of the VH.st dif-
ference between this city and the principal cities of England aiid<
America, iu re^tpecl to extensive comfort and elegance ? It id the
488 Notices of Fitkchau fu, Oct.
p<i0ie98ion of the glorioas gospel, thai has made England and
America thus comparatively elevated and happjr. What were our
ancestors before thejr were illumined with its glorious beams? How
great enemies then must those be to their country who bjr the die>
semination of infidel principles would blot out that light which is
through God's providence the foundntion of their dignity and bliss !
3. Probable population of Fuhchau, and its suburbs. The po-
pulation of this place, I regard as a matter of great uncertainty. By
different individuals it has been diflferently estimated, but the pre-
vailing impression is, that it cannot be less than 600,000 souls. I
have yet seen no government statistics on this subject, ^hat there
is an immense congregation of precious souls is certain. If, w has
been stated, or I know not what authority, this city and its envi.
rons, contains 120,000 houses and to each house, we allow only five
individuals, a very moderate estimate, the aggregate population
would be 600,000. Besides on the river there is a large floating popii*
lation. Among the five ports, this city is thought to be the second in
point of population, and yet among them all, it is the only one to
which protestant missionaries have not in considerable numbers been
sent, myself in the providence of Ood, and contrary to my previous
hopes, having been first called to enter this field with any prospect
of being here a permanent laborer. Why should Fuhchau fu be
thus neglected? This place has also been little noticed by the mer-
cantile community, that is, as afield for the prosecution of a legal trade.
4. Interesting objects within and around the city proper. To
myself, one of the most interesting classes of objects, here to be
seen, viewed in connection with the cardinal doctrine of the resur-
rection of the dead and of the general judgment, is the immense
burial grounds in the vicinity, the abode of the earthly remains of
forgotten millions. One of these immense repositories of the dead,
is on the large island on the south side of the river, opposite Nantai.
It is a large hill extending in the line of the river about one and a half
miles, and at some points may be from one half to three quarters of
a mile in breath. This eminence is mainly covered with graves, and
yet the multitude of its sleeping inmates is fast increasing and will
prbbAbly so continue to do< till the coming of that great day, when
all that are in these graved; shall hear the voice of the son of God
and shall come forth, they that have done good unto the resurrection
of life, and they that have dnnfe evilutito the resurrection of damna-
tion, flow miny have been' interred it is impossible to form any
reitfouable conjecture, fur uotwiihtfianding the veneration- of the Chi-
mt Nvttetto/l\icltm}il. <$i
n«e for ihe graTei of iheir deceased kindred and countrymen, it
is tAid to be fiitaibMar; ittet the lapse of ten feara or upwarda, Jrom
the time of bilrihl, in tiai iherii are no tnohumenls to perpetuate ihe
fiamea of the deMaied, and no frienda to care for their remaina, to
reopen their grarea and enter othera above them. Aa regards the
miserable poor, s verjr numetoug daas here, after Ihe lapae of three
or four years, from their burial, these graves, 1 am teld, are allowed
^u be opened and othera to be interred above them,, the.upperfflnai
often at ■ depth of not above two feet below the sHrfaoe. Ttie.grB*ea
of those who hiave aurviving kindred and frLeada,especiatl^ir wealth]!
-and influential are more reapecied; thua within the lapse ota cenHir;
in numeroua cases, ten or more indiriduals, may be interred in the
dame tittle plot of earth. How full of meaning the senlenee,-" Qtiat
thou art and unto dust shalt thou return."; ,Iua country so donael);
ftopolated ai thia region, and .many other partg of China, thus to dis-
poB» of the dead may be a matter- of necessity, as the arable land is
Wanted for the support of the living.- The rich tomeuraes open the,
graves, some years afler their tntemient, wash iheif: hones^depoait
them in urns and reioter them. The high lands in the subarba, and
the fides df the mountains, in the neighborhood of tha city, .are ex-,
teHaiveljr occupied as burial grounds. . i ..:....
Tbel burial grotiud just described is neu lAy residence in thearaall
lalaAd of Chungchau, and is the Only place, to which in the: cool oi;
the day, I can conveniently retire for recreation and the enjoyment
of Ihe pure, refreshing breeze, and be at the same ti ma released from
.the confined city, and the press of the curioas, inquisitive crowd..
This hill also commands an ealensive and heantifuL prospect of the
Aitj and rural scenerj!: including the river, broad and verdant^rice
platna on the west, Ddrtheaat and sonthi and the cneirciing-moafliains.
As I have here alone wandered among the graves of ihe long
forgotten dead, solemn thoughts hnve rashed upon my mind, thoughts
.'- of death, of the resurrection, of the jadgtnent dny, .and of. the. 5a4i
destiny of the TigbieoUB aiid of .the wicked.- What a scene must, ibis
' bill present in that day: when at the commnnd ofClirist ihe inoamer-
able millions oP the dead shall arise, each to he judged and4o receive
■ his Gual award! ■ Taking- the Bible fiir our guide in respect to the.
character in Gad's sight and the linnl portion of the-idolater, where
must most of the countless millions uf ihe adult dead. of lbs Jbrmer
geoerationa of the Chinese be found, when' Jeausahatl pronounca the
fmat doom of an ungodly world. The inquiry' is an awfiitf; solemn and
' deeply painfirl cine, and vet il niav be protilable, ati a means of stimu*
VOL. XVI, NO. !C. 6*i
490 Nutiees vf FSihekau fd. Qo^«
lating Christians to pray and labor for the salvation of the heathen
while yet they remain in the land of the living, and in the land of
hoipe. Soon the present generation of the heathen, will with oar-
selves, have finished their earthly career, and entered on their final,
eternal award. What we would do for them we roust do quickly.
The night cometh wherein no man can work. How fearful the de*
claration. The wicked shall be cast into hell, and all the nations
that forget God. The temples in Fuhchau, which I have yet seen
are small, and greatly inferior to the Bud hist establishments in Siam.
The largest in this place is one seen on the south side of the
river, opposite Nantai. It was built by the traders from Ningpo
and is dedicated to ^ J^. ^ ^Tt the protectress of seamen. It
merits no particular description. In Siam, Budhism is munificently
patronised by the king and his nobles, and the priesthood are adored
by all classes, from the king to the lowest of his people, but here it
is little respected, yea rather despised, though it is not without its
influence over the public mind. Some of the temples are richly
endowed. Here the priests do* not, as in Siam and Burmah, proudly
solicit their daily food from house to house, each morning swarming
from their splendid estabfishnients, and scattering themselves over
cities and vilUges, but their support is said to be in the main derived
from the products of kinded property, devoted to this object
Among the works of art here of particular interest, no one is per-
haps more worthy of notice, both ov account of its great antiquity^
and the massiveness of its construction, than the large stone bridge,
crossing the Min between Nan«ai, and the small island of Chung-
chau. It is stated to have been bufilc 800 years since, and consider-
ing the strength jpf its materiab, and the manner of its construction,
this statement seems not improbable.. It is 1696 feet long, snd 13
wide, from the foundation to the top stone being built of granite.
It is built upon thirty five piers, pointed like a wedge, the conver-
gence commencing with their projection beyond the railing of the
bridge both on its npper and lower sidles. FVoni' pier to pier extend
stones of immense sistB, fltlUng on the piers at right angles, somn of
these stones being not l)ess thaw forty-eight feet long, and aliout three
feet in breadth and thickness. Extending from pier to pier in close
eontiguity to each other, tliere are in' some eiases fouVr iff others five
of these ISarge stones. Above these is a thick stone platform, the
stones being at right angles with the sleepers just described, and in
some cases secured^ one to another by iron clasps. On each side of
the bridge ii^ al»0' a* strong stone railing, the rails being mortised^
1847. Xotices of FuUhan /tf . 401
ioio maasive pillars at unequal distances from each other. The
most curious point of inquiry is, how its builders were able to cut
out of the solid rock, brin^ to the spot, and over a rapid river, raise
to so great a heightf stones of such magnitude supposing them no more
acquainted with the mechanical powers than the Chinese now are.
The bridge connecting Chiingchau with the large town on the
south bank of the river opposite Nantai is built like the one just de-
scribed, but is only about one quarter as long. On each of these
bridges, stalls are allowed to be erected occupied by various orders
of mechanics and by small traders making the space remaining for
the constant stream of passengers quite narrow. Aside from their
magnitude, there is little to render the city wall worthy of particular
description. In length, by those resident here, who have walked
round the city, they are supposed to be about seven miles, about two
and a half hours being required to complete the circuit. Their height
is different at different points, varying from 15 to 40 feet, and in width,
they are about 17 feet, and built of stone. On the top of the wall
at its outer edge, ift a brick parapet, with post holes, distant the one
from the other perhaps 16 feet, between which are apertures for
small arms. At long intervals there are projecting bastions, on each
of which are planted generally from two to three heavy guns point*
ing outwards, but badly mounted. These bastions, are covered
with tiled roofs and occupied as guard houses. This city was the
ttieatre of sanguinary revolutions, prior to the subjugation of this
province by the Chin |^ dynasty which occurred about 900 years
since. A considerable military force is stationed here, not probably
however of very effective character. The eastern section of the city
is allotted to the Tartar population, whose numbers are varioualy
estimated, perhaps, they may number 5,000. For kindness and
civility, they have not a good name among the Chinese.
5. Physical and moral conditi.m of the people. The physi*
eal condition of this people considered individually differs greatly
according to their different characters and the grade in society to
which they belong. Those occupying official situations, and con*
sequently subsisting on the bounty of the government, and money
in various ways drawn from the people, though in many instances
much straitened for a livelihood, in general appear to be well pro
vided for, and maintain a very respectabie appearance. The eon*
trast between them and the common people is great, though the
countenances of many of them indicate slavery to the use of opium.
Of the poverty of some of the inferior mandarins, rather an affecting
49S Soticti of FSihchau fu. Oct.
irisutice hi^s recently come Co my knowledge. A gentleman in. gov-
ernmental employ recently came hither from Peking, who haa
aiiice died leaving a wife and three children in very destitate circuna-
stances, and about 1000 miles from home. They now live in a.
miserable looking bouse a few doors from my residence. One of the
children, a little boy of nine years, wha reads and 9peak9 thQ niaiH^
darin very readily hs^ repeatedly called upon pie.
School teachers here enjoy comparatively a good degree of pa-
tronage, education being highly esteemed, but. as a class they are aaid
to be much addicted to the use of opium, vvliich must to themselvea
and Aimilies ha the source of much misery. Axfipng those claiming
to l>erong to the literati^ mmo according tq p^bjic^ opinioa are aa
^nsl^ved to strong drugs ai\d the nse of opium aa that numerous claas^
who are employed in the public offipea as writers and interpreters,
iullging as I am obliged to do from very limited data^ my impression
is that the profits of the mercantile class are small, but yet with wise
economy sufficient to afford them a very respectable livelihood. But(
the general testimony is that nearly one half of them are opiuia
smokers. A large portion of the more wealthy and respectable mer->
chants of this pfsce are from neighboring Qonntries and provinces.
The agricultural class livi^jg in the neighborhood of the city ianiH
iperotis, and the wages of the laborers being small in proportion to.
the cost of food and clothing, many of them must struggle hard for a,
Itv^ibood. But they have the appearance of poasesaiog a good
degree of physical vigor. This is especially true of the females be-.
Iqhging to that class. They are a hardy, good, looking athletic
cU^ of females, -contrasting strikingly with the hobbling, qramp-
fbinled females orihe «ity- and its suburbs.
'A vast multitude is here employed in connection with the diSereut
mechanic srts, and apparently a largengmber in connection with the
Inie ^rts,^i(ch as paifitihg and sculpture. Tfiey sre obliged to work
li^rd'fhr a livelihood, and their appearance is a very unfavorable in-
dication of their physical <:ondiiion and moral habits. The next in.
orde^ below these are the coolies snd chair-beaiiers, a very numerous,
add Important class.' Their appearance and their real' condition
aria' indeed pitiable and abject, being filthy in their persons^ poorly
cUd'i and' often emaciated in flesh. Their daily earnings, can amount
te'but> mere pittancej and' when a largo portion pf that pittance is.
spent in the; purchase of opium, they must indeed be wretched. But
there is another, vtr^ numerous class, whose condition, is far more
pitiibleV'wi^^^hed and'forlbrn, than tha^ of any yet mentioned, name-
1847. Niiticts of Fuhchau fu. 493
ly the eoramon b«ggac8. Their true number I have na means of
cletermining. Within the citjr proper and suburbs, as I have des*
Qribed them, including NaiUai, Chungcbau, and the large town on
the south bank of the Min, they may possibly amount to many hun-*
dreda if not to some thouaanda. The masa of them are exceedingly
filthy in their persons, ragged, and without habitations. It is distress-
ing to see them dragging their feeble and emaciated forms through
the street^, or proatrate by the way aide, aa if about to drop into the
grave. Probably their wretchedueas in most casea is the cense*
qnence of their vices and their crimes. Some infiict wounds on
their own persons, and with the blood streaming down their facea
SKiHcit the charity of thq public. Sometimeeby covering tbemselvea
with filthy thus making their presence aa loatlisome as possible, they
seek by the odiousneas of their presence to compel the public the
sooner to dismiss them with a pittance. But theae beggars are
nevertheless men of one common stock with ouraelves; yet how
fallen^ how degraded ! All this is the eflfect of sin. These beggars
have their head men, being individual appointed by the k)cal ma-
gistrates to manage their concerns. Their authority over them„
if I am correctly informed is very arbitrary^ extending not simply to.
flogging in cases of misdemeanor, but to death itself by being buried
ajivQ. Such a statement seems almost incredible : but yet my in*-
fprman^ is a man of much intelligence and apparent veracity^ ajt leasl^
when there is no inducement to falsehood as in the present case.
Within the ten districts into which this county is divided are fift}» of
these head men five in each district. These miserable vagcanta not
unfrequently die by the way side or in the street. The government
here makes provision for times of great scarcity, by keeping a. largeL,
amount of rice on hand in_ store-houses to be distributed to. the,
needy in seasous of distress, or sold tathe poor at reduced pricea ac-.,
cording to circumstances. The present being a season of scarcity,,
rice being uncommonly high, the public granaries have been. opened,
and rice sold to the needy at a reduced price* The appUcaots are
reqjui.red to bring certificates fiom. the. ^ ^ (i p<tK. or Qia(i»*«
tcates of their respectives . districts, testify tug to their needji circuof*
stances^ and -the numbe^ depeAdanjt on them for fixxL . Al^Lhoughr
theae graoariea ace uadec the Qontrol of the goyejrnaient» yet li aiH;
iuformed, that the money bjf «hieh<the ricAwhea cheap. iapafchaaedr
is contributed by tbe wealth]: aivpog tfaei people, drain is alae^stMed
up by the govecnmeot (or the uae ef the miUtaiiyt„ bm tfaie i« kept;
distinct from that which ia deaigi^ foi; (b& rtJiflf Qf ^frpopfr -Fati
494 Nuticet of Fuhchav fu. Oct.
the aged poor and the blind, who have no friends to prof ide for them.
provision is to some extent made by the voluntary contrtbations of
the rich, dispensed to them through the urgency of the It t^6u aboFe*
mentioned.
Leprous individuals are not allowed to roam at large, hut I am
informed that within the city, four asylums are provided for them,
in which tiiey are fed and sustained. The number of these miserable
beings gathered into their retreats is said to be near a thousand.
This disease is here considered contagious, and being loathsoroa
and incurable, is the object of great terror and dread. About five
years since, as I am told, an individual in this vicinity was smitten
with the leprosy, and to save himself from communicating the disease
to his kindred requested to be inclosed in a coffin and buried alive.
His wish was granted, and he was interred in the burial ground
already described. The remains of lepers are said to be burnt. My
Chinese teacher tells me that on the river Min above this a hundred
miles, or thereabouts, are one or two counties in which the unhappy
leper is thus treated. He is put into a small boat furnished with a
small quantity of rice, wood, and some other necessaries, and suffered
to float down the river, all other boats avoiding contact with him.
A few days generally terminates his wretched existence. The dark
places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. The leprosy
is supposed to originate in most cases from the want of personal clean*
liness, and living in warm, damp and ill-ventilated habitations.
As regards the general aspect of this great community, I am con*
strained to say, that the appearance of the mass of the people, as seen
in their shops, in the streets, and elsewhere, including their small
stature, prevailing rather slender form, in many cases sallow and
emaciated countenances, extensive want of cleanliness, and decent
Comfortable apparel, conjoined with the character of their habita-
tions, indicates that among them there must he a sad deficiency
of domestic comfort and no small degree of physical wretchedness.
This physical deterioration and wretchedness cannot however arise
from the want of a propitious and healthful climate, or a country
abundantly productive, under good cultivation, and distinguiiihed for
the beauty and grandeur of its scenery. It cannot it is thought be
attributable, except iq a small degree to the character of their govern-
ment, for the taxes, whether direct or indirect are not thought to be
heavy, compared with those of Great Britain and some other countries;
life and property also are safe, and industry is encouraged. It doeH not
necessarily arise from the density of the population ; for Holland, for
1847. Notices of Fuhckau /«. 4«5
example, is more densely populated, than perhaps any large division
of the Chinese Empire, and yet that people are prosperous and hap-
py, well supplied with all the nessaries, and even abounding in the
luxuries of life. Perhaps there is no spot on earth, that might not
sustain a much larger population than it now does, with the blessing
of God upon a due degree of well directed industry, accompanied
with true piety and rtrictly virtuous habits. The misery here existing
roust therefore undoubtedly arise in great part from the vicious habits
thai here prevail. The one vicious indulgence, to which it is here
generally believed nearly or quite one half of the adult male popular
tion of this place are more or less addicted, namely the smoking
of opium, is not improbably a more fruitful source of poverty, crime,
and wretchedness, than any other one, perhaps than the majority of
their other vicious habits united. When wages are so low as they
here are, in comparison with the cost of food, and clothing, the
bare purchase of opium by such multitudes must vastly detract
from the general comfort of the community and lay the founda-
tion of extensive and extreme poverty. Butthe cost of the drug
is bat a small item in the amount of misery of which it is the occa-
sion. Its use disqualifies the unhiippy coimumer for business, makes
him the victim of premature debility, and' morie generally of an
early grave. Who has the sallow countetmnce, the sutiken eye, the
feeble emaciated form ? It is emphatically the confirmed opium
smoker, who from the midst of plenty both for himself, his wife and
his children, is by the cost of his poisonp, and* ils destructive influ-
ence on his health and his business h^bits^ soon reduced to poverty,
and his family almost to starvation^ Sutoh is the history of the opium
smoker. Whose vices early induce Ifmt^hsome disease, and plunge
their victims into a premature grave' and' an* awful eternity ? None
perhaps more frequently than that of the slaves of opium. And yet
this drug is furnished to the Chinese in* great pnrt, through the
agencies of a Christain* governmiRnf, nid^ of individuals born and
educated in Christian* land's, to the premBtfiite' destruction in this
great empire of probably m«iny tenft,. if not of hundreds of thousands
of precious lives. The* viictTims of tAe' poison* thus furnished, are
our brethren. Who mwst be answerable for their blood I This drug
is sold to them in violiafibn^ of ttie hi#8 of tlHis realm, and should it
not be added in violation' of the dlctaties of htfnvanity and of that law
that requires us to love our neighbor as oU¥s€lvesT The love of gain
ie the best and only reason that can be assiipied for the commence-
menf and perpetuation of this trade. But iir view of the fact that
4dd Notices of Fuhekau fu. Oct!
there it a righteoua and holy God who minds the affairs of men, iA
money thas acquired likely to be an ultimate adirantage to its peases-
Bora? Should we not seriously ponder the language of the ApoatJe
James in the 1st three Terses of the fif^h ehsp. of his general epistle ?
Its import in relation to thdse, who have acquired money, by hneans
which infinite holiness cannot approve is solemn and fearfiil. Is
smuggling in Christian lands a righteous eiviployment, * even in
articles not hurtful to the -public? And can smuggling then in
China in the article of opium be inn6cent? Is it less priminal be-
cause the Chinese government cannot suppress it? Doee the weak-
ness of s government give us a moral right to trample on law^ inteind-
ed for the protection of property and of life? But supposing the
trade was a legalized one, could it be morally justifiable? Would
it be right to put into the hands of an infatuated individual, the
means by which, whether designedly or not, he is sure t6 destroy
his own life ? ts not opium thus: used by the Chinese aa a means of
self destruction ? Can we knowingly minister to multitudes the
means of self destruction and be altogether innocent of their bibbd.
Would that those* whom this siibject most intimately concerns wonld
seriously examine it in the fear of God, before whom, each one for
faunself must shortly appear rn judgment. Neither rank, wealth nor
power, nothing in the' wide universe, Can tempt him to swerve from
the utmost impartiality in his descisioits. I am personally acquaint-
ed with few, who are concerned in the opium trade, and have no
onkind feeKngs towards any individuals, but t thus speak out of a
benevolent regard to the' respected mercantile community unhappily
involved in thia trade,' from love to the temporal and eternal we)l-be-
tng'ofthe Chinese, andin rieirof thy responsibility io God, as his
embassador to this dying people, t dare not be silent on a subject
so deeply affecting those, for whose souls I am called to watch, lest
by^so doing Ishoufd : become chargeable with their blood. I am
not insensible of my* personal obligation ~to respected individuals
involved in the opium traffic. As In the providence of God F am
sitofated, there are -powerful reasons, why I should wish in all things
fo please them ; but above all others we are bound to seek to please
God. But sometimer duty to Ood requires us to do that which may
provoke the displeasure of man*. SayrPauf/the great. apostle,' If I yet
pleased men, I sbouM nor be the 8ervani.6f Jesus Christ.' Can it rea-
sonably be expected that the miMionary shonlid do other wise than f^el
deeply imd speafc warmly, yet iti love, iuiriew of a irniAci which is
Hurrying muititttdea of tbtfse for whose salvation, he' is called to
1847. Noticet of Fuhckau f(L. 497
labor to the grave and a miierabre eternity t Could be he faithful to
hia divine master and do otherwise, while at least there is any hope
that his appeals may contribute to the good of precious souls ? God
sometimes owns the humblest instrumentality to the production of
great and happy moral changes. " The excellency of the power is
ofGod."
It need hardly be said, that it is no valid argument in justification
of the opium trade, to say. '*lf I do not fiirnish opium to the Chi-
nese, others will, and if the trade must cimtinue, why should not I
be a partaker of the profits I There are few crimes which in sup-
posable circumstances, such an argument might not be employed to
justify. Admitting the trade to be sinful, it should be a sufficient
reason for its abandonment, that we are commanded by the highest
authority, not to go with the multitude to do evil. It is no justifica-
tion of this trade, that it is prosecuted in subserviency to the inter-
ests of the East India Company, by whom as a^souree of revenue,
most of the opium is produced. No government is infallible. Cor-
porate bodies are often remarkably wanting in conscience. Men
will often do in a corporate capacity, what they would almost shud.
der at the thought of doing as individuals. Our connection with
the powerful in the violation of the law of love, . can screen us
neither from guilt, nor from punishment There is one in whose
sight, the nations are but as a drop of a bucket, and »are counted as
.uhof small dust of the balance, and. by whose power, thc^ proudest
empires are prostrated in the dust. Could we as with the eye of om-
niscience, see at one glance, the myriads of the wretched slaves of
opiam in China, as they appear.in public, in their families, in their
private recesses, inhaling its poisonous fumes, also in those numerous
marky dens, in which the impoverished multitude assemble to gratify
the gnawings of a depraved appetite, could we elso penetrate their
hearts, and know the anguish, with which, in view of their bondage,
they are often worn, and behold them, as the effect of their .suicidal
indulgence, rapidly . falling into the yawning grave j what would be
our sensations, and our impressions in regard to the opium trade? But
its effects are not limited to themselves, but their wives, their chil-
dren and a circle of relatives^ and friends - must . suflhr with them.
The mother with the children perhaps is reduced to starvation, or
sold into bondage to gratify the insatiable appetite of the oruel husband
and father. But to aee the wocst effects of ihie form of intemperance,
we must look beyond thegrave. Could we for a few moments draw
aside the curtain, that hides from our view the scenes of another
VOL. XVI. NO. X. 63
49d Notices of Fukckau /S. Octt
world, and see the despairing moltitudea of suicides, from the use of
opiumi in hell, lifting up their ^eyes in torments, listen totheur
agonizing cries, and their horrid imprecations on those who-bave
ministered to their ruin what painful sensations must fill our soole!
Is it not wise to endeavor, to follow ou» conduct to its pcobable con*
sequences ? In view of such scenes what would be thought of the
acquisition of property by the opium trade! Would not rfches thus
acquired be regarded as thej igreatesi' of calamities? Asisn urge*
ihtnt, iigainst the uadb in opiumv we ' may appeal to the fact thai ^byt .
Hs':,drainiug the Chfaneee. of -their money, prcyiaeihg physical .and
mental debility, tdlenesvir' crime- and preoiature death, it is cutting .
Ihesinewa of legal tradeb Can any people, who, by a course of vicious
indulgence, have reduced themselves taphysical and mentalimbecilityy
as weU as to poverty, be profitable a customers? Would the prudent
cakulating merchant choose to establish^hims^iC in such a com<*
munityt Woqld he not rather select, for his customers, a virtuous;
industrious and. thriving., people ? ,. Otherwise he could not hope to
prosper in hisi business, except perhaps, temporarily, by feeding on the
vices of society, an expedient that, must be revolting to the feelinffu
of every, enlightened, apd good, man^ and ruinous in its result. A vici- .
ous community » like. the dead carcass, has not; within itself . the .
elennents of self prcvervation, but its. natural tendency inusti>e-ta
stU^d^epercorruptipn, poverty,, and wretchedness. Trade consisting
rn'l^ejbwnen ofeacbaage,. in proportionras China is impoverished; ^ .
and. tendered -imbecile in. body and in mind, by the- purchase 9nd .
cotisanifMionjcHt 0|iium, in that -degree, commerce with^iier,. must -be^ -
comeMinprofiftabie, inasmuchu as she muaf have prqportionably les9- •
to .g^vela exchange for the productions pf the western world^: -More-!
0v^'anpposing that the trade in.opium did not in the leastV. disable
China from being. ii^^ producer, atill if she has the.ability to purchase .
cjf the ibreigner: only. |o aapecified extent, ; aiyd. no small portion of
hettdisposable.means^ is employed in the. puri&hase. of opifim, ^er.
transactions with the legal trader must^ be proportioiiably curtailed*
irm^reovet'opiMnr bejtoalgrfsal.exteniffiven^ to the .Chine8e,Lor the
avails, of its.saleyin lieyi of their silks, and other articles, the interests .
of thi&^ foreign manufacturer, must suiier .from the abridgment of the .
market .for .Ki» goods. - The. n^ore extensively^ opium*, becomes- an ^
«ritcle49f.exchange-fi>r .the: productions of China, 4he^mope Jimited -
iBuat J>e the sale-el vikt^imanufactureajol the.wester a. world. .-^Mcire*
over opium smokjeiv;: beinj^ oiklig«;d to expeitd-tbeki'. monejp an the
1
IS47. Noticet of Fukckau fu. 499
piirduae oropiuni, can ta k elau bu; butaamall amoont of western
pradnctt.
It is worthy of remark also, thai the mtH-al impression ia respect
to foreigners, that a perureranee in this trade, in violation of the
laws of the empire, must . produce upon the Chinese mind, cannot
fail to bp in the highest degree unfavorable to confidence in us and
destruction of good feeling. The great bodj of (he moat reapectable,
beat educated, and most influential among the Chinese, cannot be
Buppoeed to be ignorant of the destructive influence of opium, to
health, (o property, and to life, nor of the relation in which this
trade stands to their own' governmenti which .they Mill respect and
revere. Peelings of indignation toward the foreigner, it wodd seem
could not but arise in their boeoms, at the view of the physical and
moral desblaitons, which for the sake of gain, through .an illegal
traSic, he is spreading over their country, involving muny of their
Own friends in misery and disgrace. The unhappy slaves to opium
although tlicj hug to iheir bosoms, the viper, whose bile is death,
yet in their more sober moments, when refleciing on their bondage,
they must not only deeply condemn themselves for iheir folly in court-
ing suicide but view with deep abhorrence those who have mihistered
to their self destruction.
- W^at would be the feelings of English and American patriots,
in respect lo any foreign commanity, who should b^ illegal Irade,
end in defiance of taw, pour in upon their respective countries, such
a tide of desolation, as is now rushing in upon the Chinese T Would
not millions of bosoms burn with a deep and unquenchable indigna-
tion against the oggressorsi Though ns a people, the Chinese nre
remarkably apathetic, jet some degree of patriotism still survives in
their bosoms. May not their outward respect for the foreigner, iu
the majority of cases, result rather from fear, than from inward
esteem T Considering the nature of the opium trade, anil, its already
having been the immediate occasion, if not the main cause of a war
flo excessive in blood and treasure, and other causes of naiionnl itrita-
tion, it is rather a matter of surprise thsn otherwise, that they are
-no more, instead of being no less hostile in their feelings towards
the weyern world.
In view of what has already been said on the subject of trade as
consisting in the business of exchange, it is apparent, that would
nations be profitable to each other in way of trade, they must in their
comnierciat transactions, sas well as in other respects, seek each
other's prosperity, and not demoralization and ruin. Thus individual
500 Bihlioikeea Siniea. Oef.
and oational proRperity, so far as it is connected with eoinniercial
intercourte, is dependant on a compliance with that law of mataal
love, inculcated in the giorioua gospel, and illustrated in the life and
death of our Sarior.
(.nbe eBniimutd)
Abt. in. BiUhikica Siniea: TntroAuHM ; iVe. 3. Skmg Tu
XwAng Hiun^ or An AmpHfieaiion of ike Saertd eStt. By ilie
late Rev. Dr. Wiluam Milnb, (continued from p. 464.)
** None bat an author knows an author's esrss." Compur,
Ma. CoiToa,*-Though it be not atiietly polite, I have been laying my ear
to the doors of some of the readers of your Miscellany, wishing if possible
to know what opinion they entertain of my papers contained in this Biblio-
theca; for it is coounon. I hare heard, among those of your species, who
aspire to aothorship^ to feel a little solicitude about the fote of their works.
Though pertaining to a different class of beings, yet I have this solicitude
in common with scribblen of the human race. Many remarks, I perceive have
been made; and many more are about to be mada Some persons seem
upon the whole satisfied; and entertain a hope that^ if I strive to improve
every following paper, and ipake it more worthy of perusing than the one
whidi immediately precedes it, I shall then stand a fiiir chance^ though not
of attaining eminence among learned men, yet of rising lo a moderate shara
of fiune among sspiring reptiles. Thus far it is good ; and, as I am always
inclined to take a hint from those who appear to put the fairest constiructioQ
on my conduct, so I beg leave to inform these Gentlemen, that it shall be
my endeavor to meet their wishes and realize their hopes. Others, however,
find fault, and psrticuUurly with my prefkces. One says: * in his attempts
to be witty, he descends to that which is low.**— A second says: "When
he tries' to be graven all is forced, stifl^ and unnatural" — And a third rejoins:
** Yes; and when he presumes to instruct, there is such a monastic dogmatism
about it*^— Thus, Mr. Editor, I find it hard to please all parties. Howover,
1 certainly did nxpect that Gentlemen educated in Seminaries, Colleges^
Universities^.and other such places of high sounding name, would have learnt
to make due allowances for one bom and bred between the leaves of a hook.
Candour, Sir, I fear, scarcely comes into the course of academical feaming.
To be honest, I really thought that niy eflbrts deserved even some credit
ftom mankind ; bilt I now see thst it is really no easy mattsr to make other
people think of one'a productions, as he himself thinks of them.' To'lBut
short this presmble, I herewith send you the analysir-of another Chinese
bods^ demanding only fv my l#|K>r, an imparti|d account of how it Is rsr
ceivsd by the pnb!i<i;, Tu Yv.
d ^
1847. Bibliotheca Siniea. 501
Na III.
TiTLC— ^ 1^ ^ Ijlj Shinff-Yu Kwin^-Hiun, L e. '^AxLAmnjncA-
TION OF THB SHIMe-TU."
Author. — ^Thii book had three authora, each of whom took a diatinet
department The atateen them^ which form the ground work of it, and
which are called the Shing-yii, i. e. Sacred Edict, were written by the
Emperor Kang-he, the second of the reigning Dynasty, toward the close of
his life. It was by order of the same Emperor, that the famous Chinese
Imperial Dictionary, of which 1 hope, at a future time to give a brief ac-
count, was compiled. The amplification of the themes, Kwang-hiun, L «.
an extended exhortation, was written by Kang-he. The third department of
the work, which is a paraphrase oh thx AHPLiricATioR, was executed
by Wahg-tb w-po, Superintendent of the Salt Revenue, in the Province of
Shen-see.
Date. — I have not been able to ascertain in what year*Kang-he delivered
the themes; but as it was towards the latter part of his life^ we may place
the date between A. D. 1730 and 173S, for his reign closed in the year 1735,
(vide Morrison's Philological View of China, page 4.) The amplification
was written by Yoong«ching in the second year of his reign, (about A. D.
173S-7.) The preface is dated in the 2d moon of his second year. In what
year Wang-yew-po wrote the paraphrase, does not appear.
Natukb of THB Work. — It treats of moral duties, and political economy ;
like all aimilar Chinese publications, it begins with filial piety, and from
thence branches out into various other relative duties* in order, according
to their supposed importance. Indeed, on whatever subject a Chinese writer
treats, he can at all times with the utmost facility draw arguments for its
support, from the relation between parent and child— even the grossest ab8ur<«
dities of their idolatry are thus supported. The work we are now consider-
ing, is in general, for the matter of it well worth a perusaA. Though Chris-
tians can derive no improvement to their ethics from it, yet it will confirm
them more and more in the belief of two important points: viz. that God has
not left himself without a witness in the minds of the heathen ; and that the
bare light of nature, as it is called, even when aided by all the light of
Pagan philosophy, is totally incapable of leading men to the knowledge and
worship of the true God. Vet, for my own part as an individual, I am of
opinion that, as all truth and all good come originally from the same source,
so we ought to look with a degree of reverence on those fragments of just
sentiment and good principle, which we sometimes meet with among the
heathen. '
Form, dc«. — Generally four vols, octavo, containing in all (preface includ-
ed) 133 pages. It is divided into sixteen sections, and has three prefaces ;
one by Yoong-ching, one by Han-fung, who was-Foo-yuen of Canton in the
13th year of the present emperor, and the third, by Seen*fbh, also a member
of the Canton Government about the same time, But these two prefaeee
602 Blhliothica Sinica, Oct.
wem written to subsequent editions of the work, and, are out of reverence to
Yoong-ching's preface, placed at the end of the last voL The body of the
work is arranged in the following order: First, the Theme ; secondly, the
Amplification ; and thirdly, the Paraphrase. The Themes are all written in a
sort of measured Prose ; Uiey contain each bktkv characters, and are com-
posed with such studied accuracy, that die character 1^ I — ** in order to,
or that,** is placed in the middle as the fourth word of^ch line: thus the
themes are comprised in 112 characters. The characters of each amplifica-
tioQr are numbered, and the number set down at the close : the sixteen aon-
plifications, contain in all tbn tbousamo amo tbn characters. They
ssy ten thousand, but that expresses the round number, for, on reckoning'
there are ten more. Like the Hebrews, the Chinese number the words of
greatly valued books.
The following are examples of this, in their classical books :
The Heaou-king 1,903 oharmcters, Lan-yll 11,705. with the paraphraie 7S,736
chaimctera, Mung.tMM 34,685, with commontary 209,749, Yih.king 24,107^
Shoo-kiDff 25,700, She-king 39,234, Lckee, 99,010, Chou-lee 45.806. Chan.Taeu,
and Tflo-Chuen 196,845.
, * • • • •
• To which calculation it is added : ** to read 300 characters daily, one will
complete the whole (commentaries not included) in four years and a half.**
They number the characters for the sake of dividing tlie aggregate into
small daily or monthly portions for the learner. They also sometimes
reckon the characters of the commentaries on the Kufo, e. g. of theFoor
books for the same purpose^
The paraphrase on each section of the Shing-yli, uniformly commences
thus: ^ 1^ 1^ Jgi iS» 1^ Wan-suy-yay-e-sze-shwoh— L e. "The
meaning of his Imperial Majesty is to this efiect** All the four volumes
are often bound in one. Thd work on good paper costs, in Canton, about
28.~6d. English. There is a small pocket edition of the SHine-ru, without
the paraphrase. *
* This work was translated into English in 1615, and printed in London, in
1717, under the title of « The Sacred Edict"
1.— Duties of children and brothers.
I.*— Respect to kindred.
3.— Concord among neig^hboura.
4.— Importance of husbandry.
'5.— The value of economy.
6.— Academioal learning. ' .j
7.— Falie religions exposed.
- 81— ^n the knowledge ot the la wi."
9.— Ulnslratwn-of the ^ riBciplei of good breeding.
10.— Importance of attaodiiig to the essential occupations.
11. — The instruGtkm of youth.
}2.-rThe evil of false accusing. . j^
1847. BiUiolhcca .Suiita. 503
] 3.-»The eonMqnenccH of hiding deterten.
14.--»The paymeat of the taxM. . • >'
)5.<— The neeenity of extirpating robbery and theft.
] 6. — The importance of settling animosities.
CoMPOsiTioEf AETD STTLE. — ^Tho themes are written with remaritable con-
cisenesa The amplification is eipresaed in fine, claancal language^ but
the atrncture of the composition is artificial, and the sentences often lon|r
and involved. The style of the paraphrase is perfectly colloquial, biit
abounds with the provincialisms of Chih-Iee, having been written in tlie
northern dialecL The paraphrast wrote in a style vastly better suited foir
general utility. By numerous proverbs, quaint sayings, and a familiar phra-
seology, he has rendered the book easy, instructive, and entertaining to tlie
common people. The provincialisms excepted, the style of the paraphrase,
may be considered a good model for Christian Missionaries, in their oral ad-
dresses to the Chinese, and in writing reli^ous tracts. I'he verbosity of
the paraphrase, and the employing of some particles in a peculiar, and
unusual sense, render some parts of it difficult to the forcijgn student of Chi-,
nese. It is however much easier than the amplification, and should be read
by him first : he will proceed to the more classical pait with gre^ advauf .
tages, after having read tlie same subject in the colloqoial style*
ExTAACTS. -As* the translation of the Shing-yii, is -aheady before:the
public, I shall not enlarge under this bead, but shiJl barely transeribe an* ex-
tract from Yoong-chings's preface,, showing his motives lor ^iilarging on
tha themes of hia father. ~ * . ■' * •> -
** Our sacred fatJier, the benevolent E^niperor, for a long period of time employ,
ed the doctrine of perfect renovation^ Hie- virtue was* oxteneive as the ooean-;-
and his- graoe, widely .diffused to the Jwundaries of heaven.- His benevolanne^
nourished the myriads of things;. and his righteousness rectified the myriads
of the people. For sixty years* morning and evening, -eating JMid dnsstng,..his
only care was to excite all both within and beyond, the boundaries of the Empires,
to exalt virtue ; put away illiberalityj and accord with fidelity... The design, of
this was, that all, cherishing the spirit of kindness and. humility, might enjoy so
eternal reign of peace ! Hence of set purpose, he grteioosly conferred an cdict«
containing sixteen maxims, to inform the soldiers of the Tartar race, together
with the soldierr and people of the various provinces, of their whole duty, from
the practice of the radical virtoes to the duties of husbandry and the culture of
cotton 'knd silk. To Ihetr laboring and reeting; to the commencement and the
close; to the coarse and the fine; and to the public andfthiB "private; to the
large and the minute v and to whatever was proper/or a people to praetise,— to
all these his most enlightened thougiits extended* Ho viewed you, people, as- the
childien of his own. flesh. His sacred instruetions,(liks those of. the, aneieot sagea] .
eleariy. point out the means of cerUin proteoUon.. Ten thousand ages should
obwrvetherol To improve on them is impossible f ^ .,...,.' ., . .
*« Since we succeeded to the charge of the great monarchy, and have ruled
ever the millionaof the people^ • we have conformad^our miad- fo the mind of our
504 BiUiolheea Sinica, Oct.
•acred fallier ; and our goTemment to his. MomiD|f and erening , with toad,
like ezertion« hare we endeavored to conform to the ancient lawe and usages.
** Fearing that the common people, after practising and obejring for a length of
time, may hecome negligent, we again iseue our instructions in order to keep
them awake.
** Most reverently taking the sixteen maxims of the saered edict, we h«Te
deeply meditated on their principles ; and amplified the style, by an additxin of
about ten thousand charaetsrs. Drawing similitudes from things near and remote,
quoting sncient books, going and returning, about and about, m order fully to ex.
plain the sense, we have written in a verbose and homely style ; and called the
work. An Ampufication of thk Sacred Edict. Our design in this was none
else than to unfold the minds of posterity, by revealing to them the will of their
progenitori, that each family and individual of the people may clearly under,
stand it.
*' We with yon soldiers and people, to realixe, and act conformably to, our
fkther's sublime intention of rectifying your virtue, and of nourishing your lives.
** Do not consider this as a mere customary harangue, or vain display of ao.
thority ; but let all carefully watch over the body, aftd act the part of a cautious
and economical people. Completely cast aside all degrading, illiberal, and con.
tenttous practices. Then manners will improve ; families will live in harmony ;
the Government will rejoice in seeing renovation perfected by virtue ; and your
own posterity will share of this happiness. The iamily that stores op virtue, will
)iavs superabounding felicity! How equitable is this doctrine !***
MiscBLLAifsout AiBiAKKS^ — ^The Shing-yii was appointed to be reed
publickly, on the first and fifteenth of each moon, to the people and soldiery
of every province; but in spring and harvest it is frequently omitted. This is
the only kind of public instruction professedly for the people, known to exist
in the Chinese Empire. It is said, to be generally read both in Tartar and in
Chinese; in the former, to the Manchow Tartar soldiers, in the latter to the
Chinese soldiers and people. It is also said, to be read in the Mandarin dia-
lect to the inferior Officers of Government, and in the various provincial
dialects to the people. It is however, the paraphrase that is read, the other
parts being difficult for the people to understand. But as the style of the
paraphrase could not be accommodated to the dialect of each province, I
have heard, that in reading, tlie orator deviates considerably from the printed
copy ; supplying what he thinks needful to render the sense perspicuous to
the hearers, and altering the phraseology to suit it to the idiom of Uie^poken
language of tliat particular province, or district
It is remarkable that the Chinese, Hebrews, Greeks, Romans and most of
the ancient nations however distant from each other, should have all agreed
in manifesting a sort of religious reverence at the beginning and middle of
each lunar month. As if sensible of their obligations for ''the precious
things brought forth by the moon,** they uaed to assemble at the time ot new
* I beg leave to infdfra the reader, tliat I have niot verified these ealcuhitions,
but give a tranilatiott only.
1847. BibliQtheca Suiica. 505
and ftill moon, to disehar^ what they considered the duties of piety and gra-
titude. There is not however, in as far as my information goes, any devo-
tional service performed by the Chinese, at those soasons.
The MAififER of reading the Sui2fo-ru, at the stated times, is thus de-
scribed by the translator of that work, in his preface : — ** Early on the first
and fifteenth of every moon, the civil and military officers, dressed in their
uniform, meet in a clean, spacious, public Hall. The superintendent, who
is called ** Lee-sang," calls aloud,** ** stand forth in files.** They do so, ac-
cording to their rank,-*He then says, ** Kneel thrice, and bow the head nine
times.** They kneel, and bow to the ground, with tlieir faces towards a
platform, on which is placed a board with the Emperor's name. He next
calls aloud, "rise and retire." They rise, and all go to a Hall, or kind of
Chapel, where the law is usually read and where tlie military or people are
assembled, sUnding round in silence. The Lee-sang then says, ** Respect-
fully commence.** The Sze-kiang-sang, or orator, advancing towards an in-
cense altar, kneels ; reverently takes up the board on which the maxim ap-
pointed for the day, is written, and ascends a stage with it An old man
receives the board, and sets it down on the stage, fronting the people. Then,
commanding silence with a wooden rattle which he carries, in his hand,
he kneels, and reads it When he has finished, the Lee-sang calls out ;
** Ebcplain such a section^ or maxim, of the sacred edict** The orator stands
up, and gives the sense. In reading and expounding other parts of the law»
the same forms are observed.**
The writers of the Shing>yu, discover a considerable portion of what wc
vaguely call ** Common sense,** and penetration into the human character.
In regard to political economy, the Shing-yu shoiK-s that considerable atten-
tion has always been paid to the subject in China. The attention of all its
best Emperors, has ever been much turned to this radical maxim of govern-
ment, viz. " That, to render a people happy, wars few, and the throne per*
manent, one of the most important means is, to endeavor to make the pro-
duce of the soiKequal to the supply of the people ; so that tiiere be no absolute
necessity to have recourse to other nations for the essential articles of food
and clothing.** How far they have, as a nation, been successful in attending
to this fundamental maxim, their history will shew. ' i
But, whatever good sense, tliese authors discover when ti^aiting of common
topics, they fail exceedingly when religion becomes their theme. A spirit of
atheistical indifference to every form of religion, and ta duties of pie^, runs
through the whole of the Shing-yu, and is especially manifest in the eoventh
section. When a man has read, the book through, he can scarcely carry with
hiinr a single just idea of the Supreme Being* or of the final destiny of roan.
Indeed, he can scarcely fiiil to be impressed jks if he had been reading instmc^
tions addressed to beings, who have no higher soun» than (heir parents ; to
beings who live in ** a fatherless world ;'*ta beings who are amenable to no
authorities higher than that of the Emperor, and who have no higher end ta
answer on earth thair to eat, to drink and to die !
VOL. xvf. s^. X. fyl
506 An alUimportant proclamation. Oct.
I am not quite sure, Mr. Editor, whether the attempts of the peraphrast
of the Shing-yu, in accoromodatinfr his style to the capacities and taste of
the ij^norant, may noi even furnish matter of reproof to those Christian tea-
chers, who, instead of aiming at the real good of their people, by teachtnipr
them in plain and easy language, seem as if the display of their own classi-
cal learning, their knowledge of nature, astronomy, law, and physic ; and
their acquaintance with antiquity, — were the highest ends of their ascend-
ing the pulpit
The attention of the literary world has been excited by several works
which have lately appeared on the subject of Crihesb Grammar; and, in
order to strike in with the train of public feeling, I intend, should health
and other avocations permit to send for a subsequent number of your Mis-
cellany, an analysis (I am obliged olflen to use this word for want of a bet-
ter at. hand) of • book written by a learned Chinese on this subject. After
having heard what French, Italian, and English authors have to say on the
Chinese language, I hope it will not be unacceptable to your readers, to know
what the Chinese themselves say about it ; what rules they give for read-
ing, writing, and good composition ; and by what steps a man may arrive at
eminence as a scholar. But lest I should excite expectations which cannot
be realized, I beg to imform you, that Chinese philologists say extremely
little on the theory of their language: they confine themselves mostly to
remsrks of a practicj^i. liind^ because tliey consider these best adapted for
utility.
— uxfxj^ri-'xrNrf'fcrxj'WfcnrK-x'V^*^^''^-^ "r— ■* *• »g»— *■* » » *» ^,
Art. IV. An aH-inqmianf proelamaiion, issued hy Ladavie^ the
lord Bishop of Shanghai^ for the information of all 'the friends
of the religion [of the Lord of htaoen\
Under this title appeared, in our number for May last, page 246,
a translation of the document we now subjoin in Chinese. We have
been informed that iUe lord bishop was displeased with the appear-
ance of the transletion', annd Tms pronounced some parts of it to he
incorrect. We* regretted' very much that both the translntion and its
original conid nof besnbn>isted to our readers in one and the same
numlver ; but they wilTnow huve them h«>th ; and if we have been guilty
of any partiality, or the transfafor of any mistakes, we beg that the
author of the dociHneiyt will believe that no disrespect or unfairness
was designed by ourselves or out correspondent If he will give us
a new tnn9lacion>, or any comments or strictures on> that in our May
nun»ber, the sains sball be ddy ptubifshed ii> our peges.
1847.
•
An alUimportani Prgclamaiian.
5&7
S08
An all-important Prorlamation.
Oct.
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Journal tf Otcvrrencts.
Art. V. Jovrnal of Occurrtnees : siarrk for murdertrt ; piraUi;
cotton crop; wcathtr at Shanghai; official proclamation; mor-
tality in Hongkong: gov. Dams' mail to Cochinthina ; ap-
poi»tntenta to affict ; chaplain at Canton ; ntio ptriodical;
Frtnck version of the affair at Fuhshan.
Tut aerie* of documenta reUtin^ to tho riot in 1846 is completed in our
present number. It ia due to the editor frojn whosD paper tfaej were bor-
rowed, to reoiRrk, that come of tlie documenia which had been before publiah-
ed, u nlao the refereDcea to them in that paper, huve been omitted in tliii
npubliualion.
SttvAforlhetiwrdertTt of Mr. Lotnrit. Under the date of Oct 'Jd,9b&nghi),
we have the following information regarding the cneairurea which the Chinese
authoritiea have aet on foot, with a view tu apprehend the murderera of the late
Rev. W. H. Lowrie, recently thrown overboard b; Chineae piratea, in the
bay of Hangchau, off the cily of Ch&pd. " On Thuraday morning last, two
dayj affo, i met Mr. Parlcea, interpreter attached to the Britiifh coitaulute
here. Ha had just retumf^d from a three days' trip eaatward to the coast,
where ha had been to obaerve the condition of a beacon, which he bad aome
timo before SMisted the Chinese lo erect oft at sea between the mouth of
the Y&ngtss' kiing and Gut£laff*8 island. During this trip, which carried
him through the districts and iritiea oi J^anha&i and CAiieniAn, Mr. Parkea
mat three or four Chinese officer*, part of a coromiasion that bad been ap-
pointed by the superior authorities to search for and seize the perpetrators
of the late murder. Though their efibna had, up to that time, been uiuuc'
ceaaM, it seemed that theji and their superiors were revolved that the mur-
dems sodd bn forlh-coming. It was, they aaid, a matter of great importance,
and the mu ' ' "■ — ~~' — ~'^~' '" • ■- '^- - - ■^ - ■^ - '---
aotoo means
eriminals."
PirrUfi of Tiun/^-insr. A part of the naval expedition, recently 6lted
out by the aiitharitifw of idhnnghai, to prnceed against the pirates congregated
off the mouth of the great river, on Tflun^iniiig, hud relurned to the city,
haiiuF etfected nothing-. Thoce that returned conaieted of about one thou-
sand Fuhbien men, and a hundred from the province of Canton. The leader
oflho latter, ia said to be from Macao or its vicjnily.
Thjt eattna crop, early In the month, was coming in rapidly, and was very
abundant Cotton ia one of the staple articlea among the farmers and mer-
cbsDlB on the plains of Kian^ndn. History saya thnt this plant, the cotton,
was introduced into these regions by a lady, on her return, by sea, from the
Erovinces of Canton and Fuhkien. When she died, multitudes nioumed on
Br account, and erected s temple and monumenia to perpetuate her memory.
She baa smce been deihed, and is now honored as a goddess. Her name
was Hioanf^, or Yellow.
TV irtalher, at Shdnghiii, hnd become cool, northerly winds having set
in. Durmg the month of Septcmbi^r there were many rainy days, and at
one lime considerable solicitude fell for tlie safety of tho cotton crop, faars
being entertained lest it should be damaged by the heavy and frequent rains.
The health of the foreign community was generally good, and Uw pr
of business for the seasou said to be fair.
510 Journal of Occurrences. Oct.
Li, the criminal judge of this proTinee, hat recently iasiied a proclamaUon
relating to the moral improvement of the people, of which the following ie m
translation.
Li, by imperial appointment, commiaiioner of justice for the proTinoa
of Kwangtung. makea a proclamation to the people touching the study
and recitation of the work called the Primary Lessons, in order to a proper
management in the training.and education of the young and ignorant Where-
as in the ancient province of Yuehtung, the people are vain and boisterous in
their dispositions, and are accustomed to excessive profuseness and extrava-
gance, the lathers and elder brothers among them ought properly to inculcate
upon their inferiors all pure and wholesome regulations. But on the contrary,
as far as is seen or heard of, their only contrivance is to look out for their own
■elfish gain. When the stream flows urth and forgets to return, wide-spread in|f
indeed will be the overflow of wnters. The disposition of the people m
perverse and vile. In comparison with the practice of the intelligent and
virtuous they are frivolous and detased ; and those who are thus tViToloiu
and debased, in matters pertaining tc the instruction of the young and igno-
rant, will not be able to manage them as is fit and proper.
If it be desired to establish the education of the youthful and inexperienced
part of the communitv upon a proper basis, the best method of accomplishing
It, is to make use uf the Primary Lessons of Chdfotss* in one volume. When
once its principles are instilled into the mind they become in a manner the
master of the man and govern his whole character and conduct. Thus, it majr
be, they would have a tendency to reform the ea^r pursuit of gain and the
unreasonable neglect of justice which so extensively prevail. This would
constitute the just developement of right principles, and lead to the pose
■ouroes of moral conduct.
The Primary Lessons are designed to furnish a proper basis of instruction.
They must be studied in all their parts in order to a full explanation of the
human relations, and it is fit that they should be thoroughly understood in
order to personal cultivation and improvement. - They are to be verified and
approved in individual instances, in order to illustrate the power of example
and increase the general good conduct Sentence by sentence, and character
by chsracter, the whole work in order, at such time as it is proper |for youth
to learn them, is to be applied, as it were an antidote to disorder, to restore the
sick and raise up those who have been laid prostrate by disesse.
The scholars of the preiient time, barely availing themselves of the writings
of the good, strive to ascend the cloudy ladder (of wisdom). But they are never
able fully to realise- their instructions in their own experience, nor do thejr
•eem sufficiently to comprehend in their own minds their meaning. Instead
of this, they habitually alledge that the Primary Lessons are of no use in the
practical operations of business. And thus their doctrine is to lay them
awsy in the attic as being of no available utility. Yet we do not doubt, that
beyond the consideration of the human relations, there is no true learning or
philosophy. The Lun Ya, in the first chapter, treats of learning. The
next chapter discourses of filial and paternal duties. The ji^rrectnesa of its
Erinciples is evident. Then, as it respects the Four Books and the Five Classics,
ow can they ever avail to promote the accomplishment of business? If
we admit the advantage and necessity of these works, how much more then
should the composition of writings designed as a trial of intellectual attain-
ments, and the foundation of promotion, be regarded as a primary source and
radical principle, which are to be diligently explored and sought out!
The root and foundati«»n (of the work) are verv deep. The branches
and the foliage are naturally luxuriant. To an individual in retirement, it
gives the reputation of being a liberal scholar, and when he engages in public
affairs, it makes htm the moderate and prudent officer. Formerly Luh Kiishfi
in the^idst of the assembly of his scholars frequently msde use of thi^ bock
to instruct the literati. Chin Wankung^ a nobleman of Kweilin, laid open the
barriers and instructed the minds of the people of the North. He caused thii
1847. Journal of OetHrrennt. 51 1
work to be en( and printed, tod had it eircolaVd throughout Ibe proTiner.
Li6 Luagt&D ofMinpihaa, i teacher ofreipectabilily and learning, id deliver-
in); hii itatemeDta and fiplanationm to hii diuiplei in Ti'iuhirn, reniarki-d
ratlj diipoaed to itadj and lo cultJTale the qualiRciiiani o[' Lruir dialinguianed
and worth T aerTanU of the e(nptror. Prom fiiit to tul the; exbibiied a ilr.li-
iog reiemblRncc la each othi-r.
All the ancient wtM men inrettifated and diiGiawd. Still tber did not
oanaider a ntete rain longing, and an idle wiih to aiicend Ihe alrpe of elefitioti
to the ebarecler of lagei, or a vain aspiration In enter upon the beaten path of
virtnc, ai conilituling the rule and inadel for mankind to follow. Thuae who
neglect the practice and faithful fullillnieDl of what the aagea leacfa, tbeaa
are the nwa wbo are nut to be approved
With the leading doctrinei and diaconriic* of the learned, who have rea-
■ooed and diacoaaed wilb the atmoit parlieularily of inveatij^atiuD, aa it
reapeota lajpaelf, the officer, aforementioned, and the author of this proclaro:-
tinn, I cannot pretend to any peculiar acqnaiutance or iiitimacj, Howeyer,
after the manner of Ibe indJTidaal* already named, when rormerlf I held office
in Ihe diatriet of Cblachan. arailing myself of the eiplaoationa of the original
volume bf Cbing Taio^Ioh, a nobleman of ITung, 1 ordered ibe whole
work to be ensraved, printed and publiabed. I alio inatitnled a public
gjmnaaiuni. HaTinij had the lupeKnlcndtnce of the institulion fir the
apace ofthree monlhi, during which time I aonghl to convey inatrudioni of
the most practical character, I found in the apiril and dtapoaitioni of the
men a manifesl and decided change. Bnch are the obvion* reiulta of a faith-
fai experiment and npermtinn of this work. Tbeobjeeland purport ofthia
proclamation, is to communicate informilion lo the elders and gentry of tbe
eily and onnntry, tbal they may be thoroughly assured, that it bvbooTes them
every one to esamina critically this subject, and distinguish clearly each oait
fbr hnuelf, and tbal all may unile in diiarminating among lip comiuunit/
generally a knowledge of these doctrines, tracios them out in ill their lenglb
and breadlh.aoknnwledging tlieir trntb. admoniabing others and leading the
way in tbeir praetieal application and fulfiUineni. And let tbem endeavor to
jlir up tbe youn^r p^rsima in the saiioim r.imilieB wiih winch Uie» me rp-
apeclisely oannrcted. to emulate and pncouragt^ one another. It will depend
upon tbeir diligent practice and re^ielition of these letaoni, and pursuing
them in order through the entire sprjei, Ibat Ibey may be able lo give them a
eonnerted and lyiternatio explanation. It will dppend upnn a connecled and
systematic explanalinn, and their fsilbnil inculcation, to aecore tliei'r streouou*
and driigent fulfillment in practire. If it be acknowlediied thnl education
onsrht to be sfduloudly aopporled, Ihpn the maalere of the art ouffhl to be rigid
and exact in the performance of Iheirduty, Ifil he considered tlrnt tbe human
relations ought In be accurately underaloud and apprrciated. then ■ polita
and courteous behavior rPi|Uirrs eapecinlly to be cultivated. Ifwe believe it
to be Qiir duly lo attend carefully to our own personal interests and reputa-
tion, then we ought lo discriminate betveen rectitude and profit. If we allow
Ihst the hiatorv of the sncienln is deserving of investignlion and study, iben
we ought to feel ourselves moved with ^nerous iuipulsea, and eiriled l<i
virtiiau) conduct fay Ihe crtntrmplstinn ot Ibe records of past sges. If wO
admil that to increase tbea^greente of sober and resinnable behavior, is a duly
which ought to be maintained, Ihi'n Ihe wicked and lawless ou^ht at oneo
to be corrected and refurmed. Tbe evil and perverse ouirht of themselves
[0 vanish knd disappear, and the diepoailiiin orieinilly ifond should be gmdusHv
restored lo ils former eie'llence. That men oflelters" should be liberally and
truly educated, and Ibnl none should be like wandering barbarians of tbe
wilderiieai, this is what is desired and expected from the soholara and peopU
Ofthis realm. This is the prnclsmaiion.
From an extracl in the Chinn Mail we borrow the following table, show.
ing the number of dealiia occurring unong tbe troops in Hongkong during
the five suuiniera preceding the year 1847.
Yean.
From April \H
to Odoher.
184%
129
184a,
227
1844,
129
1845.
77
1846,
19
512 Journal of Occurrences,
Proportion ofdealki
to otrenf(ih,
19 per cent
22 „
'It -
«i „
It thits appears that since the year 1843 there has been a constant suid
rapid decrease in the mortality of the place. The new barracks which aro
said to be ** not ■ only unriyalled, but unequalled in the British dominions;''
by their constmction and location so favorable to the healtli and comfort of
the occupants, illustrate the economy as well as humanity of the govern-
ment by which they have been proyided.
The ^yernor of Hongkong we are informed has retnmed from his visit
to Cochinchina. Of the object or success of the visit no particular account
has yet been received. Major-general D'Aguilar it is nndenitood is ta be
relieved by general Stuart, as commander of the forces in China. W. T.
Mercer Esq. has been appointed Treasurer, and C B. HiUier Esq. Chief
Magistrate of the colony of Hongkong.
It i^ with much pleasure that we notice the arrival of the Rev. Mrl
Banks, as chaplain to the English community in Canton. He has our best
wishes for his usefulness and success, in his new field of Isbor. The in-
creased number of foreign residents has long made the services of such a
chaplain exceedingly desirable. Preparations we understand are being made
for the erection of a church, and house for the residence of the mstor.
The religious services are held for the present at the office of the British
consulate.
We have been fsvored with several numbers of a periodical publication
lately commenced at Singapore. It is entitled, '^The Journal of the Indian
Archipelago and Eastern Asia.*' A more extended notice of the work is
deferred to our next number..
The following account of the affair at Fuhshin is said to have appeared in
a French paper, under the title of ** Les Suites d'une Chasse in Chine."
Dans les premiers jours de mars, 6poque de Tannie ou la riviere de CantoA
ct les rivages abondent en sarcelles, en canards sauvages, et autres gibiers
aqnaliqups, une 80ci6t6 de chassears. earopi^ens s'avan^ en biteau jusqoe
devant Fou-Cham. immense ville raanufactoridre A trois lienes de Canton. Le
d6s»r de voir cette ville, stimuli par la contenance paisible des habitants, por-
ta les chasMiMirs A d^barqoea et fl parcourir les rues. Bient6t la foule se pres-
■a autour d'eux et prit on tel caracl^re que nos voyagears crurentdevoireher.
oher refu^ A la mairie. M ne s'y trouvaii malheoreuseraent que le mandarin
inf^rieur. Celui.ei fit tout ce qui'il pot pour apaiser la foule et la fair^ retirer
tranquillement ; mais rezosp^ration hUui d6ji trop grande. II prit alors la
rfsolntion de conduir«» loi-meme les Europfens au bateau« Des que ceuz-ci
reparurent A la porte dc la mairie. un hourrah iliribond ae fit entendre^ aecoro-
pagn6 d'une grele de pierres. *'Snives-moi toujours." lenr cria le mandarin,'*,
ma poitrine vous aervira de bouclier !" En effi;t, plus d'un caillou atteignit ee
fonctionnaire pendant ce trajet, qui fot lon|^ et difficile. Le danger qu*ils
▼enaient de courir ne fut rien an prix de celui qui lesattendai la riviere. Des
^lats de rochers se mirent A pleuvoir de tons cdt^s sur les imprudents chaa-
seura, qui auraient infailliblement peri, si une esp^ce de teute en nattes et en
barabous. dealing h les garanttr du soleil, n'avait poor nn moment amortila
plupart des projectiles. - Celie rude pouranite dura environ one henre etdemie,
et ne cesse que loraque Tetendue de la riviere permit au bateau, dese tenir;
hoFS de pori^e. ■:.;..■
CHINESE REPOSITOBY.
Vol. XVI.— Notemper, 1847.— No. II.
AiT. I. NotitM of PuhchaH fit, hy 8. Joknim, nutrimarjt ofihe
A. B. C. F. M. Ctmnunuattd for the Chtiuu Rtfatitory.
(CoiUimud fron page 500/
Op the moril condition of thia people little further een be Mtd.
Ihit is peouUar to it in dittinction from the real of the heuhen
worid. Ever; section of the unerangilized world lieth in wicked-
neM, entUved to the prince of darkness. Although emwg the na-
tions of the eastern world, China is distinguished for her Uterirj
men, and although her classics inculcate a purer morality, than that
of the Greeks, and Romans, yet as the true God in his real char-
acter is not taught in them, and obedience to the moral law as written
on the conscience i> not inculcated by proper motives and sanctions,
this great empire is as far from true holiness, and probably ia the
sight of infinite purity, t> deeply sunk in ain as any other portion
of the heathen world.
But it manifests itself in different forms, both in the case of na-
tions and of individuals, according to their respective circunutaaces.
This community is much more tpiiei and peaceable than that of
Canton. Crime punishable by ihe civil law is here lesa common
tlian there. But much innocent blootl ia here shed. I am informed by
my teacher, an inlelligent, and apparenlly credible individual, that
within (his city and its aiiburbf, nccording (o the latitude given
them in this oriicte, one third of the reniHles are destroyed at their
birth by drowning. Some parents jpare only one out of four or
till., xvi so \>. fiw
$\A NMcis 0/ Fuhchau fu. Not.
of their daughters. This inhuman practice prevails more generally
among the poor, but is not confined to them, the rich not onfre-
quently committing the same crime. The law seems to take no
notice of it. One reason, that my informant assigned for this prac-
tice, is the expense here attending the marriage outfit of the daugh-
ter. In consequence of the prevalence of infanticide, there being a
deficiency of females, for a small consideration individually, great
numbers of little girls are purchased, as slaves, from neighboring
counties, especially those to the south and southeast of this place ;
many of these children are subsequently adopted as wives and con-
cubines. The cruel practice of cramping the feet of females to pre-
vent their growth, prevails here as elsewhere in China but not among
the agricultural class or among those living on the water. Many
also in the city among the laboring class of females are exempted.
Also, like lacing the waist in the western world, it is practiced indi^
ferent degrees. The latter must be more injuriouf* to health, because
it affects a vital part ; but the former by the confinement it occasions
must not a little detract from physical health and vigor. And it may
be injurious to health in other respects, as there is the most intiroste
sympathy between the seversi parts of the human frime. Certainly
the dontrafst between these two cfasses of females in respect to ap-
parent heafth and strength is v6ry striking. Pirates infest the sea-
eoseit below th^ mouth of the' Mih, and are reported as numerous
ahfd daring. ITp^ardls of two months since, the viceroy left here on a
tisft to Forinbfia. Tn Che 'expeciution of his speedy return with a
Farge amount of rice and considerable ahaoun^ of treasure, the pirates
a% I'km m formed, ^ombrned to intercept him, and obtain the rich
Hbntjr. Thfe comhlhaCioh reached the ears oi^ the government in
tMft-to defeat th^iir object. An expeditibrr was. sent against them^
liixfy of the pirate ^ere made prisoners, antf their ffeet dispersed.
Thfey were Wdtfglit hither for trial and execution. Shortly aller
their arrival upwards of forty of them were beheaded. Among them
was a lad of 16, Who is said to have been viery active in the battle
endiug ill 4heir capturb*. Pii^kes are sard"to infest the rirer below
this t6*a considerable extent
Siilbtile lie're is 'said to be very common, oJHen by means ot
<?^iufri. it IS now the* ^dctl '6f Jiil'y. <7n Sab&etb morniiig the tSth
inst. ah inBtatrc^nif surcitfe'o6cured', deeply and painfully aAecting
my 6\vii feelihgy. It #^s the casi$ ofa young maoofl^, whom I
h^d for upwards 'of fi^e months emplftyed, as a cook. His conduct
WHS ^Ueh (hat 'Oil' tTfe IGib iiMt. ITeTt it to be my duty to dismiss
1847. yotices •/ Fnkchau fik. »15
hire. With it ieeins a p&rt of tba monej paid him at his diamission,
he purchaaed the opium, with which he ended his life. He took
the potion on the evening of the I7th inst and early on the follow-
ing morning he died, at his father's houae. Such was the awful end
of an unruly and dissolute young man. On the following day I in-
vited the afflicted father to my house, and endearored to make
known to him the gospel, and tp point him to the only source of
consolation. If I am correctly informed he by his own example
taught his son familiarity with her, whose house is the way to hell
going down to the chambers of death. He had moreover the
example of individuals of his acquaintance, from whom better things
might have been expected, to encourage him in licentiousness, even
(hat of those who were born and educated in Christian lands. The
mother of the said young man also destroyed herself by swallowing
opium, when he was about 4 years old. With anguish I contem-
plate his end, for he died under the additional guilt of the rejection
of the glorious gospel, with which he had enjoyed the opportunity of
becoming in some measure acquainted. Before hearing of his awful
death I had concluded, on the following Monday to call for him,
converse with him seriously aa to his past conduct, and if he mani-
fested penitence and a disposition to amendment, tp restore him to
his former station. As a season of service to our fellow men, the
present moment is the only time upon which we can calcutate with
certainty. Opium being at hand e^^ry where, and as is supposed a
means of destroying life with but little pain, it is not strange that
infatuated individuals, weary of life, should make it the inntrument
of their self-destruction. I am told that many wretched opium-
eiQokers drown themselves by jumping from the bridge across the
Minlnto the river. Females frequently on account of domestic mis-
ery, destroy themselves by opium and, in other ways.
Judging of the moral condition of this people from the limited and
imperfect inquiries, I have yet been able to make, I see no reason,
to regard it in an unfavorable light, in comparison with other hen-
4hen communities, but yet I see no reason to doubt the strict applica-
.bility to them, of the apostolic description of the heathen in his day
•under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as recorded in the 1st of Ro-
mans. My own inquiries and observations during a long sojourn in
'different parts of the heathen world, together with the testimony of
:Others, has led me to feel, that there is not one vice there mentioned,
that is not mote or less prevalent in our own day in different hea*
ihea lands. Alas, how many of the dark catalogue are common im
6M Noticn •f Tukchm uf. N«r.
what if called the Christain world t—And how miioh is the gospel
blatphemed among the heathen in consequence of the ungodly eon*
duct of multitudes fisiting them from abroad, who call themselTee
ChriitiansT The heathen world are unlikely to improre in their
moral cohduct, while in ignorance of the gospel ; for the darkness of
their minds in respect to the true God, we have reason to think is ia
tKe meantime increasing; and correct notions of God are indispenee«
bletothe existence of sound morality and pure religion. With sach
t character, as the word of God ascribes to the heathen, and ee %c^
4ords with our own observation, it is evident, they are morally un-
prepared for faea?en; for without holiness no man shall see the
Lord. But in the coming world there are only two states of ^xis«
tence, the one a state of happiness in the presence of God, the other
a state of endless misery in hell. In the one, or the other of these twci
states, each one of us must enter according to our moral characters,
in the sight of God. To be assured of this awful truth that the hea-
then are morally unprepared for heaven, and consequently, hastening
to never-ending woe, should, in view of the fact that Christ has died
for them*, be enough to awaken our deepest sympathies in their beheiff
and arouse the Christian world to the most vigorous and self denying*
efforts, to impart to them the light of life, how ever happy their
temporal condition may be supposed to be. What shall it profit e
man if he gain -the whole world and lose his own soul T or what shall
a man give in exchange for his soul f Therefore does it behoove
the missionary imploringly, to the Christain world to cry, come over
and help us. Thus would I plead for this people. Death with a
step greatly accelerated by their own viee:i, is hurrying them off the
stage of life and few of (his generation will after the lapse of twenty
years, be in the land of the living. Whatever therefore we would
do for their salvation, we must do q^iickfy. Some too with us will
soon be no more. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with
thy might ; for there is no knowledge, work, or device in Che grave
whither thou hastenest.
6. Deiheanor of this people towards strahg^ra. Fuhchan has nn^-
happily, and it is thought afso unjustly, been represented abroad, as
being quarrelsome, uncivil aiid unkind to strangers. I have now
been here nearly seven months during which time^ more generally
alone, 1 have on foot traveled extensively in the suborbs, and to
some extent within the walls, but seldom have I met \Arith other than
kind and respectful treatment, my ears have seldom been aseatled
with those ^irae epitl^etv, by ifhich foretgaers in Canton are
1847. Pfoiicei 0/ Fuhckau fL Iil7
ibtttted* That at timea I ahould have found, aa I have dofie, the
turixMiij of the multitude, troubleaonie waa no more than I had
good reaaon to expect. What Chinaman would not do ao in L<mdon
or New York, if dreaacd in hia full national enaturocf Though a
atranger and a foreigner, yet have I everywhere met with a friendly
reception, and though the only American in Fuhchau, and without
any with whom I may apeak in my mother tongue, under three
miles, yet do I feel aa aafe, both by day and night, aa 1 ahould do in
any of the large citieaofmy native land. The people of thia city
and vicinity, aeem rather tiraid than otherwiae, and careful not to
give ombrage to the foreign reaident. If any one ia peaceable, kind
and unaaaoming in hia demeanor towarda them, he can have little
ground to fear inault or injury. Undoubtedly they may be provoked
to acta of hoatiiity» and when arouaed, it would be diflicnit to fix
limita to the violence and cupidity of the angry and nefariooa muU
titude. Of thia there ia not wanting the evidence of facta. My tm*
preaaion ia, that there ia no one of the five porta where the peraona
and property of foreign reaidenta, at all timea properly treating the
people, would be more aafe than in Fuhchau.
7. Language of Fuhchau. The local dialect of thia city being
imperfectly known abroad, no Engliahman, or American havmg ac«
quh'ed it, and no Catholic misaionary to my knowledge, ever having
given the public any information regarding it, [ may be allowed a
few remarka on thia aubject. Aa yet I myself can pretend to only a
very imperfect acquaintance with it, Iraving studied it but a few
montha, and with conaiderable tnterruption. In former yeara how*
ever, having given conaiderable attention to the Chinese in connec-
tion with the A moy and one or two other dialects, I think myself
better prepared than otherwiae, I should be to form a toler<ibly cor*
reet judgment of the one here spoken, after but a brief period of
atudjr. An impression to some extent haa existed abroad, among
Chinese atudenta, that Che dialect of this city is preeminently diffl-
eult of aequiaition, and ita aounda remarkably uncouth. But allow-
ing my own experience to be my guide on thia subject, I cannot
coneider thia dialect aa peculiarly difficult of acquisition. To the
atranger many of ita aounda mo#t indeed aeem very uncouth, aa at
firat they did to myself, but famrliarity with them will aoon make
them even agreeable, and adapt the organa of speech to their enun-
ciatifin. From their peculiarity perhapa, fhey are the more eaarlv
caught and remembered. Thia dialect though undoubtedly ^
cult oiie^ yet iii my judgasent, poaaeieea no peecrfiar and r
518 Notices of Fuhchau /t2. Not.
diiBculties, that persevering industry with health and ordinary talent
for the study of languages may not in four or five years, in a good
degree surmount I am however far from supposing, that an entire
stranger to Chinese studies, unless possessing a remarkable apti-
tude for the acquisition of languages, could even within that time
become ripe in the use of this diiilect. The same is true in respect
to every other dialect spoken in China. This must be the work of
many years. This dialect is one by itself, differing so widely from
all'Uhe other principal dialects of this and the neighboring pro.
vinces, as to be next to utterly unintelligible to tSiose who speak
them. But yet as my acquaintance with it extends, I discover
new resemblances to the Chiingchau, and Amoy dialects, both as
it is read and spoken. Many of the common forms of speech, are
similar except as varied by intonation and other slight changes.
The main differences being according to some general rules, he who
is acqu Hinted with those dialects, and with the laws of difference,
may in general form a tolerable conjecture, in respect to the sounds
and intonations, with which any specified characters, are read in
the local dialect of this city. Those general laws of difference are a
vast aid to the memory, though they could enable no one to dispense
^ith a teacher, who would speak this dialect, correctly and in.
telligibly. In view of my paM to myself apparent progress in this
dialect, with health, strength of voice, and the blessing of God on my
endeavors, I hope within a year from the commencement of the study of
it to be able in a good degree both to understand and to be understood
.by this people. I am now able to converse in this dialect with visitors on
various subjects both understanding their remarks, and from their
questions and replies, having jhe assurance of being understood.
My hopes in respect to the acquisition of this dialect, through the
blessing of our heavenly Father, have been more than realised. For
my advancement in this dialect I am chiefly indebted to previous
Chinese studies. The Fuhchau is a softer and less sonorous dialect
than either the Ch^ngchau or the Amoy, but many of its sounds are
so peculiar that I am unable to designate them by the Roman letters,
without additional marks. The orthography employed by Rev.
Messrs. Morrison and Medhurst, in their dictionaries, could only
to a limited extent be used to represent the sounds of this dialect.
Like the Ch^ngchau and Amoy dialects, the sounds employed in the
reading of the Chinese character are to a great extent unlike those
usedin the colloquial, and to some extent the tones conjoined with
the same ideas u expressed in reading and iu speaking are different
1847. N9tie€s 0/ ruhckau fu, 519
The differences in the reading and speaking of this dialect must
necessarilj add not a little, to the difficulty of its acquisition. In
theory it has eight tones marked by the same Chinese chsracters
as that of the Chiungc'iau and Arooy, but only seven of ihem sre
radically different, the one from the other, the ^ ^ ghang ihaag
and the TT J^ kea skang being the same. Iff the -j- 3£ "SP shik
woo yin of this dialect, the characters are most of them ranged under
the same tones in name, as in the Chiangchau, but in reality in the
tones, and in reading the same chdracters in the two dialects, there
i^ a wide difference : for though they generally agree in name, yet
they differ greatly in fact. The J^ Zp shang ping of the two is the
same, but the ~K ^ hea ping of this diafect is the same with the
13 J;*^ shixng shang of the Chiangchau. The j; J^ shang shang
of the Fuhchau, is a short forcible sound, with an abrupt termination,
being neither higher nor lower, according to my ear than the J[^ 3&
shang ping but being related to it somewhat like a strongly accent-
ed syllable. The ^^ ^ shang keu i» a long, broad, descending
tone, at its extreme point having a slightly upward circumflex
sound, the character 4g , being prnno»nced sayng. The J^ }^
shang juh is a broad sound, the consonant termination being scarce*
ly perceptible, the character j|g being pronounced hook^ the vowels
being prolonged, and the sound of the k being very faint.
The 1^ ^ hta ping is an ascending tone uttered with rather a
strong impulse of the voice. The "Ts -^ is a low gutteral sound,
broad and circumflex, Tike a half mooiv with the points upwards.
The character ||^ is pronounced saoungr The "^ ^ hea jHh is
a very short sound being slightly elevated above Che shang juh^
The above is the best description of the tones of this dialect that I
am able to give, but whether on this subject, I have so expressed
myself, as to be in a good degree intelligible, the reader must judge.
The tones of this dialect must be heard, and long and carefully
imitated in order to their being well understood. M^^ own im-
pression regarding theny is* that a good practical knowledge of
them in the case of the Chinese studc »' is necessary to his being
well understood by this people. If snch a knowledge of them for
any reason is not, or cannot be obtained, he never can preach to
this people with the probability of being more than very imperfectly
understood. Though but few of the people understand them
theorecically, yet actually they are a very important part of the Ian-
guage, the most illiterate being perhaps the most partlcUUr an^
528
Noiicts 9/ Fuhehmu fit.
Oct.
in their use. I ha?e been surprised at the readiness, with
which the children of the Chinese imitate tones, mueh more so ap-
parently, than they do the other component parts of langae^o. Un-
doubtedly in different dialeets, there is a difference in respeet to
the relatire importance of the tones, but perhaps Chinese scholars
hare not in all cases given theoretically and especially practicalljr
that importance which they really possess. I myself have been \n^
and at too late an hour have become in some degree sensible
of my error. The tones may be acquired, but not without ipuch
labor and care. Happy is he who masters them at the outset of hie
Chinese studies.
The following extract from the 3d of John, commencing with
the 16th verse may serve as an iinperfect specimen of this dialect as
read and as spoken.
Read.
5^ thing,
^ ehayk.
ae
itt $ttay,
}3| tuh.
^ eht,
"7* ehurhf
rh hwang,
IP sayng,,
iCm chet
TQmeeng.
^hang,
"ffl* iing,
Spoktn.
felt,
stfHmgf
iayt,
eking,
chayki
teang,
stay kang,
serii
ktr
hang,
h0€mg,
^ayng,
hmmig
9ft€ng,
toe kok,
^ing,
I J not,
(4 taik,
3E sing,
ifi yea^
SL ekea,
Jl seoang,
jj? toye,
m heng,
T chUrk,
XW kaung,
ttt seay,
^ ehaoue^
tSL stay,
A ing,
\f%nai,
rk kayo,
Ct stay,
Aingr
Spolben.
loang^
iaik^
stong,
mak,
ektai
stoang,
tfiyt,
si ii^tng^
ktmng,
kaung Itt
jstay hong.
iiong thaaut,
stay kang,
Humg, '-
. .. • . ■: ••
». • ... -
kayo,
seay kang,
nurng.
1847.
Noticts of Fuhchau fa.
r»2i
4E, yea.
'
Wi keeng.
)^ hwang.
Avoii^,
^ ^ay^S',
^ ^^y^g^
*fljf»^.
^ t^haoue.
#2 «A«,
«»
W.V.
/S «^*^»
ke nnmg,
/I > pooA,
^00,
4
motf
^ ktng.
^ .<«y»«^»
ttimg.
^ »0!fng.
9S cAootif »
ekaaue.
Jiieoang,
^ fatm^,
ndkf
W ^^y^*
/l^Aw««fi^,
kufcmgf
^iuk,
^ pcok.
«V.
^ »ing.
% «fly Vi
wjf V.
Z. ^*^
^ cA«i,
ke numg^
<
T* ekurhp
£'.
€ king,
^ y««r»
keeng,
Uang,
chaaue,
ing, woa,
king,
sajfng,
seoang,
Ifonmg,
Arc,
hang.
In the above extract I have emplojed in expressing the names of
characters, that orthography, which seems most fully to represent
them as here' read and spoken, without binding myself to any ex-
isting system, but I have not differed from that of Rev. Dr. Med-'
hurst in his dictionary of the Chingchau dialect, except when it
seemed a matter of necessity. The signs to mark the tones are the
same which he uses. In a few instances in conformity to this dialect,
characters are marked with different tones from those under which
they are ranged in his dictionary.
In this country are said to be spoken ten varieties of the here
called fg ^'l 1$ ^ook chew wd, each of the ten department merits
having its peculiarities of language, but the differences are not such
as to preclude mutual understanding to a good degree. But the
dialect of this city and it suburbs is not strictly speaking spoken far
beyond their territorial limits. This dialect as spoken in the suburbs
is probably slightly modified by the presence of multitudes from other
counties and provinces. Within the walls it is spoken in greater .
purity.
8. Climate of, Fuhchau f(j. Regarding the climate of this city,
there is, it is thought but one opinion, among those who have longeK
resided here, and consequently enjoyed the fairest opportunity uf
testing it, and that is, that it is a very healthy one, probably pr*^
VOL. XVI. NU. XI.
m
S22 Notices of Fuhchau fih . Not.
second to that of any other of the five ports. The winters are nufli-
cient^ lonj;^ and cold, to afford an invigorating and very agreeable
change, aOer the close of the hot season, the thermometer some*
times falling to 3S', and frost and ice not being uncommon. The
spring months are agreeably cool, woolen clothing most of the time^
with a fire in addition being comfortable. Up to the 22d of June
of the present ye-r, the thermometer was seldom or never above
84* and generally far below that point. It is now the 20th of Jul j.
For a short time in the aAemoon, in two instances it has. risen in
my house to 94*. But at the British consulate, it is considerablj
cooler. During the night the mercury sometimes falls to 84*. .The
months of April, May, and June are all wet months, though show-
ers are common at other seasons. Augtist and September are said
to be heire hot months, it would seem that the hot season here
could not by its length greatly reduce the general health and
strength. During the hottest weather, in the afternoon especially,
we have a delightful nefreshing breeze. The cool breezes from the
mountains must contribu'e much to the salubrity of this clime. On
the whole,.! can see nothing in the nature of this climate,, or in the
circumstances, likely tp be attendant on foreigners here, that forbids
the hope.ofthfir enjoying here as good health as in any other place
to which they are by treaty allowed access, in China. . I myself in
the .change from Siam to this place, have derived a benefit to health,
nearly or quite equivalent, to that afforded by a teturir to the green
hills and refreshing scenery of New England, my native dime.
9. Productions of Fuhchau fit. The rich plains in the neighbor-^
hood of this city and the adjoining country, produce large crops of
rice, and wheat is grown oh the high lands. Indian .corn is produced
here to some extent, but is not an important article of food, rice be-
ing the main subsistence of the multitude. Sugar cane .of good
quality is here grown. The markets are abundantly supplied with
a large and good variety of vegetables, and oranges, |>eache8, plums
pears, lichis, melon's and other fruits are common in their seasons.
Good pork is abundant, fowls, both wild and tame, and also besf
and venison, can be purchased at a reasonable price. Good hams
are he^e plenty, and flour of very good quality. Nothing, or next to
nothing in the article, of healthy food, is^ here wanting to satisfy a
reasonable appetite^^irovided' one has tihe means of pui;chasing.
. 10. Commercial importance of Puhcham . Regarding, .the com-
merce of this place I can* give little definite and satisfactory informa-
tion. In my circuuisrances^ not much wouid naturally be expected
lS4r. yjtiers nf Pukchau fci 523
of me on the* subject of trade. A few remarks however may be
allovrable. At present its legal commerce is mainlv with the neighbor*
iiig ports, such as Amoy, Ningpo, Sh&nghii, and the intermediate
places, together with the neighboring countries. It has also a small
trade with the {J^ I^ Leuhkhew isles, and a much larger with For-
nioe^.i on 'Which to some extt^nt it depends for rice. • Wood and pa-
per brought hither from the interior are abundant, and are articles
of export.*' The manufactures of this^port must beextensive, judg-^
ing from the multitudes here employed, as mechanics and'' artisans.
Among them^'are^household furniture, including chairs, tables,'
l)edstead&, cupboards,* trunks of various descriptions, ornamented
Ump-shades madeofglasS) and others of silk on wooden frames, paper;
and ' ^Isoi.lampS' of various ' descriptions. - Tin, * iron, copper, and
coarse earthern ware are also made- here to a considerable amount;
Clocks and watches «re' also made* within the city,* p''obably ofin-'
forior quality; Indeed most articles of convenience and luxury in
common use among the Chinese appear here to be manufactured,
probably, to a considerable' extent for exp<vtation. Chinese artists
areherennmeirous and some of their productions, compared with
those of other Chinese artists exhibit constderablc skill > in their pro-
fession. ^The< low price of wages here^ doev not conduceta eminence
f a thetMrnamentai arts. * Were it not for the immense variety of the
parraits of this great-multitude; it would seem impossible for them
Untobtaina sobststenceu Thei general impression here is that the
commerce of this city is much inferior now to that of former years.
Trade- IS. naturally supposed to be^ much; injured by the opium trade,
aljout2j000,00ftof doUarsirbeing, as is by some thought annually here
expended' in- the: purohaseMof this drug. The prevalence of piracy
on 'Iheiseat coast is a: hihderance to its commercial* prosperity « The
Ttcaity ofthis city to thettea-hills, gives it great natural advantages
for the 'tea trade,/ especially in view of its connection ^ith^ them by
.wstert commnnication. It is- brought hither for a trifling eonsidera-
tioojiv But so vast an interest i foreign and native is now; sand long
ha» been concentrated in this trade to that city, th^tiit might be
difficult, if desirable, to divert the trade to this city to a great extent^
iitiless a large foreign iqereantile interest were here to be establish-
ed.: ti. In/ that case, there is no reasonable ground to doubt that tea
wonid come hither in great abundance. Apparently all that is want-
ing^ to bring it here is the presence of the purchasers. The cost of
transportation being small,* and the inland duties light, it is reasona-
ble to suppose it might be purchased much cheaper here than al
Canton. Where the navigation ii favorable, tea boats reacbhereiti.
Ibur d»ya from ^/A^ Simg UuUi the place in wbieh the teae Are
stored prior to their being sent to Gantod, and when narigaticm m.
tnoel unfavorable rtot above 8 or 10 days are required.. Thoicoet of
uansportation is froiA600, to 1000 cash per picul aeoording to the
state of the navigation.^. A tea merohant iufiirms meitbatiblaek teaof,-
fiiperjor quatitjP) when cheapest caa be bought here for 20,000 easb
per,J.OO catties, .and when at its nraximum price is wort|t foar times,
that amount* Good black teft,^«anhe<>purGhased at retail for 400
cash: pier cattj., A large foreign demand would pcpbably, by brings.,
ifig the tea,ao.a large, amount to this place,- rouofa reduce the pribe..
With what feelings the. arrival: of foreign merchants would here. b«
grf«ted I. am unable to iay. Pr6bably however with, different feelibgn
according as- their individual interesu might thereby be aflbcted^
Considering the large population 6f this cityv and the. densely pc>-»
pulated and fertile . country by whiich it is suri'ouilded, in addition td^
its being the capitol of this province^ it W6uld seem > that here rmiftat
be a wide field' for the disposal of foreign fabrics^ Foreign pieoe
goodstto a .large amount are here said to be sbld by the native lDer<»
chants. .. Many of tbeur establishments are brgc and isuppliiNi wills
a larg^ .amount df goods^ esp^ciallf those, withiii the city. . Ruesiaii
cloths are also sold to a considerable amount. Diffieulties arettakl^
tohave been. met;^.v^ith .by foreigners in the.. profitable idisposahof
piece goods, from the-jealousy of the native merohahti or from iome
other cause^ hot. there is no reason totfuppose 'thatthdy should bo
otherwise than temporary, in case tcade: Were prosecuted wiih.Iwii^
don and energy, combined with a kind ahd coh6inatitfig de&i6anor% *.
11. Importance of Filhohau fu, aa a missionarj field. Td< those
wlroiie hearts are intisrested in the great work df Christian, miasionsi
it.is in a moral respect that this field must be mainly ihterestiog/
MfhereVer there aire known to be immortal kiols^ lividg in ignoriincd
of .the gospel, however obscul'e may bis tbdir situatioiiv and however
unimportant they may be in a political and eommereial |>oinl'6f
view, thither turns the heartof the enlightened and devoted Christ
tiabj with compassionate emotions, and fen^ent desires that the gldd^
tidings of peaoe^ and pardon through Jesus may soon re&ch their
ears,, and penetrate their hearts. Considering this city and viiinityi
as a field for philantbropio and Christian effort, it se^ms to ih.yself
hardly possible to form too high an opinion of its importance and
promissi relying on the CKxipemting power of the Holy Spirit, r It is
important in. vievf of i|s ex^Qt,. .
1847. NMces bJ Fuhckau f^. 525.
• Pmbkbl^ th^e is do scotion of Chtna» yet fullj throwir opeii to Ihe
go«t>el^ where more, if «• madj scvuls, are to fully aoccaaHnle la ital
purifying and safing influenee< Canton contains a much larger po«
pttlation; than thia eity, but excepting ita suburbs, it m yet closed
agalnal miaaionaries, aa well aa other foreigners, and when its gates,
wiU be opened, seems doilbtfel, notwithcitntiding the late engagement
lofiope» theto in t#o yeara It te otherwise with^thie plaee^ the.
eniife! city, and- its extensive saburbv being thrown open to the
heralds of the: glorious gospel of the Son of Ood« Mbeh greater
reiigidas liberfy is here Enjoyed, than in a large portion of wh4t ia
daUedtbe Ghriatian world. > r. .. i: \ ;-:^- 1\^ .
. A afield- ia large, according to th^. nomliers in it thai lire actaallyr
accessible, not alwaya according to its territorial extent, and no-^
nk^rioal population; On: this principle, this in conapafisoii with the
othdr . proiestant missionary fields in China, is certainly- among 'thtf
miiPt'in^portant... » : : u .. ..* .;; "i ]■..-<[->»:() ;*;.i'-) •!»»? l
.-It is also important viewed in its relation to the ^tenst.ofi. mill ions,
whotQ through tha viceroy of this and the Gbehkting provirtde^ it
Diby.;in a minor' eense^- be said to govarn, . Ihia' being ;hia- resideniie
and that orihe general of the Tartar troops^ . who in-official rank is
06dflidered'his equals It is also the residence of other .distinguished
iiiBic^ra. ^ Should, the goapel here triuitiph, over idolatry and ialsd
vdi»giofl^ and tba mass of this people become real Christians, togetber
with their rulers, it is iropossibla. to ealctilate, i how r happy lintl
pji^werful amoral influence^ might from thia. point, go Ibrlh: to en^
lighten and to bless the maity miUiona,. who now lookup. to it neat
to :t^e. throne of : tbe eaiper or h irosel f, as the ■ .f esidenoe of their cjv il
an^ military head and example* . The influence of great cities is
9] ways powerful, .either for gppd or for evil^i^enerallyin Christian
lands in both repeats, but in heathen lands mainly for corroptina. Our
Kaviof when on earth, labored mainly in the cities and, villages of thc^
IlblyLand, and after his, resurrection, ileeomroandedrbia apostles
to:i6|Daifi at Jerusalem until they should be endowed: )i»ilh.ipowet
frbmiOn high, it waa .in tkaf^ then-^reat. and. splendid ^ctty^r that
the^^l^ospel -enjoyed its .first triumphs^ and <ffom them its ilighti was
rapidly diffused over a large part of the. th^ .know4 world, axteod^
ing from, citiea to v411agea| and from the villages totOftheisurround*
lngjcountry» untily through the mighty power of the Holy iSpitit ao«
eompanying it^; near the .be^inoiag of the 4tb «entury^ tWaf despiaed
and persfottted ;religion> in the person of C4aiiataBiiQe» #««ia|Med.the
iitdpertal throfi^Mmd compeUed i4olalry,witb.«haiiie 10 hide its. heath
520^ Nbtiees of Fuhchau fu. N6v J
Anoiher consideration that* imparts an interest to this field is the
Hterarj character of its inhabitants. Six tenths or more of the adalt:
male population, it is said, can both read and write, and three tenths
of the females. This fact must give the Christian missionary :a great'
adfantage, in the vray> of making known the gospel • through the-
medium of buoke. Were L to select a. stand as a tract distributor oh
any one of the great thoroughfares of this city,' I should from -mor-o
ning to night be constantly pressed by eager* applicants for boa]M^»
and> unless I occupied :a «afe and favorable position, I should be?
HI danger of being oyerwhelmed by the multitude. As^ ^knowledge:
is power, the'acquaintance of this people with books,- must' alsaadd^
to'thetir- influence-abroad.: Perhaps in no portion, of the* world is
education more respected 'than in China,' imperfect as is their liter-;
arf training compired with that of scholars -in the western worlds'
Eiilinenceias a scholar,- iCccording to their notions of scholarship,'
Js the chief passport to promotion in the state. This city has the
reputation of furnishing ^a large proportion of hterary graduates.
Should these scholars t)ecome real Christians, and ferrent preachers-
of the gospel here and hi other provinces, what a blaze of light-
might ^burst forth on this* benighted empire! May we not expect
that the proud and skeptical disciples of Confucius, will yet humbly*
learn of Jesus, and become the zealous and 'detoted* heralds of the
gospel ' la 'their* dyiiig countrymen ? ' Nothing is impossible with
Ood. China must be^ evangelized mainly through the divine blessing'
on the labors of a-native ministry. Should not the literary ' class in
Chinabe the subjects of special prayer? ' • n >.^ m: a In: r-v . . .|
i' The very extensive nse of opium here, while next 'to man's totaF
Moral corruption by nature, il constitutes in all probability, the
{i^eat^t ^bMacle to the ' saving ihflulfince or the gospel;' yet is A
powerful^ argtimeht in fator^of a mighty eflfort to impart to this peo-
ple Its saving truths ; - for 'nothing but ' the * gospeF, * attended by th6
Iresistlesr energies of the 'Holy Spirit; can>tedeem them from- the
deminiofi of this giant trice^* pur ify their 'hearts from the love of sin;
and thus'sSve thetp both from temporal and from eternal ruin. Should
thrune of opium : in Chin4 increase in the same ratio' for 20 years to
oome^as. Itl has done ifbr the last rwehlfiy^arsi it does seem^^> that this
great* nation -muss bebrdught to the' f^ry verge 6f rtm. 'Aifd^hat
elseithaii thb'l^bspel reforming public sentiment, And' 4^ the renewed
brestm^ a holy abhovrencie of si^nsttaiity, and'flSh iQ''all itsfbrms^can
hA'depewded on to^^arrestf this tidebf physioal>and=moral rain, that
dpiMvis pooriHf *in' lipon^this people t Uhlisss Aconstiained by public
1847 Notices of Fuhchau fH. 627
sentimenl .«od moral feelingf^are those' who furnish opium likely to
abandon the. trade? In the foreign mercantile community in China*
theimoral sentiment against this trade, if such exist, is apparently
very feeble, and it seems hardly. to be regarded as a moral wrong,
for the most respectable and influential of the mercantile community
are in some form concerned in it, men who* are forward in aiding
many benevolent objects, and friendly to religious institutions. And
even should opium cease to be furnished to- the Chinese from abroad,
they probably would produce it at home, to supply an enlarged
demand, the existence of which, nothing is adequate to prevent,
but, the mighty power of the gospel renewing the: heart,, and drying
up- the fountains of moral evil. The Chinese government, until it
becomes Christian in its spirit, is unlikely to oppose any powerful
barrier to the sale and use of opium. It*has already signally shown
inability to stem this. evil. The very shops in which opium is retail-
ed,, and smoked are said to abound in the' neighborhood of the offices
of .the mandarins, and their retainers are peculiarly ens|f ved to its
use. The .Chinese soldiery are said to be preeminently addicted
to 5>pium smoking.. Shall we then withhold from the Chinese the
means of their salvation from temporal and eternal ruin, and suffer
the. present generation . to pasa off tftie stage* of life leaving behind
thepa & people more enslaved to the intoxicnting drug, than them?
selves, the v^ry dregs,, as it were of t'he worlH-, perhsps as a just
punishment for their pridie avarice, sensuaKty, and foolish, debasing
idolatry?. Providence ni ay suffer this eviil «o increase and rage until
but. a miserable, feeble reratiant of hec present httlidreds pf millions
shall. remain,, the wreck of her former greatness;- and then glorify his
gospel, by making it the* means of saving .|!henatiQii',f^oin temporal,
aiid.its people as individuals, from* eternal- ruiuv But whatever may
be, his^pur poses in this respect, art<hey are CO uti utiilfnown, fhey can-
not affect our duty. The fact that Pravidbnce has influenced the
Q|f(uese government to grant, by^ irpperial decree, ftill toleration to
the gospel throughout its immense domains, indlcstes favorably ii|
respect to hia designs, touching the speedy conversion of this great
people, especially in connection' with other providential movements.
Our duty is, by extending to them* at the earliest possible period the
gospel, to do what we can* to arrest this- mighty and increasing evil,
and save their precious souls. £«ike the charmed bird under the
serpent's fascinating influence, the more the' Chinese yield to its
powerful seduction, the more firmly must they be* held, and the
more cruelly must they be hugged by this hyiJpa, whose touch is
529 Notices of Fukchau /i2. NoV^
tagiofi, and whose embrace is death. Ifthe speedy, general introduc-
tion of the gospel, should not be the means of the salvation of many
of those who are now enslaved to opium, it might be the means of
preventing multitudes of adults, and of the rising generation, from
being drawn into the mighty vortex, which is now hurrying so many
of the Chinese to destruction.
But supposing this people free from the use of opium, and from
other habits destructive to health and to life, still the gospel beings
God's appointed means for the salvation of sinners, its tmpartation is
as important as is the eternal well-being of their precious souls. For
thousands of years they have already in successive generations, lived
aud died in ignorance of its saving truths. Should the church
longer delay to give the Chinese the gospel T May we not hope that
the day of China's redemption is near at hand? Do not prophecy
and <ilod's concurrent dispensations encourage this hope? What
changes, preparatory to the gospel's triumph, have within a few^
years transpired in this empire? How has God made the wrath and
cupidity of man to praise him ! China is no longer isolated from
the Christian world as once she was. God is in his providence say-
ing to his people, enter and take possession of China for Christ
yottr Lord. By his aid his church shall here triumph, for his pro-
mises are sure, and with him nothing is impossible. Let then our
motto be '^ In God we hope,'* The conflict may be long and severe,
and multitudes of the soldiers of the cross may fall in the battle be-
tween Christ and the god of this world, but through his aid victory is
Certain. Its purchase will be cheap, even should it cost millions of
the choicest lives. All who are true martyrs to Christ and his cause
shall wear an unfading, immortal crown. Who will come over and
help tts. Are there tioC many of the soldiers of the consecrated
host of God's elect who will joyfully respond to our divine master,
each one for himself. Lord, here am I, send me. If such be thy
will, permit me, to make known thy name among the benighted mil-
lions of China.
^^«M^kAAA^MMA#%^AAAAtfWMVM^^^MMM^
1647. Deseripiion of Shanghai 529
Art. II. Desfriptian of Shanghai: Us ponition; early history:
walls; gates; canals and ditches: pools and wells; streets:
houses : government, offices and incumbents : atstom-houses ;
military forces ; literary institutions : common schools: religious
institutions: Chinghwang midu; Budhists, Sfc.; benevolent
institutions; burying grounds; the trades and hmidicrafts;
commerce t foreign and domestic; cotton; tea; silk; woollen stuffs;
manufactures; ship4fuilding ; commercial houses; suburbs; the
Foreign Factories and residents; real estate; climate; popu'
lotion; and Christian missions.
• ■
Shanghai is situated near the sogtb^eaatern extreme pfthe gr^at
central plains of China, which are coramQnJ^ spoken of as the plains
of Ki&ngnin. The city is in latitude tfV 34' 29'' N., longitude
121* 32' 02" E. and derives its name from Shdnghni hien, the
name of the district of which it is the capitaJ or chief town. It
stands on the western bank of the Hwdng p/, a broad deep river,
and is distant from its embouchure, Wusung, ^even or eight miles
in a right line nearly dne south, but by the river, which, between
the city and Wusung makes a wide bend eastward, the distance
may be twelve or fourteen miles.
Before proceeding to give a description of the city itself we will
first glance at its relative bearing and history, as this will enable us
better to understand its present importance, and to appreciate its
future growing influence — especially as regards foreign intercourse.
By looking upon any correct map of the Chinese empire, it will
be seen that into the ** Yellow Sea,*' — between the Chusan group
and the promontory of Sh&ntung — three great rivers empty their
waters, drawn from an immense and very populous region — on the
south, and north, comprising in its outline^ full one half of the
whole eighteen p-'ovinces of China. These rivers are the Tsien
tang, the Ydngtsz* kidng and Hwdhg ho, emptying their waters
into the sea between the thirtieth an<L thirty-fourth degrees of north
latitude : the greatest of these three, and the one that afTords access
to this city, is about midway between the two others. These rivers
open easy communication for an inland commerce, the greatest per*
haps in the whole world, giving access to at least one hundred and
fifty millions of people.
VOL. .\VI. NO. XI. 07
530 Dtscripiion of Shanghai. N^y,
For the inhabitiints of this extensive region, most of it wholly
unexplored by foreigners, the city of Shinghii is the great central
entrepdt.
-Dnce, no doabt,, the eastern plains of Ki^ngn^n were partially if
not wholly beneath the surface of the sea, but the earth accumula-
ting has by slow degrees driven back the waves; The water-courses,
however, are still very numerous and some of them deep; and the
currents, moving with the rising and falling of the tides, very power-
ful. Consequently, many of the channels have changed their beds.
The river Wfisung is an example of this. Twelve ccynituries ago, in
the time of the Tdng dynasty, "says the Chinese historian,'' the
river of Wusung was twenty H; in the time of the Sung it was nine
It; afterwards it gradually lessened down to five, to three, to one /t."
The beds of other rivers have been gradually filled, and "are no
longer to be seen." Cities, towns and markets have risen, flourished,
and disappeared. To the Chinese antiquarian it can hardly be
otherwise than interesting to trace these changes; but foreign rea*
ders will not care to follow them in their doubtful researches. How-
ever, should any wish to know what the Chinese themselves have
written concerning the early history of Shanghai they may satisfy
their curiosity by referring to Kidking Shanghai hien chi & B3$
-h i$ JS^ i^> " A statistical account of the district of Shanghai,
in the reign of the Emperor Kiiking." ._.
Centuries before the Christian era, when ConfiTcius lived and
wrote, this region of country belonged to Wu, and. -afterwards be-
came one of the Three States, so celebrated in Chinese '* Historical
Romance." In the time of the Tsin dynasty, about two centuries
before our era, it was first raised to the rank x>f a hien, and was called
Lau ; j^; it then belonged to the princedom of Uwui JU, ^ ip^,
where the great Yii is said to have died.
The first mention of its present name is found in the time of the
Sung dynasty,, which rose A. D. 960. The city was then called
Slilngh^i chin, or the market of Shingh^ii, which literally means
'* upper sea," or the " high sea." The account which seems ^most
probable, as it is ihe most natural, is that there were two regions or
rivers, one designated the Ijower and the other the Upper sea ; and
hence it is said, was derived the name. Others say there, were eigh-
teen great rivers, among which one was called, the Lower sea and
another the upper se^i, and hence the modern name. We also find
the characters reversed Uiii Shnnsf, '* Upon the sea," indicating
that the city or district was^ situated contiguous to, or upon the sea.
■ 1S47. Descrfpfiun of Shanghai, 531
The modern Shanghli hien is one of the eight districts which
form the department '' Pine River y** or Sungkidng fu, which again
is one of the twelve departments that make up the province of the
modern Ki^ngsu, the capital of which is Sucbau. The district is
bounded on the north by Paushin, on the north-east by Chuenshd,
on the east and south by N4nhw4i, on the west by Hwdting, Lau
and Kiiting. In this whole region of country, as far as the eye can
see, there is not a hillock to obstruct the range of vision and it is
exceedingly rich and productive. Excepting some slight undula-
tions, it is hI- one wide level plain. Mr. Fortune, in his '* Wander-
ings,'' has given a charming, and as far as we have had opportunity
to judge, a faithful description of this region. *' As an agricultural
country," he says, "the plain of Shdngh^i is by far the richest I
have seen in China, and is perhaps unequalled by any district of like
extent in the world. It is one vast beautiful garden. The soil is a
rich deep loam, producing cotton, wheat, barley, rice, peaches, with
great varieties of vegetables."
The district is not one of great extent, being from north to south
only 90 ft, and from east to west 86 /?.• In the imperial statistical
account of the Empire, it is 84 from north to south and 54 from
east to west. In a work before us we have the following statement
' of distance? : from the city of ShiLngh^i.
* We are indebted to a gentleinan connected with the Britiih coniulate
at Shdnghai for the Chinese measures :
The Chinese Land measure is t6 inches, or 6^ English feel to Ihe /fU,
and two puXott ekdng. The custom-house chdng is 141 inches; ihe Land
measure ehdng is 132 inches:
As also, 72iiU square English feet to one square mdu;
As also, 4,3560 English square feet to one English square acre ;
Say, six square m&u to one English square acre ;
Or, *^4U square ^ to a square motts=15 into 16 pu ;
At, , 30| English square feet to one square pu,
^ one square pa being 5^; feet in length by 5^ feet in breadth.
L The /Hi ^ is six ehih ^long: i. e. the La pan chik, ^ Jjtt/i> '^■o nulled
the pah tsun ehih, /\ '^ /v> or eight inch chih, being equal to eight
inches of the Tsii <*^;^, chih, or Tailor's chih. The Hai kwdn [ehih,
W ^ /^» (or| custom-house chih) is call the kiu fnrn, ^ "l^J-, or nine
inch chih, being equal to nine inches of the Tsdi i or Tailors chih. Of the
TMoiiehik there are two kinds, one three tenths longer, than the other. The
X* p<m chih originated in the Sung dynasty. [N. B. Five ikiodn |cAtA,
^ y\9 or official chih make a pd.
582 DescripiuM uf Shanghai, Nav.
To Chuenshi the dwUnce ii 90 H,
To the sea coaat the distance is 50 /i,
To N4tl b#41 the tfiifaAcd ti 78 /i.
To Taioff p4 the dkunce iMd&li,
fo P&uaUkD the distance if 12 /i,
Td SoAekiiillg thl> distkhctt ii 60 Ii,
To Sdckaa the disttMe i« 944 <i.
To Nanlcing the diaunce ii 880 /(«
To Pelcing the distance is 786d /i,
Like the feat of th6 Empire thia district is cut up into numerous
subdivisions ; thus ther6 are
HiiMg jDS, or townahi|tf ;
P^ ^, or ty things;
7^ ^ , or wards. •
These divisic^ns, and subdivisions are all named and numbered.
The townships are Called Ck&ng jin, ^ J^, and Kdu chAng^
1^^. the first contain three, and the second nine Pdu, or Tythinga.
The twelve are numbered, thus, Nds. 16, 1^,21, and so oh up to
30. The names uf the tythings and wards of^en indicate the nature
of the places they desi|rnate. ThUi ward No. 15, of the tythings
No. 25, ift called Ching hwdng miuii, which is the name of the tem-
ple dedicated to the god who presides over the' eityi atadding upoii
that site. So in another oase we find Then ckik Idng ttien kau^
** Front and rear of the Lord of H»'aven's temple," which ia the
name of ward No. 22, in tything No. 26, situated some miles west-
ward from this city.
There are also market towns, or villages at whieh there are re-
gular markets^ which are called thiik jM, and ski '^. Among these,
some thirty or forty in number, is the Lung hwd, the site of a
pagoda, three or four miles up the river above Sh<1ngh4i. .
In the Statistical Work, published in the reign of Ki&king, allud-
ed to above, there is a chart of the rivers, canalsi creeks, etc. of this
district, showing how completely the nrhole country is intersectefl
in all directions by water^^ourses. So eKteiiaive "are the ramifica-
tions of these, that apparently there is no parcel of ground, of any
considerable extent, that cannot be reached by water in boats. With
the exception of the Hwang pu and the Wilsung, however, they are
all lob siViall knd unimportant to require any particular notice in this
general description of the d strict.
The Hwdug p'/, i^^i in breadth and depth is not very unlike
the Chukiing, or Pearl Kiver, at its entrance near the Bogtie. But
as you ascend the two, they are found to be very difTereut, that being
1847. Dtscriptim of Shanghai, S33
shfillow at Canton, and thisde^p enough for large vessels many miles
above the city of Sh.ingh&i. Hiatorians say the river derived its
name from one Hwdng hieh^ who first opened out this channel. It
affords an easy communication with the northern districts of Cheh-
ki^ng, so as to secure intercourse between this and the city of
H&ngchau.dLC. *'At Sh&nghdi the river is as wide as the Thames at
London Bridge."
The Wusufig, ^ ^, though very far inferior to what it once
was, is still navigable fur the imperial grain junks destined from
hence, to the Grand Canal at Sijchau. How the outer anchorage
of this river leading up to Sh&ngh&i hien, and the little village near
it above PAush^n, have come to be called VVusung we do not know.
Neither of them is within the jurisdiction of Sh4ngh^i hien. On
the m^p, this river from the point where it unites with the Y^ngtsz',
kiang and all the way up to this city is called Hwang pu. The
river of Wi'isung is marked with equal plainness, coming in from
the westward, as a small tributary, and uniting its waters with those
of the Hw4ng pu Wo near this city that it forms the northern boun-
dary of the British consul's grounds now occupied by the foreign
factories. In common parlance, however, the Wusung is the main
river, and the HwAng pti the tributary.
Keeping; in mind these brief preliminary notices, regarding its
geographical situation, the reader will now be prepared to take up
the description of the city more in detail.
MAf
.1847. Descripiion of ShdngMi. 535
The watts ofShdogh^i were first built about three centuries ago.
There is extant a memorial addressed to the emperor Kiatsing, re-
questing permission ching chi^ " to city it," that is, to surround the
place with walls. The principal reason assigned for this measure,
was the exposed position of its inhdbitanis, they being constantly
liable to suffer depredations from robbers and pirates, who then
infested the country. Sh4ngh4i had long been a marltet place of
some importance; its population and commerc* were increasing,
and it had been repeatedly mentioned in the histories of preceding
dynasties. But in those early days it was not the principal mart for
the inhabitants of the^e regions. In the lapse of time, however, the
course of the rivers had changed, and the tide of population and of
business had set in this direction. Being still unprotected by any
walls, the inhabitants were continually in jeopardy from free-booters.
So late as in the time of tlie Yuen dynasty the town was repeatedly
over-run by Japanese pirates. The memorial, setting forth these
circumstanced had the desired effect. The emperor gave his con-
sent and the necessary directions through the proper channel, the
Board of Public Works. The walls soon went up, the good people
freely making large contributions to the public chest for that
purpose.
Their circumference^ in the Chinese account of the city, is estimat-
ed to be nine 1%. By engineers connected with the British expedition
under Sir Hugh Qmigh, in 1842, their entire circuit iaput down at
three miles and three quarters (3J miles). The form of the site
enclosed is neither square nor round ; nor does it exhibit any per-
fect figure. The longest line drawn from side to side through the
centre, would run from the north-west to th^ south-east; and said line
would exceed by one third a second drawn due cast and west and
by one quarter a third running from south-west to north-east, both
the latter passing through the same central point. Indeed, no consi-
derable portion of the wnil on either side, presents a right line, or an
exact curve, and the whole structure is but a poor specimen of
engineering.
Their original height wns eighteen or twenty feet, and in some
parts at present it does not exceed that limit, though five feet were
added about the* close of the Ming dynasty, a little more than two
centuries ago,
Tlieir * breadth varies more- than their height. At first there was
but a sin<7le outer wall raised, and the earth thrown up against it on
the inner side. Subsequently, however, an inner wall was raibcdor
536 Description of Shanghai. Nov.
the east and aouth-cast sides, nearest to the river, giving the whole a
much more substantial form, iu breadth being, say fifteen feet. The
entire wall, as it now stands, is surrounded, on the outer face, by a
bulwark, about two feet broad and six high, with embrasures or
loop-holes at the distance from etch other of nine feet. Behind this
bulwark on that part of the wall nearest to the river, having both
an inner and outer face, there is a terre^ple:ii, fifteen or more feet
broad.
These loop-holes the Chinese call /iVA, ^. They are three thou-
sand six hundred and odd in number. They are two feet broad and
about the same deep, but so far above the terre-plein that they would
be unserviceable except in the use of the musket and the bow and
arrows. At the interval of every few rods, there are what the Chi*
nese call tsien Idi, '^| J&, ** arrow towers." These are square
projections of the main wall, so as to allow on each side of the pro-
jecting part two loop-holes and one in front, being five in all, on
each tower. The whole number of these arrow towers^ in the en-
tire circuit of the walls is twenty.
On the north-east side of the city wall are two iih lau, t^ Mt«
"battle halls," and three Isa/i^ /dt, ^ ^, "elevated terraces."
What these may once have been does not now appear. Others of a
similar kind have fallen to ruins, and these are fast going to decay,
and at present serve merely or mainly as retreats for beggarly priests
and reptiles.
The structure and maierial of the entire walls are such as to ren-
der them but a poor defense against a modern foe. In some places
the Ibundation and lower parts of the walls are of stone, but the
main body and upper part, including the bulwark or parapet is built
of brick and mud, and might be very easily demolished. Indeed
the walls have been repeatedly breached by the action of the ele-
ments, the wind and rain. In the 17th year of Kanghf, several rods
of the wulls and one of the gates fell. The parapet at the same
place, fell again in the52fUh year of Kienlung, and they must, if we
mny judge from the present appearance, very often need repairs in
time to come.
The gates of the city are six— one at each of the four cardinal
points, east, west, norJi, and south, with one at the soutli-east and
another at the north-east. The gates all have double entrances—
an outer wall, in every respect like the main wall of the city, being
thrown out and around the inner gate in shape of a crescent or
1347. Deierifai4m of Shamghai. 537'
BeinicirclQ— wiih ona exception, wh«ro the projecting psrt is iquare
or neiirljr so. Tho Brches of both the inner aiid outer gales ire low
MRd narraw pArhups tweire feet broad and ten or twelve "high. The
(rules theraselvw ate in good keeping with the walls of which they
form part and parcel. Their Rsmes are the fuHowing. :
I. - Ckimttmng mmn, ^ ^ p^, generally called the great east-
ern gate : tsung is the point ti> which men and things turn ; ck6u
is the morning; it also means to viait, (o wait upon. Thta gate opens
to the asst, and is Ihc principal thoroughfare to the eastern soburba
and the river, tnd (his perhaps the' nanK was designed lO'indicsia.
'3. 'i/Twd/uAf amH^ ^ M^' A*^ ■" '^^ dritgon; and kioi-
means to paas over, to sit astride, or to ride in that aniiudej This
is (be great soutli gate, and leads (0 a military parade snd'oo into
tbecoiiotry. ,.■■-■■ ■..; !■. , .Ji'tun; f.i:.: :■'
3. ; rfmngmmm,^ ^ f^. the gate of f fling l/u^ is m crea-
lare of the Chinese imagtiiaiion, described as a divine biH, and is
regarded as a felicitous omen, appearing when virlueis in the as-
cendaiit and prosperous'^ times are ilbout (n be enjoyed : I means
what'is right and proper, also ■ role and pattAK: what the (wo,
ifimg, when combined, are Mtended to indicate; it Is not easy for
(he stranger to conjecture. 'We only know that tKis 'gate opens
westward and (cads forth to the wide and fertile pTslna of Rlangnin,
where at do great^ distance you find S'ichsu, Niknking, snd many
other celebrated cities. •-.■■■ J __ . .;: i, ,; ..i-
'■ 4. ''Jt^RAdt«tin,^''|^ p^ I literally the "trsriqwil'ai'a gate."
possibly has reference to the smooth and tranquil' waters' of ttii VS-
strns ki^ng, whicli ebb and flow at no grent distance, fofming, when
this city was built, the gre:it high way to the delightdil regions on
tlie west': " "' ■ i' -■:.■.■ ■-:i;-i.- .... ^:. ■
- 5, Ch'hi yang mnn. ^ ^ j^- siands near the south-east ex.
treme of the city, and ia commmily called the " little sout^ gate."
y&ng means the aurj. and cA/iu ihe mnrning; intending perh a px to
designnie is as the gnie (ifihe imirning sun.
6. Pnu tai mvn. ^^^ "Precious girdle gate" or the
gale of the precious girdlfe, stands distant from the great eastern gate
nnrthwnrda perhaps si*ijr rorfs. nntl is some twenty or thirty rods
distant from the rivel. " ■ ■
. Warchmenor girard'* are' sratinned st' eSch rtf theM si k gales.
Tliey stand oiieff by tfny, but are clnsftd-at an early'hour tt nigfal,-
mkI it is Ihiere sotn^limes. diRtcull fur llie nalive (6 find etiher in^
53S . DeUnpiian of Shdngkdu NbV; :
gress or egress, and ; he mast usaally pay two or three cash-to the -
keeper for perinissioo to pas8.i To<the foreigner however^ no soch r
key is needed to secure thatfreedom which is denied to the Chiuese^ii
The water gates,-^5AtOMt murr^na they are called are f(>ur in nom- •
her, opening a water communroation, with the moatisurtoandiog the -
city, by ditches passing unden the walls. Three of these water gates
are on the east side of the city, one near each of the three gates al- »
ready described ,* and the fourth is on ,the west close by the gate orv
that side. Originally they were evidently so- constructed that Ihey r
could be {Opened and ^closed with facijity.. .Saohiis Hot their, presents
condition^ being -!now'imade fast, in the mud that has accumulated
aroifnd them and «haif filled the several ditphes. • ^ » .. r? , .•:.'<:;
The canals^ ditches i moaiSt etc, which jBurround the walls, pass i
under them through the four water gates. and thence to the principal:
quarters of the city^ could hardly exist at all, and be in a worse con-
dition than that in which we now see theni. , Indeed some, of them *
are filled; with mud and refuse matter, 90 that you may pass over higii ;
stone bridges, under which were once deep channels filled with watfir^
sufficient for large boats, biK. where now there i¬liing but earth and.
filth piled up to the very ke7*«toiie8*..,Ouemight naturally expect. that,
these" water-courses wpuid M be keptin ihe best possible condition, a9 ;
in that CHse they wodff contribupteso much.to the bealthi and; com fort
of the inhabitants, isteadof being left to become, as many of them are«.
intolerable nuisances, — <>( le9M so they would be considered in ^any,
other than Chinese crtres; . O^c^cfoubcless they were, or at least some of
them, in a much better condifionr than at present;, and historians speak,
of them as being sixty feet broad; but at: present they are not more,
than fifleen or twenty feet, and. in some; pi aces not more thantwelveii
The moat which surrounds the city, outside of the walls, was.prp^i
bably opened out by humarv industry, at the time when the walla
were erected, the, excavated earth being, used to form the rampart..
The others, for the most part, appear to have been natural channels,
and the shape of the city so formed as to. take advantage of them for,
artificial purposes. That sucb hae been the case ^ made very evident
by a reference to some of the old tiFtps ofShingh^r as it existed
when it was merely a chin or market townr,. prior Co the building of
the walls. These channefo were then called pnngr ^/pL, and among,
them where the following ; first on the south siehi kid pang, ^ .^
^&. second ehdu hi& pAug^ ^ M- ml'! and third, on the north*:
fing pdfig jhj ^^ ^ these communicating distinctly with the greafl
1847. . Ditcripium of SkdngUii. 599
river, the Hw&ng pu. Now, at the present time, the three channels
which pass under the walls of the city near the three eastern gates,
bear these same names, and are no doubt ail that remain of those
once broad water^courses,
These three pdng, as they are laid down on the old maps, ran near-
ly parallel to each other, from east to west. The central one, the
ekdu- kid pang f is now b.etween the ri?er and the wall nearly filled
with mud, but at the eastern ghte, where h enters the city, it is sup-
plied with water from the moat, that surrounds the wall, and runs
thence due west, and passing out, by the western gnte^ intersects the
moatontside of the wall, and there branches off into the country. The
southern, the -ieh kid pang, at present comes in from the Hwdng pii
in a south-easterly direction ; and as already stated, passing under the
wall near the little southern gate, runs from thence westward almost
parallel with the wall and not many yards from it, until incomes near
to the western gate ; then it divides, and one - part turn* round and
extends oft due east half way through the city ; the other part, by
a circuitous course- -northward, uuites with the central channel, the
cAdu kid pdngi On the north, the'/t^n^ p/'n^, with full supplies
of water from the Hw&ng pu, first fills up the moat that goes round
the city, -and them passing under the wall, near the northeast gate
runs like- the two others due westy and when almost reaching the
'walij it divides',' one 'branch going oft first to the north,, and- then, to
'this east;- while the other branch, after near ing the wail, turns south-
il^krds' and unites' with the central channel, near the western water-
|ga(e^*'ihhMigh which the united waterof the three ebb aud flow, ris-
ing' ahd^'^falllng with- the water in the Hwang pu, fromwwbich they
'are all 'su\>plied. At low tide all the channels are qnite dry, except-
'iiig^ when they are dammed up so as to prevent a free current. From
the moat round the wail, there are several branches running oft* into
tHe country;- likewise from the main channels in the city there are
numerous Smaller ones;
Jtidging from the action of the water in all these, the entire sur-
face of the city must be a dead level, and the bedsi of the channel be-
low the surface-of the water iii the river at low tides; <
' ' Over these canals are numerous bridges many of them built of
-graftiite bldcks and slabsi^ often presenting a very handsome turned
arcb.' Most of theser stone bridges^ however> are very old, and some
'of them are more or less dilapidated. .;...}•.
On the western and northern sides of the city ^ witbto the wallst
are^" some stagnant pools.: :^ Wells abound. in eferyi part^of both< the
640 Discripiumof Shdnghdi. No¥.
city and subtirhs. Thcrt are also here nnd there, tanks, or reaerroirs,
sunk beiieatb the aiirfkce of: the ground. Of pore spring water there
is none here, nor in this vioinity, there not being a hill or mound
visible in any direction from the city. The water of the liver is- ge»'
nerally preferred for culinary purposes, it being first rendered pure by
the .application of ^lum;. j - ... . . -j .i ;• : n ;J
i. . The sireei$ of Sbinghii are narrow and.ver.y irregular, only one, we
•beUeve, rpnningqitiit through the city.fnMn-side.tasidet thiaJtaree
from the great-eastern to the ;western: gale; carrying :yoa close aloQg
on the north side of the ekdu.kid p&ng. Generally; a street will be
foUhd near each side of thei several canals.. .The waterHBourses- have
evidently given dire«|iou« to m^vit of the . streets in the city; for be-
sides: those^ that rvxoiiiQar to and parallel with them, all the others,
with few exceptions, " will be found either to fall in with these^ main
streets, as aecondiry parallels, or they crosa or branch off from them
at nseariy. right angles. The:ex(;eptiotts must be extended, to a street
whichis.just within the wall and nearly parallel with it, paesing from
the.sQuthi around to the iUorth-wM ; to some ftree^ along |he minor
branches of the> eapala ; audi to a f<9 w other short and winding wsy^
-ini.vertooa pactS'of iheroiiy. -i ;..i; .; .'..,:•.•. t! *.jij' njii •;-•>• • i
• The mate i#r8tls,ot those which areohief places of business anil
conoourserare that which.. leads. quite» througK the ^ity,^ from the
gf^eai eastern to the western gate; ;thal<fromthQ. little north-eastern
•gatCf running near ithei north aide of thet.F;ing, ping;.. Apd the onp
•next'to it on the northern .sideof the;soetberQ .bcanoh.of Uie sam^
-Fdng p^ng ; these three run from . eastri tot west, i Eot^ring ilhe city
vat \ i he greati southern gate you go aloeg one of th9. main : Pirqctts. froqi
•antsUvto north, till.you are in front of the-ChUhienX ^^^^ The
foihermain street,'runningi:in ithis<directiou4 from? north .to 90Utb,
wiil.be foiiiid' in the central And easterapart of the city. ; ,:• -ut
The efUMi ofuheas.>atraeis^aa in all i. other Chinese- oitjeSk lire
sufficiently expressive, the nimes being intended lo ohnMcterize thi^
several places, or something belonging to ihem. Soieeiimes theiiume
isderived'from a foroily ; sometimeafroma trade* orit temple, a, ditch,
d&c. One boa been/named after the. LiO famiiy; another after the
Rnn, andiaoiof many othera.. We: bavteiialsor the Grf attend Peaceful
; street. Though ifatdsV^^iw the common term oorresponding tp our
wovd'slreel. and is in laot>ft a mere alley ^ yet^ iheChinese, Jik^ 6n-
ropeans, have their avenues^ sifoues,; places^. aU^rs^ janea, flMl f«h|p
■|h>it gw^debe'sod llii*eee«»»'r l^M.iitj.'ij-icu Li:H li-oj-;-/ -::; ..••
• TI^^6ii^i)mIiA 0f.t.l|e<8tseeisi:ifiay bejdi| an axef afe,: ti«cf«(l.; so^e
1S47. Description of Shanghai. MX
are narrower, and a few may be twelve or fifteen. The principal
ntiea are flagged or paved with stone, or laid with brick or broken
tiles. The latter are placed with their edges upwards ; and, though
having a rough appearance, make a very gctoA and substantial road
and withal cheaply constructed.
Narrow a« the streets are, they serve all manner ofpnrposes, and
at times are rendered nearly impassable on account of the mes.ses of
of goods and chattel)?, the various handicrafts, retailers, fortune-
tellers, and other nameless rifTraflf that crowd into them. Besides,
like the ditches and canals, they are the receptacles of rubbish oifiil
and, and serve other purposes, of which it were a shame to speak ;
and useful as they may be. are in all other countries thrown into the
back groimd, and concealed from public view.
The houses vary in size and qunlity from beitgnrly hovels, only a
few feet square, covered with tiles and th;itch, to large and commo-
dious habitations, extending over several acres. The general cha-
racter of the architecture is purely Cliineset in which the tent form
is most clearly preserved, and much more conspicuously in Sh«ingh^i,
than in some of the southern cities of the empire. The style is
unique, and whether the building be great or small, the same model
serves equally well for all and for each. An inferior dwelling of one
story may betaken as a sample of the general character of the whole.
A small site of ground is cleared and leveletl, SHy eighteen feet deep
from the street and twelve broad. For each of the long sides, or
ends of the proposed house, seven poles are erected, one in the
center projecting up to support the ridge; then, at the distance
of three feet on either side, two more, and then at another equal in-
terval, two more, and again two more, giving seven erect poles, three
on each side of the central; at the other end of the house, seven
more are placed, corresponding to the first seven. The ridge pole
is then laid on, and parallel to six more beams three on each side,
their ends resting on the tops of the erect poles, the beams on either
side of the ridge being laid so as to support the roof. Upon these,
cleats or slender rafters are nailed, and tile placed without lime,
cement or fastenings, and thus the roof is completed. Between the
poles, at each end, a double layer of bricks, cemented with mud
and lime, goes up, no space for windows being left open. Some
panels are then put up in front and rear, with partitions inside, and the
house is completed. Such is a sketch of the archietectare of Sh&ng-
h4i. From this single room of one story, you roust go on to add and
multiply, till you can. count them, by scores, and have them also a
second story, and sometimes even a third 9tory high.
543 Description of Shanghai. Nov.
A house (ot of the better kind will cover a site two hundred feet
square, or a hundred feet upon the the street, with a depth back of
two or three hundred feet, more or less. Within these outlines, you
will see a variety of courts, halls,- corridors, tanks, d&c, and perhaps
a part, one third or one fourth of the space shut up by a high and
massive, wall, like those of a nunnery. Sometimes, as in the case
of the pawn-broker's establishments, the massive wall encircles the
whole plot of ground, and rises twenty five or thirty feet in hight.
This high wall is intended to serve as a protection not only, nor so
much against robbers, as a safeguard against fire, (there being here
no Insurance offices) and is so constructed that the enclosed build-
ings cannot easily -be set on fire from without, all the entrances be-
ing made secure by having the doors plated with tile. These high
walls stand independently of the main buildings within, or serve only
in part for the same, as they are raised subsequently, and are con-
structed like all the others which have no surrounding walls.
Compared with what is modern European, or what is to be found «
in all modern Christendom, in every quarter of the globe where
Christian civilization has reached, the streets and the buildings of
a Chinese city present most striking contrasts. When Victoria
tmon, or whatever tht>y may please to call that quarter of Sh^ngh&i
which has been assigned to Europeans shall have had a few years
growth and become matured in its houses and streets, these contrasts
will be very conspicuous, and cannot fail to make an impression on
the most prejudiced minds. In one place you see what is Christian,
in the other what is pagan. Instead of spacious, clean and airy
streets, as seen in London, Liverpool, or Paris, you have the most
miserable substitutes, narrow, filthy and close, to a degree that
cannot adequately be conceived of, from any description. They
must be s'^en in order to be fully known. The contrast in the houses
is not less remarkable. A few there are, spacious, neat, and com-
fortable, and would be so esteemed by any people. But the great
majority, any nine tenths of the whole, are such as few Europeans
would like to inhabit. They are low, damp and dark, and so con-
tracted and close, as to be both very hot and very unhealthy. In
summer they are poorly ventilated, and in winter equally unfitted to
render their inmates comfortable. One might suppose that many of
the arrangements were designed to set at defiance all attempts to
secure health or comfort. The order of things, in their construc-
tion, is the European reversed. Instead of having a dwelling two or
three stories- high, light,* 'dry, and. well ventilated in summer and
1847. Description of Shanghai. 54^.
warm in winter, •these houses are made on the opposite plan ; conse-
quently foreigners who come to reside in this city, must build their
own houses, or must suffer severely by occupying such as the Chi-
nese have erected for themselves. Th*^ very exterior of thc^c
dwellings, with dark walls, unglazed windows, and heavy roofs sur*.
mounted by a \on% line of tiles piled with their edges upwards, pre-
sents a forbidding aspect; their interior with tiled or mud floors be-
low, and little or no ceilings above, is equally cheerless; and on trial,
if any one from choice or necessity makes it, they will be found no
less unsuitable for all the purposes. of health and comfort, than their
first appearance warranted us to expect.
The Chinese have been reproached as being " a nation without
shirts, streets, or table linen." U\ their habitations, whether regard
be had to health, convenience or taste, there is very little that is
worthy of commendation. N<me but a pagan people, half-civilized,
would or ought to be contented with such. Depend upon it, that
a moral renovation, following in this country, will be succeeded by
a corresponding change in their domestic habits.
The government of Shdngh^i though on a small scale, is an- exact
model of the supreme and provincial courts. The magistracy of
China is a wheel, within a wheel, his imperial majesty^ the son of
heaven, being the mainspring, the center of the whole. In the capi-
tal, around him, are the six Boards, ect. The same machinery is
found in each of the provinces, departments, and districts. Accord-
ingly, in this city, we may see a miniature picture of the imperial
court with all its essential features. The modern government aspires
to be both theoretically and practically, what it was in the days of
those great emperors who lived sonie frfteen hundred yeara before >
Confucius. .Hence, by acquiring a knowledge of any local' magis-
tracy, we supply ourselves with data for ascertaining what now ex-
ists in the higher spheres, as we go upwards to the seat of the one
man, who sits alone, as the vicegerent of tne bright azure heavens.
The several offices and their incumbents, as they now exist in
Sh^ngh'^i, stand thus :
I. Kin mingf Ktdng 5'/, Kien^tuh, hat kwdnfnn sifin Sti, Svng,
m. ping pi M« .' 1^ ^ ,x fi ^ f i^ li ^ |«{ i^ 1^ •
ik. 4t- ^^ ^^' ««>» 'i>^ J^ i&;
2. Huifang fung rhi ^ ^}j ^ ^, Tsin Ping Awdn ^ j|p§^;
3. Skang hni him chi hitn
544 Description of Shanghai. Nor.
4. Kidu yfi ^ fill/ Chdu Pang yen )^ ^^
6. Hien ching 1^ %, L»fi fCwoA tvng ^« [^
6. CAia pn ^ '|^\ I.iii iliV * i8?li ^ ^
7. T«>« 5* l|il ^, Yuen Wan chi ^^j^f
8. Hwang pw sz\ si«n kicn
Of the incumbents, in these several offices, we know nothing, ex-
cepting of Hieniinff, whose name has become familiar to fftrei-gners.
He ha9 resided at Canton and has once or twice visited Hongkoni;.
Ilewas present at the signing of the treaty in Nanking; and from that
time has been a steady supporter of the new and more liberal policy
that has been adopted, by the Chinese, in their intercourse with for-
eigners.
The offires, eight in number, as they stand above shall be here
briefly noticed.
I. This officer's long title, literally translated runs thus: "By
imperial authority superintendent of the maratiroe customs in Kiangsu
and joint director of the military in the departments of Suchau,
Sungkiang and Taitsang. " The office of lautdi^ or Superintendent,
though the highest in Shinghii and having the most to do with for-
eigners, does not property form a part of the local magistracy, but
belongs rather to the provincial government, the head quarters of
which are at Siichau, and is designed to eicercise a general surveil-
lance over the local magistracy.
It is one of considerable importance, yielding large emoluments.
It was first established \n the ninth year of Yiingching ; is situated
not far from the walls, half way between the great eastern and little'
south gates; and occupies a large suite of apirtments, corresponding
in number to the departments of business that come under the t4ut4i's
superintendency. To this office appeals may be brought up from
the sot>ordinate' cou-rts. Before the principal gate, warrants written
upon boards are daily placed; anxf any individual by taking in hand
one of these, according to the nature of the case, is authorise 1 thereby
to enter perstmaily hwt appear before the presiding functionary. So
the law ordains. The practice' is not so. That is ^11 a sham.
Who has not heard^ of the d'rum* pfaced at the outer gate of the
imperial ptilace? The like* is to be' fotHici at the entrance of each
local offixse throughout the empire.* There is such an one at the
tautai's gate. It is of »rene-ous diniensioiH, and was once furnished
with a fia&paitited head. But lime, alas, quite destroyed this beau-
1S47. Description of Shanghai. 54dr
tiful drum-head. Yet there it stands all tattered and torn, a silent
but truthful index of the modern executive in all this Und. The
truth is, the better half of the provisions of Chinese law, has gone
into disuse, and grievous usages and abuses have grown up in their
stead. The local courts have become, in instances not a few, dens
of robbers, fattening on the life-blood of the people. We have seen
gangs of gamblers sitting in the couru of this establishment, there
playing at cards, and for money.
2. Hdi/dng tungcki^" the marine protectorate and joint knower,''
is a sub-prefect, whose chief or principal is resident at Sangkiing
fu. Shinghii being an important post, and much exposed on ac-
count of its position to attacks from robbers and pirates, and withai
at the long distance of thirty miles from the seat of the prefect at
" Pine River," this assistant has been placed here for the better
defense and control of the people. His authority is both civil and
military, extending alike to the common people and the soldiery. In
rank and jurisdiction, he is superior to the Cht-bien or proper
magistrate, and matters of importance must be reported up through
him to the high provincial officers.
3. Shdnghdi hien ehi hien, " the knower of the business of the
district of Shingh^i," is the local magistrate of this city. The
principal duties of his office are, to control the people, to punish
offenders, to arrest disturbers of the peace, to admonish the lawless^
to encourage the good and industrious, to collect the revenue, and
forward it to the provincial treasury, to act as territorial arbiter and
settle all disputes regarding the tenure and lioundaries of land, to
oversee all the agricultural pursuits of the district, to replenish the
public granaries in times of plenty, and in seasons of drought and
famine to obtain from his superiors permission to deal out from the
same stores supplies as the exigencies of the people may demand. In*
ishort, his person is the true representative of majesty, and like his
imperial master, he ought and assumes to be father and mother to
the people. In the capacity of judge, he examines into all lawsuits,
can if he please use all manner of torture; but can act as final arbiter
only in minor concerns, it being incumbent on him to report all
weighty matters to his superiors for their approval and sanction. To
his superiors, moreover, he is accountable for the entire safe-keeping
of his trust. If fire, sword, famine, or inundation, or ought efse of
evil, come upon the people, it must be through his negligence and
he must answer for the same.
His usual term of holding office is three years. When it expires^
VOL. XV J. so. XI. 69
64tf beseripUon of Shanghai Ntir.
thtf people are generally ahxiona for a change ; the rererst of thts^
however, sometimes happens and at their especial request his period
of service may be extended, or by imperial permission renewed for
another three years. The business of his office is divided after the
manner of the imperial court, into six departments, and each of these
sit is subdivided into three or more branches, according to the amount
and kind of business they have to manage. To each of the six there
is a chief clerk and a great number of assistants, all Supported by
iafories from the public chekt. The' magistrate has also his private
aeeretarieiu
> All th^ subordittates constitute his household} and are^ or ought
io bei menr of l^tti^rs. Tbiiy are liable to degradlktion by the magis-
f ratli, who has power iifso tb promote th^ni if they are found meritb^
rioas. Persons thus employed, are permitted by lew or usage, after ai
(>enod of five yearsttagb to thfe governor's palace /or exaitiination,
where they are required to write essays and form^ of proclamation ;
md if found able and expert, the governor is authorised to give them
rank ^nd office, sabi^t however to the approval of the ettipernr
through the proper Board. If in this way they are succe^ful,
th^y are not freqnirM to attend the ordinary examination for de-
gfcAes. If OB the YAhet hand, when the^ come before the governor,
they are (bund deficient in ability^ th6y ifttnt either tak^anew liam^
or retii^ frbflb the magietraie^s^ empl6yment, and gi^e pUbeto otherfi.
Tim ** ktihwtft of thb district of Shihgh&i " h'iis his residence very
hfiir xhh (Seniretof ttfe eity, at the heifid bfth^ main street, leadiiig up
fVbml th^ great snuthem ^ate. Wfth all its d(e|>artm^hts it covers a
lai!^ area, Md Arotend it are cong)regMed a tfnass of leeches that live
bn the vUal^ of th6 fyeople. Jarls and houses of confinement, etc.,
Vri Mo WveA to be s^n. Thh pres^^t hrcdntbiBnt, Ldk Wtiwan,
^E m % ^as 110 gdod re)[>ntatiOn ; What teay be his real meHts,
Itdw^veiV, we ha^'e hdi the meatus to deterhiihe.
4. iQ& 'yfl is'eMdhddhiy, bu\ Very ii)(it>roper1y called by foreigners,
the ^ litbrifry iM^ifdiaHn.'' ' He is thhr^ed^ by the constitution of the
|oV^rhmdrit, W7th ihe eohtrol bf the pu'bljc schools, and more will be
Ifaid of this offi'cift bnder that bead.
5. 'T)itkren tkiil^ is a sub-ih^gistrate, second tb the chjf-hieh, ap-
p'6tWt<^d by higll kuthbHty, and tfrts as an iiMistant in the chief mag«
^kfticy. fii b'as^ of ii^ed h^ becomes the deputy of hYs superior, tb
Wi^bse ^etnden^, his ciWfi la contrgubus. ' - - -*.
6. The ch{ip6, •• lord-registrar," or registrar general, and originally
1847. Dtscripiiati of Skdnghdi. 647
keeper of the public recordst of the office where he wai appointed to
reside. At present, however, bis duties aie those of Chief thief-
catcher, a sort of constable, appointed to look after those whose bus-
iness it is to see that the streets and public ways are kept in order.
7. The JHen^Shi^ '* Ruler of history," was originally appointed
as historiographer, to keep up the historical narrative of the district.
Now his functions are chiefly concerned with malefactors, having
to oversee the jails. Both this, and the one next above in office, are al-
lowed, usually for their profit, to manage small cases, aud may be
appointed, by the magistrate, as his assistant or substitute, in any
cases in which he may please to caSI th^m to act.
8. Hwiing pH 52* sueit Artefi, is an officer whose jurisdiction would
seem to be limited to the river, to manage and regulate the sea-going
pi)pulution. He is a sort of harbor-master, or marine magistrate,
subordinate to the chief magistrate, but is expected to manage all
minor cases without reference to his superior.
The eustoui'hoHses of China, like ancient nunneries, are not only
difficult of access, but when reached, their interior is involved in
inexplicable labyriu:hsif the reports of those best capable of knowing
•the truth are to be credited. Every attempt we have made to gain
knowledge of the custom-house duties d&c, has been unavailing.
These establishments are under the care of those who know how to
luro them to good account for themselves, and prevent any facts
regarding the true amount of receipts from being known to their
masters or the public.
The military farces, though subject to the general control of the
tdu tdi, have their own officers, appointed to train and discipline, to
feed, oversee, and direct, d&c, &c.
The Yu ying yH kih, ^ ^5^^., ""ght battalion's pa-
troling a^ailant," as his title literally translated means, is the com-
mander-in-chief of the military forces in the district, he being cha:-
ged immediately with the military defences thereof. He has to see
that all the subordinate officers, in the army, properly perform their
4uty, receive and distribute rations, pay, &c., and also take care
that all the military stores are in safe and proper keeping.
The Yd ying shau P'. ^ ^ n^ f^J, " right battalion's guardian
protector," is a subordinate officer, whose especial duty it^isto
prevent outrage, aud to keep' the body politic safe, and securely
provided against assaults from without and outbreaks from within.
The Ching shau isien isung, jflf^ ^ ^ jJS^? " city protector
and leader of the ihoosind," is charged with the particular care of
.548 DtscriptionofShdnghn, Nov.
the city, to prevent robberies, fires, d&c, and has to join in more
general operations, when occasion and the orders of his superiors
require. The men under his command are only a few hundred and
seldom a thousand, as his title seems to indicate. His post is near
the south-west quarter of the city. Inordinary times, or such as
we now see, little is heard or known of the imperial troops. They
have barracks and parade grounds, with arsenals, and the ect. for
martial service.
Besides the above, there are sacrificial ojicers^ priests, usually of
the Budhistic schools, who are appointed to aid in offering sacrifirea*
on certain occasions, to heaven, earth, sun, moon, stars, dec. When
an emperor, or empress dies, or when there is an eclipse, and local
officers are required to offer sacrifices, the services of the priesthood
are then sometimes put in requisition. No pay, however, so far as
we can learn, is ever given to them, beyond what the civil officers
please to grant on their own account, and they must seek their live-
lihood, consequently, chieffy from other sources.
The liUrary institutions of SliAnghiii are respectable, but not of
a high order. The city being the residence of commercial rather
than literary men, and withal of comparatively recent origin, we
should not expect to find here schools of a very high order, nor those
that do exist very extensively pafonized. A governmental college,
some public and private institutions, with numerous day-scho<:l4
complete the whole list.
The Kian yh^ ^ ^> already mentioned in the list of officials, is
the chief in the literary department of the district. His duty is to
govern and instruct the young literati, who have obtained the rank
of sitL tsdi, the first collegiate degree in China. Both those who
hold this degree, and those who have purchased for themselves the
Aritfit sang degree, are privileged to attend the district college, if
they please, and there to enjoy the tuition of this functionary. At
his discretion he can issue themes, and the students bring in their
essays for his inspection and correction. Having special charge of
this class of the people he is able to call them to account for their con-
duct, and in all minor cases, can proceed to administer justice by
way of correction. Incase ofhijpfh offences, when the magistrate
wishes to arrest them, he must fir!«t have the consent of this officer.
In special criminal cases this officer- and the magistrate, before they
can punish the literati, must first report them to the hiok yuen,^ |l^,
or literary chancellor, at the capital of the province, and then after
.the olTenders have been by him deprived of their rank and degraded,
1847. Description of Shanghai. 549
these two acting jointly, can deal with them as with the common
people. This officer, in point of rank, is equal with the Chi-hien.
The hien hiohy ^ ^ is the highest school in the city, and is
the governmental college of the district of Shdngh'li; and over it,
the last named officer presides. It stands on the east of the magis-
trate's office, half way between it and the wall. It dates its origin
as far back as the thirteenth century, when a private gentleman
Tdng sAi tsu ^ =^ \^ purchased an estate of the H^n family,
built a temple thereon, and dedicated it to Wanch^ng, the god of
the literati, and requested the magistrate to make it a seat of learn-
ing for the benefit of the people. This was accordingly done. In
the year 1280 a. d. the magistrate changed the temple and dedicated
it to Confucius, and made it the place for the public examination of
the students, where they might pursue their studies under the direc-
tion and patronage of the government.
The college buildings stand on the northern side of the street, are
spacious and tastefully laid out. These and the temple of Confucius
are built side by side, eaeh having its own portals, and its own in-
scriptions, and both together present a broad front, having a pool
before it. Over the college gate, in broad capitals are the charac-
ters jti hioh mun, ^|g fj^ pH " the gate of the school of those who
are needful and necessary to the existence of the state". Within this,
outer gate, there is a long and spacious open court ; then comes the
t "**"** ^ 1'^ ^^ *' S^^^ ^^ ceremonies," where there is a large
square hall filled with inscriptions. Advancing farther onwards,
there are other halls and courts; such as the ming lun tdng^ [)Q fj^
^, " hall for illustrating the social duties of life," die. The kwei
sing koh, three stories high, stands within these walls, and close to
the street. The whole suite of buildings, when in good repair, must
have presented an imposing appearance.
The college has been endowed, having received numerous gifts,
and some of them from the emperors of the M<knchri family. There is
a library containing forty-four setts of books, large imperial editions.
There are also several hundred mdu of land, say 459, in two lots,
the annual products of which are appropriated to the repairs of the
buildings and the benefit of the students.
At the annual examination the number eligible to the rank of
siatsdi, in this district and this place, is twenty-one, twelve on the
civil and nine on the military list. Of those thus advanced, annu-
ally, there are long catalogues, and from these there are to be select-
ed, first 12 of the best to receive a small bounty, and thea 12 more
550 Description of SkdngkAi. Nor.
to receive a smaller sum ; and thea, oiice in four years, one is to bie
selected to go into the higher couru of the province.
The King nieh Skii yuen, ^ ^ ^ |^ ^* ^ richly endowed
collegiate institution, and the principal is appointed by the magis-
trate. It is situated in the north-east quarter of the city, not far from
the Chinghw&ng mi&a.
The Kt mang Shii yutm, j^ '^ ^ |^ ^^' ^"^ extensive rang^
of buildings, and is said to be well endowed. It stands in the rear of
the governmental college.
The Jilt chii kung^ ^& ^ ^, which stands near the great
southern gate, is the seat of a public school or college. The build-
ings are somewhat dilapidated. Once however, when in good re-
pair, they mu8t have formed a delightful academical retreat. A lofty
-turret, surmounted by a stork, or some other bird points to the site.
Other schools, of various ranks, and variously endowed, are men-
tioned in the histories of this city ; but many of them, now cease to
exist. It is difficult to estimate the literary attainments of this peo>
pie, so exclusive are they, and so incommunicative. To inquiries
regarding the number of renders, one will tell you that among the
mnles, above the age of ten, one half can read; a second says, one
third ; another says, one fourth ; while some will not allow that one
man in five, or one woman in fifty, can read and write their own ian^
guagc. With such diversities of opinion, among those who have been
long on the spot, we shall not venture any opinion further than to
say, that from what has come under our own observation, we should
not suppose the readers could exceed one half among the men, and
not one in fifty among the women.
Common schools exist in and about the city, where boys are taught
to read and write. The number of pupils in these varies from ten to
thirty. They are supported by individuals^ the government having
nothing to do with primary education.
Religious institutions here, as everywhere else, in the world,
have a powerful and permanent effect upon the whole character of
the people, influencing their social intercourse and all their habits,
manners and customs. The demoralizing and destroying effects of
paganism are dreadful* a hundred times more so, than can easily be
conceived by those who have always lived in Christian lands. Pa-
jranism lowers the standard of truth,, and excludes man from the
most powerful and :mo8t .salutary influences enjoyed by those who
have in their hands ithe inspired lecords of Holy Writ. Pagaoiiam is
ayokis.of bondage, enslaving the best feelings of the human soul^
1847. Description of Shanghai, Sol
and turning to utter ruin, or converting to evil purposes, a vast
amount of the rich bounties of the great Creator. Paganism, the
worship of false gods, the maintenance of expensive and tedious riten
and ceremonies, all based on false systems of opinion, is the greatest
scourge that can afflict any nation — blighting the fairest prospects
of the life that now is, and sowing thick the seeds of eternal sorrow
for that which is to come. No description, no words, that we can
use, will give the reader a perfect picture of all the religious institu-
tions of a pagan people. A sketch of some of the principal in Sbang-
h&i, with brief notices of their most prominent features and leading
characteristics, must suffice for this article. What we give will be
derived partly from books and partly from personal observation.
1. Shi tsih i&n, ^ J^ f^; this is an altar dedicated to " local
divinities," that preside over the land and over the grain, supposed
to control the destiny of the existing government. So long as their
favor is secured, it stands ; but when that is lost, it must fall ! Ac-
cording to the ancient ritual, it was the prerogative of the emperor,
impiously styled the son of heaven, to worship the celestial and ter-
restrial gods, the gods of the hills and rivers, of the land and grain,
with the manes of his ancestor. So his princes and ministers, go-
vernors and magistrates, were severally required to pay religious
homage to all the local gods, supposed to exist within the territory
over which their jurisdiction extended. And thus k is at present.
" The great august ruler" takes the lead, and "the hundred officers"
follow, each local magistrate being by law required to pay religious
honors to the local divinities, of which the Shi t>ih are chief. In
Shingh^i their principal altar stands near the north-west corner of
the city, not far from the field of Mtirs, or the grounds used for mili-
tary parades.
2. Shin hi tan, J^ ^ ^; these are altars dedicated both to
the celestial, and terrestrial divinities, — the gods of the winds, thun-
der, lightning, rain ; of the hills, rivers Ulc. Their principal altar
stands in the southern part of the city.
3. An altar dedicated to the god of agriculture stands outside
of the northern gate of ihe city, to which place the chief magistrate,
on a certain day every spring, must go; and like his imperial master,
commence the agricuFturaf labors of the year. There you may see
him, in his officiaf robes, holding the plough, standing forth an ex-
ample to all the people of the surrounding country.
4. On the northern side of the city, wiihin the walls, there is an
aHar dedicated to those divinities who preside over plague, pebtilence,
drought, etc*
552 Description of Shanghai, Nov.
5. Other ahar&, consecrftted to the local gods, or grain, have
been erected, and some of them are still standing, in town and
country, scattered in every direction, at the distance of each Chi-
nese mile. For theMe altars, a slab of granite, or aught else large
enough to contain the short inscription tu kuh shin, ^ &r ^,
" earth grain gods," will suffice.
6. Wan miViii, ^ f^* ^^^ temple dedicated to the god of litera-
ture, is connected with and forms a part of the buildings in Which
the governmental college has its seat. In this temple there is a td
shim sien, -^ )pl^ |^, a hall dedicated to one, of whom the em-
peror Yung ching said.
Sang min wi yu :
** Of thoi^ of women born, there never was the like."
The hall is spacious and has a great number of other inscriptions,
giving honor to their sage. Among them you will see the two fol-
lowing :
Wan shi sz' piau:
IS ifceij ^
** Tea thouMnd aget matter pattern ;'*
Yu iUen H tsdn:
••With heaven and earth equal.'*
In the same hall you will see images, one of which is dedicated to
eht shing sien sx* Kung isz, ^S^jft^^^^L -?"' *' '^'*'* "™^^
holy master, Confuciua." Arranged around him, there is a host of
disciples and followers, and among them are Mencius and Cbu Hi,
or Chti fu tsz, as he i^ commonly called.
7. Behind this hall there is another, which is dedicated to the
great sage for five generations. This hall is called Tsung shing tsz\
^* ^ jjip] • ^^^^ there you may see an image of the father or head
of each of those five generations, and each is styled shing wdng,
Xj^ 3E " ^^^y ^^^S" ^^^^ being part of the title given them by the
emperor Yung-ching.
8. In the same collection of buildings, directly before you after
passing on beyond the ming lun tang, ff\ jj^ '^' ^^® 8"^ ^^
literature styled. Wan r.hang ti kiun, ^ ^ ^ ^i ^&s ^ c^urt
called Tsun king koh ^ ^ ^. ' the homirable classical pavilion/
But at present this god of literature receives bis homage in a small
1847.' Description of Shanghai. J53
Court bedrid the pavilion. This court is called king yih ting, ^t
-^0^9 "the court in which one is adored/' or litersllj "adore
oneV courtr.^' To whom the one here refers, the Chinese are not
agr^M. ' Itihaj be Tien, ^, Hearen ; it may be /i, jgl, " order "
or 'S'ttlfrniii Reason ;" or it may be idi kih, -J^ ;^, "the great
extrififie.*' 'By ibelf, it seems to indicate the existence of monothebm :
but AHi idi&rpretation is canceled by the many divinities, placed
in juitapceitSon with this one. There are in the city and district of
Shingh^r, several other temples dedicated to the god of literature.
9 On the right or east side of the gate as the principal entrance
of the college is the lolly three storied pavilion, mentioned above, the
residence of another god and patron of letters, who is styled kwti
sing^ i^ 1^. The pavilion is built in the style of the pagodas.
10. Wu mtdtf , ^ ^ , '* the martial temple," is dedicated to the
god of war. It stands near the north-eastern part of the city. Ori-
ginally it was the private residence of the celebrated Pwin Ngan.
Afterwards it became i*ien ehU idng, 7^ ^j^ ^, " a temple of the
liord of heaven." In the 8th year of Yungching, when the Roman
Catholic churches were confiscated, it was converted into a temple
and dedicated to the god of war Kw^ntf, also styled hieh iien
8hdmgH, ^ 7C Jl ^^ " assisting heaven high ruler." Other
temples -and shrines are dedicated to him in this city, where he i^
honored with the same lofly title. Sometimes also he is styled Fuh
mo id it, {j^J^'^ ^9 " prostrating the devil great Ruler," or
" the high ruler, who overcomes and vanquishes the devil."
11. T^ien hau kung, ^ fp ^, "pslace of the Queen of hea-
ven ;" also, and often styled the holy mother Shing toA, ^ -f^«
She has in Sh^nghii several palaces, three at least of which are in
the eastern suburbs. One of these is connected with a commercial
hall belonging to people from Fuhkien ; and another belongs to a
mercantile, company I from Ningpo, styled, Ning chek kwui kwdn,
1^ jtff ^ H, '< the Ningpo Chehki&ng's hall of assembly. Thti
latter stands to the south of the great eastern gate, not far from the
lauding called Wang-kid mdtdu, or, in the local dialect, Wong kd
moda, " the landing place of the WAng family." The buildings are
spacious and in good repair. Like'most of the other temples, it hsA
a theatre : this one is very large and furnished with two tide galleries,
the whole capable of containing probably not less than^two thouaand
auditors.
12. The god of fire, ho shin, i}(^ j|Sl||. hat a tfempb in the north
VOL. xvi*. ^o\ \t. W
554 Description of Shanghai, l^or.
eastern part of the city ; and a second \\\ the suburbs, near .which is
another temple consecrated to the god of water, shwui shin^ ^ ^.
13. Ching hwdng midu ^ |i^ M|^ mentioned on apreceding page^
•• is the temple of the god of the city." The word hwdhg seems
originally to have denoted the fosse or ditch around the imperial city.
Afler wards it became the name of an illustrious individual charged
with the protection of the city, and thence was used as the designa-
tion of the patron divinity of the city. This use of the phrase has
become general, so that the chief city in each district of the empire
has its patron god, and his residence is called Ching hwang midu.
His rank and office correspond to those of the chief magistrate of
the city, the chi'hien, *' the one rules over the visible world, the
people ; the juriftdiction of the other is limited to those of the invisible."
The divinity at present supposed to preside over Shanghai, and his
residence, are both deserving of notice.
His tiile is Hien yd peh, j^ j^ /|6, illustrious protector and
superior. '* This is said to have been conferred on biro by the first
emperor of the Ming dynasty, previously to his canonization, and
while he was yet living. His family name was Tsin, ^;. bis
gi'andfather, at first came to Shdngh^i as a visitor, at the time of the
Yuen dynasty, and subsequently became a resident. His name is
recorded in the annals of Shanghai as one of its illustrious visiting
renideniSt Lid yd, 7/g^ ]^* His son, the father of the hero-god
called Lidng hau, ^ Sj|, went abroad to study the language of the
Mongols, in which he made great proficiency and became an author.
Afterwards he held high office in the imperial court, then established
in the southern capital, Nanking. His son, whose name wm Yupeh,
^ fij, accompanied his father both when a student and when in
office, and in due time, was promoted and sent into the province of
Fuhkien. At length, when disorders arose-, he withdrew from public
life ; and when summoned by one of those usurpers whohs*) fixed his
residence at Suchau, he declined, first becanse it would prove himself
unfaithful to his late imperial master ; and in the second place, because
he was then mourning for his rmHher.
When subsequently Hungwu had established a new dynasty, and
seated himself securely on the throne, he sent for Yiipeh, whodeclin*
ed going to court, on account of iH health. The emperor, then with
his own hand, wrote after the following tenor r '* The people on the
seacoast are fond of fighting ; Yiipeh is a man of wisdom and genius ;
now residing there, and refusing to cotne to e«Mirt, we fei^r he will
IS47. Description of Shdnghdi. 555
have cause to repent." Thus do alternative was left to the poor man.
Accordingly he went to court ; was there repeatedly promoted, and
often extolled by his master. His career, however, was not long.
He became sick ; obtained leave to retire ; went home ; soon died ;
and his remains were buried in Sh^ngh&t.
We find no ftirther notice of him, in history, till the tenth year of
Shunchi, the first monarch of the M4nchu family. In the spring of
the year, bands of pirates invested the city. The commander of the
Chinese forces was defeated. The people, in great numbers asseni«
bled, and inveighed against the conduct of the general.
Thereupon the governor of (he province came to investigate the
matter; and the general whose name was Wingking, turned round
and accused the people of being in league with the pirates, fearing
that their complaints against him would prove his overthrow. The
governor was deceived, and resolved instantly to exterminate the
people far and near. The magistrate and his friends tried to
interfere in their behalf. But the governor was inexorable. That
night, % few hours before the bloody decree was to be executed, a
god descended and went to the court of the governor. His heart
was agitated. Still at the late hour of midnight he was bent on slaugh-
ter when again and again the god appeared before him, shaking htsi
head and admonishing him. This at last had the desired effect.
His cruel purpose was given up. The happy effects of that interposi-
tion continue to this day, and tradition says, " the god who appeared
was Tsin YUpeh,"
An image of this hero-god, with the title above given, also an image
of his spouse, with images of their retinue, are now to be seen in the
Ching hw&ng mi^u, and there he is worshiped, not only by multitudes
of the common people, but especially on the Ist and 15th of each
month, by the chief magistrate and other local officers, who come in
state and do homage. This we have seen. The semi-monthly read-
ing of the sacred edict usually takes place at the same time.
The temple of the god of the city was originally of small extent.
At first the god received his divine honors in, what was called the
" Fresh water well temple." Subsequently the magistrate took a
temporary pavilion of Hoh kw&ng and changed it into a temple,
standing in the north-west corner of the city, not very far from the
north gate. From that small beginning it has risen and become spa-
cious and splendid, so as to be scarcely if at all inferior to any of its
kind in all the provinces. In the summer of 1642, it was for a time
556 Description of Shdng Mi. Nov.
the head quarters of the British army, and the major-general, with
his staff and four battalions, found there spacious and airy lodgings*
and the buildinga '* would have afforded accommodation to twice that
number, had such been needed.
The bite of the temple is on the north side of the atreet that rune
from the small eastern gate parallel with the/dii^ jMfn^. Going due
westward from said eastern gate, half way through the city, you at-
rive at a lofty vestibule, and over it is this inscription :
PdU chdng Hai yH
** Protectors and defenders of the sea-eoast."
In front of this, in an open area, on the opposite side of the street,
are two "drum towers." Entering through this outer gate, you
pass under a spacious lofl, a theatre, enter an open court, sixty or
more feet broad and a hundred, more or less, long : going on through
this court, you enter the temple of the chief local divinity, styled
Hien Ydpeh, Entering the rear of the same building you find his
lady ; and on state occasions you will see them decorated, bearing ail
the insignia of their high station. In and about this temple are
many small halls and courts, in which are idols, inscriptions, d&c.
The extent of grounds covered by the temple is said to be twelve
mau and six tenths, such it was when first built ; but there have
since been made to it two additions consisting of two gardens— one
called the Eastern and the other the Wtstem — making both together
more than seventy Chinese acres. The Eastern garden was built
in the 40th year of K&nght. Its pavilions, terraces, pools, alleys,
bridges, &c., are elegant, and some of them have been extolled in
verse. The western garden was once the possession of an im-
perial minister, the above mentioned PwdnNgan^ ^ ^: after hie
decease, the people of the city purchased his estate, repaired and
rebuilt parts that had become dilapidated, and added the whole to
the temple of the city divinity. This was in the 25th year of Kien-
Iting. From the original temple, the Ching hwdng mtdii, you paan
directly north into these gardens, which on the north side front upon
a street running along on the northern bend of the F&ngping on the
north side of and parallel to it. The western garden, like the
ulher, has many pavilions, terraces, with miniature mountains — rude
iiiiitft4ons of nature,-^where you see rocks piled upon rocks. There
too is an almond tree, said to have been planted by Pwin Ngan'sown
hand. In thifl great temple and its gardens, and contiguous to them.
1847. Description of Shdngh&i, 557
tre many minor temples, some of them rich and spacious, al] dedicui-
ed to gods and demi-gods.
We will now turn to other classes of religious establishments, the
monasteries , nunntrieSy etc. The religious houses or temples of the
Budhist priests are commonly called sz\ ^, *' a place measured
and subject to fixed laws; chambers for officers at court; the first
priest of Budha, invited from India to China, was lodged in one of
of these, and hence the Budhistic temples have been so called."
Their nunneries are called ngdn^ ^, literally meaning " a small
thached cottage." The kw&n, ^, to look, to observe, to manifest,
is the common name of those temples that belong to the Tau sect,
the rationalists of China. So far as we have seen, all these three
classes of religious house and the habits and manners of their in-
mates^Budhists, Tauists and Nuns— are quite the same in all pnrts
of the empire, so that what is true of either class in one quarter,
will be found universally applicable to all of that class, from M^n-
chu to Hain<in, from the yellow sea to Thibet.
The Budhists, taking them ail in all, as a class, are the most beg*
garly* the most ignorant, the most wicked, the most devout, the
most idle, and the most popular. Many of their establishments are
richly endowed, but in case of need all the priests can beg, and not
a few live solely as mendicants. The majority of them know no*
thing more of letters, than enough to enable them to read their
prayers. Generally they have the reputation of being loose in morals,
addicted to the grossest vices. The reigning Mdnchu family has the
reputation of being partial to Budhism.
The priests of the Tdu sect enjoyed special favor of the court
during the reign of the Sung dynasty, its first sovereign feigning
descent from the founder of this sect. These priests are often seen
here in the capacity of fortune-tellers, quack doctors, and some*
times acting as private tutors ; but are ever ready to perform the
appropriate duties of their profession. Their profession, and their
property passes down from father to son, the children following in
the footsteps of their fathers.
The nunneries of Shinghii, if no very doubtful reports can be
credited, ard very sinks of pollution, being even more vile than the
monasteries ; the members of these sisterhoods, dull-visaged and
stupid, with shaved heads, and gray attire, may be seen waddling
through the streets, sometimes alone, and sometimes two or three in
a company.
558 Deseripthn of Shanghai, Nor.
Counected with the several religious establishments, above enum*
erated and with others of the same sort, there is a very large amount
of property, a voluntary tax not less probably than that usually paid
in Christian countries for religious purposes — we say perhaps^ be-
cause, having no statistics, and judging from appearances, we may,
in this matter, be far from the truth. Besides the 8a^, Kwdn, and
Ngan, numbering more than thirty in Shanghai, there are a great
many others, having different names, such as T&ng, ^; YneH, B^;
Kung, ^i Koh, ^\ Tsz\ f §|; etc. Taking into account the whole
of these religious houses, both great and small, with the priesthood
and their current expenditure, the sum total would be vwy large.
The Tangjin tdng, |^ j"- ^, " Hall of United Benevolence,"
stands conspicuously, and quite alone as it regards the extent of its
operations. In volume fourteenth of the Repository, one of its Re*
ports, kindly translated by a friend in Shinghdi, was published, and
will furnish the reader with ample details regarding both its origin
and its present scale of expenditures. A full developement of the
motives that have given rise to and sustain such an establishment,
among such a people as the Chinese, would be a very curious and
interesting document. To write such, however, would require the
ablest pen of one most intimately acquainted with the philosophy of
the Chinese and with their religious and social habita.
The Hall of United Benevolence is situated about equally distant
from the two southern gates of Sh^ngh&i, and not far from the walls
of the city. It comprises a large collection of spacious and commodi-
ous buildings. Connected with it are numerous burying grounds
and other property, all voluntary contributions. The Report, above
referred to, will show the various methods that have been adopted
both to secure aid, and to distribute these public charities.
One thing, in the mangement of this institution, has struck us as
being especially worthy of notice ; we refer to the small amount of
good accomplished, considering the capital invested. There never
was a people more greedy of gain, or more indefatigable in its pur-
suit than the Chinese. Even in their religious acts, the strictest
regard is had to profit; and this is estimated, not by the net return,
but by the expenditure, little-or no regard being had to the nsethods
or motives that regulate the same. On examination of their charita-
ble schemes, it will be found that a large part of the accumulated
charity is consumed by the distributing agents. This is especially
remarkable with the imperial bounties. We have known, instances
1847. Description of Sh&nghdi. 559
where individuals entitled to such, have relinquished their ciai.T^s
because t^e cost of obtaining them would exceed their intriusic
value. From all we know of the Hall of United Benevolence, it is,
for a Chinese charitable institution, admirably well managed, great
regard being h^d to economy. And yet, considering the amount of
means, the sum total of good accomplished, estimating it according to
most manifest results, is not one tenth so much as we see in a neigh-
bouring institution, directed by Christian principles, Christain feel-
ing, and Christain hands. This disparity in results is easily ac«
counted for, when all the facts of the case are brought into account,
and. we see how much in the one instance is comsumed for- -naught,
on idols, offerings, processions, etc. In many of these charitable in-
stitutions, there is a specific fund for gathering paper, having on it
written and printed characters, and. committing it to the flames.
This is a very popular method of investing charitable funds, for it is
supposed that such investments will^ yield great profits, by securing
that favor and interposition from the gods wlwch are necessary in
order to obtain literary rank, and to open the high way to the hon*
oofs- and emoluments of office.
A JFkntndling Hospital exists in thi» city, as* hy most other large
citie^io the empire. It is situated on the east side of the main^ street
that leads from the great southern gate. Its resoirrcet are said to-be
small,' and most of the infj^ts supported by its funds are placed out
under the of care wet nurses in the country.
r History gives us the names- of other- charitable institutions; and
among: them, one^ the Hall of Uaittd Goodness , which once had large
funds ; and. spacious buildings ^ birt the former have been* ali exhausted,
and -the Matter are quite dilapidated. . Tlie site where they once
stood is pointed out on the mapy situated eastward from^ the Found-
ling Hospital.
Charitahle Burying Chrounds, besides those connected with the
Hall. of United Benevolence,. exist in aird arbout the city, not to such,
an. extent, however, as to'prevent the frequent and unseemly exhibi-
tion of tenanted coffins. Both within and without the walls, far and
near, receptacles of the dead are very numerous ; they are seen/fn
almost every garden and field,, andin a great variety of forms. But
over and above all these, t'luiraands of tenanted coffins meet the eye,
sometimes wrapped about with* straw and mats, and sometimes with^
out a. shred of covering. They form; in- the landscape of Sh&ngh^i
a remarkable feature, throwing a pensive sombre air around many a
scene, whicb otherwise wou4d be most charming and bright. In the
560 Dmcription of Shdnghdi, Nov.
neighborhood of the city, clusters of the pine or the cypress will
often point you to hallowed retreats, where rest the remains of mul-
titudes, once so busy here, now gone to ** that undiscovered country,
from whose bourn no traveler returns."
The trades and handicrafts of the city are numerous and thrifty,
and sometimes extensive. Our means of obtaining accurate jnforma«
tion concerning all these are, however, exceedingly few and limited.
Of general statistics the Chinese know very little; especially are
they ignorant rf the modern systems of collecting and publishing
such facts as are now to be found in the commercial dictionaries of
the West regarding its cities, trades, die. They know that their fa-
thers and the fathers of their fathers, from time immemorial, produc-
ed, manufactured, bought or bartered, such and such articles at such
and such times, and after a certain fashion ; and they do, or endeavor
to do, the same. Judging from such data as a short residence has
brought within our reach, we infer that tor sometime previously to the
termination of the late war, the general commerce of Shiidgh4i had
been at a stand, or on the decline. Dilapidated dwellings and ware-
houses, and a mass of unserviceable shipping lead to this conclosion.
The restoration of peacp, and the extension of intercourse however,
have changed the course of events, and the flood-tide of prosperity
is now strongly set in, and it must be a very powerful disturbing in-
fluence that can prevent the gradual increase and extension of com«
merce.
If the inhabitants of Christendom do their duty, and spread abroad
in the land, among all its inhabitants, the gospel of peace, so that the
empire may be preserved from war, both foreign and domestic, and
speedily rescued from the degrading yoke of idolatry and its evil ac*
companiments, commerce cannot but go on here increasing. Chi*
na is not, as some would have us believe, overstocked with human
kind. With proper culture, the soil is capable of supporting a much
greater population than at present, which, when influenced by the
principles of pure religion, will become much more industrious, and
their labors much more productive.
' Without dwelling on the future, we will glance at some of the
principal scenes of activity, as they present themselves to the thou-
sind eager spectators, who, with intense interest, from every high
place in Christendom, are looking to see what is to be found in this
long secluded empire, — judt waking up* from the dream of ages,
opening a new world for their euierprtse.
Tht most important article in the domestic if not in the foreign
1847. Descripliott uf Shanghai. 561
ture of this, was ihtroduced into these regions in the Yuen dynasty,
by a lady, so hi^itoridns say, whose name wa« Hwang, On her
return from the south, from the provinces of Fuhkien and Canton
by sea, she brought the seeds of the cotton with lier. These being
planted, grew thriftily ; and the cultivation and manufacture of cot-
con spread so rapidly, and became such an important article, that
at her death thousands and tens of thousands, benefited by her enter-
prise ; mourned with deep lamentation, followed her to the grave,
erected monuments to her memory, and now pay her divine honors.
At this moment, while we write, the streets and suburbs of Shing-
hat are. whitened with the products of the plentiful harvest, pouring
>. in from every quarter of the surrounding plains. Warehouses are
filling up, and ships are k>acting. Multitudes of the poor cottagers
are -busily employed in separating the cotton from the seed, or in
other manipulations preparatory for the market. What may be the
total amount that is brought into or carried out of this city, or con-
sumed -here, we can no more conjecture than we could the quantity
^' of waters that roll down the Child of the Ocean^ in its way to the
yellow sea. Regarding the cultivation of cotton, the reader will
find' much valuable information in the " Wanderings" of Mr. For-
tune. All the branches of this great business— > cultivating, spin-
ning, weaving, d&c, are conducted in the simpfest manner. There
'are no immense farms, nor any great manufacturing establishments.
The work is all done single-handed ; a few plants here, and a few
threads there are seen ; and from these dribblets^ comes the grand
•total of this, valuable product.
; .T^a, as an article of export from this market, is already an im-
portant item ; and considering the proximity of Shinghii to the
irnost fertile districts of Ng&uhwui and Chehkiang, where any quan**
titles of the best qualities can be produced, the merchant here may
:very- naturally anticipate a large increase in this branch of his busi-
ness..
' 8Uks, in like manner^ can be thrown into this market, quickly
at H very cheap rate, by those who gain a livelihood by their home^
trade — purchasing of the grower and selling to the fbreiga exporter;
WooUen siuffs^ brought from beyond sea, a^ the prodocUr of the
combined workinsr? of mrodern machinery and steanv-power, vriff no
doubt be furnished here' at such modtrrate prices, wholesafe and re-
tail^ as to secure a steadily rircreasing demand for them, both among
the inhabitanis on ihe plains of Kiarfgn^n and amortg those it* thar
• VOL. XVf.* NO. Xt, 71 - . •
Description of SkitighAi. Nori
colder provinces of Sh^atung ChihH, Hoo^d, Shinsi, . Sheosi, and
regions beyond them in Minchfi and Mongolia.
The product of fura, we suppose, will decrease ; but the demand
for warm clothing, in these northern latitudes, will not soon cease ;
and it is natural to suppose that the demand for woollens will, in du«
time, be greatly augmented, to the mutual advantage of both the
consumer in this hemisphere and the manufacturer at ournntipodea.
The power of steam has not yet accomplished the half it is evidently
designed to effect^ in hringing intp closer proiimity the whole fami*
}y of roan, by (actlitatinginter-coromunioation amongnations now
iremote from each ether. Besides, as China and central Asia are
epened, a thousand new productions will be discovered, and r.ew
demands not a few will be created, all tending to swell the tide of
eastern commerce, e»peciaJly at this point, where the i^reat rivers
fVom the west and north-west converge, and bring together the vari-
ous products of immense and densely populated regious.
The domestic cemmcrM— the retail business of Shiingh&i<—will be
best understood by a stroll through some of the principal atreetsj
Peas then, if y<ou please, .from the foreign fiictories, over the Vang^
king p&ng, and keep on southward between the ^vivers and wall,
through the most busy parts of the easterns svbiifbs, surveying on
the j^t aa you go, all the shipping, first the foreign, then the native;
baling reached the extreme aouthern point, turn about; come half
way back, enter the great eastern gate, and proceed right on west*
ward to the center of the eity ; there turn northward; make your
way through two or three streets, enter and aurvey 4he great temple
the Chiiighw&ng mi4u and its gardens and shops, and from thence,
l»y the 'north gate, return to the place of your departure; and you
will have had under your eye the best specimens of all there is to be
Bttn of the heme trade of Sh&ngh4f .
-Off the foreign factories, and contiguoua to each other, are «ow et
anchor fourteen foreign merchanlmtu and one small ship of was.
f^rbm this anchorage, for the dislaiiee of more than a mile up the
river, rows of junks are moored, more than you would undertake to
count* To and from these and the warehouses close along upon
tba river's lian^, goods are easily transferred ; and in your stroll you
•will (have- seen the manmer io winoh. these are stored, bong ht and
eoid.. A few large wmteh^usu are to be seen ; hut most oHheae estar
blisbroejusv and nearly: all the skops^ are small and the competition
tsiietvidnnlly fery abaifi; i A oatalogue of the ariiciis on sale would
iuciude almost every product of China and. of Chiocbe comsump*
1847. Descripiian of Shdnghdi, 6(13
tion—- a ddsertptioii or even an enumeration of which we cannot
undertake to give.
The manufactures of Sh&ngh&t are few in number, verj limited
in quantity, and of no superior qualitj— -if perhaps we except the
products of the bamboo. Household furniture, clothing, ect., are
manufactured, but not to anj great extent.
Sfdp-building, and smiths and the rope manufactures connected
therewith, are con.^picuous, and at present driven with more spirit
and enterprise than anj other work we have seen ii) Sh^ngh&i. The
junks are ill small flat-bottomedi vessels, built chieflj of pine timber,
of very light construction and designed for inland navigation.
The hw It kufan, ^ ^p. or " House* of a«iembly, " are ni>-
raerous. But neither the hwui-kw.^n, nor the kung*so, is properly
an '* exchange, " as they have sometimes been called. They are
indeed places of meeting for the transaction of business*; but so for
as we knew, they are always, aK houses of assembly, or places of
meeting, open onfy to particular companies or bodies of men, each
trade, and each commercial company, having its own place of meet-
ingi into which the public and the stranger have no right to intrude.
The suburbs of Sh4ngh4i are buill principally between the river
and the wails, extending some distance beyond them, however, both
to the north and to the aouth.
Tk€ Foreign Fartories and residents. Not far from the nor th**
raai corner of the city, the Hwingpii makes a short bend : flowing
dowa from the south and east to this point, it here turns and runs
nearly due east. At the southern point of this bend, a small creek
branches off Co the westward : this is the Ydng^king^pdngi )^ )£
j^: near the other extreme of the bend, the IVusung kidug
comes in from the north or north-west, and is here called by foreign-
ers the '* Stfcikaii creek." On this bend, bounded by the Y^ng-king
ping on the south, and by the Wusung kidng on the north, and ex*
tending back from the river nM far as may be required, are the con-
siilar ground»— the center of a new world of influence, where, as if
by magic, European houses, streets dl&c., have come into existence.
Some thirty of these houses are already completed, and as many more,
and' among them a cAur^A, are in course of erection. The whole
number of foreign residents is now more than one hundred ; and
every month adds to their number.
The value of real estate, in this neighborhood, in the eastern
eubui'be, audi rndeed in the whole city, has been greatly- enhanced
by the' opening of this' port, and the establishment of a Europear
501 Description of Shanghai. NoV.
town : and it has not yet perhaps reached its maximum ?alue, though
it has more than dou hied, and trebled, in some instances.
The climate^ contrary to what was predicted by many, is found
to be healthy, the extremes of heat and cold varying fom 120* in
summer to 12"* in winter. Among the foreigners there has been very
little sickness. Up to the present time, there is in the cemetery
only one grave covering the remains of a foreign resident.
TYi% population of Shiingh^i has been supposed to range between
three and four hundred thonsand. This is doubtless as near the
truth as it is possible for the foreigner at present to arrive. The
character of these people has been variously descri lied, extolled by
some, depreciated by others. That they are true Chinese, in all the
leading features of character — physical, intellectual, moral, &c. is
plain- enough. But whether, taking them all in all, they are superior
or inferior to their countrymen in other parts of the empire, we are
not prepared tojiay. The population here is a mixed, migratory
one, perhaps not one half of those now resident having been born
and bred in this city, The indigenous part of the community seem
gentle, industrious, and, some would add, stupid. • " When a fo-
reigner at any of the northern ports goes into a shop," says Mr.
Fortune, " the whole place inside aiid outside is immediately crowd*
ed with Chinese, who gaze at him with a sort of stupid dreaming
eye ; and it is difficult to say whether they really see him or not, or
whether they have been drawn there by some strange mesmeric in-
fluence, over which they have no control : and I am tjUite sure that;
were it possible for the stranger to slip out of his clothes and leave
a block standing in his place, the Chinese would still continue to
gaze on and never know the difference " He addshowever that there
are some very different from those here described, some that are
active and energetic. They, are indeed so ; and yot the picture he
has given answers perfectly to what we have oAen witnessed. Nor
it ill strange they do appear thus dull and dreamy, shut up and shut
out as they have been, bound doivn to things sensual and devilish by
all the thousand deadly influences of paganism immemorial. His
picture i& not overdrawn; nor in fact does it give us the* whole
truth, or shades so dark as the reality. The truth is, the whole na-
tion is asleep: morally dead : the emperor, ministers, the governors,
the migistrates, and the people are all spell-bound by the deadening
and soul-destroying reign of Paganism.
As a mi&iionnry firld Shanghai has very strong claims on the in*
habitants of Christendom : a j^eW that wiJl give unbounded scope
1847. Journal of the Itidian Archipelago, 565
for the exercise of their ston est fait* and their best notion ; ch imn
which will not soon be cancelled, and which, we fear, will not be
soon acknowledged. Unheeded now, they certainly are in a great
degree by all, wholly by not a few. But the dawn of better d.iy.s h«is
appeared. Since the opening of the port in 1842, Christian missions
have been established here, by missionaries from the Ijondon and
Church missionary Societies — from the Episcopal Church in the
United States — and also from two of the Baptist Boards in the same
country. A large mission likewise from the Romish Church has its
head quarters in Sh.^ingh.ii.
Art. III. The Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern
Asia, Singapore f Jnly^ 1847.
This work, which promises to be one of interest and utility, is
commenced under very favorable auspices, and has all the prospect
of success which ample resources of past history and research, with
a wide and interesting field of investigation and the promise of able
contributors can secure it. 'I*he friends of science and humanity in
this quarter of the world, we have no doubt will rejoice at the prospect
of a more complete developement of the state and history of a
country hitherto so much involved in obscurity as that of the
Indian Archipelago. From the numbers we have seen of the perio-
dical we are led to believe, that this object will be faithfully accom-
plished, and we would cordially commend it to the attention of such
persons as are in any degree interested in the scientific researches
of the East. Our limits forbid any extended extracts at present.
We quote some remarks from the Prospectus showing the object and
plan of the Journal.
'*The chief purpose of the Journal will be, by translations, com-
pilations and notices from Dutch writings, to make English readers
acquainted with their researches. They embrace a wide and singu-
larly varied field, and extend to so many subjects both of popular
and of purely scientific interest, that we shall be -compelled to
give the Journal a more mixed character than may be altogether ac^
ceptable to any one class of readers. But as we do not doubt that
all who may support the undertaking will cordially approve of its
object, — whijh is to gather and present to European readers, from
all available sources, knmoledgr, \n the widest sense, of the Indian
Archipelagro. — we trust that fhe general reader who may take up the
Journal will make allowance for the space occupied by scientific
subjects, and that the scientific reader, in his turn, will not quarrel
with its more miscellaneous ingredients. We anticipate however
536 Jeumal tf Che Inditui Archipelago, tioT,
from the prevailing fjafite fox general) knowledge, and the growing
tendency to treat all kinds of subjects in a scientific or accurate and
thoughtful spirit, that our largest class of readers will be sufficiently
catholic in their sympathies to fiud "good in every thing" that we
shall lay before them. It is only by the union of subjects generally kept
separate that we can hope to attain sufficient support at the outset to
enable us to proceed, and it is fortunate that many evm of the scientific
papers of the Dutch explorers are combined with so much of the
personal narrative of their explorations that they are well adapted for
our purpose. Should a desire afterwards be felt to have a strictly
scientific separately from a popular miscellany, we shall readily alter
our plan provided our subscribers are numerous enough to maintain
two periodicals.
While the Journal will principa^y be a channel for communicating
to European readers the past and contemporaneous writings of the
Dutch on the Archipelago generally, it will, we trust, serve as a focus
in which the observations of English and American residents in Java,
Bali, Borneo, the Philippines, Siam, d&c, may be concentrated."
• • ■■ •'■••■■ »
''The bulk of the Journal will consist of articles chiefly translated
from the Dutch and Spanish, relating to Sumatra, Java, Borneo;
the Philippines and the Moluccas, Bali and other islands of the
Archipelago. These will be very varied in their nature, embracing
as they will, the history, language, literature, and ethnography of the
various races who inhabit this great region, and contributions to
almost every department of natural history and physical science, as
well as topographical, agricultural, economical and misoellaneoaa
subjects; Original papers of a simil-ar nature, but more limited
range, will from time to time be given on the countries of the Malay
Peninsula, Siam, Borneo, and occasionally we hope on Cochin China,
di&6. In particular, papers on the physical geography and geology
pf the Peninsula and the adjacent islands, on the history, language^
literature, and. customs of the Malays, and on the aboriginal mountain
races will be frequently, although not regularly, given. The best
Malayan prose and poetical works will be printed, accompanied by
translations and explanatory and critical notes. We are prepared to
commence a series of these works and translations in the first number
of the Journal, and to continue it uninterrptedly till we have published
all the productions of Malayan writers that deserve to be preserved^
The British Settlements, with their motley population, and great di-
versity of ethnographical riches, will furnish abundant interesting
matter. We do not venture to promise that China, Australia and the
farther East will regularly contribute to our stores, but the centrical
position of Singapore, relatively to intercourse by sieam.with Europe,
leads us to entertain a strong hope- that we shall not want original
communications from these countrieswhen the objects of the Journal
beoome known to our countrymen and other foreigners resident there.
The extension of the comm'erce and influence of the British and
Duich in the Archipelago,, the cbaraoter and tendency ^f their res*
1847. Jvurnal of Occurrencet, 567
pecti?e policies, the condition of the British Settlements, their influence
on the Asiatics around u^, and the prospects and progress of educa*
tion and Christianity in these regions, will from time to time be re-
viewed, but, we think we maj give assurance, in a spirit free from
national or sectarian bias, and regarding only the advancement ot the
Archipelago.
^^^^^>^PWMMM^»»^»M^^»»»^%»^^>^M»^^^^^»^^S^>^^»^W
AaT. IV. Jotumal of Occfureneu : innumdion : famine in Hon6n ; fin
in Shinffhii ; earihquake ; mvarderer» appnhtnded ; rtm»um qf the Strip'
uref; meeiing qf the Morriaon Education Society ; dre at Canton ;
wuarrtagt.
Our dates /nom Shanffhtd come down to the 13th instant ; and we sabjoin
the principal items of intelligence.
The ruroofs of inewmetion, smong the Mohammedans in the ** New Fron*
tiersi'' wanted coDfirmation. . The leader of the old insurrection, Jehanvir, it
is ^nerally believed^ was destroyed treacherously, having come to Pokinir«
where he was c^f, to pieces, on the assurance of being respected. To avengo
this wrong, his son has now taken np arms. Sucb is the rumor, which Hien
Ki^r, the tantai, declares to be without foundation.
The famine in the north, in parts of Honan and ShAntnng, seemed not to
be of very great extent, nor likely to lead to any very serious coniiequences:
At Sh&nghai no concern sterns to have been felt, and the price of grain con-
tinued moderate..
Afire broke out, on the evening of the Slst ult, in the eastern suburbs of
Shanghai, just north of the Little Eastern gate, and spread so as to destroy
nearly all the buildings between the city wall and the river, over an extent
pf some hundreds of yarda About 200 houses. are said to have been destroy-
ed, and other property to a large amount The total loss had beeu variously
estimated, between fiv« hundred thousand and a million of dollars.
The^ehoek of an earthquake was felt, at Sh&nghai, soon after midnifrht on
the mominir of the ]«)th tnst. It is said to have been much less severe than
those of lant year, but sufficient to awaken persons who were sound asleepw
Ttie'tDeatfar, during* the first half of the month had been ^rv^ mild and
pleasant and the cntten crop was still comin&f in plentifullv from the country.
The followinfif extracts are under date of the 13th, referring to two ^ub^
iects of deep interest to many of our readers;
** Six ^ the murderers of Mr. Lowrio have been seized and are now in
S risen. One of these confesses himself to be the master of the piratical
oat and one of the three who threw the deceased into the sea. He says there
were in all nineteen persona in the boat Diligent search is beincr made
for the other murderers ; and when apprehended, tliey will all be subjected
to the most rigorous action of the imperial laws. So says the tautai, whom
I had the pleasure of meeting yesterday, in company with tlie U. S. A. con<p
snl. The old gentleman waa very animated and eloquent- in defcribing
what his jBfovernment had • done and would do iu this case, anxious to con-
vince us that law and justice shooid have their course. He inquired with
evident concern, regfiraing the state of public affairs at Canton.
*^The committee for the revision of (he Now Testament^ has resumed its
sessions ; but as yet no decision hae been arrived at concerning tlie transla%
tion of the" word God The discussion has been conducted in writing, and
has led to long aiKl laborious research. The difficulties of the question are
are only surpassed by its importance. Every effort will, T trust, be made to
ascertain the merits of the case, and to give a true and fkithful translatioa
563 Joumat of Occurrences'. .'*T
of the word. You know how loxiff and laboriously this question was dis-
cimsed by the early Roman Catholic missionaries in China, and how it was
finally settled, by the adoption of the phrase THtn chu^ '' Heaven's Lord," aa.
the translation of Thtos and ElohimJ*
The Ninth A;«nual Mektiico of the Mrmbers and Frikmds of the MOR-
RISON EDUCATION S0C1I::TY was held at 7 p. m. on the 'i5tk of October^
1847.
Present, — Rev. Meurs. Stanton, Dean, and Clelsnd, Colonel Phillpotts,
Captain Burton, Lieutnant Pod, Messrs. D. Matheson, Mackean, Strachaii.
Uillier, Scrymffeour, Framjee. Holdforth. Crakanthorp, Inglia Sliortrede,
Bird, Balfour. Dill, Marsh, Toser, Mathews, Drinker, Meigs, Miles, Went-
Worth, and others ■ •. -
The President and Vice-President being^ both absent, the Treasurer, D.
Matheson, Gsq., took tha.ohair. Alleta few remaika by the Chairniao, the
annexed Reports of the Trustees, Mr. Macy, and the Treasurer were read to
the Meeting; and the following resolutions were passed unanimously : —
' \t Proposed by the Rev.- Mr. De>in> and seconded by R. Strachan, Esq. —
That-the Reports just read be adopted and printed under the direction of the
proper OflScers. ' ' " •
2. Proposed by Dr. Balfour, and seconded by A. Shortrede, Esq.,— That the
number of Vice-Presidents be, as a provisional measure, increased from one to
three.* ^ • -• -/
Proposed by Or. Dill and seconded by A. L. Jnglis, Esq. ,-^That this Meet-
ing is satisfied ot the beneficial effects that resulted during the year before last
from the services of an Examining Committee ; and they, therefore resolve to
continue this measure and adopt it as a standing rule of .the Society — the
Exaiuiuing Committee of three to be appointed annually in the same, manner
as the oiher Officers of the Society. *
• 4. Proposed by the Rev. Mr. StanUm, and seconded by T. Mackean, Esq.,*-
That the thanks of the Society be accorded to Mr. Macy for tho satisfactory
manner in which he has discharged his duties during the absenoeofMr;
Brown.
' The Society then proceeded to the election of Officers, and at the suggestion
of the Chairman the same course was adopted as at the last Meeting— of elect-
ing them by a show of hands, subject to the appeal of any Member present
who should prefer a ballot. The following gentlemen were then unanimously
elected .--Pairon, H. E Sir J. F. Davis, Bart ; President. Rev. £. C. Bridg*.
man, D. D. ; Viee^Presidtnls^ A. Campbell, Esq.. D. Matheson, Esq., Colonel
Phillpotts ; Dreasurer^ H. P. Burns, Esq. ; CorreMponding Seereiaryy C. B.
Hillier, Esq.; Recording Secretary^ J. Stewart, Esq.; JlndiiontJ. Dent, Esq.,
W. H. Morss, Esq. ; Examining Committee^ A. U. Balfour Esq., Surgeon^ W.
A. Harland, M. D., Rev. S. W. SWedman.
. A vote of thanks having been accorded to Mr. Matheson for h's conduct in
the Chair, the Meeting adjourned to attend an Examination of the pupils
which immediately followrd.
CisTON has just been the scene of another extensive eonfla^ration. On
the evening of the ^tli inst. a fire broke out in a victualing shop in the street '
called TsisingUn ktdi, a few rods to the north-west of the American factories
snd spread rapidly, though fhe fire engines were speedily on the ground and
vigorous efforts were made to arrest its progress. The wind being in an east-
erly direction, the fire took its course to the north-east, and soon a large part
of the snburbs were in flames. The damage must have been consiwrable-,
thongh we have not yet learned the particulars.
Married, at the Legation of the United States of America, Canton, on the
lltb of November, by the Rev. P. Parker, m. i>, the Rev. Andrew Patton Hap-
4>er to Catharine Elizabeth Susan, daugther of the Rev. D... BaU^ m. o. ,
' * The reason for suggesting this deviation from the established rules. of the
Society, is the fVequent non-residence at Hongkong, of manv of the Trustees.
Such a measure cannot, .by the rules of the Society, be. finally adopted now ;
but if it be found during the enautug year unobjectionable, it can be confirmed
at (he licit Gciieral Meeimg.
-^
THE
CHINESE REPOSITORY.
Vol. XVI.— December, 1847.— No. 12.
^^'^^>0^^^0^0^0^/t^^^^^^0^0^0^0t0^^t^^t^a^^0^0*0^0^0^^^m^^^^f^^^^
Aarr I. Thrre years' wanderingi in the northern provinces of
China, including a visit to the tea, silk, and cotton countries;
with an account of the olericulture and horticulture of the
Chinese new plants, Sf'c. By Robrrt Fortune, botanical
eolfector to the Horticultural society of London. With illus-
trations. London; John Murray, Albemarle Street. Pp. 406f
8?o.
With Mr. Fortune's book we shall deal as with most of those
wrhich have fallen into our hands, it being not so much our object
to play the critic, as it is to collect and place on our pages such
facts as we suppose will be of permanent value. The work has now
been some time before the public, has been well spoken of, and we
doubt not that both author and publisher will reap from their labors
all the praise and profit, and every other satisfaction, they could ex-
pect or desire. Be all this as it may, we cannot suppose that aught
we say, would in any way effect the destiny of the book. We had
the pleasure of an introduction to the author who has had our best
wishes for success in his enterprise. Very fortunate indeed has
been his lot, in being permitted and enabled to enjoy three years'
wandering through the northern provinces of China. . We shall not
attempt to follow him in all these, but commencing at the north,
shall arrange such facts and incidents as we suppose may be deemed
interesting to our readers. His wanderings were confined, we be*
lieve, to the provinces of Canton, .Fuhkien,Ghehki&ng:antiKi^ngsii|
i-nciuding the adjacent islands.
VOL. XVI. NO. x\\, V^
570 Fortune's Wanderings in China. Dkc.
Skdnghdi he first visited at the end of 1843 ; was there again in
1844; and a third tiroe in the spring of 1845; and finally left it in
the autumn of ihe same year, highly delighted with the results of his
labors. " As 1 went down the river, homeward bound," — he says **I
could not but look around me with pride and satisfaction ; for in
this part of the country I had found the finest plants in my collec-
tion." In Mr. Fortune's eye every thing wore a charming aspect,
and was turned to good account. Even the " very beggars seemed a
kind of jolly crew;" and he fully believed, "that in no country
in the world is there less real misery and want than in China."
When traversing the country and wanting a boat, he could threaten to
fire into her and kill all on board , and then after they had put him
over a canal, could_4)ay them for their trouble and send them off
"laughing and joking about their adventure. "Of the country about
the city he thus writes :
** As an agricultural country, the plain of Shanghai is by far the richest I
have seen in China» and is perhaps uneqaaled by any district of like extent
in the world. It is one vast beautiful garden. The hills nearest to Shanghai
are distant about thirty miles. These have an isolated apperance in the ex-
tensive plain, and are not more than two or three hundred feet high: From
their summit, on a clear day, I looked ronnd in all directions, and was only
able to see some few hills, apparently having the same isolated character,
far away on the horizon, to the'sonth ; these, I have since ascertained, are
near -Chapu. All the rest of the country was a vast level plain, witiiout a
mountain or a hill to break tAe monotony of the view. The soil is a rich
deep loam, and produces^ heavy crops of wheat, barley, rice, and cotton he-
sides an immense quantity of vegatable crops, such as cabbages, turnips,
yams, carrots, egg-plants, cucumbers, and other articles of that kind, which
are grown in the vicinity of the city. The land, although level, is generally
much higher than the valleys among the hills or the plain around Ningpo;
and consequently, it is well adapted' to the cultivation of cotton, which is, in
fact, the staple production of the district.*^ Pp. 1%, 26.
Mr. Fortune made two attempt's to visit " the hills ^ " the second
of which was successful. Taking advantage of the tide, and star-
ting early in the morning, he arrived at the hills the dame'^evening.
After passing the "cotton district," he reached a tract of country
in which a cruciferous plant — the iien thing. — was cultivated and
from which a kind of indigo or blue dye is prepared', and used by
the Chinese in dyeing their common bkie* cotton cloth, a principal
article of dress among the poorer classes, ffesays:
' ** As I approached the hills the level of the country become lower, and ai
that time of the yearf June) it was completely flooded, and rice was extensive**
ly cultivated. Iu> general, the higher land of the vast plain isused in the cul*
1847. PoHunr's Want{tring$ in China. 571
tivation of cotton and the erueiferoufl plants mentioned above ; while the low-
er landS) thoee which are easily flooded, are converted into rice fields. Here
and there on my way I met with large trees of the Salirimria adiBadifoliay
which are the largest and most striking trees in this part of the country.
Small patches of bamboo were seen around all the villages, and groups of
cypress and pine generally marked tlie last resting places of the Chinese,
which are scattered over all the country.
**The hills were very different from any which I had seen in the more
touthem parts of China : they are* not more than 400 feet in height, and have
n<ine of that bold and nigged character which I have formerly noticed
Here and there crumbling rocks show themselves above the surfsce, but the^
are not so common as to affect the general pastoral looking appearance of
these hills. The country is also more richly wooded than any other part
near Shanghai, and, of course, contains a greater number of species of plants.
One curious fact, however, came under my notice : no Azaleas were met with
in this part of the country, although the hills about sixty or eighty miles to
the south abound in such plants ; and although the other plants which sc
company Azaleas on theChusan and Ningpo hills, were here growing in all
their native luxuriance, these, their more lovely companions, were not he
found. \ can scarcely believe that the hills between Ningpo and Sh&nghAi
are 'the most northern limits of this class of plants ; yet such, from my own
observations, would appear to be the case." Pp. 248, 249.
The city of Siichau (Soo-chow-foo) was next to be visited. Hav-
ing procured a boat, shaved his head, and habited himself in Chinese
costume with a 'Vsplendid wig and tail," he set oft from ShdnghAi,
the boatmen neither knowing where he intended to go or how lon^
he was to be absent. After getting twenty or thirty miles on his
way, he judged it prudent to break the secret, which he did, first to
hisr trusty servant and then, through him to the boatmen —he was to
have five dollars and they double the amount of their hire. A long
conference ensued, after which his offer was accepted^.
', At Kid'ting (Cading) where he halted for the night, the rogues
took possession of everything he had, excepting his purse beneath
his pillow, cut the rope, and shoved off the boat, with the boatmen
servant, and master, who on awaking fhund themselves drifting
down stream towards Shingh&i. In the morning another dress wns
procured for a few dollars, and tliey all proceeded on their journey.
He seems never to have suspected that his servant and boatmen
were ** the robber" that entered his cabin and so quietly cut the boat
adrift. "The city of Cading is large and fortified, though the
ramparts are in of state of decay. It is evidently a very ancient place.
Heire a large quantity of the celebrated carving is done, for which
theChinese in the north are so well known.
673 Fortune\t Wandirin^ in Ckinm, Dscr«
TMiAng ckaUf or as he^ writes it " Ta-tsong-tseu/' the next town
in his course, he deseribce- as u place of great sise, walled and for**
tified, and " evidently in a decaying state." Up to " Cading," and
on for a few miles beyond it/ His course was on a narrow canal run-
ning nearly due north-west, " and then, all St once," he says, " our ^
' little boat shot out of it into a broad ahd beautiful canal resembling
a lake or broad river, running iiearly east and west."' This we sup-
pose was the Liv'ho. " The scenery here is extremely striking ; the
broad and smooth canal l)ear8 on its waters hundreds of Chineae
. boau of all sixes, under sail, and each hurrying to its place of dee-
tination ; pagodas here and there are seen rearing their heads
above the woods and Budhist temples, which are scattered over
this extensive plain." He was now about mid-way between tbo
cities of Kii-ting and Tu-ts^ng, where the whole country, as far as
he could see was one vast rice-field. The same continued, as be
proceeded westward. A large walled town, which is the capital of
the districts Kwan-sh^n aud Sin-yang and situated directly on hia
course, he must have passed in the night Beyond this "there is
a large and beautiful lake twelve or fifleen miles across." This
must have been what the Chinese call Shd ho^ '* Sand River;" and
-soirtetimes also iSAdAf);' "-Sand Lake.
- ** After passing this lak4 the canal, wkitsh had widened considerably, now
began, to cootraet ; bridges here and there were passed-; villages and small
towns lined the banks; and everything denoted the "approach tea city of
eome size aud importance...It was a delightful summer's evening. on the
23d of June, when I approached this far famed town. The moon was ap^
and with a fair light breeze my little boat scudded swifUyi iti masts, and
sails reflected in the clear water of the canal ; the boats thickened as we
-went along, the houses become more crowded a'lid longer, lanterns were
moving in greater numbers on the bridges and sides of the canal, and m a
few minutes more we were safely moored, among some hundreds of other
boats, under the walls of this celebrated city. Having taken all the precau^
tions in our, power, against another night visitor, my servant, my boatmeni
and myself, were soon fast aaleep." P. 3S7. ,
In ibis city and its neighborhood he remained several days, and
*' having done all that waa possible under the circumstances," re*
turned to Sh^ngh^i, and the reader must content himself with the
following short paragraphs as the result of that visit. , Wo quote the
.whole. ,, tr , i . ■•» . ; •■ . : ; .
*• With the first dfi^n of morning I was up, and dreswd with lery great
care by my Chii^ese servant, whpm I then despa^hed to findootthe nmv
'sery gardens in fhe city, in order to procure the planta which I^lrented.
1847. Fortune* s Wanderings in China. Sl^
When he had obtained thia infarmatioii he retarned, and we proceeded tc«
gether into the city» in order to make my aelectiona.
** Whan I left the boat, I confeaa I felt rather nenroua aa to the trial I vraa
about to make. Although I had paaaed very well aa a Chioamafi in- the
country districts, 1 knew that the inhabitsnts of large towns, and particularly
' those in a town like this, were more difficult to deceive. My old friendii. or
I should rather say my enemiea, the dogs, who are as acute as any China*
man, evidently did not disown me as a countryman, and this at once gave
me confidence. These animals manifest very great hatred to foreigners,
barking at them wberevor they see them and hanging on tlieir skirts until they
are fairly out of sight of the house or village where their mastera reeida
, .**Aai was crossing the bridge, which is built over the moat or cana|
on die outside of the city walls, numbers of the Chinese were loitering
on.it, leaning over its aidea, and looking down upon the boats which were
plying to and fro. I stopped too, and looked down upon the gay and happy
tluong, with a feeling of secret triumph when I remembered that I was now
. in the most fashionable city of the celestial empire, where no Englishman,
as &r as I knew, had ever been before. None of the loiterers on the bridge
appeared to pay the slightest attention to me, by which I concluded that I
most-be very much like one of tlieniselves. How surprised they would have
been had it been whispered to them that an Engliahroan was standing
amongst them.
''The city of Si^chau fi!i, in its general features, is much the same aa the
other cities in the north, but is evidently the seat of luxury and wealth, and
haanone of those aigna of dilapidation and decay which one aees in such
towns aa Ningpo. A noble canal, aa wide aa the river Thames at Rich*
tdond, runs parallel with the city walls, and acti aa a moat aa well as for com-
mercial purposes. Here as at Ceding and Ta-tK>ng-tieu, a large number of
invalided junks are moored, and doubtless make ezcelleni Chinese dwelling-
houses, particularly to a people so fond of living on the water. This same
canal is carried through arches into the city, where it ramifies in all direc-
tions, sometimes nsrrow and dirty, and at other places expanding into lakes
of considerable beauty; tlius enabling the inhabitants to convey their mer-
chandise to their houses from the most distaiit parts of tlie country. Junks
and boats of all sizes are plying on this wide and beautiful canal, ^nd the
whole place has a cheerful and flourishing aspect, which one does not often
. see in the other towns in China, if we except Canton and Shangfaia. The
walls tnd ramparts are high, and in excellent repair, having considerable
resemblance to those of Ningpo, but in much better order. The east wall,
along the side which I went all the way, is not more than a mile in length,
but the north and south are much longer, thus making tiie city a parallelo-
Ipram. That part the city near the east gate, by which I entered, is any-
tMhg but splendid ; the streeta are narrow and dirty, and the population
seems to be well guarded with Chinese soldiers, find all the streets and lanes
inside are intersected at intervale* with gatesi which are closed at nine or
574 F&riune's Wanderings in China, Dec.
ten o'clock at night The governor-general of the province resides here, and
keeps those under his control in excellent order.
** The number of nursery gardens in this city had been exaggerated by
my Chinese friends at Sh&nghii, but nevertheless there were several of
considerable extent, out of which I was able to procure some new and valua-
able plants. Among these I may notice, in passing, a white Glydnef a fine
new double yellow rose, and a (kardinia with large white' blossoms, like a
Camellia. These plants are now in England, and- will soon be met with in
every garden in the country. The Sitehan nurseries abounded in dwarf trees,
many of which wery very curious and old, two properties to which the Chi-
nese attach far greater importance than we do in Englsnd. -::
1^ The ladies here are considered by the Chinese to be the most beaufiful in
the country, and, judging-from the specimens that I had an opportunity of see^
ing,'they certainly deserve their high characters. Their dresses are of the
richest material, made in a style at once graceful and elegant; and the only
faults I could find with them were their small deformed feet, and' the mode
they have of painting or whitening their faces with a kind of powder made
for this purpose. But what seemed faults in ray eyes are beauties in those
of a Chinese, and hence the prevalence of these customs."
**S6chau fci, seems to be the great emporium of the centml provinces of
China, for which it is peculiarly well fitted by its situation. Tlie trade of
Ningpo, H&ngnhau, Sh4ngh4i, and many other towns on the sooth; Ching-
kiang fi), Nanking, and even Peking itself on the north, all centers here,
and all these places are connected either by the Grand Canal, or by the
hundreds of canals of lesser note, which ramify over alLthis part of the em-
pire. Sh&nghai, from its favorable position as regards Soo^chow, will doubt-
less become one day a place of vast importance, in a conunercial point of
view, both as regards Europe and America." P. 257,261.
Some have denied that Mr. Fortune ever reached SiJchaa, and
others have doubted whether he ever entered that far famed city.
The description he has given of the way he traveled, etc., is in itself
sufficient to convince us that he reached that city and entered its
walls; but we are surprised that after having remained in it "for
several days,!' passed through its streets, visited its gardens, &c., he
shouldliave been satisfied with giving to his readers so small a part
of the information which he must have obtained. In speaking of the
shape and extent of the city, he says the east wall " is not more thari
a mile in length, but the north and south are much longer, thus
making the city a parallelogram." The Chinese writers say the
walls from north to south are longer thaq tb<>8e from east to west,
their entire circuit being forty-five /i. Mr. Hedde's account agrees
nearly with that of the Chinese. How Mr. Fortune will adjust bis
own with these authorities, we must leave it for him to determine.
1847. Fortune* s Wandtrinss in China. 57a
a'
Oij his way northward, going from Chapu to Shdugh.^i Mr. Fortune
passed by Finghi'i; and through one of the richest of the silk districts.
It vfHB in May 1345. He found the farms small and generally work-
ed by the farmer and his own family and friends, who plant, graft
and cultivate the mulberry bushes, gather the leaves, feed the worms,
and finally wind the silk off the cocoons. The mulberry-trees, or
rather bushes, for they seldom were^een more than six feet high, were
planted in rows and were all grafted. The' young shoots are cut oflf
by a pair of strong scissors close to the stump, and then stript of their
leaves. In a grent number of cottages he saw the natives feeding
the worms with these leaves. Dark rooms were fitted up with shelves,
rising one above another from the ground to the roof of the house.
The worms were kept and fed in round bambooed sieves, placed on
those shelves, so that any one of the sieves may be taken out and the
work of the insects examined at pleasure.
With Chdpti and the surrounding 'country he was delighted ; it
may well, he says, he called the garden of China ; the hills of the
south terminate there, and the great plain commences. "On' one
side, looking towards the south and west, mountains are seen tower-
ing in alls their grandeur; while on the northern* side, the eye rests on
a rich and level plain, watered by its thousand canals." He inspect-
ed the hills about the city, went to the Manchti quarters, observed
some Japanese goods, and examined all the chief objects of interest
— and filled up his journal with personal adventure, not giving us
one word of information regarding the soil and its productions.
Ningpo was first visited by Mr. Fortune in the autumn of 1843,
and subsequently and repeatedly in the summers of 1844 and 1^45^
"The town itself, with all its riches, and all its advantages, has been
in a decaying state for years.'' He obtained access to some gardens
and nurseries, out of which several new plants were procured,
"valuable additions'' to his collections. These gardens contained
many beautiful roses with a choice collection* of ornamental trees
and shrubs. The dwarfs, "old trees* in- miniature," were really curi-
ous, made to resemble pagodas, animals, etc. Junipers are generally
chosen for this purpose. Ttiis dwarfing is efTected by retarding the
free circulation' of the sap, which is done by confining the roots, by
withholding water; by grafting, by bending' the branches, and many
other similar devices,* aU proceeding upon fhe'same principle.
Mr. Fortune gives liis-readers many details regarding the ice-houses
of Ningpo, remarkable for the simplicity of their construction, and
describes the several modes of catching fish, which, seemed to hinv
675 Fi^iun€*s Wanderings in China, Jykci
Amusing and ingenious— esipeeialJy so was that by the corDioraoi
From a Chinese he obtained the following particulars regarding the
food and habits of these birds.
** The fish-catching birds eat small fish, yellow eels, and pulse-jelly. At
5 p. M. every day each bird will eat eight ounces of eels or fish, and a catty
of pulse-jelly. They lay eggs- after three years, and in the fourth or fifth
month. Hens are used to incubate the eggs. When about to lay, their face*
turn, red, and then a good hen must be prepared. The date must be clearly
written upon the shells of the eggs laid, and they will hatch in twenty-five
days. When hatched, take the young and put them upon cotton, spread lipon
some warm water, and feed them with eel's blood for five days, then they
can be fed with eel's flesh chopped fine, and great care must be taken in
watching them. When fishing, a straw band (or tie) must be put upon thoir
necks to prevent them from swallowing the fish, which they catch. In tiie
eighth or ninth month of the year, they will daily descend into the water at
ten o'clock in the morning, and catch fish till five in the sfternoon, when they
will come on sliore. la this way they will continue until the third month,
when they cease until the eighth month comes round. The male is easily,
distinguished from the female, in being generally a larger bird, and in having
a datker and more glossy feather, but more particularly in the size of the head
that of the male being large and that of the female small" Pp. 113;] 14
His adventures at the " Temple of heavenly boys," among the
priests and wild boars, are well described. The temple is about
twenty miles from Ningpo, in the centre of the green tea district ;
behind, and on either side of it, the mountains rise, in irregular ridges,*
from one to two thousand feet above the level of the sea. These are
clothed to their very summits with *' a dense tropical looking mass of
brushwood, shrubs, and trees." Then he saw some of the finest bam-
b(X>s, the large sombre coloured pine, and very beautiful specimens of
the Cryptomeriajaponica, Thus sequestered, he often seemed wrapt
in the spirit of romance, charmed with the " harmless and simple bdt
dreadful ignorant and superstitious race," the priests: "My bed-
room," he says, ** was upstairs, and to get at it I had to pass through
a snriall temple, crowded with idols ; incense was burning on the
altar in front of these; a solitary lamp shed a dim light over the
objects in the room ; and a kind of solemn stillness seemed to pervade
the whole place,*" &c., — all of which is well enough described;
but we wish, snd^ mUny others Will wish, that in its stead he had told
of natural scenery, the productions of the soil, and described " all
the handy works of the Great Creator." What would indicate
the residence of a country gentleman' in England, is in China, he
says, the sign of a Budhist t^m|He," and tliis holds* good o\-er all
the country." A large clean- looking house, showing itself among
1847. Forium's Wanderings in China. 577
the trees on the hill-side^ is almost sure to be fouud to be one of the
these temples.
Chusan was visited repeatedly bj Mr. Fortune and at all seasons
of the year, and consequently he was enabled to gain *' a perfect
knowledge of the soil, productions, and flora of the island." He found
Chusan and the neighbouring islands less productive in species of
animals and plants than the main land. The granite rocks of Chusan
are the same kind as those noticed at the south. On the hills the
soil is a rich gravelly loam ; in the valleys it is more stiff, *' from
having less vegetable matter mixed with it, and from being almost
continually under water." The flora to this latitude, both on the
islands and on the main land, "is very different from that of the
south ;" the species of a tropical character having '* entirely disap
peared, and in their places we find others related to those found in
temperate climates in other parts of the world." The* oil plant,
BroMsiea iinensiSy a species of cabbage; the Glycine Wtienits, wild
on the hills; the camphor tree L-turus Camphora; the Daphne For"
tuni and the Weigela rosea; and the tallow tree, SliUingia sebifera,
All attracted his attention. The Chinese method of extracting the
tallow he gives in the words of his friend Dr. Rawes : which is,
briefly, as follows.
The seeds, picked in autumn, are first put into a wooden cylinder,
open at top, and perforated at bottom, and steamed ten or fifteen
minutes, for the purpose of softening the tallow and causing it to
separate more readily. They are then transferred to a stone mortar
and gently beaten, after which they are thrown upon a sieve, heated
over the fire, and. sifted, by which process the tallow is separated.
It now resembles coarse linseed meal; and in this state it is put be-
tween circles of twisted straw, and these placed in a press,' by which'
the tallow is forced out and falls into a tub, freed from all impurities,
a semi-fluid of a beautiful white color. As the candles made of this
easily melt in hot weather, they are usually dipped in wax of various
colors, red, green, or yellow, and are seen* for sale in all the Chinese
shops.
Fuhchau is the next point, in our line, and from it we are to follow
our Wanderer up to the Bbbea hills, a height of 2000 and 3000 feet
above the level of the sea. Like every body else, who has visited the
Mini fa^ could' not' but admire the picture^ue and beautiful scenery of
Chat region, and was struck* with the gra5d and sublifiie effects of the
iiiunder-stbrms witnessed among thotie loily mountains. The fk>pper''
VOL. YVI. NO. XII. 7^
57B FoHuiu'm Wanderings in China. Dec.
laden junks from LiiJchiii, the famous bridge, the fidbing-birds, and
many other objects, on the low lands and about the city, have been
described by many who have reached the capital of Fuhkien. Our
readers, too, will remember not only the incidents recently given by
Mr. Smith, but also -those furnished us some twelve years ago by,
Messrs. Gordon and Stevens, who in a small boat penetrated far above
the city, where they were fired on by the imperial troops and compelL
ed to return. Mr. Gordon, like Mr. Fortune, was anxious. to visit the
black tea district, and was equally determined to " front and disregard
the: mandarins," who bad not seei^ the Lion's power then, as they
have since; for otherwise the latter, visitor would have been no more*
siiocessful than the former. But a wonderful change bad come over
•' these affectionate gentry/' with whom, when they have an end i<%
gain, the only queation is, " whether they are most likely to succeed
by telling the truth or telling liesi" But neither threats nor lies
could deter Mr. Fortune from* his laudable purpose. And who could
deny his right ? He says-.
"I told the mandarins tfjai I did not care whether there were tea farmv
on these hills or not ;' but that; to cut the' matter short, I was determined
to go and see. Accordingly, on the following morning, I started early, tak-»
ing the road for the hills. The flat country, through which T passed, be-
tween the norcfi'slde of the city snd the* mountains, is chiefly cultivated with
rice, sugar-cane, ginger, and' tobaeeoi On the sides of the little hills, and
also for a considerable disthnce up the loflier ranges, large quantities of
sweet potatoes and' earth-nut^ are* grown during the summer season; but as
we ascend, the mountains become more rugged^ cultivation ceases, and plante
indigenous to the eountrf alone show themselves.' On my journey over these
mountains, I came' to the conclusion* thaftfteh- native flora was of an inters
mediate character between those of the southern and northern provinces-^
the. tropical species of the south* being found in* the low lands, and the spe*
cies of more northern* latitudlBS inhabiting thrmomMains two or three thou-^
sand feet above the level of the' sea; In the low valleys the Fiau mtida
attains a large size, and is a great flivonte with the inhabitants. It is always
seen near villages and temples. — After toiling up one of the celebrated
mountain passes, which is paved all the way, and' Has a house of refreshment
about half-way up, I reached the summit of the mountain— ^e highest Isnd
in this part of China; A glbrious prospect was spread befoie me : the valley
of the Min stretching far across* to'the other hills ; the citf of Fuhchao, with-
its pagodas, temples, and watohtbwers standing in the centre of the plain ;
and the broad river winding smoothly along'' iniite- course to the' sea ; moan-
tain towering above mountain, and the whole siHAteg the mind with won<r
dec and admiration.** Pp. 377, 379.
1847. Fortune's Wanderings in China. S79
Mr. Fortune was, and with good reason, much delighted with his
success, reaching the eitensive tea district just when the natives were
engaged in picking and preparing the leaves. He not only procured
specimens for his herbarium, but also a living plant, which, having
taken to the tea hills at the north, he found to be identical with the
true Thea viridis of those regions : *' In other words, the black and
the green teas, which generally come to England from the north pro-
vinces of China, ewe made from the same species, and difFerence of
color, flavor, d^c, is solely the result of the different modes of prepa-
ration. "
This visit was in mid-summer, and hill and dale were teeming
with life. The lance-leaved pine, Cunninghamia laneeolaia, and the
more common P-nus sinensis were almost the only trees of any size
he found growing on the mountains. On his return to the vicinity
of the city he found the Izoras and Hydrangeas with the Fingered'
Citron in great perfection, and Camelliansin great abundance. There,
for the iirst time, he saw the Chinese olive Canrium and the Chinese
diite Zizypkus; and there too he saw, among others— the sweet-
scented Jasnunum Sambae, the Murray a exotica, Agalia odorata,
Cktoranthus inconspicuus, d&c. The peaches were curiously formed,
but worthless. The plumbs were good ; the Itchfs, lung-g^ns and
wingpts, excellent; oranges, citrons and pumelos plentiful.
* The people were generally much cleaner in their habits, and a
more active race, than those in the northern provinces. " In fact,
they approached more nearly to the natives of Cmton than to any
other, in these respects. ** He was supprtsed to find them *' consu-
ming beef and even milk. " The population, when estimated at about
half a million, is not, he thinks, over-stated.
At Ckinchew Mr. Fortune was mnch struck with the formation of
one part of the main-land near. to the entrance to the bay. Part of
the hill was rocky, but other parts were formed by immense banks
of sei-land, which appear to have been driven up from the bottom
of the ocean by some terrific storm or convulsitm of nature. Sea
shells, stony shingle, large fragments of rocks, as well as sand,
contribute their share in swelling the mighty niass,2and|all formed a
great contrast with the appearance of every thing around it.
At Chimoo Bay, he was evidently, to use his own words, " consi-
dered a great natural curiosity ; " but succeeded in reaching the
well-known pagoda, and obtaining an excellentView from its summit.
On returning, he was attacked and rubbed, and his opinion of the
Chinese considerably lowered by the adventures of the day.
580 F40rtu$u*8 WtmdErings in China, Ded.
: Amoy he declares the filthiest town he had ever seen, In China or
elsewhere, " worse even than Shingh&i, and that is bad enough. '*
While there, he was often out on long excursions in the surround-
ing country. The hills, ^near the city, he found more barren than
any he had before seen, ''consisting entirely of bare rocks gravelly
s^nd, as hard and as solid as stone^ with scarcely a vestige of vege^
tation." Inland the ground was more level, fertile, and yields good
crops. In the midst of such rocky mountains and barren scenery »
ranch botanical success was not to be expected. In the gardens
there were several pretty shurbs, such as the Jasminum Samhae^
OUa fragrans^ China rou ChryionihemHms, and various other com-
mon species. The hedges and crevices of the rocks abound in a
little creeper called Pmdtria foeUda^ " very pretty, but having a
roost disagreeable odour. " Birds were very rare, and the species
racmt meagre; white*necked crows, paddy-birds, Indian kites, king-
fishers, and a small Mine with white wings, were common.
At Namoa Mr. Fortune had no difficulty in prooecuting his botani-
cal researches among the hills, whose natural produ'^tions, in both
the animal and vegetable kingdoms, resemble those of Hongkong;
Leaving Namoa, the stranger is struck with the barren rocky nature
of the coast. On the tops of the highest hills, as far as the eye can
reach inland, pagodas are seen towering, excellent landmarks for
the mariners
The Island nf PragrmU Sirtamx, the land of camellias, azaleas
and roses, <* what a contrast betwixt this scenery and the hills and
villeys of Java, where I had been only a few days before!" So
writes our wanderer, on reaching Hongkong. " The botany of the
inland possessies a considerable degree of interest, at least would
have done so some years ago, when the plants indigenous were less
known than they now are." He mentions it as a curious fact that
all the most ornamental flowering plants, on the island, are found
high up the mountains, froim a thousand to two thousand feet above
the sea. On the low ground.*! many kinds of the fig-tree are common,
and difierent species of the Lnger^tr^mia; a little higher up the
beautiful Ixora coccinra inseeq bjopining in scarlet nnder the dazzling
sun ; there, too, under thQ ever-^ripping nicks, we fiud the beautiful
Vkiriia Sinensis, witi) it^ elegant foxglove lilac flowers ; covering
the hilt-sides, at an ejevaifon of fifteen hundred feet, grow the Poiy^
sppra axillaris ^^d the tno^t beautiful Enkianihus niieuiaius : while
the top^ of the highft^f M\n af^ crownecl in summer and autumn
1847. FMune's Wawknngs in China. 581
with purple Arundina sinenfig and the yellow Spatkogloiiit Foriuni.
The Caaian river, Mr. Fortune regarded as one of the most iinpos-
iiig and striking objects which the traveler meets with in this cele-
brated country. The sea, islands, and beautiful bays at its mouth ;
the celebrated Bocca Tigris and its numerous and massive forts ; the
flat cultivated and highly picturesque lands near the shores and
mountains in the distance, as you ascend the river, and so forth, all
came successively under his notice. At length the shipping at Whumpoa»
with the pagodas came into view, and numerous other towers and joss-
houses, and reminded the traveler that he was approaching the far-
famed city, '* one of the richest and most important in the celestial
empire." His sojourn at Canton was not long ; but e? ery accessible
objeot of any interest seems to have been duly noticed. Among the
boat-population, lie saw thousands of the inhabitants living and enjoy-
ing health and happiness in such places, which would soon be graves
for Europeans. But what surprised him most " was the old women
and young children bathing in the river, which seemed as if it were
their natural element/' There is in this, a little exaggeration ; or,
seeing it in one or two instances, he may have inferred that this
practice was universak Children we have often seen playing or
bathing in the river at Canton, men occasionally, but women never.
What he says also of swimming under water, we have seldom witness-
ed. His rencounter with the vagabonds on the north of the city is
admirably described ; and we suspect very few, who have been to
those hills in the rear of the five-storied pagoda, would if questioned
be found incompetent to confirm all he says about " the aeveraJ
groups of ill-looking fellows." The toleration of such gross and
wanton outrage is we hope at an end.
The flower gardens, or fd-ii^ possessed the greatest attractions.
The exhibitions of azaleas there were on a mach larger scale than
those in the gardens of the Horticultural Society at Chiswick. **- Every
girden was one mass of bloom, and the different colors of red, white,
and purple blended together had a most beautiful and imposing eflect."
He gives the names of many plants and fruits^ too common and weU
known to need a recital here. He says. — " Although the botanist
can find little that is new to him in these gardens, yet they are well
worthy of a visit."
We have now gone through with our proposed review of Mr.
Fortune's wanderings, at the norfh and af the south, in Snchau^
Cadiug, Shanghai, Pingliu, Cb^pu, ^'ii?gpP) Cbusaii, Fuhcbao, Cbii^
582 FartuHt'i Wandtrings in China. Dec.
chew, Chimoo, Ainoy, Narooa, Hongkong,* and Canton. The limits
for this article will aflford us space for only a few additional notices
regarding Chinese agriculture, and the cultivation of cotton and the
tea-plants. To each of these topics he devotes an entire chapter.
The profession of agricnUure in China, as Mr. Fortune justly
remarks, has been highly honored and encouraged by the government
of the country, from the earliest times down to the present. With
equal truth he says, also, that as an art, agriculture here has been
greatly exaggerated by many who have adverted to this subject in their
writings. But when he adds, " the husbandman ranks higher here
than he does in any other country in the world," we must differ from
him, though once we were of the same opinion. This opinion was
formed chiefly from booka, native as well as foreign ; and from the
data these afford every reader would probably cme to one and *the
same conclusion. Observation, however, has convinced us that the
husbandman does not stand so high here as he does in some other
countries. The ch«iper, XVI, which Mr. Fortune has devoted to
this subject, is one of the best in book, and the best treatise we have
ever read on Chinese agriculture. It is a ^ery fair and faithful record
of what exists, and the reading of it has confirmed us in the opinion,
that the Chinese have little of the useful in any department of agri-
cultural art or science, with which foreigners are unacquamted. Nay,
the differences are all the other way ; and it is the Chinese who have
so much to learn.
The euUivaiion of cotton ^ as it came under Mr. Fortune's observa-
tion, is carefully described in his book. The Chinese cotton plant,
Gos$ypium herhaceum, " is a branching annual, growing from one
to three or four feet high, according to the richness of the soil, and
flowering from August to October. The flowers are of a dingy
yellow color, and, like the Hibiscus or Malva, which belong to the
same tribe, remain expanded only for a few hours, in which time they
perform the part allotted to them by nature, and then shrivel up and
soon decay. At this stage the pod begins to swell rapidly, and when
ripe, the outer coating bursts and exposes the pure white cotton in
which the seeds lie embedded." He then goes on to say, that the
beautiful Nanking cloth is manufactured from what the Chinese call
the " Tsz' mien Awi," and in its structure, and general appearance
differs but slightly from the kind just noticed : the yellow variety has
a more stunted habit than the other, but has no characters which
constitute it a distinct species t ^< it is merely an accidental variety,
V
J 847. Fortunt'MWattiiirings in China. i&^
and although its seeds may generally produce the same kind, they
doubtless frequently yield the white variety, and vice versd. ** Hence,
specimens of the yellow are found growing amongst the white ; and
specimens of the white in fields covered with the yellow.
The trorplant was an object of very particular attention ; and gieat
was the traveler's surprise when he found all the. platUs, in the pro-
vinces of Fubkien, Chehki«iDg and Kiingn^n, to he^ without excep-
tion, one and the same, — the Thea riridis, commonly called the green
tea plant, and all yielding both black and green- teas; while from the
Thea Bohea, grown in the province of Canton, he likewise found both
black and green teas manufactured !
In the north, where the soil selected is very rich and the best
adapted to the cultivation of this shrub, he always found the planta-
tions situated on the lower and most fertile sides of the hills, and the
tea in rows, the rows and the shrubs in the rows being about four
feet apart. — So much has been said in our own puges regarding the
culture, manufacture, and qualities of tea, that we need not repeat
what Mr. Fortune has written, and written' well on* this subject.
In commencing his book, Mr. Fortune deemed' it necessary to
expose certain prejudiced opinions, opinions too fevorable to the
Chinese, for, as a nation, he considlerff them retrograding. Clearly
as he saw this defect or rather tbis erfbr, in the writingcr of others,
we are constrained to think that some of his* own paragrnphs — some
of his own pages — must be placed in the same category. We are not
sure that he is quite consistent with himself. He does indeed rate
the Chinese soundly, as rogues, rascals, robbers; pirates,- and, as a
nation, sets tbem down> as great gamblers : here too, he saw the ha-
bitual opium-smoker, '* there warno mistaking hini, his looks were
pale and haggard, his breathing quick anddistBrt>ed',-and so thin was
he that hia cheek bones seemed pieissiiig^ his skih';-" yet, afler all
these and many ottier bitter things written- against the Chinese, —
and his picture is nowhere too dbrk^,— -he really believed there is no
country in the world wheris tbe great itiass of the people are better
off than in the norths of China,- where (fie " rod of the oppressor is
unfelt and unknown.*^ He was chai^med with their condition, hard-
ly excepting their idblatfry ; for the traveler, we quote his own words,
" cannot but admire the devotional spiHtsoftheinhabitantt, although
he may wish that it was directed to a higher Btlfd purer object. " A
purer idolatry ? Admire it ! One point more dleserves our notice. In
palliation of the bad conduct and character of the Chinese,, he says.
584 Deiails respeciwg Cochin-china, Dec.
" unfortunately we must confess that European nations have contribu-
ted their share to make these people what they are. " We demur at
this, for we do not believe that this boasted celestial country has
suffered by coming in contact with barbarians. On the contrary,
we believe that China has been greatly benefited by intercourse with
the nations of Christendom. When Mr. Fortune's book goes into
future editions — as it doubtless will, perhaps he may give to Sucbau
a truer shape and more generous dimensions than he has now done-»
may cease to admire the idolatry of the Chinese-— and see cause to
believe that the inhabitants of this land have been benefited by the
coming hither of Europeans — benefited, not indeed to the extent that
they ought to have been, yet essentially and permanently benefited.
Art. II. Details mpeeting Cochin-china, By the right Rev.
Dr. Le Ft ore. Bishop of Isauropolin and Vicar Apostolic of
Lower Cochin^hina,
Formation op thk monarchy. In the course of the fifteenth cen*
tury, the king of Tnngking took possession of some provinces closn
to his kingdom, and subject to the kingof Ciampa. In the sixteenth
century a family of Tongking called "Ngu yen," who bad rendered
many services to the king, was by him raised to the dignity called
" Chua," which was the first dignity afler that of the king called
" Vua." The descendants of Chau Ngu yen obtained the governor-*
ship of the two provinces taken away from the King of Ciampa. In the
same century this family shbok off* the yoke of the King of Tong«
king, and this gave hirtii' to the kingdom of Cochin-china, which
was thus called by Ifil^ Portuguese to distinguish it from Cochin on
the Malabar Coast. The natives called it first ** An Nam" (the
peace of the south) a name which* is still commonly given to it ; bul
its official name, aflei* many changes, is at present " Dai Nam. "
Kings of Cochin-china, Twelve kings have reigned in Cochin-
china since the formation* of the monarchy.
The First, Tieii' Vuong, relgtied from 1670 to 1614.
Second; Sai Vuong, ,, 1614 „ 1635.
Thlfrf, Thtlbng Vuong. „ 16d& ,, 1649.
Fourth^, Hieh Vuong, „ 1649 „ 1668.
Fiflh, Ngai Vuong, ,» 1666 „ 1692.
184-7. Details respecting Cochin»chind. 58ft
Sixth, Minh Vuong, ,, 1692 „ 1724.
Seventh, Ninh Vuong, „ 1724 ,,1737.
Eighth,. Vo Vuong, „ 1737 „ 1705.
Ninth HienVuong „• 1765 „ 1777.
Then there was an iiiterreguutn of two years. The Tongkinge^o
took the northern part of Cochin-china. Some rebels called " Tay
Son," occupied the throne up to 1901. lu this year the legitimate
King " Gia Long, " after have gained many advantages over the re-
bels, beinff assisted by the counsels of a French bishop, Mgr. Pig-
neaux. Bishop d'Adran, and by many able French officers, recover-
ed his kingdom, and in -the following year, took that of Tong-king^
and assumed the title of " Emperor. " He died in 1820. One of
his sons succeeded him under the name of " Ming Mang." He was
the famous persecutor of the Christians. He died in 1841, and
at the present time his sou, Thien Tri, is in ihe sixth year of his
reign.
The old family of the Kings of Tongking still reckon many part-
isans in> this portion of the kingdom. They have oflen made efforts
toshake off the yoke of Cochin-china, but without success. At present
they are so weak, that they have little hope of a gain rising by their--
own exertions from their humble condition. The Kings of Cochin-
china have also taken successively all the kingdom of Cianipa, and,
the greater portion of Cambodia, so that the country called in maps
Ciampo and Cambodia belongs almost entirely to Cochin-china, and
is chiefly inhabited by Cochin-chinese
There are on the mountains, which divide Cochin-china from Laos,
many wild tribes, some of whom are subject to the King of Cochin-
china, others are only his tributaries, and others, finally, are independ-
ent.
-The King . of Cochin-china is himself tributary to the Emperor of
China, from whom he receives investiture when he ascends the
throne; and he is obliged to send him an embassy with presents at
least once every three years
Position and geographical division. The country extends from
Pulo Ubi in the U*" 25^ to 25" north latitude. Its breadth is from five to
six leagues.(?) Tongking is much larger. It begins at the river
called Soiih Giang, about 17° 15' north . It is divided into fourteen
prefectureH, the names of which are as follows, beginning from the
fiouth, — Ngd an, Thanh Noi, Thanh Ngoai, Hung Hoa, Nam
Thuong, Nam ha, Tlai dv^ii^, Kinhr bac Son, Tay, Cao bang, Lang:
bac, Thii ngnyen*, Tueyen CVuanf^; aMd'l^eu Cluang.
VOL. »VK Nl;. .^li. 74e
S86 Dtiails respecting Cockin-ckineu Dkci
There tre iu Tongkiiig only two towns properly to called, Ke cho
or Bai tlianh (the town of the north) : the former capital of the king-
dom : and Vi huang, a petty commercial town. They sometimes
call the chief pUce of each prefecture, a town but improperly, be-
cause there are generally so few inhabitants, that it is more a village
than a town. *
Cochin-china properly so called^ is divided into fifteea prefectures.*
It may also be considered as divided by, nature into three portion8«
which form Upper, Middle, and Lower Cochin-china. Upper Co-
chin-china, which is in the north, comprises three prefectures,- the^
first, Quang Binh, is close to Tongking; the second is Qnang Tri v
and the third Thua Thuen, in which Hii6', the capitnl of the whole
kingdom, is situated. This town is built almost in the European
style. It was surrounded by strong fortifications under King 6ia
Long by French officers.
The portion called " Middle Cochin-china" comprises six prefect
tores : Quang Nam, in which is the fine port of Tonron : Quang
Ngai, a sterile prt>vtnce : Binh Denh, one of the finest and most
renowned provinces of the whole kingdom: Phu y^n, a province
rather rich; Khon hoa, or Nhia Trang, a hilly and fertile c<iuntry;
and Binh Thuan, a very large province, which comprises the 'oJd
kingdom of Ciampa: it is barren, and not much inhabited in propor-
tion to jtft extent, and has many wild animals of all kinds, such as the
tiger* the wild buffalo, the elephant, the rhinoceros, d&c, d&e. It
would be most dangerous to travel alone in this country. '
Lower Cochin-china, or Dong f<fai, comprises seven prefectures.
The first, beginning at the north, is Bt6n Hoa; the second, Gia
Dinh, where is t/ie town of Sai 6on, formerly frequented by French
vessels, and laid down on charts; the third, Dinh Tuong; the
fourth, Vifih Long; the fifth,- An Oiang; the sixth, Ha Tin; and the
seventh, called formerly Nam Vang, and now Tr4n. It is in this
kst province that the town of Colomp^, the former capital of Cam-
bodia, is isituated. It has been lately taken again by the Cambodians,
and, it is said, that it will be difficult for Cochin-china to keep this
place, owing lo the want of sufficient troops. -
All the meridi<mal part of Cochin**cbiha is the more fertile on ac-
count of the many rivers which intersect it in all directions. It
produces rice in great quantity, and it also yieldacotton, mulberries for
silk-worms, and fruits of all kinds. Ft is justly called the "Garden
and Granary ol Coditn-cliiiui." Unfortonattely luxovy proucees many
1847. Deimls respecting Cochin^hina. 56T
vicea; hence gumblers, driinkardSf opium-tmokers, and, as a conse-
quence, robbers, are found there in greater numbers than in any
other part. Journeys sre generally effected by boats, but rivers afford
B^ety facility for navigation, and a Urge vessel might go up very far.
Tongking and Cochin-china are traversed throughout by a royal
road or highway. It is the only one that exists in the country. In
many places it is badly constructed, and not well kept. I have been
al^ng it from Sai Gon to the royal city. It is intersected by a great
many rivers or rivulets, without bridges, which you must either wade •
through, or cross in a boat.
There are some very high mountains, chiefly between the pro»
vinces of Nhia Trang and Phu y6n, and. those of Quang Nam and
Thua Thidn, the passes of which are very drfBcult. It would be
impossible to travel in a carriage, and one cannot ride on horseback
far, for the horses, being unshod, are unabie to carry a man farther
than half a day's journey; the mandarins generally travel in a litter.
You meet here and there trained bearers, who, however heavy the
burthen may be, can go far in a short time. Those who carry the
royal dispatches go fifty leagues in a day.
Rivers, The chief River in Tongking is " Sftng Ca," or the Great
River, on which is situated the ancient capital of Tong-king. The
French and English had formerly an entrep/^t on it. It receives, on
its course, many large streams^-^dng Chay in the province of
Tuey^n Quang, Song Ngue and Song Diem in the province of Hung
Horn. Tue Due in the province of Lang Son and Thien Due in
that of Hai Dong, join the same at its mouth. The Song Ba, the
Boorce of whteb is the Mountains of Laos, and which falls into the
seaelese tatbeport of Gua Lae, is also a large river. The Sdng mo,
» the province of Ng^ an, empties itself into the sea by three bran-
ebef» It is a great and large river. The So^g Giauh, which divides
Tongking from Cocliioychina, is half a mile broad about its mouth.
The Sdng Yd in Quang ugai; the Sdng da Lang in Lhu y^n ; the
Song Luong in Btnh Thuan; and the Song Cam rauh, which separ-
atee this province, from Lower Cochin-china; are^l great rivers.
But the finest and largest of all the rivers of this country are those
ef Lower Coohin-china ; being almost all branches of the great
River of Laos and Cambodia, called Mekon. It has four principal
branches-, up which the largest vessels might sail Airther than the
liraitS'Of Cochin-china. They are in seme places more than a mile
in breadth.
588'- Details respecting Cochin'rhina, Dsc'
Mountains. Cochin-china, throughout nearly the whole of its'
length is situated on the declivity of the mountains (inhabited by the'
barbarians called. Kemai) which separate it from- Laos. This chain*
of mountains stretches from the . west of Cochin-china, in » north*
and .south direction, from 1 1** to 22"* of latitude. By this position
the surface is agreeably diversified, elevating itself, as if by degrees,'
in the form of an amphitheatre, from the shore of the sea to the sum«
mil of these mountains. There are numerous lateral brances^ which
stretch down to the sea between which there are formed many valleys-
and even large plains, of which the ooil might be rich and fertile
with all the variety and beauty of the vegetation of the tropics, if it
were not almost generally abandoned to its spontaneous productions,
and deprived of the aid of a skilful culture. The two principal pro-
longations or ramifications of this chain of mountJiins, are those
which separate the province of Quang-nam, in which is found the
harbor of Touron, from that of-Thua-thidui where the capital is
situated, and which is called 4>^>Qy and those which divide the pro.
vincesofThu ydn and I^hja itrang, and which is named Deo Cm.
There is also a secondary chain of mountains which separates Tong-<
king from China. 7^he gredter part of these mountains are only
inhabited by some barbarians. The Cochin-chine^e, and much more
the Europeans, capuol Jiy.e op them, on account of the insalubrity of
the air which we b^ea^lhe there. I onee took refuge upon the side
of one of these niopntaips^ ip order to find an asylum against persecu-
tion ; but (had reasop to repent of it. I was attacked by a very
serious illness, whi^s^-^x^o ^l^yes, whom I had with me, there lost
their lives. These mountains offer a very varied spectacle to the^
view; here are frjghtfpj precipices, — there arid rQckSy^^^elsewhere
verdure, streams, water«falls, and trees; there are loftj peaks which
project themselves, above the clouds,<— and, in other places^ a level
surface, commonly covered .with extensive forests.
Climate, The latitude of this country sufficiently indicates the
high temperature of the cjimtte* We may conceive that it must
offer a sensible difference in a length of fourteen degrees. There is
never any ice, snow, or frost, nor eyrep bail ; but the cold cannot fail
to be sharp in winter ^qqi the 23d to the: |5th degree, when th&
wind bipws strongly fVom the north ; from the 15** to the lO* winter
<|oes not ma(|(e itself ipit except for some ^ay by a wind more or less
cool^ and ip gpneval iln wholesome. In .the meridional part oallecl
Loyyer Cochinycfaiffay there are six months of dryness, and six months
I84t. Details respecting Cttrhin-china. 5Rd
of trains ; thifse rains- produce a great humidity in the atmosphere,
which renders the province unhealthy, especially about the month of
April, the time when the rains begin to fall : the evaporations which
then proceed from the ground are an almctst general cause of fevers
and other diseases. In the northern provinces the time of the heavy
rains is in September, October, and November. They sometimes
fall in such large quantities that they produce inundations which
spread over the wholefcountry ; these general by occur during a period
of five days in the. months of October and November. These inun*
dations last two or three days, and contribute much to fertilize the
soil ; they also sometimes cause great disasters. In November 1844 »
an inundation desolated the whole of the province of Thua thi6n •
the rain was accompanied by such a violent wind that all the houses
and nearly all the walls were overturned during one night ; five or
six thousand persons perishing. In the month of November last year,
after a heavy inundation, the earth of a field in the neighborhood of
the capital sunk in one night, and formed a lake of 12 feet in depth,
80 feet broad, and 120 feet in length. I was consulted as to the
cattse of this phenomenon j of which they had never had an example,
and which even infused some fear into the soul of the monarch who
governs the- kingdom.'* Not to leave the question without answer,
I said that we might snppose that the waters, running from the heights
of the mountains with impetuosity and in great abundance, had
excavated a large and deep tunnel, and that the earth of this field,
softened by the rains and deprived of support, had thus fallen in.
This reason appears to me to be very plausible, hut I leave the deci-
sion to more scientific persons^ '
In Lower Cochin-china there are not such abundant rains or
similar inundations, but on the other hand, the ground being almost
on a level with the sea, in the high tides, the water of the rivers
overflows and covers the whole country. It is this which renders this
part of the country the most fertile of all. They have only one crop
5frice in the year^ about the month of February, but this single crop
yields much more rice than the two crops which they have in the
other provinces, the one in April and the other in October. Sugar-
cane, tobacco, cinnamon, silk, cotton, indigo, yams, and potatoes,
are also very abundant; Fruits, such as citrous, plantains, pine-
apples, and many other kinds, are also more comnKin in this part
thsn iirothers : it is on account of this that (hey say in the language
of the country that it is easy to find fhert (hp m^ffH^ Hf ^P^'^t — '^ i'
690 DUails respecting Cockin-ckino- Bs^;
to l)ci regretted that we are obliged to add but it is diJUuH to iive
there.
Minerals. We do not find on the mountains of Cochin-china a
tingle volcano, either active or extinct : but in many places mines of
gold and silver occur, which the natives do not know how to work.
The Government itself employs means for working the mines which
only discourage the workmen. Much gold, however, is collected
from the sand of the mountains. This sand is fhrown into the neigh-,
boring river, and the current disengages the particles of gold, which,
are collected, but with much pain and fatigue. It is in this manner
that they seek the gold in one of the mountains which are situated
opposite to the harbor of Touron. But the principal mines of gold
and silver are at Tongking. Mines of iron, copper^ lead, tin, and
of zinc are also found in abundance.
Plants. Besides minerals the mountains further furnish excellent
wood for timber work, such as the pine, the oak, teak wood ; and also
the ebony, aloes wood, and the eagle wood, which they^use as medi-*
cine, and which they sometimessell in China and at Japan as high aa
100 dollars the pound. . These precious woods, to which the cinnamon
free ought to be added, are ordinarily reserved for the king aiid the
great mandarins. Much, however, is sold surreptioqsly. The most
common tree of all, and bf more daily use, is the bamboo. ■ The areca
and the betel are also cultivated with the greatest care, and yield ^
large profit to the proprietors on account of the general use which is
made of the areca and betel in the country. The tea of China grows
badly in Cochin-china: the tea of the country ia inferior in quality;
it is less strong and less heating than the tea of China. Amongst
the medicinal plants, they principally make use of angelica, of the
Urge celidony, of the Chinese smilax, of master wort, and liquorice.
The herbal of Cochin-china has been already published; I propose
to subjoin it to this paper i for ^hich reason i have the less enlarged
here upon this head.
Animals. The. mountains and forests, of Cochin-china are in-!'
habited by the elephant, rhinoceros, tiger, boar, the stag, the bear,
the buffalo, and many other wild, apimals. There is a menagerie iti
the king*8igarden ; one of his amusements and favourite spor^, is tq
cause an elephant or buffalo to fight .ivilh a niuz^led tiger. There
are at least 60 elephants at the royal city* and fron^ 20 to UO, in each
province, a few excepted. The domestic animals, such as oxen, cows,
and buffaloes, are very common, but they ace productive of little,
1847. DetaiU respecting Cuckin-chiniL 591
proUt, except in the way of labor. Their fleah is far from agreeable
to the taste ; it may even be said that it is bad, because they bestow
uo care in fattening these animals. They are entirely unacquainted
with the good custom of milking the cows. The flesh of the hog is
the mist delicate; it is much superior to that of our hogs of Europe ;
it is the custom to kill a pig each time they give a dinner to a certain
number of guests. There are some flocks of sheep in the neighbor-
hood of the capital, but they do not eat them, without doubt for a
gtiod reiHon. They do not shear their fleece ; it is very dirty, and
yields almost nothing. Goats are vtry common, and are, with giKxl
reason, more prized than the sheep. The court-yards are generally
well furnished with poultry, ducks and geese, with which they can
feast themselves at a cheap rate. The horse of Cochin-china is
small and weak; it can scarcely carry half the load of our European
horse, an() is only good for m.iking a journey of some hours.
Harbors. There are on the coasts of the Cochin -Chinese empire
as many ports as fifty-seven. Seventeen in Tbngking : Cua Uc, the
farthest in the north ; and Cua dai Binh, ai the mouth of the great
river called S3ng Ca, on which is situated the former capital of
Tcmgking, Ke Cho ; Cua Hd ; Cua Traly, Cua L4n ; Cua Bien ;
these seven ports are situated between the 20th and 21st degrees
north latitude. Cua Thuoc ; Cua Lac ; Cult Trien ; Cua Houne ;
Cua Bich ; Cua Bang; Cua Han hbn, between the 19** and 20% Cua
Thai, Cua Tro, between the 18* and 19'. The two best and safest
of all these ports are Cua dai Binh and Cua Lac; both were formerly
res«»rted to by European vessels.
There are seven ports in Upper Cochin-china, situated between
the 16* and 18*; Cua Gianh, at the mouth of the great river wich
separates Cochin-china from Tongking ; Cua dong Hoi, a large and
fine port close to the chief place ofthe province of Quang Binh ; Cua
Tong, a large port ; Cua Vi6t; Cua Thuan, opposite the royal city,
which is not quites afe, a large vessel may anchor within it, but she
must be navigated by a clever pilot, as it contains maiiy shoals; Cua
Tu Dong and Cua Moi, both ports whose anchorage ground is
difficult.
In Middle Cochin-china between the 15th and 16th degrees, there
is the first, largest, and safest of all the ports of Cochin-china, the
port of Touron ; it has been by same writers described Us the finest
port m the wiirld, and it is at the present day the only one resorted
to by European vessels. The next to it is Cua Dai or lioi An,
5D2 Details reipeciing Cochin'china, Dec.
called Pai Po by Europeans, atid frequented by their firn venels
which resorted to Cochin-china. It is very close to the chief place
of the province of duaug Nam. Cua ap ll»d and Cua dai Quang
Ngai, a large port between the 41 and 45', Sa Huonh, Kin Bong,
Tan Quan, and Cua thi phu. Between the 13 and 14" are Cua Gia,
close to the chief place of the province of Biuh Dinh, a very large
and frequented port, and Cua Mai nha, clove to the chief place of
the province of Ph i yen. Between the 12 and 13° Cua da kan, a
large port; and Cun hon Khoe. Between the 11 and 12' Cua Cain
ranh, a safe and spacious port.
In lA>wer Ci»ciiin-china are Cua th6 Van, a most safe |>ort; Cua
Can gio, a large, spacious, and much frequented port, in which there
is much water ; Dong Tranh ; Soi Rap, not much resorted to ; Cua
D:ii, not accestsible by large vessels or even to large boats; Cua Bang
COn ; Cua Cd Chien ; Cua Vam Ray ; Cua Cha Vang ; Cua Ba Thac ;
Cua Mi Thmh; Cua G^nh Han ; Cua Bj Dd ; Cua Lon; Cua Oug
Doc; Cua Cay duao ; Cua Rach Gia; Cua Can Vot or Compong.
It would not be prudent to enter several of these ports without a
cleve pilot, owing to the many shoals. The ports of Cochin-china
where the anchoraore ground is safest are, Dong Hoi, Touroii, Hoi
An, Tan duan, Cua Gia, Cam Ranh, Can Gio, Cua Tien, and Can
Vot.
Towns, There are no towns on the coast. They are all situated
at Mome distance from the sea, but one miy reach them by going up
the river which leads to thetn. There arc only, as I have remarked
elsewhere, five towns properly so called, in the whole of (he kingdom ;
two in Ton^king, Ke Cho and Vi Huang; two in Cochin-china,
Hud and S.ii Gon ; and Colomp.^ in old CambtMlia. Touron, and
H3i An, and the chief places of each province, are merely large
villages, the inhabitrints of which amount to about 3000 souls, and
they are governed just the same as other villages throughout the
kingdom.
The great mandarin, Governor of each province, the Collector
General, and the Judge, reside at this chief place, which is called
Tinh or town of the first order. There are also towns of the second
order called Phu, and of the third order called FluySn, governed by
inferior mandarins, who are like our sub-profects and chiefs of
arrondisaement in France. But the word Thanh, used to desitrtmie
all these towns, means nothing else, in the language of the country,
but a *' walled circuit..*' The leubon is that the hoiiM.* destined for
1647. Detaih reiftrtiug Cothin-china. 593
the mandiTiiis ia eiicloaed by wall*. Bui ihia worU •hniiid tteiet be
undentoud ia the lenw we give in Europe to the wurd "town."
Each province or prefvcture is generally divided into 6 or fi Pho ,
or Bub-prefeclurea and into 8 or 10 Huyen, or ■rrondis»mt^iii).
Population. It ta difficult lo know acciimtcty the populniion of
Cochin>china. 1 believe Ihil one would not go fir from the Ituth
in Mating that the number of the Cochin-chinew amuunta to
13,niK),U00. There are besides about S.OSO.OnO barbarians and
subjected Cambodians, which mikes a total of 16,0011,000 inha-
bit an la.
Tata. Taxes are levied upon ground in proportion lo it^ quality,
and are divided into three cluses; they are paid in iminpy for on-
cultivated, and rice for cultivated ground. They are generally low,
but uot well apportioned; because the collectors are eauily bribed.
There is also a personal in:t for the heada of the chief hnusos. What
i« more agj{rivating for this poor people are the public corv^ei, and
the victuals with which each diiiirici is compelled lo provide the
aoldiers enrolled in it ; for the governinent diMTT* nut provide them with
the third part of their expenses. The mayor orheid of each district
hM il in chiT^e to m ike up ihe rftj'jircd nuinlier ofnoldierd and levy
A ilie:). He does mtl receive any salary for this olioe. On the
contrary il very often subjects him to be flogged with the r^an and
to harsh treatment ; for, when the duties are collected, he is charged
In remit the aame to the greil mandarin, who doen ihe duties ofa
Cirilector General, and he ia re^onsible furilie whole dixirict. This
great inandnrin ia paid by the king; but a very small amount ia
allowed him : hit) fixed salary amounts not lo almve the VRlne of one
hundred dollars yearly. However, if he perforins hia duty well, he
sometimes receives (besides his salary) gntuilies, which moally
consist of fine lilk vestments. These gentlemen take also good care
to cnmpensAte themselves hy their exactions from poor people.
Inhabitanti. The Cochin-chineu occupy a lower rank in the
seal* of civilization than their neighbors the Chinese; but the re-
Femblaace of their ahipe, their color, and their features, as well as
Ihe identity of their mannera, theirsuperstitinuiceremnnies, and their
custom*, indicate a common origiiK Tlie universal practice of chew-
ing betel and areca and of smokin;; tobacco, which reddens their lipa
and blackens their teeth, joioeil ti> ihmr nnturril uglinean, renders them
sufficiently disagreeable to European eye*. A pouch or little baj of
silk, attached to their girdle, nr 8ii:i|teiided IVotn their sliiiiil<
594 Details respeciing Cochin-china, Dec.
they are on a journey, containing areca, betel, and tobacco, form a
necessary part of their dress, of whichever sex and of whatever condi-
tion they m'ly be. Every person in the least rich or distinguished is
followed by a servant, whose office it is to carry the instruments and
the ingredients which serve for mastication and smoking, This peo-
ple is of a childish and servile character. They make no difficulty in
submitting to the most humiliating meannemes before the authorities
to whom they are subject, in order to obtain what they desire : hence
the repeated prostration- in t<iken of their devotion and submission.
When they are inter ogated, they never give themselves the trouble
of answering ihi t.-j h they only think ofgiving to those with whom
they are speakinr a reply which will piease them. It is requsite to
know them well in order not to allow one's self to be deceived by their
knavery and duplicity. There is more independent spirit and less
hypocrisy iti the manner of the inhabitants of Lower Cochin-china.
It is the Ponjlciiire^e who shew most outward humiliation in action
and speech before their superiors, and in whom one remarks the most
hypocrisy.
The Cochir>-chinese in general are possessed of good reasoning
powers find h jirJicious mind; it is this which makes them very sus-
ceptible of instruction. We meet very many amongit them who are
endowed with a very happy memory, such as we rarely see amongst
Europeatw. I have met many who could recite long pieces of verse
which they had only re-id one or two times ; but in general they are
indolent and lazy in spirit ; they do not make a step, without being,
as it were led, and conducted by the hand. Moreover, they only
possess the talent of imitation in an imperfect degree. They invent
nothinif, and improve nothing. They are not strnngers to feelings
of friendship, gratitude, and affection ; however, in general they
require to be led and kept to their duty by fear. Their ii)*ndarina
know them well, and, in consequence, they do not spare the blows
of the ratan.
Among no Pagan people can we expect to find models of chastity,
modesty, or morality. The idea of evi^ is much obscured in them
by the passions, custom, and tiie absence of instruction. The Cochin-
Chinese are given to vices, but less than miny other heathen people
They have less pride and less iminoratity thiin'the Chinese. Gamblers
and drunkards are very numerous* aineiigsi t^hem, and they have
many* other faults; but they have also estinrabFe q«ialities. They are
gei»csoud, not in regard to strangers whom they dread, hut amongst
1847. Details nspeciing CochiU'ckiHa $05
themselves and in respect of those who exercise any authority over
them ; avarice is a rare fault with them. They are not at all hasty
or vindictive ; I have often admired how easily Pagans forget injuries
which our Christians of Europe, instructed in the sublime maxims
of the Gospel, would resent all their lives.
The Cochin-chinese have an erect carriage. They are in general
of feeble health ; strong men form rare exceptions : a very great num-
ber of children die before the age of reason ; old persons of 60, 70
and 75 years are less common amongst them than in Europe, but
those of SO and upwards are found in great numbers. In these hot
countries the breath of life which sustains the aged, is more tardily
extinguished.
The heat and the uncleanuess produce many iufirm|ties in them,-^
sores in all parts of the body and all kinds of skin djseases. The
average number of children in each family is 6 or 7, and it very fre-
quently rises to 10 or 12^ which multiplies the p«)pulation very rv
pidly. Food and maintenance cost so little that the poorest do not
give themselves any trouble, and have no dread of being able to
uourish a numerous family. Polygamy is allowed : and has become
a general rule amongst the great and the mandarins, thauis to say,
amongst all those who have the means of maintaining several women.
According to the ideas of the country, it is obligatory tu take a second
wife, when the first has no children. For, say they, it is a great in-
gratitude towards one's parents not to seek the means of perpetuating
^heir race. It is a maxim derived from Mencius, a Chinese philoso-
pher, and is spread and rooted in ihe whole nation. This polygamy
')• t|)e ^reate^t obstacle to the progress of the Cbristiaq religiou
amongst the great, but not at all amongst the people. Adqltery, on the
pact of the man only, is regarded but as a very light fault. If the
woman has no child, she will not be liable to punishment on account
of adultery. If she has one child, it is a capital crime, which accord-
ing to law ought to be punished with death. If she has several
children, she ought to have her body cut in a hundred pieces, and
thrown irito the river. Parents are attached to their children. They
never exp^e them» and do not kill them as they do in China. Only
sooyetfmes thfy sell them, w|ien they are in great misery. A Cochin-
chinesQ cannot be a slave, according to law, but they may have
barbarians fgr slaves, and they have some.
J^re$s. fhx. if unfcnown in Cochin-china ; the cloths of whicii
their garments arp made, arc of silk or cotton. In fMll dress th^
590 Deidiis respecting Cochiu'china, Dec.
outward garment shoiiIH be a long robe with large sleeves, of a green
color for men, and violet for women. It is tOibe observed that in
the northern provinces the garments are worn longest, and that they
are progressively shorter, as we advance toward the south. Thus
at Tongking the upper dress ought to descend to the ancle, or at
least to the middle of the calf; in the neighborhood of liud it only
descends to the knee : and in T^ower Cochin-china it does not pass
the middle of the thigh. For the rest, it is everywhere very decent
and modest. The Amiamites allow their hair to grow ; they roll it
up and fasten it with a comb on the jtop of the head. The men as
well as the women ordinarily wear a handkerchief or a kind of tur-
ban on the head. In journeying, ai^d when they expose themselves
to the rain or the sun, they have a large hat, made of long leaves,
which serve them for umbrella and parasol. All go with naked feet,
without stockings and without shoes: mandarins sometimes wear
sandals in their houses : the sabots in tjise in the country are so in-
convenient a covering for the feet tba^ tbey can only serve to walk
a few paces. ^
Jtfanners and cu$tonfi$. I will not enter into much detail on the
n^ianners and customs of the country ; this would carry me too far;
J will content n^yself with saying ti^at the Cochin-chinese have incli-
j^axioo and aptitjude for trade, and that the situation of the country
i\kB coaals of wblcfa ar.e watered by the sea to so large an extent, with
its numerous ports, npi;ch facilitates the intercourse with foreigners.
But it is to i^ regretted that despotism, under which this people are
crushed, does not allo^ then? ^o give themselves up to commercial
affairs on any large sca/e. Tlie kit^g aims at monopolizing trade
with foreigners, and his subjects have not the right of building vessels ;
they are only permitted to have small boats unfit to proceed far.
They seldom leave the coast of Cochio-chiqa, and if some go to
Singapore or Macao, they do so surreptitiously and with little gain.
Rice and every description of food, is cheap in Cochin-china.
One can easily live on five or six doljars monthly. The natives sel-
dom spend one. The nieridipqal part being, as I have said, the
more productive, money if also more common in it, and food dearer.
Servants too are on loiy ^ages : the highest pay is six dollars a year.
Laborers or workineq are hired at one dollar per month, or four
cents a day : this |s the highest price. The further you go to the
northward, t\\e price of food and the salary of servants progressively
djfninish : beoaiise there is less trade and afllueuce.
1847. Details respecting Cochin-china. . 597
Houses and food. Architectore is yet, in this unfortunate coun-
try, very rude in its elements. The wails of houses do not ordinarily
consist of any thing else than some branches interlaced, and some-
times plastered with clay, and more oflen with mud or even cow-
dung. In Ix>wer Cochin-china the roof is commonly covered with
leaves : in the other provinces they cover it with rice straw, or with
a kind of long grass called tranh. Many houses are almost entirely
made with bamboo and some other woods. In some p;irts they are
built upon piles. The public edifices are covered with tiles, and
have thick walls of brick.
LitiJe furniture is found in these bouses, and few household
utensils. Some pots, some cups, two or three mats, bits of wood,
some porcelain spoons — and that is all.
Rice forms the most essential part of their food, the same as in
China ; they could not make a single meal without rice. They most
oflen eat it with a bad ragout of fish, pungent beans, and a water of
very salt fish, which they call nuoc mam. At great dinners their table
is furnished with the flesh of pigs or other animals, amongst which
ought to be comprehended dogs, foxes, and frogs. They ordinarily
make three meals a day, always with rice. Breakfast they call the
morning rice ; dinner the noon rice, and supper the evening rice.
The rich drink tea from Chini, and the poor the tea of the country.
They have a kind of wine from rice or millet which we call arrack,
and which is nearly as strong as our braudy. There are vines which
grow spontaneously on the mountains, but the grape is very acid,
and will not do to make wine. They sit, with the legs crossed, four
or five persons round a circular table, and thus eat, each holding a
bowl of rice in his hand. The women never eat at the same table
with the men.
Condition of the women. As in many other Asiatic countries, the
women in Cochin-china are in a state of the most abject degradation.
The rich regard them as destined to serve as the instruments of
their pleasure, and the poor of their wants. For this reason they
are devoted to offices which require the greatest bodily fatigue, and
are subjected to such a submission to the lords of creation that they
cannot have a will of their own. The labors of the fields are or-
dinarily their portion. They guide the plough, and handle thes«pade
and mattock ; from morning to evening they wade in the water trans-
planting rice. They carry provisions to market. They.cultivate and
they manufacture the cotton and silk for the use of their fiimiliep
896 Dtiaib respecting CockiU'ckiniL Dec
They often take the principal part in commercial aiTaira. The Co-
chiii-chiiieae women, however, more fortunate than those of China,
do not submit their feet to torture in order to make thetn small and
pretty. They have also sufficient liberty of motion, and of com^
muuicntion with strangers;. their habitual innocence leaves no room
for the jealousy of their husbands. But these remarks only apply to
the lower class of people; for all mandarins, as well as the king, and
those of his family, imprison, so to say, their wives and their concu-
bines, and exercise over them, aa over all their inferiors, the most
absolute authority. Concubines are slightly subordinate to legitimate
wives, but real harmony rarely reign? between them.
Arts and Sciences. The Cochinvchinese have little knowledge of
painting and sculpture. Some amongst them, however, shew talent
and facility in the acquisition of arts: but they have no school for
teaching them ; and men of natural talent are discouraged by thq
prospect of being employed in working almost gratuitously for the
king, if they give proof of ability. They have made some progress
in music and the comic art ; thai is to say, they play some instruments
and some comedies which please them ; but this music and these
dramas would be far from agreeable to the taste of a European. Iq
agriculture and architecture they are inferior to the Chinese. They
work metals with a passable skill and neatness. They do not at all
know how to manufacture porcelain ; they buy that of China. It is
in the building of ships that they have attained the greatest perfec-
tion« They have vessels which are made in a masterly manner with
osier, and plastered with a paste made of diluted mud and sea shells.
But ordinarily, their vessels are constructed with five planks joined
together without any kind of carpenter's work : they make them take
the requiste form by exposing them to fire. They are attached to
each other by pegs of wood and united by four hoops of bamboo
after which they are plastered with oil and bitumen. Two eyes are
painted at the bows of their ships and vessels, to denote the vigilance
which ought to characterize those who guide them. They are re-
markable for their power of resisting the shock and the violence of
waves, as also for going close before the wind, and for quick sailing.
Giwernmeni: King, Mandarins. The government of Cochin,
china is the most pure despotism which is to be found. For the rest,
it is an imitation of that of Oiina. The power of the king is ab-
solute, and without restriction. He can make all laws which appear
proper to bim. Cor he is the sole legislative authority. Hecanuot
1847. Details resptciing Cochin-china, 599
however, entirely abrogate the ancient lavrs, on account of the respect
which he believes him!<eir bound to shew to the memory of the kings
his ancestors, and because thei<e laws have ac(|irired a sacred charac-
ter according to the opinion generally received by the nation, and
ligainBt which the most absolute power could not struggle; but
he is able in many circumstances to mould them to his laws, and to
elude them in a thousand ways without expunging them from the
code. The| lives and the properties of his subjects are in his hands
and at his diypiMal ; severe punishments are all inflicted in his name,
and never without his consent. If the case is capital by law, which
often happens, for it is excessively severe, the judges have nothing
to doj but to institute the process and pronounce the legal punish-
hient; but t]ie king usually mitigates it, in order to manifest that he
only acts to shew clemency and moderate the rigor of law. Fie
thinks by thiiB to escape the odium which attaches to the condemna-
tion to death. The power of conferring rank and dignities is also
reserved for the king, as also of displacing the mandarins and disgra-
cing them. In a word he has the same authority over the subjects of
his empire that a father of a family has over his children. The peo-
ple are taught not to raise their looks- towards the throne, except
With sentiments of fear and veneration, and to regnrd all the bless-
ings of life as emanations of goodness. Elvery year he offers a solemn
ilacrifice to heaven for the prosperity of his reign. In times of cala-
mity and in difficult circum8tafire<^ he fasts, prays, and sacrifices to
avert the plagues of heaven ; or he causes all these things to be dime
by bis mandarins.
This powerful monarch is surrounded by a crowd of eunuchs, and
))asses the most part of his leisure with the women of the palace.
Otie only has the rank of wife; but she d^ies not bear that of Queen
or Empress. The number of concubines is unlimited. These wo-
men are cloistered for ever within the walls of the residence of the
kings. On his death they are* shut up in another palace, where they
must preserve their chastity.
The king wears clothes of a yellow color, ornamented with em-
broideries of figures of the dr^igon*. The robe.<4 of rhe mandarins are
blue or violet, sometimes eiiriehed' with embroidery of g(»ld. When
they march in the train of the king on the occasion of some great
ceremony, their robes of silk, their religious silence, the order and
the decorum which they observe, offer an imposing spectacle.
We fiiui two d^isses of mandarins —the letter-ed mandarins and-
600 DetaiU respecting Cockin-china. Dec^
the miiiury mandarins. The military mandarins are usually mea
without education; bodily strength and a certain aptitude for the
manual labors to which the soldiers are applied, form often the
whole of their merit. Their pay is also very small, at least until
they arrive at high grades. The lettered mandarins are divided into
nine orders, — the ninth, which is lowest, is that of secretaries employ-
ed by government: those of the eighth, are alsoakind of secretaries
or writers, principally employed in the preparation of the calendar :
they only adapt the Chinese calendar to the use of the Anamites, for
they are not at a41 so learned as to \ye able to construct one themselves.
The mandarins of the 7th and 6th cirders, are the officers of justice
who commence causes, and write down the depositions of witnesses
and of the accused. The heads of arrondissement are of the 5th
order, the sub-prefects and the judges are of the 4th ; most of the
prefects of each province are of the 3d ; the ministers of the king are
of the 2d ; there are only one or two great mandarins of the 1st order,
who are appointed to the council of the king.
For the adminit^tration of the affairs of government, there are six
departments or ministers, who are called Lue 66: Tl>e 1st (66 lai)
is charged with pointing out the mandarins fitted to fill vacant places,
and examining the merits of candidates. The second, (66 h6) is
1 kind of minister of finance, charged with all that concerns the royal
treasure and the imposts. The 3d, 66 /^, directs and presides over
ceremonies according to ancient customs. The 4th, 66 6t»A, regu-
lates military affairs, like our minister of war. The 5th, 66 hinh^
takes cognizance of and punishes capital crimes. The 6th, 66 c6ng^
is our minister of public work«, but he has wider functions. There
is no minister for foreignf affairs. For the marine, they have only a
superintendent. Thie nrandarinis who preside in these different de-
partments are far from hiivinff the same power as our ministers in
Europe. They are obHged' to report to the king ail matters belong-
in to their ofirce, even the most minute ; and they must conform in
all things to his advice, or rather to his orders.
The power of all ther.ofiicers of government is so restrained and
so limited, that tliey are afways in uneasiness and dread of being
found in fault, and of losing their places. The duration of their
aduiinistration in the same post does not go beyond three of four
years. 'I' hey cannot exercise any important functions in the quarter
where their parents reside. They cannot take a wife nor buy lands
i^ii ttie country submitted to their jurisdiction. If their father or
1847. . Details respecting Cochin-china. 601
mother happens to die, they obtain leave of ab-ence for at least vix
iiioiithtf, ill order to fulfill the duties) which a eon owes to his^ deceas-
ed parents. Any one can accuse the mandarine before a great tribunal
erected for this purp<ise and called Tarn phap; justice is there done
in all the coinplaiiUs brought agHinst tliern : thus a mas^istrate has
every right to felicitate himself, if he gf^es out of office without being
accubed.
The Cochin-chinese have nearly the same laws, and the san*e
mode of punishment as the Chinese. They understand military tactics
belter than the Chinese and have beat them many times. They have
even some knowledge of European tactics which French officers
taught them formerly. They have no cavalry, but they have elephants
and a sery well appointed artillery. At present they make muskets
better, according to their taste, than those they can buy from Euru-
.peans. The soldiers only wear their unitornis when. they form the
•cortege of the king or of great mandartn«4. 1'liis uniform consists
.merely of a frock ornamented with red or blue bands. The Cochin-
chinese soldiers, m spite of their cowardice, are however, 1 think, a
little less faint-hearted than the Chinese.
For the rest, the identity of the nsnues of these two peoples in
•superstitious ceremonies, ^i^^worship of ancestors, laws, government,
d6C., shews that they have had a common origin ; which is confirmed
by hiritorical traditions. According (o these traditions Tongking
wad colonized by an Emperor of China, named Hoangtd, about tlOtI
years before the Christian era, and, after having undergone many
revolutions, it became an independent kingdosn. Many Chinese at
the present time come and settle in Cochin-china, but in smaller;
numbers than in other ctmniries adjacent to China. These are the
only strangers who are admitted into the country. They are more
laborious and more Ingenious than the Cochin-chinese; hence they
easily make their fortunes amongst ihein.
Tha lanon ^ffe. The Annaniite language is monosyllabic. U is
evidently derived Ironi the Chinese. The written language has not
merely simie ailinity to the Chinese character, but it burrows it in
whole or in p irt. Llovvevor, these two languages have become so
dilTerent, that persons of the two nations cannot understand each
oilier in speak inu or in reading. All those wiio are iti circumstance^
'at ali easy, or who aspire to dignities, devote themselves to the study
of Chinese characters, which they pronounce in the Cochin-chine^e
inanber. This study is necessary, bec::use these characters arc the
VOL. XVI. NO. XII. 7d
602 Dtiaih resptcling Cochin-china. Deo.
only ones employed in moBt bciok^, and in all officisil letters. There
are general exaniinaliona in which those who obtain the first places
are elevated to the digntities reserved for the lettered mandarins.
This is a powerful stimulus to the ardor of the students. They are
able in writing these characters (and it is the only means) to make
themselves understood by the learned Chinese. Thus the learned
language in Cbchin^-chinese is nothing else than the Chinese language.
The only diflfcrence consistIS in the pronunciation. The vulgar lan-
guage was only from the first a dialect, which they never wrote; but
in the end the Cochin-chinetpe; having acquired an imposing nation-
ality, the common langu«ge became of importance, and they s<iught
the means of writing it. Tbey had recourse to Chinese letters, the.
only ones they knew. Sometimes they have only taken the pronun-
ciation of the Chinese character and have attached to it a totally
different signification ; thus, they have writien 1^^ which they pnv
noiince eha, and which signifies father ; but in Chinese the same cha-
racter aha signifies to put one*s self info a passion. On the other hand,
they have united many characters of which one signifies the sense,
and ffm'ottier the pronunciatj' n. Thus they write l^mtVlfi^, the
mouth. The first character [^ means the sense, the movih, and the
secontf jm. minh indicates the pronunciation. This manner of writ-
ing the* vulgar liiTigu age Ims no generally adopted form. Many persons
write the same word' differently, and' many characters are purely
arbitrary. There are needed to fi« the orthography of this Viilgar
languge learned books written in it ; hut tbsse are as yet wanting.
There have' only been written in this language our books of religion,
many comedies and some poems; the learned men not being fond of
reading works written in such a patoin. They find that this writing
. does not express the thoughts clearly. We have adopted a plan of
writing this language with our European letters, as has been done
for the Malay language : we have succeeded in representing the sound
of words very exactly. This much facilitates our study of the lan-
guage. This hngUTige is not confined to* the limits of Cochin-china
and Tongking, but is very commonly spoken and understood iu
Ciampa, Camboja, at Siom and in Laos. We find the sound of all
our letters in this language, excepV the letter Z. and the letter P at
the commencement of words ; but they have the ph and the p final
as in the word hap. If they have not exactly our letter F, they have
he />//, whir h has nearly the sam« souii^k
1847. Dtittib respecting Cochin-china. 603
In this language, as in all others, they ha?e proper names and
common names. Oflen in order to form a substantive they add the
word 5v, which sigifies thing, to the adjective or verb : thus lank
means good ; $u lank signifies goodness. The adjective is ordinarily
put after the substantive : e. g. nha means a house, and tdi means
fine; they thus say nha tSt^ a fine house. The comparative is formed
by joining the word hon: thus t6t hon means better: for the superla-
tive they add lam or rdt ; e. g. tdi lam, rdt lAt, signify very fine.
This language has not exactly gender, puniber, or case ; they can
express them, however, by means of some auxiliary words. Thus to
express the difference of sexes, they use for the human species the
word trai for masculine, and the word gai for feminine: for animals
the word due indicates the male, the word cai the female, e. g. bo
flue, an ox, bo cai a cow ; for winged animals, tliejr employ the
words trSng and mat — ga tr6ng, a cock ; ga mat, a hen. Before
the names of living things they ordinarily put the word con (buy or
girl) : thus they say, con trai, a boy; con gai a girl ; con trau, a buf-
falo; con ea, a fish. They also frequently use the word eat before
the names of inanimate things ; thus they will say eat ghi a seat ; cai
nha a house. They usually place the word cAy, tree, before all the
names of trees, and the word /rat, fruit, befire all the namee-of fruits.
To mark the plural they add some word before the substantive as
chung, nkung, cac, ph6, ^-c.^We, chung tdi; All those who, nhung
ke ; Messieurs, phd &ng, S^c.
The nominative always precedes the verb active. When two sub-
stantives follow one another, the second is in the genitive. The
dative is ordinarily marked by the word cJw placed before the substan-
tive, e. g. to do something to some one, lam su gi cho ai. The ac-
cusative generally follows the verb active, sometimes also it precedes
it ; there is no fixed rule. The vocative is expressed by putting be-
fore the substantive the particles 6, a, or in expressing the title of the
person whom they name : O my God, 6 ehua t&i. The ablative is
denoted by some prepositions, as bang boi.
The personal pronouns are tdi, mdy, no, me. thou, him; and in the
plural, chung toi, chung bay, chung no, we, yon, they. It is to be
obrarved, however, that scarcely any but inferior persons use the
word toi, me ; the king uses the word tarm, and others who are su-
periors in dignity use the words ; too, ta, min. May, toi, they do not
address except to inferiors; if they speak to an equal, they will call
him anh, brother ; to a superior they will say ong, sir, or they will
004 Dctai's re pectin g Coehin-china. . Dec*
employ another titular word. They also rareJy say no\, of the third
person; this would be » term of coutempt; unless they were very
much superior in rank ; they will say rather this Mr. (Monsieur);
Hgnoi ay, this person, or as well ank ay this brother.
Personal pronouns placed alter substantives become possessive
pronouns ; nha tot, my house. The demonstrative pronouns are nay,
and ay, this, that.
They only distinguish three tenses in the verbs : the present, the
preterite, and the future. Thus mf/n, meins to love ; toi wifw, signifies
I love : iui da men, I have loved ; they thus form the preterite by add-*
inij Ha. They add se for the future; lot se men T will or shall love.
The Annamile lansriiasfe lieiuir monosyllabic, it follows that there
is small variety in the sound of word^, and that the same word has
often a great number of sigrnificition**. The diflerence of sense iIipit
is made evident by the difierenre of tone. Thiis the word ma can
have at least six different significations, according as it is differently
pronounced ; for they can pronounce it in six different tones which
we'indicate by marks. Ma pronounced in a full tone, rerto iono,
signifies phantom; if the tone is descending, ma signifies but ; if
the tone is grave or heavy, ma signifies to gild ; if the tone is falling,
ma means a horse; in the interrogating tone ma means a tomb; in
the sharp tone ma signifies the cheek. We can represent these
tones by musical notes. The full tone answers very well to soi
from below ; the descending tone to mi from below ; the heavy tone
to ut from below ; the falling tone to la: the interrogating^ tone to si
natural ; and the sharp .tone to ut from above.
• • • • • • ' • -
The tone varies a little in the different provinces. There is also
some difference between the pronunciation of Tongking and that of
Cochin-china, but this difference is not so essential that we cannol
understand them well. Only some words used in the northern pro*
vinces are not used in those of the south and vice versa.
The state of the Christian Religion, The Cochin-chinesc are genfr*
rally much addicted to religious practices. The pagan^have absolutely
the same religion as the Chinese. The learned men. honor Confucius
and have a sort of natural religion which they do not observe. The
religion of Fd, which they call Phit, is the most generally followed
by the people. The Christian religion was first preached in this
country by Franciscan and Jesuit friars, about the middle of the 17th
century. They found among the Cochin-chinese an admirable dig*
posjiioii to ^mbrac^ the CUtWutiu teU^voiu With the jo^id sense
1847. Details r(specting Cochin-r/iiua 005
with which they genernlly nre gifted, they eisily underMond the vnni'y
of idols and the solid proofs upon which our holy religion is est.i-
blished. Thus these first missionaries baptised many neophytes and
founded numerous churches But soon it was seen that somelhin?
was wanting to their rising church, 'i'liere were neither first Pastor
at the head of the flock, nor native clergy to fill the room of Europe-
an missionaries, when these were taken off by death or condemned
to silence by persecution. It was then that in Paris the congregation
called '* Le» Mission Etrangeres '' was, under the auspices of the
head of the Church, formed to supply Bishops to govern those new
churches and provide them with evangelical laborers. Having
reached these countries, our first Bishops, Vicars apostolic, formed
establishments to teach and exercise in the functions of the sacred
ministry a few students wlumi they judged sufficiently able. 1'hey
and their successors have thus worked in spreading Christianity in
Cochin-china and Tongking for the space of about 180 years. They
have succeeded in forming a national clergy who are of great assis-
tance, especially during the persecutions, when European missionaries
cannot shew themselves.
We have in Cochin-china Proper 40 Priests and a great number
of Catechists and Ecclesiastical students. The mission of Tongking
is divided into two parts, one of which is entrusted to the missionaries
of our congregation. It has 80 Native Priests and innumerable Cate-
chists. The other, administered by Spanish Dominicans, is less
known to me; yet I am aware that it possesses a great many priests
full of zeal.
The number of Christians in Cochin-china Proper amounts to
80,000; in the Occidental Mission of Tongking to 180,000, and in
the Oriental one to nearly the same number. Thus in the whole
kingdom there are at least 440,000 Christians. Since the beginning
of the last persecution, however violent it has been, the number of
Christians has not diminished ; it has even increased in many places.
We hope that the blood of martyrs, which has lately watered this
country, will be a *' new seed of Christians." Hence we have at
this very time the consolation to see pagans coming in crowds to
receive the instructions which we give them secretly. The Church
of Christ has been formed in Europe in the midst of persecution; the
wavs of Providence are at all times the same ; thus it is formed in
these countries in spite of the persecutions of the princes of the
world, that every one may say : "There js the finger of God."
60(> Details respecting Cochin'China. Disc.
, Of Missionaries, In 1S83 Father Bartholomew Rtiiz, a Spanish
Franciscan, reached Cochin-china with seven other friars at " Fai
Fo," close to Touron : he was welcomed and the holy sacrifice of the
mass was there oiTered op with great solemnity. They wanted no.
thing more but the permission of the kina to remain in the country ;
which seemed to be without difficulty. But contrary winds prevent-
ed these friars from reaching the capital; they were driven by a
hurricane to the Island of Hui Nam and returned to Manila. Father
Ruiz went back to Cochin-china at the beginning of 1564, and call-
ed on the king, who gave him leave to remain in the country.
The chronicles of the Order say that he wrought many miracles
and converted many proselytes; but he was soon caught and brought
to Macao by the Portuguese, who even at that early time imagined
they had alone the right to send missionaries to the East Indies, in
virtue of what they call ** Real Patroado" or Royal Patronajre.
It was about the year 1615 that Portuguese Jesuits and Spanish
Franciscans went in numbers to preach the gospel in Cochin-^hina,
and from this time only dates the establishment of the Christian reli«
gion in that country.
In 165S two French priests. Fathers de la Mothe Lambert and.
Pnllu, were appointed Bishops, Vicars Apostolic, the one for Cochin-*
china and the other for Tongking. The.former left France in 1660
vi4 overland, and reached Siam in 1662, from whence he sent one
of his missionaries, the Rev. M. Chevreuil, to Cochin-china : this
gentleman was soon succeeded by another, the Rev. M. Hainques :
lastly in 1671 Mgr. De La Mothe Lambert went. himself to exercise
his zeal in his mission.
The Rev. M. Deydier is the first French Missionary who reachad
Tongking in 1666. Since that time down to our days, there have
been in Cochin-china 16 bishops and 80 French missionaries, and
in Tongking 17 bishops and 47 French missionaries, all members
of the Society called " Lea Missions Etrangeres." Their uninter-
rupted labors have raised these missions to the flourishing state in
which they are to-day.
' ^*^^ ^^^t^»^^0^0^^0^0*0^0m
1847. Correqiontknce relating to Mr, Lvwrit, 607
Art. III. Official Correspondence relating to the death of the
Rev, Walter 31. I,owrie,
To T«i Yeng, high imperial commtsstoner, &c., Ac , &c.
Sir, — The undersigned, Charge d'affaires, a^/iitfenm, of the United States of
America to China,> has just received an official communication from Dr.
McCartee and others, citizens of the United States residing at Ningpo, cnn-
▼ejing intelligence, that the Rev. W. M. Loivrie, also a citizen of the United
States, on the 19th of August came to a sndden and vioJent death by the
hands of Chinese pirates near Chap6. in the province of Chehkiftng. Tho
circumstam^s under which he lost his life, they represent as follows.
**M^. Lowrie who has been a resident of N'ingpo siuce 1845,— in the montli
of May last, was called to Shanghai upon important public duties, and
whilst there, an emergency occuring at Nihgpo, requiring his immedinie
return to that city, a messenger was dispatched at once to Shnngh^i to inform
him, and arrived there on tlie 14th inst. There bein^ no vessel sailing for
Niogpo, on the 16th ult. Mr. Lowrie With- the messenger and his personal
servant storted for Chdp6, and arrived at that place on the 18th August.
There he immediately transferred his baggage to a Chinhfti passage boat to
convey him to ChinhAi. But on account of unfavorable wind he was detained
-tin next day, when at about 9 o'clock a. m., he embarked. Having proceeded
sonMS 40 li from Chipu, he was pursued' by a piratical boat of the cisss design
nated by the Chinese the " brosd bow sanpau'," with* three sails and eight
oors, and manned by between twenty and thirty men; armed with gingulii,
matchlocks, spears, and swords. The men were of dark complexion, in ap«
pearance like fishermen, and spoke the dialed of Ch^pii. On their approach,
Mr. Lowrie waved a small American flag, and caPed upon them to keep otf,
but instead of tliis a volley was received frnmthe pirates. He then retreated
to the middle of the boat with the sailors and Chinese passengers. No resis-
tance was made to the piriates by Mr. Lowrie'. or any one in' the boat, but on
the contrary be allowed them to open hVs trunks &c., and offered them the
key. When the pirates commenced- taking up the deck to search the hold,
Mr. Lowrie, with some of the passengers, went out and sat down in front of
the main mast ; while sitting there and before the pirates had completed the
pillage of the boat, Mr.. Lowrie was seised by three of them and thrown into
the sea. As the waves were running high, and being several miles from land,
and Mr. Lowrie not an expert swimer, that he perished immediately there can
be no doulj't. Nothing save his'hkt was seen' after the pirates left, which they
did not do, till they had' robbed the Chinese of their baggage and stripped
them of their clothing, beating and wonnding all of them more or less, and
some even dangerously, and disabled' th^ boat by cutting the halliards, and
taking away her rudder. Afler sometime had'elapsed, the sailors ventured out
and got sailupon the boat and made their way towards ChiipU, which, though
wihdifiicully they, fortunately reached at sunset, when the messenger and serv-
ant immedialoly reported the piracy to the local authorUie.**. On the receipt of
ODd Correspondence relating to Mr. Loairie. Dec.
tilt* intelligence of ilic melancholy cata^itrophe, there being uo Consul of the
United Stites at that pirl, Mcdsrs. McCartee and othersi immediately repaired
t> the ofHoe of the Tau-tai uf Nin'rpo. and laid the cisc before him, rpques.
ting him to addresn the local officers of CliApU enjoining upon them to adopt
ri<;orouii measures for the arrest and punish>nont of the pirates, which he has
done, but they still fear that uo elFrfctive measure have been adopted, they
tlierefore as c.tizens of the Uaited Stites, adiresa the raprejeutitive of their
gjvernment in China, earnestly r<*queatiug he will lo.<«e no time, and ipire no
exertion to have the mitter investigitcd and pursued to tbe utmost, Hlz.**
The undersii^ned, as beh'ioves him, hastens to lay the subject before the
Imperial Commissioner, — His fellow countryman, the Rev. Mr. Lowrie, waM
of an excellent family, and who for no mercenary, but with the most disinterec-
ted, motives came to speud his life in China in the one great cause of doii;g
g>»d \ and when attacked by pirates, mide nu resistaaoe, gave them his keya,
allowed them to open his trunk and pofisc*ss themielves of his etTects^yet
with the heart of a ferocious beast of prey, not satisfied with robbing him of his
property, they threw him overboard to perish In the sea. Mr. Lowrie was extensi-
vely known and universally esteemed in his own country, and thousands will
lament his untimely cud, — his violent death. His life cannot be restored,
Imt the undersigned earnestly requests Your Gxcellenov will address the High
oiBcers of the province in which the piracy was committed, that they may
adopt tlie m'>st rigorou4 measures to pursue and arrest the said pirates, aud
punish them, as the imperial laws in such cases provided require, and inform
him of theis suethat he in jy report the same to Wu g ivernment. It ajif^ars iini
pirites spoke the dialect of Cli ip i ; that their rrat\ was not one that could be
long at sea ; the property plundered was mostly foreign and as such can easily
be recoginsed, and if the local olficers duly exert themselves, that the murder-
ers can be arrested, is probable, and by treating them according to law and
justice, nil nations will learn ¥f>ur Excellency's deep abhorrence of such
deeds, and the majesty with which the Imperial laws are maintained, to the
mutual advantage of all nations.
The nndersigned avails himself of the occasion to present his compliments
to the Imperial Com.'uissioner, and has the honor to rr* nain with sentiments of
esteem and high consideration. Your Obedient servant,
(Signed) PiTxa Parkiir.
Legation of the United States of America.
Canton, KUh Sf*pteniber, 1817.
Tkt Imperial Comusioner'g repfy.
" Tsi Yen?, of the Imperial house, governor general of the Two K wing pro-
vinces, director of the Board of War, vice high chnnnellor, a vice guardian of
the heir apparent, minister and commisiioner extraordinary of the Ta Tsing
empire, has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the Hon. Envoy's (chare6
d'nfi:nir6s) public disp.atch, concerning the Rev. W. M. Lowrie, a citizen, of the
'United States, who upon the IDth of August, was mardfred by pirates off Chi-
pCi and requ"sting me to address the high officers of the province in which
the piracy was committed riiforously to enjoin (upon the local authorities) to
make •itrnnnous eflToris to apprehend each of the pirates and bring them to irini,
in order to puuiah thein a& Uie wnperml laws, m suvh cases provided requiret
1847. Correspondence rehiting to Mr. Lowrie, 609
and to iiifurtn hiin, the Charge d ufiairea, of the iiaue thai be might report the
aaine to his government.
Furthermore, it appears that the pirates spoke the dialect of Ch(ip6, that
their crafl was one thai could not be long at sea, the property plundered, being
of foreign manufacture, as such is easily recognized, and that it could not be
dilfioult for the local officerf, to search out the murderers, ^c."
This 1 have perused and fully understand, and learn therefrom that the
pirates have committed robbery; and have audaciously token the principal
person ooncemed (the Rev. Mr. Lowrie) and thrown him overboard, to perish
in the sea, an ad of extreme lawlessness at which truly the hair of one's head
stondaonend. ^
But since the pirates speak tlie dialect of Ch&pd, and their vessel is too
small to be able to be long at sea, and the articles they plundered were of
foieign manufacture, which the local authorities from the very nature of the
case will easily recognise, 1 trust they will be able in a littW time to apprehend
them.
Besides addressing the lieul-g^vernor of Chehkiang, callinir upon bini to
transmit his orders to the said local, civil and military authorities to follow
up tills case with severity and absolutely find the identical property plundered,
and apprehend the true pirates and prosecute aud puuish them, and also to report
to me the Imperial Cimmissioner the circumstauces of their arrest and punish-
ment, when 1 will again address and inform the Hon. Envoy, 1 also in the
meantime make tliis reply, and avail myself of the occasion to present my
compliments and my wishes for his health aud happiness. As requisite 1
makfl this communication.
The foregoing communication is addressed to Peter Parker, Charge d'afiU.
ires ad isUerim, of the United States of America to the Ta Tsing empire.
T&.akwang 27th ye;ir, 8 moon, 8 day. September 16tli, 1847..
Tsi Yeng, of the the Imperial house, govemor-gpneral, of the Two kwaiig
provinces, a director of the Board of War, vice higli clMncellor, a vice guardian
of the heir apparent, minister and commissioner e.\traordinary of the Td Tsiiig
empire, has the honor to make this communication.
Whereas on a former occasion I received the Hon. Envoy's (Char;rc d^.^iffa-
ires) public dispatch relative to the cisc of the Rev. W. M. Lowrie, a citizen
of your honorable nnliou, who came to a violent death at Chilprt,and having at
the time written to (the high authorities there) to have the case followed up
closely,—! have since received a reply from Li, the governor-general of the
Two Ki.in!; prnvincoit, Nganhwui and Kianzrsit, transmitting- to me an official
communication tliat he had received from Liting, the lieut-governor of Cheh-
kiang, staling that the sub-prefect of the maritime borders of Kiiliing fii, had
reported to him that he liad arrested one of the pirates, named H wa Kw.inyuen,
and instituted trial, and it appeared from his testimony that he is thirty years
of age, beloi>gs to the district of N.inbwui, in the province of Kiiidugsri, that
upon the 17th of August last, Kauaiug and Tsausz', (iiicknauivd) Lau Ta
(venerable the elder) and others^ invited him to embark with them tun a fishing
voyage, aud upon the morning of the liHh August, they arrived »* *hi. offing
VOL. XVI. NO. XII. 77
610 Correspondence relating to Mr. Lowrie. Dec.
of Hwang Pwan in Chehktdiig,when observing a Ningpo fishing smack tossed
about by a contrary wind the idea occurred to Tsau as' Llia Tk and others to
pursue and plunder her, and divide among them the spoils. To this he and
his comrades consented, and immediately set off together and pursued her to
the offing of Kinshan and worked their boat alongside, when Ts^u sz* Liu
Td, with Kiuhing and ten or more others, boarded, searched and plundered
her, the rest of the party remaining in their own boat to receive the booty.
The headman, a foreigner declaring, if they robbed him of his effects, he must
report them to the officers of government, Tsdn ss' LAu Ta, together with
Kauhing, forthwith took the foreigner and dragged -him to the bow of tha
boat and threw him into the sea.* Moreover, they inflicted wounds upon the
person second in command on board the boat. The property plundered con-
sisted of a red skin trunk, two bamboo boxes, together with foreign money
and clothing with which they returned to their vessel, and repaired to an
uninhabited place where th^y divided the booty, Slc. It moreover appears from
his testimony, that Tsdu sz* Liu Ta is the chief of tlie band, consisting
of 19' persons, and that he (the Iteut-governor of Chehki&ng) addressed me
(the governor-general of the Two Kiing provinces) requesting me to issue
orders for their arrest. This coming before me, besides issuing my orders to
each and all alike to pursue and apprehend the pirates, I also as hehooveth me
write this communication.
I (Tsi Yeng) have examined this case and find that one of the pirates,
named Hwa Kwanyuen, has been arrested, and from his testimony all the
names and surnames, the ages, personal appearance, and residences of the
piratical band are made known, so that obviously it will not be difficult to
arrest them.
Besides replying to the governor-general of the Two' Kiing provinces, that
he enjoin upon the subordinate officers within his jurisdiction, with the
utmost speed to arrejt the criminals and manage the case, I also, as is right,
in the meantime, communicate to the Honorable Envoy the circumstances
relating to this ease so far as it has progressed, that he may examine and find
accordingly. As requisite I send this communication, and avail myself of the
occasion to present my compliments and wishes that his excellent joys may
daily abound.
The foregoing communication is addressed to P. Parker, Charg6 d'affaires,
ad. interim^ of the United States of America to the Ta Tsing empire.
Taukwang 27th year, lUth moon, 8th day. November 15th, 1817.
Note, A letter from the north states thit the Chinese passengers complaining
to Mr. Lowrie that they were suffering on his account, in order to soothe them,
lie observed that on their arrival at Ciiinhai he wonld apply to tlic.au thr»ri(i&<i for
redress in tbcir behalf, which remark must have been overheard by the pirates.
m0^^^^^f^0^f^^^^^^<^^ ^
1847. Journal of Occurrences. 61 1
Art. IV. Journal of Oicurrences: account of the late massacre:
visit to Cochin-china; general news; appointments; sufferers
by famine ; reventie.
The subject of all-eogrossing interest which we are called to relate
among the occurrences of the month, is the lawless outrage and mur-
der of the six foreigners at Hwang-chuh-kf. Never in all the annals
of history have we read of a more cruel and blood-thirsty instance of
atrocity than this. The minds of the foreign community have been
justly tilled with feelings of surprise, horror and alarm. No one
supposed that the Chinese could be guilty of such a savage barbarity,
and it was only the foul deed itself and the mangled bodies of the
victims brought back successively from the scene of massacre, that
has made us fully sensible of the awful wickedness and depravity
that here exists The main particulars as related in the China Mail,
are given below. Four of the persons concerned in the murder have
been apprehended, and as we understand have been executed this day
(December 21st) at the village where the crime was perpetrated.
The affair is still undergoing investigation, and the British authorities
are taking measures to procure suitable redress from the ChineHe
government. What will be the result of the present conference we
cannot tell. It is hoped that matters may hereafter be established
upon a more certain footing and that such measures may be adopted
as shall tend to secure the privileges and safety of the foreigners in
this vicinity.
Of the occurrence itself and the events to which it has given rise
we hope to present a more full account hereafter. In connection
with the state of aflfairs, and of the country in which we dwell, it
furnishes abundant occasion for reflection and remark. In such
seasons of affliction and darkness, it seems peculiarly appropriate thnt
we adore the power and acknowledge the presence of Jehovah,
knowing that He reigns among the nations, and that all the havoc
and disorder of this world are subject to his supreme direction and
control. We have been called repeatedly to wonder and to mourn,
and now to inquire with the deepest solicitude where shall these
things end, aid what is the. cause of such judgment sent upon us?
Canton, I4tk Deeitmber, 1847.
The Extra issaed on Friday last contained such particulars of the dreadful
tra^dy at Hwang chukee as could be ascertained up to the forenoon of Wed-
nesday last; and beyond rumours and the opinions ^iven upon the Inquests,
nothin^r has since transpired to enable us to speak with certainty when, where,
and under what circumstances our unfortunate countrvmen were killed. It
is known, however, that about two o'clock p. m. of the .Sth instant, Mesars
Small, Balkwill, Bellamy, Brown, W. Rutter, and M*Carte, started on an
excursion up the river, and landing at a village three or four miles off, called
Hwang-chu-kee, proceeded inland, taking with them two or ihree pairs of
pistols without ammunition, which was lefl in the boat. The boatmen, after
waiting till nifrht-fall, were warned to pull off, which they were glad to dn
upon being pelted with stones, which broke the Venetian blinds of the hong-
612 Journal of Occurrences » Drc.
boat. Instead ofrnininjr to Canton, the tide t>eing against tlicm, tlie men
pulled up the river, and did not arrive till next day, one of them having pre-
ceded the others in a siiinll boat in which he paddled himself to Canton.
On the previous evening some alarm was naturally entertained about the
young men by their friends, one of whom wrote to H. M. Consul on the snhjert
between II and \*2 o'clock on Sunday night. It was not however till next
forenoon that a party of British residents, about thirty in number, well armed,
proceeded to Hwan^-?h\i-kee; but the gentleman under whose directions the.y
iihd put themselves would not suffer them to laiid. The samf afti*rnnon one
of the Consular officers went up with another party, but arrived too late to
make investigations on shore, leven had it been deemed expedient to leave Uie.
buHts. . ...... •;.:••■:;>..■•••■
, The British residents, most of whom have during the lost twelve months
been accustoming themselves to military drilling, then resolved to hire the
little steamer Fire Fly to tow them* up next morning; but the Consul interpos-
ed his authority (o prevent them hy issuing the following circular, dated at 9
o'clock that night, but we. understand not sent round till next morning : —
Public Noticr.
fiec Britannic Majesty's Con»ul having heard that it is the intention of
certain subjectti of Her Majesty to proceed to-mnrrnw morning up the river to
the Village of Hwang-chn-kee or other places, in which it is supposed thatsix
of their countrymen arc confined ; this is to give notice that Ber Majesty's
Consul entirely disapproves of such a proceeding, and that any British subject
acting in contravention of this injunction, will do soon his own responsibility.
Her Majesty's Consul deems it expedient to make it known to all concerned
that he is in communiratioii with the lociil authorities as to the restoration of
hi8;eonntrymen now unlawfully confined, and at the saraetime most distinctly
states, that any such movement as is contemplated by the British community
will afford ground for the Chinese to wtlhold the delivery of the persons now
under restraint.
The Consul farther intimates to Her Majesty's subjects that the question
now in hand has been communicated to Her Majesty's Mininster PI<*nipoien-
tiary, whose instructions may be looked for to-morrow evening. He therefore
deems it his imperative dut^ to call upon Her Majesty's subjects by their al-
legiance to their sovereign to obey his most solemn and strict mjunctions.
Given under my hand at Canton, this sixth day of December, 1847, at nine
of the oluck in the evening.
• pRAircis C. Macorrcor,
H, B. M. Consul.
To Her Majesty's Subjects.
The overwhelming numbers which it was said might be expected to resist
the volunteers, the risk of bringinif on a collision' with the Chinese, and the
necessity fbr protect! rrg the fActoriev, may have induced the Consul to issue
these strong injunctions; but it is a grave question when an entire day had
bee» lost in inaction^ the circular bearing evidence that up to the time it was
issued the belief was still entertained that one or more of our unfortunate
countrymen were alive and might be rescued. Should thib b^ found to have
been the case, it must ever be a soarce of regret that on this occasion implicit
obedience had I>een paid to the Cnnsui's order, and that lome effective efi'ort
had not been made liefore it was issued.
On Tuesday (the 7lh) the Vice Consul with a number of the residents went
as far as the landing-place of Hwang-ehu-kee^ and found the villagers busy-
removing their families and effects. Hitherto there was no certain intelligence
regarding the objects of every one's thoughts; and the anxious suspense
which prevailed was broken but not relieved by reports obtained through
the Chinese traders and compradors, as they varied only in the circum-
stances of the massacre, but lefl little room to hope that any of the victims
were then alive; so that when Captain McOougall arrived at four o'clock on
Wednesdny morning, he was assured there could he no doubt of their deaths,
and nothing remained but to aveng« ihem. As such sad news had not been
1847. JoitmaiofOcLurrenr.es. 613
anticipated at the time the Vulture left Hon|^kon|r «t four o'clock the previous
afternoon, Captain McDougall, after consulting with the Consul, deemed it
expedient to return for reinforcements and additional instractions, and he
accordingly left Canton about 5 o'clock r. m.
During the time he was in Canton, the brother of Mr Rutter. finding thnt
no forces were to be immediatety despatched to Hwaug-ciiu-kee, and unable
to bear his dreadful anxiety, proceeded to the place accomponied by a friend,
who remained in the boat whilst he went thcouirh the villages, with a paper
written in Chinese stating who he was and what brought him. there. He en-
countered no molestation, but returned without having nbtained any iutelli-
gence. In the course of the evening, however, reports prevailed of some of the
odies having been found, and harrowing accounts were given as to the appear-
ance they presented. But it was not till next morning that one- of the bodies wiis
brought to the Brit-sh Consulate. Having been insp(*cted by a surgeon,
preparations were made for the last melancholy duty to the dead ; but just as
the funeral procession was about to set out, it was suggested that an inquest
would be desirable, and the Consul instructed the Vice-Consul to hold one,
which was immcdiatelv done. Mr. Elmslie proceeded to the house where the
body lay, when the coffin was opened, a jury of those around empannelled,
and an innnest held.
Within an bonr after the funeral procession left the factories, the body of
Mr. Balk will arrived, followed the same afti*rnoon by those of Mr. Small and
Mr. Brown, and next day Mr. Butter's and Mr. Bellamy's were received. The
Inquests on the last two, which we also give, present some features of peculiar
and .painful interest*; but we refrain from any remark upon them until all the
cases are published.
On- Friday part of the Light Company of the OTitb arrived^ and His Excel-
lency the Plenipotentiary was looked for every^ hoar, as it was underst««H|t
he had' left Hongkong on the 8th; but the Danialug having been becalmed. His.
RxceHeney did not reach (*an ton till the forenoon of Sunday. • TheHfoUow--
ing Circular was shortly afterwards issued : — i .
• r • . CiRcuLAa.
The undersigned Consul hna been charged by Wb Excellency Her Majesty's
Plenipotentiary, «&.c., Ac, to inform Her Msijesty's subjects resident at this
City of his arrivul at the Bi it ah Consulate, and that His Excellency will be
happy to receive fmm them any commuoicationa they may have to make to
him, any way ihey please.
Frahcis C. Macorrgor,
Canton, 12th December, 1847. Her Majettys Consul.
A few of the leading merchants waited upon the Plenipotentiary, pnd in the
course of tlie afti*rnoon the following Circular was sent round : —
NOTICK.
A public meeting of British subjects resident in Canton will he hel<f at the
residence of Mes: r j. Crnoke & Mnssey this evening at half past eight.
Canton, Sunday, 12th Dec. Itil?.
The meeting was attended by all, or nearly all, the British subjects, and
Mr. Gilman, ia the absence of Mr. Campl>eli and Mr. Jardine, having been
called to the chair, stated that the meeting had been summoned for the pur-
pose of explaining what had taken place during the interview which several
gentlemen had. with His Excellency fhe Plenipotentiary, in consequence of
the Circular issued on his arrival. The chairman said that each oC^be gen-
tlemen had pledged himself to give no opinion then, individually or collectively,
lest it might be supposed they spoke for the whole community, which they
were not authorized to represent. He then went on to say that Sir John Davis
having received them very cuurteouslyv^as assured of their co-operation, and
they inquired how far they might give their opinion without going beyond their
proper position, and on what points His Excellency wish:?d to have it. His
Excellency did not specify any particular point, but expressed himself anxious
to have their views, either written or verbally, *^ on the present crisis;" and
that they, should consider how far the interests of the commercial commu.
614 Journal of Occur rentes . Dec.
tiity would be affected by the measures that might be adopted on the part ef
the nation. He assured them that no one more deeply deplored than he did
the calamitous event which had occurred ; that he was perhaps too ready to
adopt agg^ressivc measures ; and that he had made demands which Kiy'mg
might not be able to accede to. What these demands were be did not ex-
plain, but said that neither the execution of six of the murderers, nor the
whole of them, nor razing of the village, would be considered sufficient. The
eonimer«*ial community however could best inform him how far they were
prepared to forego present advantage for ultimate good. The chairman said
His Excellency farther added that he would be happy to have their opinions
in any shape they chose, either individually or collectively, in writing or at a
- personal interview.
Mr. 'Campbell explained the views entertained by himself and others, and
read a paper embodying them, which seemed to point at the propriety of a
blockade. An opposite view was expressed by Mr. Jardine, who reminded
the meeting that whatever their own reelings on the spot might be, many of
them were the factors for constituents elsewhere, who might entertain Yery
different views.
After the meeting had been addressed bv Mr. Seare, Mr. £llis, and Mr. Aga-
beg, Mr. Ponder mad<^ a motion, seconded by Mr. Barnett, to the effect that the
meeting should approve of what had been done by the gentlemen who had
waited upon Sir John Davis that day. A vote of tlianks having been given
to the Chairman, the meeting dispersed.
It appearing to many imperative that something should be done, we under-
stand that a document to be submitted to His Excellency has since been pre-
pared for the signature of those who concnr in it.
It is not yet known what measures tlie Plenipotentiary will adopt; but
unless Keying accedes to his demand, a serious impediment to the immediate
enforcement of them exists in Uie smailness of the British forces now in
China; and in that case it may be necessary to await the instructions of Her
Majesty's Government.
From the China Mail we quote the narrative of the late visit to
Cochin-china. The spirit of exclusiveneBs on the part of this peo-
ple appears to continue unabated, and the results of the expedition
though exhibiting more humanity, seem quite as unsatisfactory as
those of the late French visit.
*(On approaching the harbour of Turon on 9th October, the effects of the
French proceeding in April were visible in signals made from tops of the
hills. Four new batteries had been commenced along the N. E. side of the
anchorage, and the small island, caile J by the French L Isle de TObservatoire,
was also being fortified, but nothing was finished.
Very little communication could be obtained with the shore for about six
days, the alarm at first being evidently great; in addition to which 'rt rained
incessantly, and so continued during the whole stay ; there was besides a severe
typhoon on the 23d.
Two Commissioners arrived on the ISlh, and on the following day came on
board. They invited the Plenipotentiary to an entertainment and conference
on shore the next day, (17th October ) when a very handsome reception was
pre^iared^-the Commissioners appearing in their dresses of ceremony ,-^tlie
ancient costume of the Chinese. The first Commissioner was Assistant
Member of the Board of Revenue, the second Treasurer of Kwangnan pro-
vince, in which Turon lies.
The rains continued incessantly, impeding communication, and the country
was reported to be inundated and nearly impassable. A large present to the
crews of the two ships, of bullocks, fowls, hogs, fruit. &,c. was oflTered on the
2'^, and accepted on condition of a return being made, which was done ac-
cordingly. A party went on shore at Turon on the 2.3d to view some very
singuiar marble rocks about five miles distant. In passing the residence of
lAe Coin raiiiionera, a guide wa^ icul oii htvwd, %iid orders transmitted to
1847. Journal of Occvrrences. 615
afford every facility. These rocks rise at once out of tho sandy flat belwern
the river and the sea. and are covered in most parts with trees and luxuriant
vegetation, peopled by numerous monkeys. The principal masses are five in
number, of which the one nearest the sea contains some splendid caverns and
galleries, which have been improved by art, and the caverns converted into
Temples uf Budha. The finest of these is quite a natural Pantheon, beinjr a
dome of 80 feet high, lit from the top by not one, but three openings. The
floor is about 70 feet in every direction, and has been paved. Several idols
and shrines of Budha and his disciples adorn the inside, and the whole is
approached by an arched gallery with descending steps at intervals. Tho
entire rock is laid out in a eorrespondinff manner, with small dwellings and
gardens in the open and level spaces, ft unfortunately blew and rained dur-
ing the' whole visit; and the partv were sometimes glad of the shelter aflforded
by the caverns. On returnine to the boats, the wind had increased to a vio-
lent storm, and it was not easy to proceed down the river. Half way down,
the party met two covered galleys which had been despatched for them by
the Commissioners, and gladly availed themselves of one of these for shelter.
On reaching the residence of the commissioners the gale had become a perfect
hurricane from the N. £. They not only requested the party (includinij
twenty-four seamen) to remain the night, but provided dinner and every
accommodation in their power. No small anxiety was felt for the ships dur-
ing the night, as the Typhoon continued with increased fury, and towards
4 A. M. blew away the whole front of the building where the party were lodged,
and of which the back portion only was solid, a considerable addition having
been made in front of bamboos and matting for the occasion.
On the 34th their hosts prepared another repast for the party, but as it be-
came just possible to reach the ships afler the lull of the tempest, they were
f lad to row on board, though with some difficulty. On the morning of tho
5th a boat came from the Commissioners, bringing a few articles lefl behind
in their care. Early on the 26th the Ringdove was despatched to Singapore to
meet the October Mail from Hongkong, afler taking supplies on board, the
Vuliure left Turon harbnnr at daylight on the S^th.
A strong impression appears to have been made on this timid and cautious
people by the treatment they received from the French in April last. They
declared that 900 of their number were killed withoiU ^ovocHtion^ but the
statement, beinfp ex paru^ may be received with some allowance.
We believe little can be added to the intelligence contained in these brief
notes; but we here give the substance of what we have since heard.
The inherent ezclusiveness of the Cochin-chinese government had acquired
new vigilance by the recent visit of the French, the strictest orders havin<r
since lieen issued to both the mandarins and people to avoid all intercourse
with European ships. Hence a serious preliminary difficulty was experienced
in opening a commnntcation with the shore, and not even a fishing boat was
allowed to approach the ships during the fortnight they remained in the bay
of Turon. Mr Gutzlafi' went twice on shore for the purpose of delivering the
Plenipotentiary's letter, but no one would receive it, being in terror of the
consequences ; and it was only by an ingenious device of the Chinese Secre-
tary that it was at length lefl upon the person of a petty mandarin, who on
discovering it, entreated that it might be taken back, and when nothing eUe
would serve, laid it down on the t^ach, and placed a stone upon it, until he
consulted with a superior authority, afler which it was removed. Next day
an interpreter was sent on board to intimate that Sir John Davis would be
received on shora; but His Excellency declined, until he was waited upon,
and assured that the rank of the mandarins was such that he could enter into
conference with them. The result was that the Treasurer of the Province
and a Member of the Board of Revenue, (who had been a traveller as far as
Singapore and Calcutta,) waited upon Sir John, and partook of refreshments
on board the Vulture, on which occasion thry were told of the loss of the two
French ships, and professed to be ycry sorry for the misfortune.
The visit was relumed and a conference held on shore next day ; but what-
/
616 Journal of Occurrences.
ever may have passod during tiie private part of the interview, it is certain
permission was not obtained to proceed tu the Capital, the ingenuity of the
mandarins being sorely taxed for excuses. But they offered to convey the
letter of the Queen of England to their Sovereign, and a very magnificent
chair had been provided for the purpose; but as the letter could only be
delivered by the Plenipotentiary in person, the conveyance was oot made
use of.
At the entertainment the mandarins did no discrrdit to their coantry in the
matter of hospitality, a profusion of substantial as well as curtoos dishes hafr»>
ing been provided; amonjrat which we have heard the curries spoken of as
snfieriative. The guests were provided with English knives, forks, ao4
plates; and ai the courses were removed from the principal table, ihey were
placed upon a lower one, where the guard of Marines, having piled the w* anas,
were invited to sit down, and did ample justice to the repast. The native
soldiers who also formed a guard of honouir: were accoutred in noaform, and
armed with swords and spears bat looked a diminutive race beside the ma-
rines."
During the stay of the ships, which was prolonged while there seemed any
prospect of permission being obtained to proceed lo Hu6, several parties made
short excursions on shore, and found much picturesque bennty in Uie scenery,
it was on one />f these occasions that His Excellency, with Capt. Mc Doug-
all snd others, were caught in the Tyfoon, and after vainly attempting to
reach the ship, compelled to take up tlieir quarters with the Mandarins, who
did everything in their power to lessen the discomforts of their guests, to
whom the house proved a ^cry sorry proteation from the fury of the storm.
l*he day previous to tliat llxcd for the departure of the VuUvre^ (the Rinf-
dove being then under way with despatches to catch the Mail 8teaineret
oingopore) the two Mandarins came In board to take leave, and professed to
regret the departure of the Plenipotentiary before the Royal Present to the
Queen of England had srrived ; but were told it cnuld not have been received
without a teturn being made, which they said must have been refused. They
were warned, however, that the present forbearance ought not to be oMsond-
erstood ; and that the same pretexts which had been then asstned to prevent
a visit to tne capital, might not suffice on another oceasioa. The Mandarins
cnuld only plead t^j^ orders from the court, and assigned the outrages of the
French as one reason for their stringency; another, and perhaps the most
cogent, being the dread of opening an intercourse with a people whose career
in India and in China, shewed what consequences might result from conceding
a right to trade, however restricted. ...,,......,..,.
From the distant poKions of the empire little news of imporlanoe Jiasof late
boon received. The details m the Peking Gazettes are for the most part siifliet.
ently destitute of matters of general int-rest-or profit. Tlie central government
at Peking remains the same as during- the preceding year. In the appointnidnts
of Tsunftuh there has been a change in two oases, and in seven of tlio Siuu/n
or governors. A deficiency having occurred in the grain rcvonoe, propaeitions
had been made for the officers and wealthy citizens of the various provinces to
make voluntary etfbrisand furnish the needed 'supplies, in one of tlte tt^zettes
there is a long notice allowing how this end is to be accomplished. This.has ttenn
ciffcuiated among the various pruvinc;-s. But whaL'jiuccess baa • been ibimd'iu
raining a revenue in this way has not been beard. A depository for the reoeption
of the grain was to be established at Shanghai, from which place it was«tn ho
taken in the northern grain vessols to the capital. Measures were being; taken
for the relief of the siifiurem in Honaii. whore thete had been. a famine- oeeasionod
by drought and the overfiowing of the Yellow River. From all we c»n learn
there rs much mora ol'domocracy in this empire than has UHual I y been: supposed,
and' we doubt whether on the wh<»le thcro bo many coiinirics iliai acconJmgto
their extent and the number of their inhabitants can be s^iid to enjoy- greater h-
buriy or peaces
'Phc Ui'tailf« resrieotiug Cochin-china fiKindinour present amuber are from 'the
Juuriiai uf the Indian Axchtpeb|;o aud i^turu Asia. .'
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