50
REPORT ON
The proximity of Chapoo (the seat of the China-Japanese trade) to Chusan is of considerable importance, as the merchants engaged in it would doubtless prefer making their purchases of foreign goods at Chusan, free from duty, to proceeding out of their way to Shanghai, to buy them at an enhanced cost.
The Japanese three centuries ago made Chusan their entrepôt. With 30,000,000 inhabitants-the finest climate in the world-rich in various commodities, and abounding in gold and silver,-Japan is within two or three days' sail of Chusan, and accessible at all seasons of the year. Our occupation of Chusan would sooner or later bring about an inter- course with that exclusive people, the Japanese, on the ground that we had formerly a factory in 1613, at Nangasaki, in Japan; that we were unjustly expelled; and that we have an equal right with the Dutch to trade on free and just terms with the Japanese.
There are several other places with which a trade might be opened with Chusan, viz., with Corea, which contains about 12,000,000 inhabitants; with the Loochoo islands; the coast of Mantchouria; the Kurile islands; and even with Kamstchatka, &c. In fact a new and large commercial world would be opened to England.
The whale fishing is now being extended into the Northern Pacific, Chinese, and Japanese seas. Driven successively from the northern and southern polar regions, this gigantic and useful animal is seeking refuge in seas hitherto little frequented, from his untiring pursuers. To the whale-ships, Chusan would be an invaluable port for recruit-
ment.
In viewing Chusan as a commercial emporium, it is important to bear in mind, that although the largest class of ships in the British navy may with as perfect safety reach Chusan, as any other part of the world, yet the navigation to the northward of Chusan is difficult, even for small-class vessels of 200 tons burthen; few of which reach Shanghai without getting on shore on a mud or sand-bank. It would be hazardous for large-class ships to navigate the Woosung river, on which Shanghai is situated.
The same remark applies to the gulf of Petchely, the Hwango or Yellow river, the Peiho, and the other ports and rivers to the north- ward of the Yang-tze-kiang.
This circumstance would give us a great advantage by enabling merchants to send goods direct from England in large ships to Chusan, where they would be transshipped direct to the English coasting craft or Chinese junks, without further expense. At present goods are sent to Hong Kong or Canton, there warehoused, considerable expense incurred, and then re-embarked in small-class schooners or brigs for the northward; thus materially enhancing the cost of the goods, and delaying their transmission to the place of sale, namely, the richest and most populous districts of China which lie contiguous to Chusan, and render its possession in a mercantile view so important.
Ere long the valuelessness of our Consular stations, except Canton and Shanghai, will be fully perceived; it will then be acknowledged that the present stations were hastily and injudiciously selected; that other places, such as Suchoo, at the head of the Woosung river, Chinkeangfoo, near the Grand Canal below Nankin, and Tienstien, the port of the Peiho, were much better adapted for our trade. The annual
CHUSAN.
51
expense of our Consular establishments on the China coast, of 30,000%. to 40,000l. a-year, without any corresponding advantage, will be severely felt, should the Chinese Government resolve to open no other ports.
The intrinsic worth of Chusan as a British port will then be more manifest; our possession of the island will force the Tartar Govern- ment of China to the adoption of a less exclusive system: for the natural and apparently instinctive love of a Chinaman for trade would make him the conveyer of our merchandize to the numerous ports and wealthy districts around our settlement; thus bringing about practically a free trade with Chusan, which ultimately the Tartar Government would be forced to recognize, protect, and encourage*.
Maritime Position.-The navigation of the China Sea up to Chusan is perfectly safe and easy on all occasions. The difficulty of reaching
Sir James Urmston, who presided for some years over the East India Company's establishment at Canton, says, "The island of Chusan is situated at a very inconsiderable distance from that part of China which avowedly comprises the most fertile and productive, as well as the most flourishing and opulent provinces and districts of the empire, where the most extensive trade and manufactures are carried on, and in a climate well known to be the most salubrious of any part of China.
"Chusan is not only most advantageously placed for general trade, but is, in fact, close to those districts which are more immediately connected with the British and foreign trade, that is, at no great distance from the tea and silk districts, and from those marts where British merchandize is required and diffused, as well as those articles which are exported to China from our dominions in India.
"It may be observed also, that Chusan is well situated for communications with Japan, should we ever be enabled to open a negotiation and establish a trade with that singular country.
"It may, moreover, be stated, that Chusan is particularly well adapted for offensive or defensive naval and military operations, as well as for interrupting the Chinese coasting trade, which navigate the whole coast of China to an immense extent and amount.
"It lays, in fact, in the very track of that trade, and the junks which trade with Manila, Cochin China, Siam, Batavia, Singapore, and other places to the southward of China.
"Viewing the question of a settlement on the coast of China in all its bearings, it appears unquestionable that Chusan possesses advantages infinitely superior to any other of an insular nature along the whole coast of China; and were we so fortunate as to be established there, there is every reason to believe that a most extensive and valuable trade would soon arise, largely benefiting the Chinese of all ranks and classes in that quarter, and proving, as it doubtless would, most advan- tageous and important to British enterprise and commerce." "Nautical Maga- zine" for 1841, pages 44 and 45. [Remarks by Sir James Urmston, in a pam- phlet on China published a few years ago, and seen by me for the first time this day in the Straits of Gaspar, August 4, 1845. R. M. MARTIN.]
Lindsay's Journal of the voyage made up the Coast of China, has the fol- lowing remark relative to the insular places: "Superior to all is the island of Chusan. The advantages of a central situation on the coast, communicating with the very heart of China; of anchorages, harbours, fertility, population, climate, are here all united: Ningpo, Hangehow, Shanghai, and Japan, are distant only a few days' sail. Among these numerous islands (the Chusan group) there are almost as many valuable harbours or places of security for ships of any burthen, This advantage, together with that of their central situation, in respect to the Eastern Coast of China, and the vicinity of Corea, Japan, Loochoo, and Formosa, attract considerable commerce." "Nautical Magazine" for 1840, p. 302.
£ 2
439