1841-1886
67
Captains
take invariably opium and piece goods. For this money they get, and often invest capital for this purpose; this purpose, which they have with them... Pirates have brought frequently, attacked and taken their vessels.
The junk trade with the coast exists under the following limitations :-
It is in vain to expect that vessels from the ports which are open to British enterprise should come down to Hongkong for a cargo! They can get what they want at their own doors for nearly the same price. How could they take the sea risk, the outlay of capital, and the danger of being attacked by pirates merely to visit Victoria. Such enterprises never can be anticipated, and so long as the Northern Ports are well supplied, and there are so many intervening stations on the Coast where every possible article in demand...