1850.
Letter from B. J. Bettelheim.
81
ers,* and the term is not at all a disparaging ore. Further, officers usually keep their doors shut, but the common people let their's re- main open during the day, except the household is going out, when the doors are barred; this is not done to annoy nor as a defense against Bettelheim.
Again you remark: 'When he (Bettelheim) goes out to purchase articles himself, or when he sends servants to buy eatables, the laws forbid it; and whoever sells to him are regarded and punished as criminals by the laws.' Now the regulations of this country in dealing with foreigners require that official compradors be employed to purchase whatever may be needed, and do not permit private dealings.
"Further you remark, 'It is very surprising that a report should be spread abroad among the people, that Bettelheim and his family impoverish the country by living in it, and that they will make the Lewchewans a poor people; this report is not at all true, and injures the reputation of England.' Since the time that Bettel- heim came here, the whole country-officers and people, have had orders to serve him most zealously, and have done so, even to the damage of their own duties and business, until they are quite weary of it; they have not presuined to circulate a report of his impoverish- jng the land, and thus defaming your honorable country's reputation.
"And again you observe: 'Bettelheim is obliged to pay very high prices for food and other things he buys, and yet he pays the utmost farthing.' The articles which Bettelheim requires are reckoned ac- cording to the current and fair market-price; but as no gold or silver coin is current here,t that which he pays is laid up in the government treasury, to be ready for use in making articles: how can we force up the price, and be thus seeking for gain!
“Further; 'In our days, commerce is greatly extending in these seas, English and vessels of other western countries are going to and
* The origin of the appellation may have been innocent, as indeed they formerly knew only of the Dutch visiting Nagasaki; but at present, in common parlance, Oranda means barbarian, and is a word used somewhat as funkwei ix at Cantou, to frighten children with.
↑ Purchases are made here with silver according to its weight, but there are proofs enough of the existence of a currency, and the great consumption of gold and silver. The head ornaments constantly buried with their owners, the extensive trade with Japan, the imports from China, the peddling trade throughout the islands, the mere mention of a treasury in a dispatch like tins,— amply show that coin or bullion is used.
VOL. XIX. NO. 11.