226
Printed for the use of the Foreign Office. July 25, 1876.
CONFIDENTIAL.
(2001.)
Report by Sir B. Robertson respecting his Visit to Haipong and Hanoi, in Tonquin.
Sir B. Robertson to the Earl of Derby-(Received July 11.)
(No. 17.) My Lord,
Canton, May 19, 1876. I HAVE the honour to forward a copy of a despatch and its inclosures which I addressed to Her Majesty's Minister at Peking, reporting my return from Haiphong and Hanoi in Tonquin.
Sir,
I have, &c.
(Signed) B. ROBERTSON, Consul.
Inclosure 1.
Sir B. Robertson to Sir T. Wade.
Canton, May 9, 1876. IN continuation of my despatch dated Kiungchow, 1st April, and marked separate, I have the honour to inform you that having seen Mr. Vice-Consul Forrest settled at that port as favourably as circumstances permitted, and notified it as open to British trade, I proceeded, in accordance with your instructions on the 2nd instant, in Her Majesty's ship "Egeria" to visit the ports of Haiphong and Hanoi, lately opened by the French in Tonquin, and having first made the anchorage of Apuwan, a cluster of islands near the mouth of the Cua-cam, a branch of the Songkoi or Red River, Haiphong being situated on the former and Hanoi on the latter. Then a pilot was obtained, who took the ship over the bar of the river and anchored her off the Settlement of Haiphong on the forenoon of the 7th instant.
Haiphong is situated on the right bank of the Cua-cam and a canal which leads out of it at right angles, at the junction of which there is a French fort strongly constructed of earthworks. The country is a perfect level on both sides, with ranges of hills about four miles distant, and the French Settlement is being made by raising the ground with the mud, or clay rather, dug from a canal which will surround the concession, as it is called, much after the manner in which the British Settlement of Shamien in Canton is enfiladed. It is evidently a work of great labour, which is being actively prosecuted under French engineers, with the assistance of Annamite coolies, of which there is an unlimited supply, at the rate of 6 cents (3d.) per man per day. I should say that at least forty acres are under construction, and already buildings are being erected upon the finished portions, and considering this work was begun in September last only, it is very far advanced. As yet no ill effects have been felt from turning up this vast mud field, but possibly that has to come when the great heat which prevails from May to the end of September sets in. The village is a simple street along the right bank of the canal, beginning at the square in front of the entrance of the fort, and is composed of mat huts of a very inferior description, inhabited by the natives, with here and there a better class occupied by French shops, principally sellers of wine and spirits. There is, however, a very good market, with abundance of fish, fowls, and beef, but no mutton, and vegetables, and once in the week there is held what is called "the great market," when the country people flock in with their goods and produce. Previous to the French taking possession, there was scarcely a hut, even in Haiphong, and now there is a considerable village, with the usual Annamite cottages being erected in all directions. On wet days, however, the
[608]
B
76
226
Printed for the use of the Foreign Office. July 25, 1876.
CONFIDENTIAL.
(2001.)
Report by Sir B. Robertson respecting his Visit to Haipong and
Hanoi, in Tonquin.
Sir B. Robertson to the Earl of Derby-(Received July 11.)
(No. 17.) My Lord,
Canton, May 19, 1876. I HAVE the honour to forward a copy of a despatch and its inclosures which I addressed to Her Majesty's Minister at Peking, reporting my return from Haiphong and Hanoi in Tonquin.
Sir,
I have, &c.
(Signed) B. ROBERTSON, Consul.
Inclosure 1.
Sir B. Robertson to Sir T. Wade.
Canton, May 9, 1876. IN continuation of my despatch dated Kiungchow, 1st April, and marked separate, I have the honour to inform you that having seen Mr. Vice-Consul Forrest settled at that port as favourably as circumstances permitted, and notified it as oper to British trade, I proceeded, in accordance with your instructions on the 2nd instant, in Her Majesty's ship "Egeria" to visit the ports of Haiphong and Hanoi, lately opened by the French in Tonquin, and having first made the anchorage of Apuwan, a cluster of islands near the mouth of the Cua-cam, a branch of the Songkoi or Red River, Haiphong being situated on the former and Hanoi on the latter. Then a pilot was obtained, who took the ship over the bar of the river and anchored her off the Settlement of Haiphong on the forenoon of the 7th instant.
Haiphong is situated on the right bank of the Cua-cam and a canal which leads out of it at right angles, at the junction of which there is a French fort strongly constructed of earthworks. The country is a perfect level on both sides, with ranges of hills about four miles distant, and the French Settlement is being made by raising the ground with the mud, or clay rather, dug from a canal which will surround the concession, as it is called, much after the manner in which the British Settlement of Shamien in Canton is enfiladed. It is evidently a work of great labour, which is being actively prosecuted under French engineers, with the assistance of Annamite coolies, of which there is an unlimited supply, at the rate of 6 cents (3d.) per man per day. I should say that at least forty acres are under construction, and already buildings are being erected upon the finished portions, and considering this work was begun in September last only, it is very far advanced. As yet no ill effects have been felt from turning up this vast mud field, but possibly that has to come when the great heat which prevails from May to the end of September sets in. The village is a simple street along the right bank of the canal, beginning at the square in front of the entrance of the fort, and is composed of mat huts of a very inferior description, inhabited by the natives, with here and there a better class occupied by French shops, principally sellers of wine and spirits. There is, however, a very good market, with abundance of fish, fowls, and beef, but no mutton, and vegetables, and once in the week there is held what is called "the great market," when the country people flock in with their goods and produce. Previous to the French taking possession, there was scarcely a hut, even in Haiphong, and now there is a considerable village, with the usual Annamite cottages being erected in all directions. Ou wet days, however, the
[608]
B
76
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