Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 26

Review of Public Occurrences During the

JAN

other ships for storing up and accumulating it. which are called ‘opium godowns. There are also foreign eyes (or commanders) of war vessels, called 'convoys of the merchandize,' anchored in the same place; and they connect and associate themselves with native villains, who open places under the name of money- changers' shops where they secretly keep and sell the opium-dirt. These, which are called 'great furnaces,' are numerous at the provincial capital; for instance, in the street Liuenhing kiái, by the thirteen factories. Traitorous merchants repair to these shops, and there with the foreigners, decide on the price, and make out a bond, that when they go to the 'godowns,' the opium may be deli- vered to them. This they term 'writing a chit!' Further, there are vessels called kwái-hái 'fast-shoe,' for carrying on the smuggling in a general way, which come and go, as if flying, and are hence designated 'winged!' These vessels always move during the night; and when passing any of the custom-house, if they hap- pen to be followed and pursued by the cruizing vessels, they have the presump- tion to fire on them with musketry and guns. The officers and the custom-houses dare not make any inquiries; nor do they report to the magistrates, for them to inflict punishment; and the smugglers therefore go on to excess without fear or dread. Of this class of 'fast-shoe' vessels, there are now from 100 to 200; and whatever cargo is sent from the 'godown' to the furnace' is all carried by them; all the cruizers unite together with them in committing illegalities, and have each their share of the profits, for which they protect and defend them in smuggling: so that the illegalities become still greater. The places to which the opium purchased is taken off, are Amoy in Fukien, Tientsin in Chilí; and the two departments of Luichau and Kiungchau, (Hainan and the mainland op- posite) in Canton. For all these places, opium is obtained by bonds for its deli- very, made out at the 'furnaces,' and taken to the 'godowns.' All the other provinces for which it is clandestinely purchased, have it carried into port and taken beyond the frontiers of the province by the 'fast-shoe' vessels. The passes they must go through in taking it beyong the frontiers are Tien kwánsin, Lán- shi-sin, Tsztung pass, and the port of Lò-tsung in Nánhái district; Hwangpu in Hiangshan district; Sínánsin, and Lúpáu fau in Sanshui district, &c. From the 'great furnaces,' they are taken in portions throughout the interior, and everywhere, traitorous people form connections with the money-seeking attendants of the public offices, and open private establishments called 'small fur- naces.' In all places cities, villages, market-towns, camps, and stations, these exist. On inquiry, I find that, for the one article of opium dirt clandestinely bought and sold there goes abroad of sycee silver, every year, not under several millions. This is to take the useful wealth of the country and exchange it for an injurious article from beyond seas. The prevalence of the poison is without end, the consumption of wealth extreure.

"Opium is a very prevalent poison. Already edicts have been repeatedly is- sued, giving general commands to the governors and lieut.-governors of all the provinces, each, according to the circumstances of the place, to establish regula- tions for the strict interdiction and prohibition thereof. But opium comes chiefly from beyond sea, and is accumulated at Canton; if the source whence it comes is not cut off, this would be to neglect the root, and attend only to the branches:- though, within the country, the regulations against it be strict and severe, yet, on inquiry, it will be found, that they are no advantage to the object. A person Whether his statements of the illegalities be has now presented this memorial.