Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 35

1842.

Last Ten Years, from 1832 to 1841.

17

April. Peking gazettes, that reached Canton during this month, contain accounts of recent military operations against freebooters on the frontiers of Shensí.

The exposed condition of the river leading to Peking, having been pointed out to the emperor, his majesty ordered Kishen the governor of the province, to examine into the state of the defenses at Tientsin. He did so, and reported against repairs, which report was accepted. Vol. I., p. 512.

28th. A fire broke out in the city of Tientsin, and more than a thousand houses were destroyed. The houses were chiefly low, being built of mud.

May. Letters were received in Canton, reporting that an insurrec- tion had broken out in Sz'chuen.

22d. The following proclamation, regarding the importation foreign rice, we borrow from the Canton Register.

of

"Lú, the governor, Chú, the lieutenant-governor, and Chung, the hoppo. order the hong-merchants and others, that they make themselves acquainted with the following:-

"The population of Canton province is dense, the merchants are numerous ; there reigned formerly abundance; but now the shore and great ocean are ploughed by numerous fishermen and peasants (verbally by threefold fishing and sevenfold occupation-cultivation), and the grain is not sufficient for the annual consumption. Heretofore, we have supplied the wants from the western provinces. But if there happened to be a year of scarcity and dearth, when nothing could be imported, the price of food would rise considerably, and we would also stand in want of rice from foreign countries. We find, upon examination, that, during the reigns of Kienlung and Kiáking all foreign rice ships had to pay no duties upon their cargoes, in order to show compassion, and to invite them hither. Our predecessors, the governor Yuen, the lieut.-governor Chin, and the hoppo Tá, renewed this pri- vilege during the 4th year of the reign of Táukwáng. But the foreign rice vessels, which have hitherto entered the port to dispose of their rice cargo, avoided only the entry-port fees; but were not allowed, after they had accomplished their sales and were returning to their country, to export any cargo. Those barbarian mer- chants had on their return no goods to ballast the ship, and it was difficult for them to stand against winds and waves: moreover, they could inake very little profit.

"The local government, therefore, which cherishes compassion towards distant foreigners, has implored the holy favor (imperial favor) to grant to the barbarian ships of all nations, that if they come without any other cargo but rice, to the port of Canton, as formerly, they shall not pay the entry port duties. Let the hong-merchants report how much rice they have brought, store it up in their hongs, and sell it according to the market price. After having disposed of it, allow these ships to take in an export cargo, and levy the export duties according to the same laws as upon the other barbarian ships. This will benefit the revenues, suit the people, and bring foreign basiness upon a firm footing, and all parties will be equally benefited.

VOL. XI. NO 1 3