Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 635

1842.

History of the Ming Dynasty.

613

foreign commerce. Since that time the Franks entered Hiángshán, and settled themselves at Macao. In 1550, the governor of Canton prohibited the foreign trade, and the consequence was that these robbers, as the Franks are termed, proceeded to Fukien; but they suf- fered a signal defeat near Chaungán, () the western district of that province, and ninety-six of their leaders were beheaded by the victorious Chinese commander.

In ancient times the southern nations such as the Siamese, Java- nese, Cambojans, &c., came to Canton to carry on their trade. But the Franks soon frightened the other foreigners so much, that they moved away and left them in possession of the territory. They built a large church, much to the annoyance of loyal Chinese, who again and again petitioned for their expulsion. In the meanwhile, their trade increased at an enormous rate, everybody stood in awe of them, and though the authorities openly prohibited their stay in the country, they privately favored them. About this time the Portu- guese came and settled in Macao. They first worshiped Budha, and then adopted the religion of the God of heaven. When they trade, says the author, they count by their fingers. Though engaged in transactions amounting to thousands, they do not draw up any writ- ten engagements. When they swear they point to heaven, and never perjure themselves.

The Dutch, called the red haired nation, we are told, are large of stature, the hair of the head, beard, and eyebrows is red, and their feet remarkably long. When they heard of the progress the Franks had made they took Batavia, attacked them at Manila, and then came to Macao, spying about and devising mischief, but such good guard was kept, that they neither could get on shore, nor send a tribute-bearer to the capital. When they were in this dilemma, there came a traitorous Fukien man and told them to proceed to Cháng- chau. Thither they bent their course, and set themselves down on the Pescadors, where they met a roguish negotiater, who promised them access to the court, and the honor of sending up tribute, if they would pay down 30,000 taels. This sum they discharged in kind, giving him swords, wines, cloth and sundries, and he went his way with these bribes. Shortly afterwards Chin, an eloquent man was sent to them, who talked friendly and tried to prevail upon them to leave the station, which they would not do. In the meanwhile, the governor of Fukien issued prohibitory edicts, threatening with death every native who dared to supply them with provisions. But the traitorous natives, unmindful of their loyalty, carried on a trade. The

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