Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 137

114

Years of Famine at Shánghái.

March.

damage by freshes, it was ordered that in Sungkiáng fú a composition should be made for the taxes in grain, by reckoning each piece of middling three threaded cottons as equivalent to two peculs of grain, the wide three threaded cottons not being demanded; and fractional parts (i. e. taxes under two peculs) were to be paid by pieces of broad white cotton cloth.

In the fifth year of Kingtái (1454), Cháng Fung, the pre- sident of the Board of Revenue, reported that distress prevailed in the depart ments of Súchau and Sungkiáng. Wang Wan was thereupon ordered to inspect them, and decide how much of the taxes it was best to remit, and what amount of composition should be taken for the kinds of articles which were usually sent to the capital, or retained in the province, or supplied as food to the cavalry. The inhabitants received relief in 1455.

(1461), the sea over-

During the fifth year of Tienshun flowed this district, and in consequence of the damage the autumnal duties were remitted; dearth prevailed till 1466. In the tenth year of Chinghwá (1474), the autumnal dues were again remitted in con- sequence of floods; and in 1495, an epidemic and dearth were exper- ienced. In 1509 a flood came, and famine ensued the next year, when there was another inundation; in consequence of the dearth in 1513, the second harvest duties were remitted. In 1519, fainine was again experienced.

In consequence of the drought in 1540, the customs and taxes were remitted. In the 35th year of Kiátsing, in consequence of a petition by the censor Chau Jütau, the land tax was remitted in the districts of Hwáting, Shanghái, Tsingpú and Kiáting. In 1561, be- cause of the floods, food was given out, and the district magistrate Kuh Kwangsien ordered Wáng Chau, one of the people, to distribute congee; and the sub-director of the Banqueting Office, Kú Tsunglf, gave out millet for the food of the starving people. In 1567, a severe famine was felt, and the next year, because of the floods, orders were received from court to waive the collection of the fixed duties, and send up for that year only the rice used as official rations. In 1573, famine again afflicted this region; and in 1575, the 3d year of Wán- lih, great floods brought a dearth the next year, so that the emperor released the district from arrearages, and ordered that only three tenths of the autumnal taxes should be collected in the ensuing year. In 1579, floods covered the country, so that the censor Lin Ying- kiun, sent to inspect the province, memorialized the emperor to remit a portion of the usual taxes of every kind. All those who had dis. tributed alms to the distressed were also promoted.