Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 139

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Years of Famine at Shánghái.

MARCH.

In the 9th year of Shuuchí (1652), rice rose very high by reason of the drought; the graduate Tung laid the matter before the magistrate Yáu, requesting him to release the people from paying the autumnal taxes, but through his delay few of the people benefited by the govern- ment bounty. In 1871, there was a famine, and the magistrate Chú disbursed from the granaries. The year 1679 was one of drought and distress; the magistrate Jin delayed collecting the taxes, and reduced the cases in his office; so that, though the taxes were not remitted, the feelings and discontent of the people were quieted.

In 1680 (19th of Kánghí), rice was dear in the spring, and the starving filled the streets; the magistrate Jin himself furnished two hundred peculs of grain and 130 taels in money to the sufferers. In 1696, the sea rose during the summer, drowning many of the people, and carrying both corpses and coffins to distant places; the prefect Kung raised a high tumulus and buried them all in it. He had al- ready distributed relief among the people. In 1705, the magistrate Hü Sz'ching, in consequence of the scarcity, called together the literati and the common people, and sold them food out of the govern- mental granaries at a cheap rate. In 1707, there was a drought and dearth, so that during three months the magistrates distributed the grain laid up in the place according to the law, and also the rice, pad- dy and wheat levied as tax in the districts of Hwaingan. In 1708, there was a great flood, and the grain collected in Kiángsí and Hú- kwáng, to the extent of more than three hundred thousand peculs, was sold at a cheap rate, and congee was distributed to the starving for three months. In 1715 and 1721, the people also received aid from government.

In 1723 (1st of Yungching), the emperor graciously ordered that the money due from fines, and the grain then in store, should be carefully distributed among the poor; and as the winter was bitter cold, the local officers were ordered to give out food according to the oxigencies of the people. The district magistrate, Fú Chítsiuen re- ported that there were upwards of 600 names, and that he had dis- bursed food for a month. In 1724, aid was afforded in consequence of the flond and distress. The provincial treasurer Yurtai obtained permission, and had three thousand peculs of the tribute rice in store brought from Kiángning fú, and distributed in the districts, and given out as congee; he also disbursed fifty thousand taels from the provin- cial treasury to buy food for distribution in the districts which had been submerged. Relief was also afforded in 1726; and in 1732, in consequence of an inundation and dearth, a rescript was received, or-