Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 244

1850.

Notice of Japan in the Ili-koh Tú Chi.

215

prevention of mischief. Japan was, at this time on the lookout for a pretext to make war on Corea, and the fact that the latter was never- theless unharmed by her troops, is to be entirely ascribed to the ter- ror inspired by the Majesty of Heaven.

In the 2d moon of the 7th year (1650), a son was born to the sove- reign of Japan, who thereupon held a festival in propitiation of good fortune, and demanded a subsidy from Corea of the utensils necessary for the sacrifices. In the 3d moon of the 8th year (1651), Japan sent again to Corea to require that in all letters, the son born should be spoken of in the same terms as the monarch himself; and some blank white paper with his official stamp upon it was exacted of the king of Corea. Permission was given to Tsung,* at his request, to send an envoy to Japan with congratulations, who might take the opportunity of observing the state of affairs there.

From the time of Shunchí (1644), there has been commercial inter- course with the Japanese, but they bring no tribute; the trade too is in Chinese vessels only, which went to Japan, none of her ships coming to China. The commerce with China is carried on at Chángkí, where the dealers trade in the various descriptions of goods there collected together; and there are besides this, 71 islands to the east and south of Tuima, all Japanese territory. The country abounds in copper, which has supplied the mintage of the present dynasty. In addition to the Yunnan quota, there used to be annually purchased a fixed amount of 4,430,000 catties odd, for the provinces of Ngánhwui, Kiáng- sí, Kiángsú, and Chehkiáng. Government dealers were appointed, and the number of ships fixed at sixteen, all of which trade outwards in the manufactured and raw silks, cotton, sugar, and drugs of the In- ner Land. The monopolists in charge of the copper were obliged to take a certificate of the Japanese, under which their purchases might be examined and passed. For the fractional quantities, in excess of the above, which amounted to some one or two hundred chests, a small- er certificate was taken. After being two or

After being two or three years in force, these regulations fell into desuetude (or they were no longer of avail).

The inhabitants of Sheh-moishi and Joh-tso-poh-to boast of their merchants, some of whom amass fortunes of a million [taels.] In the single island of Hotsiuen they observe the Chinese fashion of striking a bell to summon people to meals when the table is laid. The people of the hamlet of Yingko in Samo are acquainted with the rules of

*

Tsung is most probably the king of Corea, but from the abruptness with which the character is thrust into the text, I incline to consider it a misprint for soine particle.