Directory_and_Chronicle_1879 — Page 446

SAIGON.

Saigon, the capital of French Cochin Chira, is situated on the Saigon river, a branch of the Ionnai, in latitude 10 deg. 50 min. N., and 104 deg. 22 min. longitude E. Saigon was conquered by the Franco-Spanish fleet on the 17th February, 1859, but Lower Cochin China, (compris `ng the provinces of Giadinh, Bienhoa, and Mytho and the Islands of Pulo-Cerdor), was not definitely occupied until 1862, when it was formally surrendered by treaty; in 1867, three more provinces were conquered by the French and added to their possessions, viz., Chandoc, Hatien, and Vinhlong. The actual boundaries of French Cochin China now are: on the North the Kingdoms of Annam and Cambodia, on the East and South, the China Sea, on the West the Gulf of Siam and the Kingdom of Cambodia.

French Cochin China is divided into six large provinces comprising in all nineteen Inspections. Besides Sa gor, which is the capital of Cochin China and at the same time of the province of Giadinh, the other chief towns bear the names of their respective provinces, Bienhoa, Mytho, Chandoc, Vinhlong, and Hatien. The colony measures in breadth about 80 leagues and in length an average of 50 leagues; its population amounts to 1,500,000 inhabitants. The country resembles a vast plain with small hills on t'e West and some mountains on the East and North; the three highest are Batlen 884 metres, Baria 493 metres, and the Moi mcuntains 550 and 600 metres in height. The principal rivers are the two Naïce, the Saigon River, and the Bienhoa or Dounai river. The lower parts of French Cocl. in China are wrink'ed with small creeks or arroyos, giving easy and rapid communication to all parts of the country. Of late numerous canals have been opened. The n.agnificent river Mei- kong, which descends from the Thibetan mountains, after running through different territories cresses Cambodia, and enters into the lower provinces of French Cochin China by two rivers and empties itself into the China Sea by five large outlets called resp ctively Cua Eieu, Cua Balai, Cua Cochien, Cua Dinh-an, and Của Batae.

The

The principal product of French Cochin China is rice. It is planted in almost every province except some of the Northern districts. At the present moment the country can produce from 7,000,000 to 9,000,000 piculs yearly, and a little over 5,000,000 piculs is annually exporte. After this important grain the principal products are:-sugar cane, mulberry tree, pepper, betel nut, cotton, tobacco, and maize; china grass, sesamun, palma-christi, indigo, saffron, gum-lac, sapan (dye-wood), and cinchona also exist in pretty large quantities, with several other minor productions. principal salt pits are in the province of Baria. The forests contain large quantities of fine timber and abound with game of nearly every description, amongst which may be named elephants, rhinoceros, tigers, deer, wild boars, and elands, while amongst the feathered game the peacock, partridge, snipe, woodcock, jungle fowl or wild- cock, pheasant, &c., may be mentioned. The rivers and creeks swarm with fishes of every description and alligators abound in some.

In the chief towns of each province there is a citadel sufficiently garrisoned, and numerous military posts in the interior maintain and watch over the security of the inhabitants. The Annanese are a race devoted principally to agriculture; they are not so industrious as the Chinese and are indifferent traders. The Chinese hold the largest proportion of the trade in their hands. The revenue of the colony is about 15, 00,000 fr. yearly, and the expenditure is about equal to that sum. two principal sources of revenue are opium and spirits.

The

Saigon is situated about 40 miles from Cape St. James and is accessible to the largest vessels. Since its occupation by the French the climate has undergone a very favourable change, owing to different sanitary works in the town, such as drains, the filling up of pools, marshes, &c. The town presents a fine appearance, the roads and thoroughfares being broad and regular. Amongst the public buildings Government House is the most remarkable; several millions of francs have been spent upon its construction and decoration. The other prominent public buildings are the "Direction de l'Intérieur," the Treasury, the Post Office, the Land Office, Public Works Department, the Schools, and the Supreme Court. The Military