Directory_and_Chronicle_1880 — Page 276

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MACAO.

Macao is situated in 22 deg. 11 min. 30 sec. N. latitude, an 113 deg. 32 min. 30 sec. E. longitude, on a rocky peninsula, renowned, long before the Po.tuguese settled on it, for its safe harbour for junks and small vessels. The Portuguese, who had already settled on the island of Lampacao, and frequented for trading purposes Chin-chew, Lianpo, Tamao, and San-choan (St. John's island, where St. Francis Xavier died) first took up their residence at Macao in 1557 Soon after their arrival pirates and adventurers from the neighbouring islan is continually molested them. The Chinese authorities were powerless to cope with th se marauders, who went so far as to blockade the port of Canton. The Portuguese manued and armed a few vessels and succ eded in raising the blockade of Canton and clearing the seas. The town of Macao soon afterwards began to rise, and during the eighteenth century trade flourished wonderfully, the difficulty of residence at Canton greatly contributing towards it. The East India Company and the Dutch Company had establishments there.

Historians are divided in opinion as to whether the possession of Macao by the Portuguese is due to Imperial bounty or to right of conques. There can be no doubt, however, that it was held at a rental of 500 taels a year until Governor Ferreira do Amaral in 1848 refused to pay it any longer and forcibly drove out the Hoppo or Chinese Custom-house, and with it every vestige of Chinese authority. his bold stroke cost him his life in August, 1849, for he was waylaid and barbarously mur- dered near the Barrier of Porta do Cerco and his head was taken to Canton. the Chinese troops at the Barrier showing fight and massing in great numbers, the Portuguese troops bravely advanced, took the fort of Passaleão, and drove the Chinese from their positions.

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The settlement is separated from the large island of Heang-shan by a wall drawn across the neck of land from shore to shore. Two principal range of hills, one running frou south to north, the other from east to west, may be considered as forming an angle, the base of which leans upon the river or anchoring place. The public and private buildings, a ca! bedral, an`ì several churches, are raised on the declivities, skirts, and heights of illocks. On the lofty mount eastward, calle Charil, is a fort, enclosing the hermitage of Na. Sra. de Guia, and westward is Nillau, on the top of which stands the hermitage of Na. Sra. de Penha; entering a wide semi-circular bay, which faces the east, on the right hand stands the fort San Francisco; and on the 1 ft, that of Na. Sra. de Bom Farto. Sen from the roals or from any of the forts crowning the several hillocks, Macao is extremely picturesque. The public and private buildings are gaily painted and the streets kept very clean.

Since the cession of the island of Hongkong to the British, the trade of Macao has decreased consid rably, and the coolie trade gave it an unenviable notoriety. This trame, pregnant with abuses, was appily aholi hed in 1874. Tea continues to be an article of export, showing the value of from $700,000 to $800,000 a year. Essential oils are als exported to some extent. There is likewise some trade in opium.

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The terrific typhoon of the 23rd September, 1874, which swept across Hongkong and the Sout ern Coast of China with such force, laid a considerable part of Macao in ruies. During the full violence of the wind, and fearful rise of the tid, a fire took With its place which consumed the best houses in the parish o Santo Antonio. trade gone and cor sequent departure of many of its residents, the activity of the place is a thing of the past. Owing to its pleasant climate and the quietule prevailing night and day, it has become the refuge f invalids and hard toiling people from Hongkong and other neighbouring ports.

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