Directory_and_Chronicle_1882 — Page 330

CANTON,

801

capture in 1841. A pecuniary ransom was, however, received in lieu of the occupation of the city, and hostilities were for the time being suspended. The lesson, unfortunately, was without effect, and the arrogance of the Chinese continued unabated. The British campaigu in Central China ensued, and the result was the signature of the Treaty of Nanking (August 29th, 1842), by which what was called the Co-Hong monopoly at Canton was abolished and four additional ports thrown open to foreign trade. Never- theless, the provisons of the Treaty continued to be ignored in the City of Rams, and foreigners were still denied admittance within its walls. The result of protracted annoyances and insults was that in October, 1856, Sir Michael Seymour, with the fleet, again opened hostilities, and some two months later a mob in retaliation pillaged and burned all the foreign residences. In December, 1857, Sir Charles Straubenzee, in command of an expedition which had been specially despatched from Engiand, at- tacked the city, and it was taken on the 29th of that month. The city was occupied by the English until October, 1861, a period of nearly four years.

Canton proper extends to a breadth of about two miles, is about six miles in circumference, and is enclosed by walls about twenty feet thick and from twenty-five to forty feet high. The suburbs spread along the river for nearly five miles. The entire circuit, including the suburbs, is stated by Williams to be nearly ten miles, the walls enclosing about six miles. What is called the New City now was formerly known as the Southern Suburb. The Western Suburb stretches for miles along the river. The gates by which entrance is gained into the city are sixteen in number, and two water gates. Canton contains great attractions for foreign visitors in its numerous temples, pagodas, &c., and in the many curio shops to be found there. The French Mission have erected a large and handsome Gothic cathedral, with two lofty towers, in the city. The structure is entirely built of dressed granite, aud bas been completed externally.

When the foreign merchants went back to Canton to establish trade after the capture of the city by the English at the close of 1857, they found the Factory and the buildings along the river in ruins. Recourse for accommodation was consequently had to warehouses on the Honam side of the river. Considerable discussion subse- quently took place as to the selection of a site for a permanent British settlement, and it was eventually determined that an extensive mudflat known as Shameen should be filled in and appropriated. In 1859 an artificial island was created there, a canal constructed between the northern side of the site and the city, and solid and extensive embankments of masonry built. It took about two years to complete this undertaking, and cost no less than $325,000. Of this sum four-fifths were defrayed by the British, and one fifth by the French Government, to whom a portion of the reclaimed land was given, but they have never built on it."

In consequence, however, of the subsequent decline in the importance of Canton as a place of trade, caused principally by the opening of some of the northern ports, the Shameen site has been availed of but by few, and many of the merchants by whom lots were purchased there in 1861, at enormous prices, have withdrawn from Canton altogether. The trade now transacted there by foreigners is limited. Tea and Silk are the staple exports. The total export of Tea for the year ending 31st December, 1880, was 15;096,298 lbs, compared with 15,492,132 lbs. in 1879; and the quantity of Raw Silk exported in 1880 was 19,588 piculs. The import of Opium in 1880 was 642 piculs as compared with 1,194 piculs in 1879. The total annual re- venue of the port for 1880 was Tis. 936,782 as compared with Tls. in 1,093,144 in 1879. The purely native trade of Canton still enjoys a high degree of prosperity. The population is estimated at 1,600,000.

Ample means of intercommunication exist between Canton and Hongkong, a distance of about ninety-five miles, by foreign steamers plying daily, and a large number of native craft. There is daily steam communication with Macao. Steamers also run regularly between Shanghai, Hongkong, and Canton. There is a safe and commodious anchorage within 10 yards of the river wall of Shameen. Only steamers go to Canton; sailing vessels never ascend beyond Whampoa, owing to the difficulties of navigating a crowded river.

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