Directory_and_Chronicle_1884 — Page 179

WHAMPOA-CANTON.

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The importance of Whampoa is now a thing of the past, anl there are seldom more thau one or two small foreign mercbant vessels in port. The place will always, bowever, possess some interest for foreigners, since the earliest recollections of foreign commercial intercourse with China are associated with it, all foreign ships being in old times compelled to anchor at Whampoa.

British Consulate.

Fice-Consul-H. F. Hance

Constable-J. H. Jones

DIRECTORY.

Imperial Maritime Customs.

Assistant Tide Surveyor-Henry Eldridge

Tidewaiter-R. von der Leithen Watchers-

IMPERIAL TORPEDO DEPARTMENT J. A. Betts, superintendent

CANTON.

Canton is situated on the Chu-kiaug, or Pearl River, in latitude 23 deg. 7 mic. 10 sec. N., and longitude 113 deg. 14 min, 30 sec. E., an is the capital of the province of Kwantung. It is sometimes called the City of Rams and the City of Genii, both of which names are derived from ancient legends. One of the first cities in the Chinese Etupire, it is also the seat of government for the province, and is the residence of the Viceroy of "The Two Kwang" (Kwangtung and Kwangsi). The Governor of Kwangtung and the Tartar General are likewise resident bere, besides Mun Tim, who a number of other government officials of more or less distinction. performed the duties of Haikwan, or Superintendent of Customs, up to July, 1876, made himself particularly obnoxious to foreign inerch ints in these parts by what has been aptly termed the "Blockade of Hongkong," which has also been kept up with more or less vigour under his successors.

Canton, owing to its favoured situation, became at an early date the port to which the traffic of European countries was attracted. The Portuguese found their way thither in 1516, but it is recorded that their conduct in those days was not calculate to impress the Chinese favourably. The Arab navigators had, however, been making regular voyages between Can on and the port of Western Asia as early as the tenth century. The Dutch appeared on the scene ab at a hundred years later than the Portuguese, and thes in their turu w re supplanted by the English. The latter, towards the close of the seventeenth century, founded the very profitable trade which was conducted for nearly one hundred and fifty years by th Agents of the East India Company, who established a Factory there in 1034, which was after- wards celebrated throughout the worll. From 1684 the export of tea tEa gland in- creased rapidly. The Company's monopolyt rminated in 1834. In 1839, Great Britain was led to a declaration of war with China in consequence of the oppression to which foreigners were subjected by the native authoriti 8, and Cantos was menaced with capture in 1841. A pecuniary ransom was, however, received in lieu of the occupation of the city, ind hostilities were for the time being suspended. The lesson, unfortunately, was without effect, and the arrogance of the Chinese continued unabated. The British

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CANTON.

campaign in Central China ensued, and the result was the signature of the Treaty of Nanking (August 20th, 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 provisi ns 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 Symour, with the feet, again opened hostilities, and some two motus later a mob in rela'iation pillaged and bur ed all the foreign residences. In December, 1857, Sir Charles Straubenzee, in command of an expedition which had bon specially despatched from England, attacked the city, and it was taken on the 29th of that mouth. The city was occupied by the English until October, 1861, a period of n arly four years.

Canton proper extends to a leadth of about two miles, is about six miles in circumference, and is enclosed by wails about twenty fest thick and from twenty-five to forty feet high. The suburbs spread along the river for nearly five miles. The eut re 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 wa'er gates. Canton coutaius great attractious 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 hand-one Gothic cathedral, with two lofty towers surmounted by spires, in the city. The structure is entirely built of dressed granite, and has been completed externally.

When the foreigu 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 bad 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 nudflat known as Shameen should be filled in and appropriated. In 1859 an artificial island was created there, a casal constructed between the northern side of the site and the city, anl solid and extensive embankments of was-ury 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 bave never built on it. During an auti foreign rict on the 19th September, 1883, sixteen houses on Settlement were burned by the mub.

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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 Shamcen site has been availed of but by few, and many of the merchauts by whom lots were purchased there in 1861, at enormous prices, have withdrawn from Canton altogether. The trade now transacted there by freiguers is limited. Ta and Silk are the staple exports. The total export of Tea for the year ending 31st Decemb r, 1862, was 16,456,446 lbs. compared with 15,325,073 lbs. in 1881; and the quantity of Raw Silk exported in 1892 was 16,505 picul. The import of Opium in 1882 was 17 picu's as compared with 211 piculs in 1881, and 642 piculs in 1880. The total annual value of the trade of the port for 1832 was Tls. 28,875,573 as compared with Tls. 31,508,942 in 1881. The purely native trade of Canton still enjoys a high degree of prosperity. The population is estimated at 1,000,000.

Ample means of intercommunication exist between Cauton and Hongkong, a distance of about ninety-five miles, by foreigu 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 150 yards of the river wall of Shameen. Only steamers go to Canton; sailing vessels never ascend beyond Whampoa, owing to the difficulties

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