14
W. C. HUNTER
Linguists were licensed Chinese interpreters. (See note 39). Compradore was a Chinese national in charge of workers in a factory.
Coloured buttons attached to caps determined the rank of Chinese officials.
The term Hoppo was coined by Westerners to designate the official appointed by the Emperor to look after trade at Canton and to remit the resulting revenue to the Board of Revenue (the hu-pu) at Peking. His full title was Yüeh Hai-kuan-pu which means "Superintendent of Customs for the province of Canton”.
Chop was an official pronouncement by Chinese authorities.
Chop boats carried cargo from Whampoa to Canton; in design they resembled a melon with circular decks and sides and could provide for 500 chests of opium.
JOURNAL OF OCCURRENCES AT CANTON 1839
March 24, Sunday
The Chinese are building bridges across the street in the rear, to the roofs of our Hongs in order the better to keep a lookout.
Our servants, coolies, cooks, and compradore as well as those from all other Factories, quit the Hongs this evening. It looked as if they were running from a plague, each person carried off his bed, trunk, or box, and for a short time the Square was all in confusion. The linguists permitted ours to remain till the last moment, and from the time the order for them to quit was received, which was about 8 p.m., till after 8 when not a Chinese was left in any Hong, the coolies made out to secure for us outside and bring in about 60 fowls, 15 tubs of water, a tub of sugar, some oil, a bag of biscuits, and a few other things.
The Square now is one blaze of light, innumerable lanterns from the different Hongs are disposed all over it, and the noise of some three or four hundred coolies stationed to guard any foreigner from leaving Canton makes it resemble a large wild encampment.
Captain Elliot landed at the Factory steps about 5 p.m., hoisted the British colors and called a meeting of all the foreigners in Canton. He then went to Mr. Dent's Factory and took him to the hall. Thousands of Chinese in the Square greatly excited
14
W. C. HUNTER
Linguists were licensed Chinese interpreters. (See note 39). Compradore was a Chinese national in charge of workers in a factory.
Coloured buttons attached to caps determined the rank of Chinese officials.
The term Hoppo was coined by Westerners to designate the official appointed by the Emperor to look after trade at Canton and to remit the resulting revenue to the Board of Revenue (the hu-pu) at Peking. His full title was Yüch Hai-kuan-pu which means "Superintendent of Customs for the province of Canton”.
Chop was an official pronouncement by Chinese authorities.
Chop boats carried cargo from Whampoa to Canton; in design they resembled a melon with circular decks and sides and could provide for 500 chests of opium.
JOURNAL OF OCCURRANCES AT CANTON 1839
March 24, Sunday
The Chinese are building bridges, across the street in the rear, to the roofs of our Hongs in order the better to keep a look out.
Our servants, coolies, cooks, and compradore as well as those from all other Factories, quit the Hongs this evening. It looked as if they were running from a plague, each person carried off his bed, trunk, or box, and for a short time the Square was all in confusion. The linguists permitted ours to remain till the last moment, and from the time the order for them to quit was received, which was about 8 p.m., till after 8 when not a Chinese was left in any Hong, the coolies made out to secure for us outside and bring in about 60 fowls, 15 tubs of water, a tub of sugar, some oil, a bag of biscuits, and a few other things.
The Square now is one blaze of light, innumerable lanterns from the different Hongs are disposed all over it, and the noise of some three or four hundred coolies stationed to guard any foreigner from leaving Canton makes it resemble a large wild encampment.
Captain Elliot landed at the Factory steps about 5 p.m., hoisted the British colors and called a meeting of all the foreigners in Canton. He then went to Mr. Dent's Factory and took him to the hall. Thousands of Chinese in the Square greatly excited
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.