correspondence-relating-to-china-1840 — Page 11

opium. The least attempt to evade the fees of the Mandarins was almost
certain of detection and severe punishment, and a large share of these emolu
ments reached not merely the higher dignitaries of the Empire, but, in all
probability, in no very indirect manner, the Imperial hand itself.
The origin of the legalization scheme is to be ascribed, I believe, mainly, if
not entirely, to the following causes.
lstly. To the intense political disquietude of the Court at the extension of
the trade on the north-east coasts.
2ndly. To the increasing alarm which is felt at what is considered to be the
irrecoverable disappearance of the real wealth of the country, that is to say, the
silver, in exchange for the opium.
The first cause has possibly operated with additional force, since the events
of 1834, at Canton; and the visits of the Missionaries to the coasts, in 1835
and lh36, with tracts in the Chinese language, have also unquestionably
attracted the anxious attention of the Court. Their appearance has naturally
been connected with that of the opium-ships, although I believe, in most
instances, unfoundedly. More than one Imperial Edict has been promul
gated upon the subject of these tracts : not that there is any reason to
believe the religious writings are of themselves very hostilely considered, but it
is, no doubt, apprehended that they who bring tracts of one description may
very well bring those of another, and more dangerous. It will be no source
of surprise to your Lordship that the Chinese Government should be wholly
unequal to the conception of the motives which influence these pious men,
and that their visits to the coasts should be ascribed to purposes calculated to
excite extremely disquieting suspicions. The papers now transmitted furnish
evidence of a strong difference of sentiment at Peking, upon the subject of the
admission of the opium ; and it must be conceded that such a circumstance
leads to a higher opinion of the integrity of exalted Chinese functionaries than
is commonly entertained. One or other of these Ministers must, in all
probability, be reporting in a sense which he knows is contrary to that of the
Emperor.
Considering, however, the probable moral condition of such a court as
this, and having regard to the force of those impressions by which it seems to
be actuated on this occasion, 1 cannot but think your Lordship will be of
opinion that the counsels of they who advocate the more immediately politic
expedient, will prevail over adverse reasoning, founded upon high principles,
and remote mischief.
Indeed, the Emperor's Edict, (No. 7,) appears to me, more particularly
when it be considered in connexion with the actual proceedings of the
Provincial Government, to afford conclusive proof that the measure is deter
mined upon. "What remained to be done was to preface the promulgation of
the Edict by such a course of severity and earnest restriction as might convince
both foreigners and natives that the obstruction of the outside trade was a
possible state of circumstances.
If this course had not been steadily pursued for some considerable period
of time, and successively pursued, the Chinese Government must have
perceived that the legalization project would have been wholly inoperative. So
long as the native dealers would not be afraid to come to the ships outside
with their ready money, and receive the opium there, the foreign merchants
would never have brought in, and delivered it to the merchants of the Co-hong
(consisting for the most part, of bankrupt men), to be taken on account, and
 •166

realized principally by the tedious and unfavourable process of barter, for the
export staples of tea and silk.
This timid and cautious Government is not prone needlessly to try hazardous
experiments upon the patience of its own people or on that of eager foreigners.
And it is the very reality of all the actual degree of rigorous prohibition which
most convinces me of the certainty of the coming change. There is enough of
proof that these severities are persisted in under feelings of extreme solicitude,
and only because the Government is sensible that they are of indispensable
necessity to the successful transition to a safer state of things. If the change
were not deliberately resolved upon, and possibly ready for promulgation at any
moment of difficulty which may present itself, it certainly is my own opinion
that the restrictions would long since have relapsed into the mere wordy
denunciations of the passed times.
I ought not to omit to mention to your Lordship, however, that it is
confidently rumoured, the Governor has sought permission from the Court to
give the trial of a year to the effect of the present system of obstruction ; but we
hear, at the same time, this his Excellency is in some hope of being removed
from the Government of these provinces. The last report, in my mind, rather
strengthens the probability of the other.
It is conceivable that the Governor cannot desire to be the principal
responsible agent in the safe working out of a great change of this description ;
and it certainly may be possible that his representations and requests for the
delay of a year, would dispose the party at Peking, adverse to the legalization,
to make another earnest effort to defer the measure. But I cannot think that
such a proposition would find favour with the Emperor, because it is plain that
the present course is not susceptible of safe protraction.
In a few weeks, the produce of the first opium sales of the year in Bengal
must arrive here, and then, if the restrictions continue, this trade will, in all
probability, immediately assume a different character. From a traffic prohibited
in point of form, but essentially countenanced, and carried on entirely by natives
in native boats, it will come to be a complete smuggling trade. The opium
will be conveyed to parts of the coast previously concerted in Canton, in British
boats, and thence be run by the natives ; thus throwing our people into imme
diate contact with the inhabitants on shore, and certainly, in other respects, vastly
enhancing the chances of serious disputes and collision with the Government
officers.
It seems to be probable that this state of things would either hasten forward
the legalization edict, or in the event of any check to our boats, defer it to some
indefinite period, and in other ways very inconveniently alter the whole position
of circumstances in this country.
Without troubling your Lordship, however, for the present with any further
speculations as to the turn that events may take, it is now my duty to state,
that at this moment, and for the last two months, the Local Government has
been pursuing a system of severe restriction with respect to this branch of the
trade, which has been successful to a great extent.
Indeed, I am sorry to inform your Lordship, that at the actual conjuncture,
our whole commerce is passing through a trial of rather a distressing nature.
The abolition of the Company's monopoly has been attended, as was to be
expected, with some considerable degree of overtrading. The increased imports
of British manufactures have been heavy, and the returns in this market have
hitherto been carried up and sustained greatly beyond their former limits by the
eagerness , of new competitors, in spite of large stocks and reduced prices in
England. The locking up of the silver, too, which has accompanied the inter
ruption of the opium deliveries, (for that drug may be described to be the only
money-turning wheel of the trade, the rest being principally accomplished by
barter,) has considerably aggravated the embarrassment of the merchants, by
crippling their means of forcing down the high rates of the export staples.
In the course of a few days, 1 shall have the honour to transmit to your
Lordship copies of letters I propose to address to the Right Honourable the
GoArernor-General, and the Honourable the Rear-Admiral commanding in chief,
on this subject.
It seems likely that the visits of men-of-war at this crisis, for short periods,
and at brief intervals, would have the effect either of relaxing the restrictive
spirit of the Provincial Government, or of hastening onwards the legalization
X ?
 156

measure, and thus, by the one mode or the other, of releasing the trade from its
actual condition of stagnation.
Your Lordship, I hope, will consider I am justified in respectfully moving
these authorities to do what can be done (safely and without inconveniently
committing His Majesty's Government,) towards the relief of the most important
branch of this trade ; with the langour of which the whole British commerce to
the empire necessarily sympathizes in a very serious degree.
The imports of opium last year, on the account of our merchants, amounted
to nearly 18,000,000 of dollars, being about 1,000,000 in excess of the whole
value of teas and silk exported during the same period on British account.
Your Lordship will judge how unfortunately the interruption of this traffic
must operate on the general commerce. Trusting that the importance of this
subject will be my excuse for this long despatch,
I have &c
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent,




Inclosure 1 in No. 90.

Memorial from Heu-Naetse to the Emperor, proposing to legalise the importation
of Opium.

Preamble. HEU-NAETSE, Vice-President of the Sacrificial Court, presents the
following memorial in regard to opium, to show that the more severe the
interdicts against it are made, the more widely do the evils arising therefrom
spread ; and that it is right urgently to request, that a change be made in the
arrangements respecting it ; to which end he earnestly en reats His Sacred
Majesty to cast a glance hereon, and to issue secret orders for a faithful
investigation of the subject.
Qualities and effects I would humbly represent that opium was originally ranked among
of opium. medicines ; its qualities are stimulant ; it also checks excessive secretions ; and
prevents the evil effects of noxious vapours. In the Materia Medica of Le
Shechin, of the Ming dynasty, it is called Afooyung. When any one is long
habituated to inhaling it, it becomes necessary to resort to it at regular intervals,
and the habit of using it, being inveterate, is destructive of time, injurious to
property, and yet dear to one even as life. Of those who use it to great excess*
the breath becomes feeble, the body wasted, the face sallow, the teeth black :
the individuals themselves clearly see the evil effects of it, yet cannot refrain
from it. It is, indeed, indispensably necessary to enact severe prohibitions in
order to eradicate so vile a practice.
Different kinds of On inquiry, 1 find that there are three kinds of opium : one is called
of the drug. Company's, the outer covering of it is black, and hence it is also called ' black
earth ;' it comes from Bengal : a second kind is called ' white-skin,' and comes
from Bombay ; the third kind is called * red-skin,' and comes from Madras.
These are places which belong to England.
Laws in relation to In Keenlung's reign, as well as previously, opium was inserted in the
opium. tariff of Canton as a medicine, subject to a duty of three taels per hundred
catties, with an additional charge of two taels, four mace, and five candareens,
under the name of charge per package. After this, it was prohibited. In the
1 st year of Keaking, those found guilty of smoking opium were subject only to
the punishment of the pillory and bamboo. Now they have, in the course of
time, become liable to the severest penalties, transportation in various degrees,
and death after the ordinary continuance in prison. Yet the smokers of the
drug have increased in number, and the practice has spread throughout almost
the whole empire. In Keenlung's and the previous reigns, when opium passed
Nature of the trade through the Custom-House and paid a duty, it was given into the hands of the
in opram. Hong merchants in exchange for tea and other goods. But at the present
time, the prohibitions of Government being most strict against it, none dare
openly to exchange goods for it ; all secretly purchase it with money. In the
reign of Keaking, there arrived, it may be, some hundred chests annually.
The number has now increased to upwards of 20,000 chests, containing each a
hundred catties. The ' black earth,' which is the best, sells for about 800



■
 157

dollars, foreign money, per chest ; the ' white-skin,' which is next in quality,
for about 600 dollars ; and the last, or ' red-skin,' for about 400 dollars. The
total quantity sold during the year amounts in value to ten and some odd
millions of dollars ; 60 that, in reckoning the dollar at seven mace, standard
weight of silver, the annual waste of money somewhat exceeds ten millions of
taels. Formerly, the barbarian merchants brought foreign money to China ;
which, being paid in exchange for goods, was a source of pecuniary advantage
to the people of all the sea-board provinces. But latterly, the barbarian
merchants have clandestinely sold opium for money; which has rendered it
unnecessary for them to import foreign silver. Thus foreign money has been
going out of the country, while none comes into it.
During two centuries, the Government has now maintained peace, and by
fostering the people, has greatly promoted the increase of wealth and opulence
among them. With joy we witness the economical rule of our august
Sovereign, an example to the whole empire. Right it is that yellow gold be
common as the dust.
Always in times past, a tael of pure silver exchanged for nearly about 1000 Arguments,
coined cash, but of late years the same sum has borne the value of 1200 or !• Effect* of the
1300 cash: thus the price of silver rises but does not fall. In the salt agency, trade on curm»cy.
the price of salt is paid in cash, while the duties are paid in silver ; now the ,
salt merchants have all become involved, and the existing state of the salt trade■.- '
in every province is abject in the extreme. How is this occasioned but by the
unnoticed oozing out of silver ? If the easily exhaustible stores of the central
spring go to fill up the wide and fathomless gulf of the outer seas, gradually
pouring themselves out from day to day, and from month to month, we shall
shortly be reduced to a state of which I cannot bear to speak.
It is proposed entirely to cut off the foreign trade, and thus to remove the 2. To cut off all the
root, to dam up the source of the evil. The Celestial Dynasty would not, foreign trade would
indeed, hesitate to relinquish the few millions of duties arising therefrom. But ta wron^
all the nations of the West have had a general market open to their ships for
upwards of a thousand years ; while the dealers in opium are the English alone ;
it would be wrong, for the sake of cutting off the English trade, to cut off that
of all the other nations. Besides, the hundreds of thousands of people living
on the sea-coast depend wholly on trade for their livelihood, and how are they and is, in fact, im-
to be disposed of ? Moreover, the barbarian ships, being on the high seas, can practicable,
repair to any island that may be selected as an entrepot, and the native sea
going vessels can meet them there ; it is then impossible to cut off the trade.
Of late years, the foreign vessels have visited all the ports of Fuhkeen,
Chekeang, Keangnan, Shantung, even to Teentsin and Mantchouria, for the
purpose of selling opium. And although at once expelled by the local
authorities, yet it is reported that the quantity sold by them was not small.
Thus it appears that, though the commerce of Canton should be cut off,
yet it will not be possible to prevent the clandestine introduction of
merchandise.
It is said, the daily increase of opium is owing to the negligence of officers 3. The illicit intro-
in enforcing the interdicts ! The laws and enactments are the means which duction 0f opium is
extortionate underlings and worthless vagrants employ to benefit themselves; °e\i°enL°ofnoffi0
and the more complete the laws are, the greater and more numerous are the cers^nd cannot be
bribes paid to the extortionate underlings, and the more subtle are the schemes prevented,
of such worthless vagrants. In the first year of Taoukwang, the Governor of
Kwangtung and Kwangse, Yuen Yuen, proceeded with all rigour of the law
against Ye Hangshoo, head of the opium establishment then at Macao. The
consequence was, that foreigners having no one with whom to place their
opium, proceeded to Lintin to sell it. This place is within the precincts of the
Provincial Government, and has a free communication by water on all sides. Here
are constantly anchored seven or eight large ships, in which the opium is kept,
and which are therefore called ' receiving ships/ At Canton there are brokers
of the drug, who are called ' melters.' These pay the price of the drug into
the hands of the resident foreigners, who give them orders for the delivery of
the opium from the receiving ships. There are carrying boats plying up and
down the river; and these are vulgarly called 'fast-crabs' and 'scrambling
dragons.' They are well armed with guns and other weapons, and are manned
with some scores of desperadoes, who ply their oars as if they were wings to
fly with. All the Custom-houses and military posts which they pass are largely
 158

bribed. If they happen to encounter any of the armed cruizing boats, they are
so audacious as to resist, and slaughter and carnage ensue. The late Governor
Loo, on one occasion, having directed the Commodore Tsin Yuchang to
co-operate with Teen Poo, the district magistrate of Heangshan, they captured
Leang Heennee with a boat containing opium to the amount of 14,000 catties.
The number of men killed and taken prisoners amounted to several scores. He
likewise inflicted the penalty of the laws on the criminals Yaoukow and
Owkwan (both of them being brokers), and confiscated their property. This
shows that faithfulness in the enforcement of the laws is not wanting ; and yet
the practice cannot be checked. The dread of the laws is not so great on the
part of the common people, as is the anxious desire of gain, which incites them
to all manner of crafty devices ; so that sometimes, indeed, the law is rendered
wholly ineffective.
4. Evil consequen- There are also, both on the rivers and at sea, banditti, who, with pretence
ces of this illicit in- of acting under the orders of the Government, and of being sent to search after
troduction. ancl prevent the smuggling of opium, seek opportunities for plundering. When
I was lately placed in the service of your Majesty, as Acting Judicial Commis
sioner at Canton, cases of this nature were very frequently reported. Out of
these arose a still greater number of cases, in which money was extorted for the
ransom of plundered property. Thus a countless number of innocent people
were involved in suffering. All these wide-spread evils have arisen since the
interdicts against opium were published.
5. Worthless cha- ^ De found, on examination, that the smokers of opium are idle, lazy
racter of opium vagrants, having no useful purpose before them, and are unworthy of regard, or
smokers. even of contempt. And though there are smokers to be found who have over
stepped the threshold of age, yet they do not attain to the long life of other
men. But new births are daily increasing the population of the empire; and
there is no cause to apprehend a diminution therein ; while, on the other hand,
we cannot adopt too great, or too early, precautions against the annual
waste which is taking place in the resources, the very substance of China.
Inference that the Since then, it will not answer to close our ports against [all trade] , and
opium trade should since the laws issued against opium are quite inoperative, the only method left
be legalised. js to revert to the former system, to permit the barbarian merchants to import
opium paying duty thereon as a medicine, and to require that, after having
passed the Custom-House, it shall be delivered to the Hong merchants only in
exchange for merchandise, and that no money be paid for it. The barbarians
finding that the amount of duties to be paid on it, is less than what is now spent
in bribes, will also gladly comply therein. Foreign money should be placed on the
same footing with sycee silver, and the exportation of it should be equally
prohibited. Offenders, when caught, should be punished by the entire destruc
tion of the opium they may have, and the confiscation of the money that may
howe^r to°be af De found wi*h them. With regard to officers, civil and military, and. to the
lowed to smoke it." scholars and common soldiers, the first are called upon to fulfil the duties of
their rank and attend to the public good ; the others, to cultivate their talents
and become fit for public usefulness. None of these, therefore, must be per
mitted to contract a. practice so bad, or to walk in a path which will lead only
to the utter waste of their time, and destruction of their property. If, however,
the laws enacted against the practice be made too severe, the result will be
mutual connivance. It becomes my duty, then, to request that it be enacted,
that any officer, scholar, or soldier, found guilty of secretly smoking opium, shall
be immediately dismissed from public employ, without being made liable to any
other penalty. In this way, lenity will become in fact severity towards them.
And further, that, if any superior or general officer be found guilty of know
ingly and wiifully conniving at the practice among his subordinates, such officer
shall be subjected to a Court of Inquiry. Lastly, that, no regard be paid to the
purchase and use of opium on the part of the people generally.
Objections answer- Does any suggest a doubt, that to remove the existing prohibitions will
ed: the dignity of derogate from the dignity of Government1? I would ask, if he is ignorant that
the government not the pleasures of the table and of the nuptial couch may also be indulged in to
injured by the pro- tne injury of health ? Nor are the invigorating drugs footsze and viootow
posen cnange. devoid of poisonous qualities : yet it has never been heard that any one of
these has been interdicted. Besides, the removal of the prohibitions refers
only to the vulgar and common people, those who have no official duties to
perform. So long as the officers of Government, the scholars, and the military,
 161

are not included, I see no detriment to the dignity of Government. And
by allowing the proposed importation and exchange of the drug for other com
modities, more than ten millions of money will annually be prevented from
flowing out of the Central land. On which side then is the gain,—on which the
loss ? It is evident at a glance. But if we still idly look back and delay to
retrace our steps, foolishly paying regard to a matter of mere empty dignity, I
humbly apprehend that when eventually it is proved impossible to stop the
importation of opium, it will then be found that we have waited too long, that
the people are impoverished, and their wealth departed. Should we then begin
to turn round, we shall find that reform comes too late.
Though but a servant of no value, I have by your Majesty's condescending Conclusion,
favour been raised from a subordinate censorship to various official stations,
both at court and in the provinces ; and filled, on one occasion, the chief
judicial office in the region south of the great mountains (Kwangtung). Ten
years spent in endeavours to make some return have produced no fruit ; and
I find myself overwhelmed with shame and remorse. But with regard to the
great advantages, or great evils, of any place where I have been, I have never
failed to make particular inquiries. Seeing that the prohibitions now in force
against opium serve but to increase the prevalence of the evil, and that there
is none found to represent the facts directly to your Majesty, and feeling
assured that 1 am myself thoroughly acquainted with the real state of things,
I dare no longer forbear to let them reach your Majesty's ear. Prostrate,
I beg my august Sovereign to give secret directions to the Governor and
Lieutenant-Governor of Kwangtung, together with the Superintendent of
Maritime Customs, that they faithfully investigate the character of the above
statements, and that, if they find them really correct, they speedily prepare a
list of regulations adapted to a change in the system, and present the same for
your Majesty's final decision. Perchance this may be found adequate to stop
further oozing out of money, and to replenish the national resources. With
inexpressible awe and trembling fear, I reverently present this memorial and
await your Majesty's commands.



Inclosure 2 in No. 90.

Imperial Edict in reply to the foregoing Memorial.— (June 12, 1836.)

HEU-NAETSE, Vice-President of the Sacrificial Court, has presented n,e provinciai g0_
a memorial in regard to opium, representing that the more severe the interdicts vemment is directed
against it are made, so much the more widely do the evils arising from it t0 deliberate and
spread ; and that of late years, the foreigners, not daring openly to give it in FePort on the sub"
barter for other commodities, have been in the habit of selling it clandestinely
for money, thus occasioning an annual loss to the country, which he estimates
at above ten millions of taels. He therefore requests that a change be made in
regard to it, permitting it again to be introduced, and given in exchange for
other commodities. Let Tang Tingching and his Colleagues deliberate on the
subject, and then report to us. Let a copy of the original memorial be made
for their perusal, and sent with this edict to Tang Tingching and Ke Kung,
who are to enjoin it also on Wan. Respect this.




Inclosure 3 in No. 90.

Report made to the Chinese Government by the Hong Merchants.

IN obedience to the commands of his Excellency the Hoppo, to deliberate Report made by the
on certain particulars, we now present for perusal the result of our deliberations, Hong merchants
arranged under [four] distinct heads. T^eJtrta iT^of
First. We received directions "to examine in regard to the following SyCeeXjji°vor.10n °
statement,— contained in a memorial presented to the Emperor (whereof a copy
was previously transmitted), namely, ' that foreign merchants dare not openly
 160

take goods in barter for opium, but always clandestinely sell it for sycee silver.'
Now the exportation ]of sycee silver (it was always remarked) has long been
interdicted ; and the said merchants surely do not presume to contravene the
regulations in the least degiee. Yet it maybe difficult to aver, that not a
single illegality is committed by them ; and still more difficult would it be to
stand answerable, that there are no traitorous natives who carry on a clandestine
commerce."
It h not exported In reply hereto, we the Hong merchants would humbly represent, that it
by the Hong mer- is really owing to the strictness of the Governmental regulations that foreigners
other*' clandestine^ are Preven*e<^ from openly taking goods in barter for opium. In regard to
\ym " sycee silver, we, every year, severally and voluntarily enter into bonds, that we
will on no account aid and abet the foreigners in exporting it, which bonds are
presented to your Excellencies. How can we possibly contravene the regu
lations, and so render ourselves criminal ? Yet it is indeed, as his Excellency
the Hoppo says, difficult to stand answerable that there are no traitorous natives
who carry on a clandestine commerce. To watch against such an illicit com
merce is, however, beyond our power ; and it therefore behoves us to request
How to
thisT revent
PrMCn rule i°this
jnj.0 0peration, regard
rule, to seizures
namely, of the
that smuggled commodities,
capturers may berewarded.
shall be liberally brought

In pursuance of this a certain proportion of all sycee silver, that may hereafter
be captured, should be given for an encouragement to the capturers, and thus
those who receive such rewards will be induced to exert themselves in an
extraordinary degree ; and the smugglers, knowing that such rewards are held
out, will at once become intimidated.
2. Inquiries in re- Secondly. We received the following inquiries to direct our deliberations:
sard to interchange "The foreign merchants have need of teas, rhubarb, cassia, sugar, silk, &c,
of commodities. which articles must have been heretofore kept in store by the Hong merchants,
so as to be in readiness to be exchanged for imported goods. Should the
amount of imported commodities become hereafter too great, how can ware
house room be afforded, in order to retain such commodities for gradual sale ?
And can it be so arranged, that, when it is impossible to effect an immediate
sale, and the foreign merchant finds himself unable to wait longer, he may be
allowed to return home, leaving his goods with the Hong merchant to sell for
him as opportunities offer, and on his return receiving such an amount of
merchandise as is due to him in exchange? Let these questions be well
considered."
"Mode in which such In answer hereto, we would humbly point out what has been hitherto the
interchange is now practice : On foreign vessels coming to Canton to trade, their cargoes are sent
'c ' ' up to our hongs ; and then a list is given by each foreign merchant of the
native commodities required in return, which commodities we purchase for them
from the various dealers therein. We never keep a stock of each article on
hand. And of late years our means have been very much reduced, so that
often we are unable to pay in due season the duties accruing : how then can we
possibly lay in a store of ready purchased articles ? If it happen that too great
a quantity of any article is introduced, so that it cannot be sold off at once, and
the vessel is to sail immediately, the security merchant in that case applies to
the foreigner for the amount of duties due, that he may pay them for him.
The unsold goods remain in our hongs to be disposed of as opportunities offer ;
and when the foreign merchant returns to Canton, he then takes out the value
mode si id tnereof m nat've commodities. This is the way in which the trade has hitherto
b*stiira^ercd°to. been conducted, and we would request that it may continue to be conducted in
the usual manner.
3. To prevent ille- Thirdly. We received directions to deliberate on the following questions :
^^j^Muaa^ "fo! " Whether, if opium should be imported through the usual channel for other
i«ad«^^esmswpr- commodities (the Hongs), any Hong merchant being at liberty to land and enter
.tble for all duties it at the Custom-House, it will not be found difficult to guard against illegalities
»n opium ? in the trade ? Whether it will not rather be requisite to make one of the most
opulent of the senior merchants responsible,—namely, one in whom entire con
fidence can be placed, and one in whom the foreigners habitually place implicit
Should n^jpenodi- trust . anj t0 require him alone to enter the cargoes of opium for examination at
routed ftwm each tne Custom-House, and to pay the duties; still, however, allowing the foreigner
merchant. to sell it, at its market value, to whichever Hong merchant he may choose, in
order to prevent a monopoly ? Also, whether the Hong merchants should not
still be required to give bonds as formerly, and to state the persons to whom
 161

they have sold opium, the places whither it has been transported, and what
amount (if any) of silver, sycee or foreign, has been given for it, —each separate
transaction to be reported at the time, and a monthly statement to be made out
and presented at the offices of the Governor and Hoppo, in order to enable them
to make their reports to the Board of Revenue."
In reply to this, we would humbly notice some particulars of the mode in In answer, it is
which we have heretofore conducted our traffic with the foreigners. We have shown that the ex-
indeed exchanged one commodity for another; but often, when the value of the must not be'
imports and exports has been unequal, the balance has been paid, both by native forbidden. * °
and foreign merchants, to one another, in foreign money. And when, in con
sequence of the commodities of a country being saleable but to a very small
extent, at Canton, large sums of foreign money have been imported for the
purpose of purchasing a cargo, then no restriction has been placed on the
re-exportation of any remaining sum. Hence the " exportation of three-
tenths"* has received the sanction of Government. Again, there are cases in
which full cargoes are imported, while—in consequence of the prices of native
commodities being too high, or the commodities themselves not calculated for
sale in the places from whence the vessels come—the exported cargoes are
small. The surplus foreign money, then, being greater in amount than the
" exportable three-tenths," whatever exceeds that amount is either left here for
the purchase of other goods, or is lent to other foreigners. This is a thing of
common occurrence. For instance, of the rice-laden ships which now enter the That the foreigners
port, the largest bring cargoes of somewhat above 10,000 peculs, amounting in may often avoid ex-
value to but 20,000 or 30,000 dollars; and the smaller ones bring cargoes of, it Port»ng bullion,
may be 5,000 or 6,000 peculs, the value of which is no more than 10,000
and odd dollars. Yet these same vessels return with export cargoes of the value
of 200,000 or 300,000 dollars, or at least of from 100,000 to 200,000 dollars.
The money required to purchase these cargoes is therefore frequently borrowed
from foreigners, who have a balance in money, in excess of that portion of the
price of their import cargoes for which they have taken goods. Th's, then, is
a clear proof that, in the instance of rice-laden vessels, the unemployed balance
possessed by other foreigners is borrowed, in order to purchase exports
wherewith to send them back to their country. '
Now, in reference to the question at present under consideration, whether But that, as shown
permission shall be given to import opium, paying a legal duty thereon, we by themselves, they
have, as a provision in case that such permission should be given, inquired of <»«"ict always do. so.•
the foreign merchants if they can export goods to such an amount as to equal
in value their importation of opium, so that they need not have any occasion for
exporting money? Their answer was of the following tenor: "That is right
and proper that they should comply with the arrangement to take cargo in
exchange for the proceeds of their opium ; but that the ports to which they
return are not all alike, and that our native commodities are not every where
equally saleable ; that were the merchants who bring opium to Canton to
make their returns in merchandize purchased here, such merchandize would be
unsaleable,—and therefore the arrangement that goods are to be taken in
return for opium cannot be universally adopted ; that, however, they can in such
cases lend their money to other foreigners to purchase cargoes with, which will
be the same thing as if the foreign merchants who import opium applied all the
proceeds to the purchase of goods themselves; lastly, that, in case they should
be unable to lend out the whole of the proceeds, they are willing to act in
accordance with the regulation hitherto existing, by which they are allowed to
export in foreign money three-tenths of the excess of imports over exports ; but
that to require each several ship to take export cargo in exchange for imports
will; they really apprehend, be found inapplicable, injurious, and impracticable;
on which account they deem it their duty to request that the regulation hereto
fore existing, as above-mentioned, may continue in full force." We, the Hong
merchants, would here suggest, that, although there be no duty charged on 'Th« present regu-
exported silver, yet as it is required to report at the Custom-House the sums latl0nsjre sufficient,
shipped, it will be impossible that any very considerable amount should be
clandestinely exported. Whether such an arrangement in regard to the
importation of opium, the grand question now under consideration, shall be
adopted or not, must depend on your Excellencies' decision.

• That is, 30 per cent, of the excess of the value of the imports over that of the exports.
Y
 162

It is shown also, It has been for a long time past the rule, when a vessel reaches Canton, to
that no one mer- permit the foreigner himself to select the Hong merchant who shall secure his.
chant need he made vessei . this is left entirely to the will of the foreigner, and no compulsion may
responsi e. ^ exercjse(j jn tne matter. All goods that are to be entered at the Custom-
House for examination and assessment, are so entered by the security merchant,,
on application made by the foreigner ; and the charges on the vessel, on enter
ing the port and when discharging cargo, are also paid by the security merchant.
But any of the Hong merchants may have a portion of the cargo, and it is the
rule, that the merchant who so receives cargo shall pay all the duties thereon
into the treasury of the Custom House. In this way, there can be no mono-
And that no eri P0MZmS- Should opium be admitted for importation in the same manner as
odteal "statements pi°ce-goods, cotton, &c, the arrangements in regard to the sale of it by Hong
are necessary to merchants to minor dealers, and the transport of it from Canton to other places,
prevent illegalities, should also be the same as with regard to those commodities. Such as is trans
ported to other provinces by an overland route should be entered at the eastern
and western Custom- Houses, where a pass should be obtainable on examination.
And such as is transported by sea on board native trading vessels should be
entered outwards, at the chief Custom-House, through the medium of the
merchants of Fuhkeen and Chauchow. The laws on these points being very
precise, it seems needless to report each separate transaction of sale, or to
present any monthly statements.
4. Transit of opium, Fourthly. We received directions to deliberate carefully on this question:
and.coasting trade {t opium is transported to other provinces for sale, should not those
precautionary regulations which have been enacted in regard to foreigners
trading at Canton be put in practice, and communications be sent to the
authorities in all the sea-board provinces, informing them, that whatever opium
has not the stamp of the Custom-House on it is to be regarded as smuggled,
and both vessel and cargo therefore confiscated, and the parties subjected to
legal investigation ? And, if any vessels proceed to the receiving ships, which
are anchored on the high seas, to trade with them, should not the Hong
merchants be required to take measures against their so doing ?"
The regulations al- In reply, we would humbly point out, that in the regulations enacted last
ready existing, in year for checking foreigners engaged in trade, there occurs the following
woo\ltaa° Ac^im PassaSe : " IR respect to all native trading vessels, from whatever province they
ported, should he mav oe, anY foreign goods that may be purchased for shipment on them shall be
" ' ' entered at the chief Custom-House at Canton, and there, having been stamped,
a pass for the same shall be granted, specifying in detail the amount of goods,
in order that no clandestine transactions may be suffered to take place. And
communications shall be sent to the authorities in all the provinces, that they
may act in compliance with this regulation, and may give orders accordingly to
the officers of the maritime Custotn-Houses, to examine all trading vessels
carrying cargoes of foreign merchandize, and, if they find any articles not
marked with the stamp of the Canton Custom-House, to regard such articles as
smuggled, and to subject the parties to a legal investigation and confiscation of
both vessel and cargo." These precautionary measures are sufficiently precise,
and should undoubtedly be acted on. But should any vessel, in the course of
passage on the high seas, happen to traffic with the receiving ships, it is indeed
beyond our power to prevent it. It behoves us therefore to request, that, as
enacted in the above-named regulation, the officers of all cruising vessels along
the coast be held responsible ; that they be directed to cruise about in constant
succession ; and, should any traders approach a foreign ship to purchase opium
immediately to apprehend such traders, and send them to meet their trial; and,
lastly, that both the vessel and cargo of such traders shall be confiscated, and
the proceeds thereof given as a reward to the capturers. We would also
humbly request, that an edict be issued for the information of all native
merchants, that they may know these things and be restrained by fear. At the
same time we will continue earnestly to instruct and admonish the foreigners,
and make them understand that they must iudeed bring their goods into port,
and pay duty thereon, and mast not, as heretofore, clandestinely sell them on
the high seas. Thus may the amount of duties be increased.
 163


Inclosure 4 in No. 90.

Report of the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor of Canton.

September 7, 1836.
WE have, in obedience to the Imperial will, jointly deliberated on the Preamble,
subject of repealing the prohibition now in force in regard to the importation of
opium, and of permitting it to be sold in barter for other commodities ; and we
be»-ein present a draft of regulations, that we have sketched, comprising nine
sections, on which we humbly solicit your sacred Majesty to cast a glance.
On the 19th day of the 5th month (2nd July), we received a letter from
the Grand Council of Ministers, inclosing an imperial edict, dated the 29th day
of the 4th month (12th of June).
Beholding our august Sovereign's tender solicitude for the livelihood of the
people on this remote frontier, and the anxious desire manifested to remove
all evils, we, as on bended knee we perused the edict, were deeply affected, and
bowed in profound reverence. We immediately transmitted the edict to the
Superintendent of maritime customs, your Majesty's Minister Wan ; and also
read in Council the copy forwarded to us of the original memorial. While we
ourselves gave the subject our joint and careful consideration, we, at the same
time, directed the two Commissioners (of Finance and Justice) to discuss it
thoroughly and faithfully. These officers, the Financial Commissioner,
Altsingah, and the Judicial Commissioner, Wang Tsingleen. have now laid
before us the result of their joint deliberations, and we have considered their
suggestions.
We are humbly of opinion, that in framing regulations it is of the first principle laid down:
importance to suit them to the circumstances of the times; and that to govern
well, it is essential in the first place to remove existing evils. But if in
removing one evil, an evil of greater extent is produced, it then becomes the
more imperative to make a speedy change suited to the circumstances of the
occasion.
Now in regard to opium, it is an article brought into the Central Empire Argument*,
from the lands of the far-distant barbarians, and has been imported during a Evils arising out of
long course of years. In the reigns of Yungching and Keenlung, it was th? Pronibition
included in the tariff of maritime duties, under the head of medicinal drugs, and °Plum"
there was then no regulation against purchasing it, or inhaling it. But in the
4th year of Keaking (1799), the then Governor of this province, Keihking, of
the imperial kindred, regarding it as a subject of deep regret, that the vile dirt
of foreign countries should be received in exchange for the commodities and the
money of the empire, and fearing lest the practice of smoking opium should
spread among all the people of the inner land, to the waste of their time and the
destruction of their property, presented a memorial, requesting that the sale of
the drug- should be prohibited, and that offenders should be made amenable to
punishment. This punishment has been gradually increased to transportation,
and death by strangling. The law is by no means deficient in severity. But
the people are not so much influenced by the fear of the laws as by the desire of
gain. Hence, from the time that the prohibition was passed, the crafty schemes
and devices of evil men have daily multiplied. On the one hand, receiving
ships are anchored in the entrances from the outer seas: on the other hand,
brokers, called melters, are everywhere established in the inner land. Then
again 'fast crabs' and 'scrambling dragons' —as the boats are called—are
fitted out for clandestine commerce : and lastly, vagabonds, pretending authority
to search, have under this pretext indulged their own unruly desires. Thus,
what was at first a common article, of no esteem in the market, either for
6tnoking or eating, and a'so of a moderate price, has with the increase in the
severity of the regulations increased in demand, and been clandestinely and
largely imported, annually drawing away from the pecuniary resources of the
inner land, while it has done nothing to enrich it.
We, your Majesty's Ministers, having examined the original memorial, and The piohil>ition
considered the details therein contained respecting the evils to be removed, should therefore b»
regard the whole as true and accurate. The request for a repeal of the prohi- removed-
bitions and change in the system, and a return to the former plan of laying a
duty on opium, is also such as the circumstances of the times render necessary;
 164

and it is our duty to solicit your Majesty's sanction thereof. In case of such
sanction, any foreigner, who in the course of trade may bring opium, must be
permitted to import and pass it at the Custom-House, paying the duty on it as
fixed by the maritime tariff of Keenlung, and must deliver it to the Hong
merchants, in the same manner as long-ells, camlets, and other goods, bartered
for native commodities, but on no account may he sell it clandestinely for
money*
Effects to be ex- If this plan be faithfully and vigorously carried into effect, the tens of
pected from such a millions of precious money which now annually go out of the empire will be
change. saved, the source of the stream will be purified, and the stream itself may be
eventually stayed. The amount of duties being less onerous than what is now
paid in bribes, transgressions of the revenue laws will cease of themselves ; the
present evil practices of transporting contraband goods by deceit and violence
will be suppressed without effort ; the numberless quarrels and litigations now
arising therefrom at Canton, together with the crimes of worthless vagrants will
be diminished. Moreover, if the Governmental officers, the literari, and the
military, be still restrained by regulations, and not suffered to inhale the drug ;
and if offenders among these classes be immediately dismissed from the public
service ; while those of the people who purchase the drug and smoke it; are not
at all interfered with, all will plainly see that those who indulge their depraved
appetites are the victims of their own self-sacrificing folly, persons who are
incapable of ranking among the capped and belted men of distinction and
learning. And if in this way shame be once aroused, strenuous exertion and
self-improvement will be the result,—for the principles of reform are founded in
shame and remorse. Nor, as it is truly said in the original memorial, will the
dignity of Government be at all lowered by the proposed measure. Should
your Majesty sanction the repeal, it will in truth be attended with advantage
both to the arrangements of the Government and the well-being of the people.
Nine regulations But in passing regulations on the subject, it is of great importance that
proposed. everything should be maturely considered, and that the law should be rendered
perfect and complete; and it is of the very first consequence that effectual
measures should be taken to prevent the exportation of sycee silver. If the
regulations be in any way incomplete, the consequence will be, that in a few
years, fresh evils will spring up and spread abroad : such is not the right way to
accomplish the purpose in view. We have, therefore, fully discussed the
subject together, and have also, in concert with the Financial and Judicial
Commissioners, examined and considered it in all its bearings, and alter oft-
repeated deliberations, have determined upon nine regulations, which we have
drawn up, and of which we present a fair copy for your Majesty's perusal.
The result of our deliberations, made in obedience to the imperial mandate, we
now jointly lay before the throne, humbly imploring our august Sovereign to
instruct us if our representations be correct or not, and also to direct the
appropriate Board to revise them.
The following are the regulations which we have drawn up in reference to
the change of system called for in regard to the importation of opium, and
which we reverently present for your Majesty's perusal.
1. Opium to be 1 . The whole amount of opium imported should be paid for in mer-
sold only in barter chandize : in this there must be no deception. The object in repealing the
for merchandize, interdict on opium, is to prevent the loss of specie occasioned by the sale of the
drug for money. When opium is brought in foreign vessels, therefore, the
security and senior merchants should be held responsible for the following
arrangements being carried into effect : the value of the opium to be correctly
fixed ; an amount of native commodities of equal value to be apportioned ;
and the two amounts to be exchanged in full : no purchase to be made for
money payments. The productions of the Celestial Empire are rich, abundant,
and in universal demand ; its commodities are manifold more than those of
foreign barbarians, so that in an exchange of commodities the gain and not the
loss must be on its side. But should it at any time perchance occur, that the
quantities imported being somewhat greater than the amount of native com
modities required, an exact balance cannot be struck, while it is necessary for
the foreign ships immediately to return ; in such case, the whole amount of
duties having been paid through the security merchant, and the barter of com
modities having been made, the surplus opium not yet bartered may be laid up
in the merchants' warehouses, and an account of it, taken under the inspection
 165

both of the security and foreign merchant, may be registered in the office of the
Superintendent of Customs. Then the opium may be sold as opportunities
occur ; and when the whole has been disposed of, the Hong merchant and the
consignee of the opium may jointly report that it is so, and have the register
cancelled. When the foreign merchant returns to Canton, he may receive
payment for the opium thus sold, in sume merchantable commodity; but may
not be allowed to give the value a pecuniary designation, and under cover of
this receive payment in money. Some substantial and opulent senior merchant
should be strictly required to watch over the enforcement of these regulations.
And when a foreign ship is about leaving, the security and senior merchants
should sign a bond that she carries away no sycee silver on board of her,
this bond to be delivered into the hands of Government. If they know of any
clandestine purchases being made on condition of money payments, or of any
money being paid, they should be required immediately to report the facts, and
the parties should be severely punished, and the opium confiscated and sold for
Government ; or, if it have been already delivered to the purchaser, the price
should be recovered from the latter and forfeited to Government. If the senior
and security merchants be found guilty of any connivance at such offences, they
also should be severely punished.
2. The naval cruising vessels, and all the officers and men of the Custom- 2. Naval officers to
House stations, should be required diligently to watch the entrances and be restricted,
passages of rivers ; but, at the same time, to confine their search to such
entrances and passages ; they should not be allowed to go out to sea-ward, and
under cover thereof to cause annoyance. Even though the interdict on opium
be repealed, there is yet cause to fear that the mercantile people, who in their
mad search for gain are, as it were, bewitched, will still resort to foreign mer
chants (out of the port) to purchase it, so that sycee silver will continue
secretly to ooze out. The naval cruising vessels, therefore, and all those who
are attached to the Custom-House stations, should be required to search dili
gently and faithfully. And whenever any discovery shall be made of silver
being smuggled out, and the same shall be seized, and the offending parties
apprehended, —then the whole amount of money in such case taken, with the
value of the smuggling boat, should be given as a reward to the captors, in
order to encourage their exertions, and thus to destroy smuggling. But if
sycee silver be exported, there is necessarily a place where, and a way by which,
it is carried out : that place must be near the foreign factories ; the way must
be through the important passages and entrances of rivers. It is only needful
then to watch faithfully at such places ; for by so doing, the export of silver
may be stopped without any trouble. But if the smugglers once get out into the
open roads, they soon spread themselves abroad in various directions, and leave
no trace by which to find them. If the soldiers, or vagabonds feigning to be
soldiers, frame pretexts for cruising about in search of them, not only can they
effect no good, but they may also give occasion to disturbances, attended with
evil consequences of no trivial character. They should, therefore, be strictly
prohibited so doing.
3. In regard to foreign money, the old regulation, allowing three-tenths to 3. Amount of spe-
be exported, should be continued ; and, to prevent any fraud, a true account of cie t0 be exported,
the money imported should be given (by each ship) on arrival. Formerly, much
foreign money was brought to Cauton in the foreign ships, in order to purchase
commodities in excess of those obtained by barter, and to pay the necessary
expenses of the vessel on her return. Whenever the imported goods were in
larger quantity than those exported, there was then a surplus of foreign money,
of which it would not have been reasonable, under such circumstances, to pro
hibit the re-exportation. In the 23rd year of Keaking (1818), the then Super
intendent of Maritime Customs, Ah, finding that the barbarians took away
foreign money without any limit or restriction, addressed a communication to
the then Governor of this Province, Yuen, in consequence of which it was
decided to limit the exportation by each vessel to three-tenths (of the surplus of
import), allowing the remainder to be lent to any other foreigner to enable him
to purchase goods, to pay the duties, &c This has continued to be the rule
down to the present time. Now it is probable, that sometimes, when opium is
imported in not very large quantities, money will also be imported with it, for
the purpose of paying the price of goods in excess of what may be purchased
by barter. It will be right in such cases to conform to the existing regulation.
 166

But the amount of foreign money so imported in foreign ships may vary consi
derably. If the balance be 100,000 dollars or upwards, it will then be very well
to permit the exportation of 30,000 ; but if the balance should exceed 200,000
dollars, a further limit to the permission to re-export becomes necessary. We
deem it our duty, therefore, to request, that hereafter wlien the surplus of silver
imported, does not considerably exceed 100,000, permission be still given to re
export three-tenths of that surplus ; but if it amounts to 200,000 dollars,
whether the merchandize bought with it consist of opium, or of any other goods,
that the permission to re-export in that case be limited to 50,000 on each
ship. This amount should not be exceeded. With respect to the examination
and report made by the security merchant, on a ship's arrival, of the total
amount of silver imported by her, this examination and report should still be
required, in order that, the expenditure of the vessel having been deducted there
from, the proportion to be re-exported may be accurately calculated. A senior
merchant also should be required faithfully to join the security merchant in the
investigation. If the officers of the customs make feigned examinations and
false reports, they should be subjected to severe punishment ; and if the senior
and olher merchants connive at any illegality, they also should be punished.
4. Sale of opium, 4. The traffic in opium must be conducted on the same principle as the
how to be regulated, traffic in foreign commodities; it is unnecessary to place it under a separate
department. The first principle of commerce is, to adopt those measures which
will yield the greatest possible amount of gain. Each one has his own method
of doing this, and what one rejects another may seek for ; nor is it possible to
bring all to one opinion. Now if the importation of opium be permitted, as
formerly, and it becomes an article of commerce, as a medicinal drug, the traffic
in it will in no wise differ from the traffic in other articles of commerce ; and if
a special department be created for it, there is reason to fear that monopolizing
and underhand practices will gradually result therefrom. It is right, therefore,
to let the foreign merchants make their own election, and engage what Hong
merchants they will to pass their cargoes at the Custom- House, and pay their
duties for them. To establish one general department for the purpose is unne
cessary. By this arrangement, crafty individuals may be prevented from taking
advantage and extorting exorbitant profits, and benefit may accrue to both the
foreign and the Hong merchants.
5. Duties to be 5. The amount of duties should be continued the same as formerly : no
,eTied" increase is called for ; and all extortionate demands, and illegal fees, should be
interdicted. In the Tariff of Maritime Customs for Canton, opium is rated at
a duty of three taels per hundred catties ; to which we must add ten per cent■ or
three mace, for loss in melting ; and as peculage fee, and fee per package,
according to the report formerly made of public and legal tees, eight candareens
and six cash. Although there are three kinds of opium, the " black earth," the
"white skinned," and the "red skinned," differing in value, \ et the duty per
catty may be the same on all. These arrangements are made on the principle
that if the duty be heavy it will be evaded, and smuggling will ensue , whereas
if it be light, all will prefer security to smuggling ; and that if a fixed charge be
imposed, the officers of the customs will be unable to intermeddle. The same
clear views were entertained by our predecessors, when they established these
regulations; and it will be well to conform to the amount of duty fixed by them
without any addition. But there is reason to fear that when the prohibitions
are first taken off, the servants of the Custom- House, hunting for petty gains,
may, under various pretexts, lay on illegal fees, making heavy by their exactions
what as a legal duty is light ; and thereby losing sight of the principle that they
are to show kindness to men from afar. If this take place, the natural result
too will be, that the means of legal importation will be avoided, and contri
vances to import clandestinely wilt be resorted to. Perspicuous and strict pro
clamations should therefore be issued, making it generally known, that, beyond
the real duty, not the smallest fraction is to be exacted ; and that offenders shall
be answerable to the law against extortionate underlings receiving money under
false pretexts.
6. Aprice not to be (j. No price should be fixed on the drug. It is a settled principle of com-
^xctk merce, that when prices are very low, there is a tendency to rise ; and when
high, a tendency to fall. Prices then depend on the supply that is procurable
of any article, and the demand that exists for it in the market; they cannot be
limited by enactments to any fixed rate. Now, though the prohibition of opium
 167

be- repealed, it will not be a possible tbing to force men wbo buy at a high price
to sell at a cheap one. Besides, it is common to men to prize things of higb
value, and to underrate those of less worth. When, therefore, opium was
severely interdicted, and classed among rarities, every one had an opportunity
to indulge in over- reaching desires of gain; but when once the interdicts are
withdrawn, and opium universally admitted, it will become a common medicinal
drug, easily to be obtained.
The gem,—when in the casket, prized,
When common, is despised!
So the price of opium, if left to itself, will fall from day to day; whereas, if rated
at a fixed value, great difficulty will be found in procuring it at the price at
which it is rated. It is reasonable and right, therefore, to leave the price to
fluctuate, according to the circumstances of the times, and not to fix any rate.
7. All coasting vessels of every province, when carrying opium, should be 7. Regulations of
required to have sealed manifests from the Custom-House of Canton. By the the coasting trade,
existing regulations of commerce, all commanders of coasting vessels, without
exception, are required, whenever they have purchased any foreign goods, to
apply at the chief Custom-House at Canton and obtain a sealed manifest, stating
the amount of each kind of goods, so as to prevent any clandestine purchases.
They are also to be provided from thence with a communication addressed to
the authorities in every province and at all sea-ports, calling on them to search
closely ; and if they find any foreign goods, not having the stamp of the Canton
Custom-House on them, to regard such goods as smuggled, to try the offenders
according to law, and to confiscate both vessel and cargo. The law on this
point is most precise. Now when the interdict on opium is repealed, it will
become an article of ordinary traffic, like any other foreign commod.ty, and
subject therefore to the same regulations. All commanders of coasting vessels,
wishing to purchase opium, should therefore be required to report their wishes to
the Hong merchants, bringing goods to barter for it, and should then apply at
the Custom-House for a manifest and for a communication from the Superin
tendent of Customs to the authorities in all the provinces aforesaid. Thus there
being documents for reference, both in this and the sea-board provinces, the
native coasting vessels may be prevented from having any clandestine dealings
with the foreign ships at sea, and from smuggling away silver.
8. The strict prohibitions existing against the cultivation of the poppy, 8. The poppy maj
among the people, may be in some measure relaxed. Opium possesses soothing be cultivated,
properties, but is powerful in its effects. Its soothing properties render it a
luxury, greatly esteemed ; but its powerful effects are such as readily to induce
disease. The accounts given of the manner in which it is prepared among the
foreigners are various ; but in all probability it is not unmixed with things of
poisonous quality. It is said that, of late years, it has been clandestinely prepared
by natives, by boiling down the juicy matter from the poppy ; and that thus
prepared, it possesses milder properties, and is less injurious, without losing its
soothing influence. To shut out the importation of it by foreigners, there is no
better plan than to sanction the cultivation and preparation of it in the empire.
It would seem right, therefore, to relax, in some measure, the existing severe
prohibitions, and to dispense with the close scrutiny now called for to hinder its
cultivation. If it be apprehended, that the simple people may leave the stem
and stay of life to amuse themselves with the twigs and branches, thereby
injuring the interests of agriculture, it is only necessary to issue perspicuous
orders, requiring them to confine the cultivation of the poppy to the tops of
hills and mounds, and other unoccupied spots of ground, and on no account
to introduce it into their grain-fields, to the injury of that on which their
subsistence depends.
9. All officers, scholars, and soldiers should be strictly prohibited and 9. Officers not to
disallowed the smoking of opium. We find in the original memorial of smoke opium.
Heu-Naetse, the Vice-President of the Sacrificial Court, the following observa
tions : " It will be found on examination, that the smokers of opium are idle,
lazy vagrants, having no useful purpose before them. And though some
smokers are to be found who have overstepped the threshold of age, yet they do
not attain to the long life of other men. But new births daily increase the popu
lation of the empire, and there is no cause to apprehend a diminution therein.
With regard to officers, civil and military, and to the scholars and common■
 168

soldiers, the first are called on to fulfil the duties of their rank and attend to the
public good ; the others, to cultivate their talents and become fit for public
usefulness. None of them, therefore, should be permitted to contract a prac
tice so bad, or to walk in a path which will only lead to the utter waste
of their time and destruction of their property." If the laws be rendered over
strict, then offenders, in order to escape the penalty, will be tempted to screen
one another. This, assuredly, is not then so good a plan as to relax the pro
hibitions, and act upon men's feeling of shame and self-condemnation. In the
latter case, gradual reformation may be expected as the result of conviction.
Hence the original memorial also alludes to a reformation noiselessly effected.
The suggestions therein contained are worthy of regard and of adoption. Hereafter
no attention shall be paid to the purchase and use of opium among the people.
But if officers, civil or military, scholars, or common soldiers, secretly purchase
and smoke the drug, they should be immediately degraded and dismissed, as
standing warnings to all who will not arouse and renovate themselves. Orders
to this effect should be promulgated in all the provinces, and strictly enjoined
in every civil and military office, by the superiors on their subordinates,
to be faithfully obeyed by every one. And all who, paying apparent obedience,
secretly transgress this interdict, should be delivered over by the high pro
vincial authorities to the Civil or Military Board, to be subjected to severe
investigation.


Inclosure 5 in No. 90.

Memorial from the Councillor Choo-Tsun to the Emperor, against the admission
of Opium.
October, 1836.
Preamble CHOO-TSUN, Member of the Council and of the Board of Rites, kneeling,
presents the following memorial, wherein he suggests the propriety of increasing
the severity of certain prohibitory enactments, with a view to maintain the
dignity of the laws, and to remove a great evil from among the people : to this
end he respectfully states his views on the subject, and earnestly entreats His
Sacred Majesty to cast a glance thereon.
Progress of the * would humbly point out, that wherever an evil exists, it should be at
trade in opium. once removed ; and that the laws should never be suffered to fall into desuetude.
Our Government having received from heaven the gift of peace, has transmitted
it for two centuries: this has afforded opportunity for the removal of evils from
among the people. For governing the Central nation, and for holding in sub
mission all the surrounding barbarians, rules exist perfect in their nature, and
well fitted to attain their end. And in regard to opium, special enactments
were passed for the prohibition of its use in the first year of Keaking (1796) ; and
since then, memorials presented at various successive periods, have given rise to
additional prohibitions, all which have been inserted in the code and the several
tariffs. The laws, then, relating thereto are not wanting in severity ; but there
are those in office who, for want of energy, fail to carry them into execution.
Hence the people's minds gradually become callous ; and base desires springing
up among them, increase day by day and month by month, till their rank
luxuriance has spread over the whole empire. These noisome weeds having
been long neglected, it has become impossible to eradicate. And those to whom
this duty is intrusted are, as if hand-bound, wholly at a loss what to do.
Mode of carrying it When the foreign ships convey opium to the coast, it is impossible for them
on. to sell it by retail. Hence there are at Canton, in the provincial city, brokers,
named 1 melters.' These engage money-changers to arrange the price with the
foreigners, and to obtain orders for them ; with which orders they proceed to
the receiving ships, and there the vile drug is delivered to them. This part of
the transaction is notorious, and the actors in it are easily discoverable. The
boats which carry the drug, and which are called " fast-crabs," and " scrambling-
dragons," are all well furnished with guns and other weapons, and ply their oars
as swiftly as though they wrere wings. Their crews have all the overbearing-
assumption and audacity of pirates Shall such men be suffered to navigate
the surrounding seas according to their own will ? And shall such conduct be
passed over without investigation ?
 169

The late Governor Loo having on one occasion sent the Commodore Tsin Possibility of pre-
Yuchang to cooperate with Teen Poo, the magistrate of Heangshan, those venting it.
officers seized a vessel belonging to Leang Heennee, which was carrying opium,
and out of her they took 14,000 catties of the drug. Punishment also was
inflicted on the criminals Yaoukew and Owkwan, both of them opium-brokers.
Hence it is apparent, that, if the great officers in charge of the provinces
do in truth show an example to their civil and military subordinates, and
if these do in sincerity search for the drug, and faithfully seize it when found,
apprehending the most criminal, and inflicting upon them severe punishment, it
is, in this case, not impossible to attain the desired end. And if the officers are
indeed active and strenuous in their exertions, and make a point of inflicting
punishment on offenders, will the people, however perverse and obstinate they
may be, really continue fearless of the laws ? No. The thing to be lamented
is, instability in maintaining the laws—the vigorous execution thereof being