Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-09-21

II
and Nabobs. was formerly dependent on the
Mogul empire, has, by degrees, been libe-
rating itself from that domination ever since
the invasion o. rhomas-Kouli- Kahn, and at
this time is divided into several states, OF
which the most powerful are the possessions
of the English East-India Company, those of
the Nizam, and those of the ,Lahrattas.
Delhi is the capital of the Mogul empire
Agra is the greatest city of India. The hi
Their Coast of the Indian peninsula is called
| Malabar; the farther coast bears the name
of Coronandel.
India, beyond the Gauges, is little known
TO the moderns, and was less knowR to the
ancients 1t contains many states or king
domS, of which the most spoken of are Ava,
Pegu, and Aracan, composing the Birman
empire; together with Siam, Malacca, Ton
quin, Cochin China, &c.
CHINA is reputed to be the best cultiva-
ted and mostpopulous country of the earth,
| and is singular for its laws, its morals, usa-
| gcs and manners.-We are veny imper-
fectly acquainted with it, owing to the po-
Icy OF the government, which is extremely
Jealous of foreign visitors. The most au-
thentic details respecting the Chinese and
their institutions, are to be found in the ac-
| count given of the English ambassador, Lord
A'hoStii ShOJ w OONCIGlSu Oh
that Empire, which took place in 1898. Chi
ma dates her origin four thousand years ago.
She furnishes an uninterrupted history from
| about two hundred years before Jesus Christ;
| and lays doubtful claim to the invention
of gun powder, printing and the mariners
compass, previously Co their discovery in
Europe. A fortified wall, 1900 miles in ex :
tent, forms a defence for ner northern from
tier, and it is said To- have been made about
| 1000 years ago. The Chinese have a canal
of more than $50 leagues III length, travers-
ing part of the empire from south to north.
| According to the documents procured BY
Lord Mccartney. the territory of China com
prehcnds 1897 ,e99 square miles $50, OOO,-
| 600 OF inhabitants; has 4, 400 walled towns /;
| and an armed force of 100000 of infant
ry, and 100000 cavalry Pekin is the ca
| pital, and Is said to contain 100000 of in
habitants. Canton, the only port at which
| Europeans are permitted TO trade, has one
million, two hundred thousand inhabitants.
| The people in general are Pagans and Com
| fucius is their most celebrated philosopher.
| Tea is the grand commodity uf exploration
| from China, and has become an article OF
use and merchandise all over the globe
/ The porcelain OF that part OF the world was
not known to the ancients. The Portuguese
| began TO import it not long after their first
| voyage TO China, A ID. 15l7; but it was a
considerable time before the use of it became
| extensive.
| The TARTARIES are three in number
| Russian Fartary, which extends from the
| Nolga to Kamschatka: 1t is separated from
the northwest coast of America by Beh.
| rings Streights, which are not very wide
and are perpetually obstructed by ice. To-
bolsk is the capital. Chinese Tartary in
cludes the Mantchou Tartars, and the
black and yellow Moguls. I'itsicar is the
capital Independent rartary is situated
between the other two, and is enyironed by
China, Iadia and Persia the inhabitant.
are Chiefly the CaimuC and the Usbec Tar
tars. The principal cities are Samarcand
Balk, Bokara, Otrar and Toncat.
In Asia, several conquerors have marked
a wider circuit than Alexander the Great
l Towards the close of the 18th century.
Gengis-Kan succeeded his father in the 90
vernment of several Mogul Tartar hordes
to the north of China. BY his talents ant
his courage, he made himself master of eve
ry thing around him subdued the nation,
from the Volga to the wall of China, ant
from the peninsula of Curea to the Eu
pirates. At his death, his empire wa
divided between his four sons, each of whom
found himself one of the most powerful mo
narchs of the earth rne descendants O
Gengis were eclipsed of their power by tn,
victories of Tamerlane.
Limur, or Tamerlane, born without inhe
ritance, created for himself an empire NOR,
extensive than that OF the Macedonian hero
His conquests included Indostan, Persia
part of Asia, Turkey ia Asia, Independent
and part of Chinese Tartary. He defeated
!; the Turkish Emperor Bajazet, on the plain
OF Angora, in Phrygia, in 1402, where
great battle was fought between the tw,
rivals, in which, it is said, 2, 900, 900 of mel
were engaged. The posterity of Timur
} like that of Gengis, have sunk beneath tn,
: superior fortune and abilities Of succeedin,
princes, VINO sprung up in Asia Minor, ii
: Persia, India and other parts. Aurengzebe
the Mogpl Emperor, who died in 17O7, a
the age of mere than one hundred, was on,
OF his descendants. His race, however
have possessed nothing but nominal autho
rity ever since 1899, when Thomas Kouli
; Kan overturned its authority in India TIN
Thomas-Kouli-Kaln reigned over Persi;
under the name OF Shah Nadir