The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1841-01-23
From the Boston .ftI0s.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ISLAND OF

| of the island OF Chusan, and its occupation by
| their troops, render that place OF no small M
terest, and call for sketch OF the island thus
made at present the theatre of war. The toll
| lowing we gather from pamphlet on the China
trade by SiI James Urmston, who presided ssme
years over the affairs of the East India Com
pany at Canton. The work was written long
| before the difficulties between China and the
| English Government, and consequently long be-
| fore the contemplation Of the expedition against
the island to which it refers.
ssThe island of Chusan is the largest and Prin-
| cipal Of a considerable group, generally called
| the Chusan Islands, or Archipelago 1t is situa-
ted in latitude 80 deg. 2S min north, and long
| 12I deg. ii min east (oi Greenwich) The ex-
tent of the island is about "a miles in length
from N. E. to s. W., and about fifteen miles in
breadth from n. W. to S. E. The island is
about ten or twelve miles to the N. F. of kitow
Point, which is the extremity OF long and
mountainous promontory of Chekiang province,
| Ito which Chusan appertains) and the nearest
| approach of Chusan to the main land OF China
is at this place. II is, therefore, situated at
very considerable distance from that part OF
China which avowedly comprises the most fer
tile and productive, as well as the most flourish
ing and opulent provinces and districts OF the
empire, and where the most extensive trade ana
manu- features are carried on, and IN climate
we'll known to be the most salubrious OF any
part of China. The island abounds in excellent
| fresh water in all directions. The English once
traded at Chusan, and, in fact, had CONNER
cial establishment there, as well as at NingPe,
| very large and important trading and manutac-
turing city and seaport, standing Immediately
opposite to Chusan, ON the shore of fine smooth
| water river running up to it from the sea.
"The celebrated grand canal, which forms the
| communication between the northern and south
ern provinces of the empire, commences lat its
| southern entrance) short distance from Ming
DO, aifording a ready and important transit for
goods and merchandise of all descriptions be-
| tween nearly all parts Of the country. The very
extensive and important trading and manuiac-
turing cities of Hangchowfoo, Chapo, Shung-
hay-yern and Loo-choo, Sc, are all in this vi
cinity, aud all close to the great river fangtse-
kiang, which passes Marking, the ancient CAPT
tai of China, in its majestic course through the
| heart of the empire.
seChusan is not only most advantageously
placed for general trade, but is, in fact close to
| those districts which are mere Immediately con-
nected with the British and other foreign trade
that is, at no great distance from the tea and silk
districts, and from those marts where British
merchandise is required and diflused, as well -
those articles of commerce which are exported
to China from dominions In India. 1t may
be observed also, that Chusan is we'll situated
for communicating with Japan, should we ever
be enabled to open a negotiation and establish
| trade with that singular country. 1t may, more
oyel he stated, that Chusan is peculiarly well
ada pted for offensive or defensive naval or mill
tary operations, well as for intercePting the
Chinese coasting trade, which navigates the
whole coast of China to an immense extent and
amount. 1t lies. IN fact, in the very track of
that trade; and the junks which trade with Ma
nilla Cochin China, Siam, Batavia, Singapore,
and other places to the southland OF china, on
their homeward voyages make, or endeavor to
make, tho L2mook Islands, group OF lslets oh
the East end OF Canton province, IN about iau-
tude % North, and long. lit East, and from
thence they coast it up to the various ports they
/ NAV be bound to in the provinces OF Foklen,
| Chekiang, Kianguan, and Shantupg, and to the
| Cults of Pocheli and Sootung, passing on their
| wav through the Formosa Channel, and between
/ the Chusan Islands and the main land OF China
| ssThe harbor of Chusan is tho northwest
side of the island-it is about three miles in ex
tent from east to west, and somewhat more than
| a mile FROM north TO SOUTH The depths IN the
harbcr are from Eve to nine fathoms. Inc rise
and fall of the tide is about twelve feet. The
approach to the harbor IS amongst several sinai
Ter islands; those the southwest side forming
/ its boundaries in that direction he harbor it.
| seIf is entirely sheltered from all winds, and
the water consequent perfectly smooth
| Ships Of any burden may anchor or moor IN the
harbor of Chusan III perfect security. The Chief
town or city of Chusan is Tinghai, about
mile or two from the harbor, and close to the
| shore.
| In the harbor there is village; it was at
| this latter place where we had formerlya COM
mercial establishment The city of Tinghai
is of some size, and the population no doubt ex.
tensive. The entire population OF the island OF
| Chusan has not been asccrtained. The Prlncl-
pal Chinese officer commanding at Chusan, is
Understood to be generally TsungPing, cores
ponding with our rank of a Majsr-General, or
Rear Admiral, and there is generally a squad
ron OF war junks stationed at the Chusan Is
lands which cruise about In that vicinity. 1t Is
stated that pros isio9s are abundant at Chusan.
'sviewing the question of a settlement on the
coast of China in all its bearings, it appears un-
questionable that Chusan possesses advantages
infinitely superior to any other OF an insular ma
ture along the whole coast of China; and were
we so fortunate as to be established there, there
is every reason to believe that most extensive
and valuable trade would speedily arise, largely
benefttng the Chinese of all ranks and classes in
that quarter, and proving, as it doubtless wsuld,
most advantageous and important to British en-
} terprise and commerce."