The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-11

sight fails to discover. Hence, everything written
on China that was in my reach have hastily run
over, and form my opinion on what read as well as
what see; but it so happens that the more read
the more get confused, and the more converse on
the subject in question, the less seem to know;
for the cashiDg Of opinions and statements In the
books are almost confusing as the c0ntradic.
tory assertions of a dinner table inquiry. On mi.
nor things, most of the able writer's agree, but on
many important points they widely differ Take
the missionary cause-one man argues Of the
good that has been accomplishing; another opposes
the argument ard asks for facts instead of assertion,
One writer will enter into lengthy essay to prove
that Tai-pingwa the rebel chief, is Christian,
while his friend labors equally hard to show why he
calls him the pirate leader Of the age. The Bishop
Of Victoria in able article in the Calcutta Reciec'
dscoursed most enthusiastically, in 1858, regarding
the nature Of the present rebellions-traces their
origin tracks their progress, and jumps at the result
while he points out inevitable the overthrow of
the Mantchou Tartar dynasty, and the consequent
universal introduction of the Christian religion
throughout the empire Of the celestials DR.. Parker
our Commissioner and most Of the missionary talent
Of the several ports endorsed these views while the
merchants, the editors of the China journals, the
officials (save Sir John Bowring and few more)
crossed swords in the argument, pointing out the
difference between robbers and the Divine influence.
The same contrast may be seen in discussing the
opium trade. The missionary writers see the Ger
tain destruction of the Asiatic races in the ncreas
ing consumption of this Indian poison-and that
their Christian abors are fruitless-ther exertions
fall to the ground so long as the drug is Struggled
into the country. Oftentimes say they and certainly
with some degree of logic, we are asked by the
more intelligent of the Chinese, "why do you not
use your influence with your own countrymen to
observe our laws, instead of daily breaking them,
and first stop your people from bringing that which
ruins us to our Shores before you come among to
change our hereditary institutions for your strange
doctrines ?" Certainly most unanswerable fact.
The merchants on the other hand, most of whom
directly or indirectly are engaged in the profits OF
the drug, shield themselves by the gin palace ar
gument, If we do not carry on the trade,
the Chins men and Americans will. Even nov,
say they, the best part Of it has gone
into the hands of the Parsees, who living econom-
cally, and doing business for nothing, are taking
our bread from our mouths. And, again if we did
not bring it from India, the Cinnamon having once
got taste Of it, will produce it, as they are now
doing, in their own country. Once more, the evil
they arc afraid is greatly exaggerated-even the mis-
sonares themselves are as loggerheads. Look at the
seven letters on the opium trade, published in the
British Banner, last May, under the signature Of q
"Friend of China where they assert that there are
now some fifteen millions of opium smokers, and at
least million annual souls added to the fearful list,
while Medhurst, an able writer, in an elabo-
rate treatise on the subject, in the Shanghai
almanac Of last year, says, that two to three
millions, at the most, indulge in opium
and he supports his position by figures. The latter
writer has the support Of the merchants, and they
consider his views fair exposition of the question.
Dr. Medhurst is one of the Oldest of the London
Mission Society, and being man Of unmistakeable
talent but think that his statement is the cor
rect one, more especially as it is worked out with
such collateral proof.
While on this question there can be no harm in
briefly tracing the history Of the opium trade, from
the notes which I have made from the several
authors The first opium which the Chinese got
taste Of was introduced by Col. Watson and Vice
President Wheeler, from Bengal, about the year
100. These gentlemen, then, may be considered
the fathers Of the immense trade which forms nearly
one.half Of the entire foreign commerce of China.
During the next half century the import did not
exceed 200 chests of piebul EACH but in the year
1767-in Lord Chatham's day-it reached 1000
chests, the Portuguese having the trade entirely
to themselves, at the then ourshing port of Macao.
Six years later that indeagable body of merchants,
the East India Company, started their first venture
and owned the first receiving ship near Cunsiug-
moon. The treasury of the company was at Cam
ton, and the proceeds OF the armed ship sent out
from Bengal in 1871, entirely laden with opium,
was passed to the credit OF that government. The
first receiving ship at Whampoa was about the
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and then the Cinnamon began to enact prohi-
bitory laws, for previous to the commencement
Of the present century it was admitted at the
China Custom House as medical drug, under a
duty equal to six cents per pound. The import
increased gradually, and at that time QS0O)
amounted 10 1000 chests; which so alarmed the
Imperial government, stopper was at once put on
in tile shape of its entire prohibition an article of
sale or import, and no man under penalty Of death
was allowed to cultivate the poppy in his Maestys
dominion. These laws have not been repealed, but
the government has never been able to execute
them.
In 1909 the Hong merchants gave security that no
opium should be brought; but, Notwithstanding these
precautions some 5000 chests found their way
next year the Governor of Canton was discharged in
disgrace for remissences of duty; more stringent
acts obliged the merchants to resort to all the
lodges of the smuggler. Bribery, arms and secresy.
house. and the Chinese purchaser, with boats armed
to the teeth, got the needful from out of
the storeships under the Fintow, in the
night time Then came the age of opium clippers
and romantic adventures-the time of great risks
for great profits. About the time Of Louis Phillips
debut on the French throne, other edcts were pro-
claimed year after year, stronger and stronger,
1884, 1882, and again in 1884 the Imperial Cabinet
then drew forth their proclamatons against foreign
ers for bringing it, and Chinese for nsing that
which was undermine all their happiness; and yet
in the face of all this the import had so multiplied
that in 1886 30 600 chests were sold in China We
Ind ftn ind If IF In
remarkable events of its history. The exciting
discussion among the chief governors and minis
tiers Of the Empire, comprising the most talented
legalzed trade; but its opponents were too strong
for those who recommended it, and the former came
off victorious, while many of the latter were dis.
graced by the Emperor for expressing such opinions.
At once measures were taken more decided than
anything before even to the execution of those who
were engaged in smu Cling Foreign merchants en-
gagged in he traffic were notified from government
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