The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-05-05
THE. NEW~Y0RK.HERALD.
NO 1852 GENTS
THE WAR IN CHINA.
.~+-<<<0y-Cr~-<~N
The Commercial and Agricultural Re-
sources Of the Empire.
THE FRENCH VIEW OF THE WAR.
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ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION or CHINA,
&C.. &C., &c
Its Commercials Agricultnre--
Its Productions,
Be-, Ae., ke-

DC, Ae.s 10.
That portion of Asia emoraced within the Chinese
empire has always possessed deep interest tn the
Inhabitants of the outside world; and that int est
has been heightened by the difficulty Of gaining
ccurate information regarding the customs, man
ners government, internal pursuits and intercourss
Of the people,
We have not time nor space to 20 into even the
outlines of Chinese history which they clam TO be
of an immense antiquity, going back to period
long anterior 10 that assigned by Moses for the crea-
ton of the world.
No doubt exists that through the intercourse be-
tween India and the Mediterranean, by way Of the
Persian Gulf on the one side, and the Red Sea on
the other the Chinese and their peculiar productions
were known at very early period to the Egyptians,
syrians, and the people Of the south Of Europe.
The fist mention Of China, or china" as called
by the Greeks, and which at a later period Was
known by the name of Cathay or Kathay, is fcond
in treatise regarding that country written by Ars
totIe, entitled "De Mundo.' The first and most
complete notice which appeared in Greece. was
written by Eratosthenes, who was born 276 years
before Christ. Strabo, it is said, the first, who,
at much later period, gave an extensive and to-
lerably accurate geography of China, and who
called il the country of the Sores. He was followed
in still more correct description by Ptolemy, who
called IL Sirica. DR.. Vincent called 1t country
situated on the extreme eastern verge of the Aatc
continent, and gave an account Of Its silks spices
and other productions.
The early Missionary monks penetrated portions
Of China by land, and increased the stock of know
ledge regarding II. On their return, on one occa-
sion, by command of the Emperor, they brought TO
Coustantinoplc the eggs Of silk worms in reeds,
which were Matched in dunghill, and after
wards fed with mulberry leaves.
From this early stock the rearing OF silk worms,
IL is said spread over the south of Europe. AZ 10
well known, the Portuguese were the first TO gain q
foothold in China and 70 establish intercourse with
them by sea, and who seized upon the island OF Ma
Goa. They were followed by the Dutch, between
whom strong jealousies, contentious and conflicts
arose.
FIRST AYTEMPr TO OPEN ENGLISH TRADE wGTH
CHINA.
The first attempt to open English trade with China
was made in 1896, during the reign of Queen Eliza
| beth. Three ships were fitted out by Sir Robert
Dudley, which sailed for China, bu. were lost by
piracy, Or same other calamity never subsequently
iully explained, before reaching the China seas.
In 1854 another attempt was made by the English
10 open trade with China, IN which they had 10
contend against the opposition of both the Portu
guese and the Dutch. The former being In posses-
zion Of Macon, had the advantage over their con-
| petitOrs, and were not backward in prejudicing
the minds Of the Chinese with whom they
came In contact, against the Dutch and English.
and especially against the latter. until the shrcwd
Cinnamon were led to suspect all Europeans alike
Of unfair and unprincpled dealing, and hence they
were induced to contract the cords Of non inter-
course around them more rigidIy than ever before.
which course was strengthened by edicts from tho
Imperial government. They also suspected that,
should their country be thrown open to unrestricted
intercourse, il might, and probably would, have
finally subjugated them TO foreign Power.
The English expedition reached the Chinese va
tiers in the summer Of 1854, under Capt. Weld, and
after much parley and trckery towards them, both
on the part of the Portuguese aud the Chinese, 70
induce them TO delay and abandon further progress
they finally resolved TO proceed. They passed Ma
and ascended towards the Canton river
In ships barge manned by fifty men.
in June Of that year. They were again
delayed by Chinese machiayeiia negotiations and
promises. They finally, however, persevered AMI
anchored their armed vessel opposite the Tiger
Gate tBoccha Tgrss), which the Chinese, while
holding negotiations, had secretly armed with rude
cannon, which they fired upon the British ship. The
EDglkh returned the fire and Grove their assalsnts
from the fort They then sent force 70 take pqs-
They then carried of is guns and other articles to
the vessel. This fight occurred In September Of the
same year. Tho rupture was then compromised by
the English agreeing 10 restore the guns, and the
Chinese permitting them 10 make purchases and
load their vessels, After completing cargoes they
sailed for England In October, l634, Icing the drs
British vessels which ever cleared from the Cam
ton river for England. The trade became
monopoly Of the East India Company, which
had supplanted both the Dutch and Portuguese
The British trade, however, did not become fully.
established till the close Of the seventeenth century.
This monopoly continued until It's abolition in 1884.
Prior 20 1884 and during the existence Of the
East India Couipanys monopoly, the business OF
Canton was condusssd through the agency of Hong
Der, and who, in their united capacity, were made
responsible for the failure Of any one Of their mon.
Der. As body, with a united fund, or cyrsoo
they obtained extensive credit and borrowed large
sums Of money at rates az high a. 10 IL per cent
In 1898 and 1879 two Of the Hong merchants inile5
whose aggregate liabilities amounted 70 about a..
100000. Afterwards the Hong merc chants were IL
eensed separately, aud each conducted business on
hs own account.
In 1884 Lord Napier was sent ont 10 Chin, a.
Official superintendent OF the English trade n Can
ton. He arrysd at NJ acoa Ia ysy OF that year. He
passed the Bocchc Tigris after some resistance.
and anchored opposite whampoa. Trade was soon
after reopened and became quite Hourishiug
great impulse wa given 20 the smuggling Of opium,
which was no longer carried on openly.
The imperial government having issued edict
sfter edict against its Introduction without eeect,
the most stringent prohibtory measures were finally
determined upon-the government, being sInu
lated In It's measures by the fear Of losing the silver
IL the country, which largely paid IN exch1nge
or the opium introduce 4. Commissioner In went
the full length Of the government u enforcing IAs
In a,te,rnting 10 negotiate matters in ls37, tho