The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-05-05

THE OPIUM TRADE OF CHINA.
One OF the most extraordinary articles of trade
known to commerce is that OF opium. A poisonous
drug, alike demoralzing and destructive to life and
happiness, when freely used; We find that from
small beginnings, under the sway of the Portuguese
in the East Indies it has, under British rule at the
east, grown into prodigiOus trade. A large por-
ton of one class of Asiatics is made to produce
drug with which TO poison another portion and to
force its sale upon its victims.
The article before being used by Cinnamon
by which means It is prepared for smoking
in wooden bowl pipes, in combination with
perfumes with which it is favored. Its effects
are not unlike those produced by the inhalation of
nitrous oxide gas. UBder its influence It's victims
lie down in state Of semisensiblty to dream
away their time.
Its effects upon the system are thus referred to by
R. Montgomery Martin, ESD. in his work on China,
and who resided in an official capacity at Hong
Kong in 1885,
When the habit becomes inveerae has TO be resorted
10 at fixed hours II is then called rdmbi desired Time
Is consumed mems duties are forgotten and they can no
longer live without this poison Its symptoms diff
Guilty OF breathing chalky pacness dScolorcd teeth and
wiihered skin People perceive that Il hurries them
When have prohibitions suhccd TO destroy deep rooted
evil practcesf
The East India Company hold out strong induce
pents to the natives of India tor its cultivation,
produced in the central districts OF India, say in
Bahar, Benares and Malwa. to be sold to the com
pany ut fixed price. far below the price for which
II is afterwards sod and which, a. far back as in
1882 yielded revenue of about six million dollars
per annum.
Opium was first imported into China in l76s by
the Portuguese. The quantity annually amounted
TO 100 or 200 chests The East India Companys
chests average about 149s pounds.
In l713-74 the East India Company commenced
the importaons, and In 1850 established depots for
its sale near Whampoa. In 1900 the importations
TO China increased to 1000 chests when the first
attempt at prohibition was made. Its cultivation
has for long period been prohibited in the empire.
The smuggier afterwards succeeded the legal i'm
porter.
Il is computed that had China no tea or silks to
give in exchange for opium, that the drain Of specie
during the past thirty years would have amounted
10 $500, 900 900.
1t IL computed by Chinese authorities that in nine
years, from 1929 10 1888, the value of opium
introduced $92 900 900. The profits of the East
India Company on the trade Is estimated at SIS 0o0
600 per annum. The trade has increased from 200
chests In l76s, valued at 81 900 900, TO 10000
chests valued at s25 900 900.
The import amounts 10 about 20 per cent Of the
whole. The basis Of foreign exchange Is supplied
by opium with bullion and drafts on London.
The number Of American vessels engaged In the
China trade in 1850 was 20, OF IS 900 aggregate
tonnage. and in 1864 G5 vessels, Of IS, 008 tons.
Fifty vessels In ls5455 were engaged on the coast
In opium smuggling.
The consumption Of opium In China in Isi5 was
10000 chests sufficient TO supply three millions OF
people, allowing the average quantity to each Chi
naman of three candarines daily or IL 401O0 grains.
The largest consumers are those Of the midding and
higher clssses-ts use leading 10 vice, misery and
premature death
The total production Of British India in lsl4 was
about 39,s47 chests. Speculations In the drug at
Calcutta have led 10 great gambling. and two ope-
rators bidding against each other sent mp prices on
the I'd Of November, lsit, 10 ls9995 rupees per
cheet.
The export from India 70 China in the years
named below wss a. ioows:--