The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-01-10
oo(HINEHINA.

casionally we hear Of missionaries being subjected
to the most barbarous crueltes, and even to the
death penalty when they unfortunately fall into the
hands Of the mandarins or other emssaries of the
present King on Emperor, as he is called, Tu Duk.
We learn from our latest files Of French papers that
a despatch has just been received by the French
government from Admiral Rigault de Genouilly,
transmitting the intelligence that he had ordered
corvette to Tonquin with instructions to demand the
release Of Spanish bishop. Mgr. Diez, who had
been arrested by the mandarins and subjected to
much ndignity. The latest advices from the COM
mander of the corvette state that he was awaiting
an answer to his formal demand for the Immediate
and unconditional release of the preate and
Paris journal informs that the energetic conduct
of Admiral Rigault has received the cordial appro-
val Of the Emperor 1t is rather curious historical
fact that the only prosperous and peaceful period
which the history of this semibarbarous people dis
closes ints long and dreary annals Of anarchy and
blood was naugurated by Jealous French ecclesi-
astc, Bishop Adrian, who obtained such influence
among the Cochin-Chinese, and exerted himself 30
strenuousy in promoting their welfare, that he 30
cited and secured for them the protection and ALI
ancc of France Our information respecting this
people is 30 limited, and the real cause Of their
pugnance to foreigners and their Discrimination to
open commercial relations with other nations is in
volved in much obscurity, that brief reference
to leading points in their history down to the pres
ent time will not be without interest to the
general as well as the commercial reader
The Chinese held possession of Cochin-C China from
234 before the Christian era until A. d. 263. Again,
in l406 it was reconquered by the Chinese who aban
doned it in l42S In 147l it was subjected by Ton
quin but in 1853 it threw off the yoke and continu
cd until l74s to be governed by both nominal and
real sovereigns the latter of whom was a military
commander and regent At this period the nominal
sovereign, having obtained the mastery ruled in the
midst of anarchy until l774, when, in the reign of
Chaung -Shing, the revolution Of Nhac and his broth
ers again overturned the government. Bishop Adrian,
a French missionary, at this period tutor to the
son of the deposed King, and obtained for his pupil
and protege the alliance Of Louis XVI. With the aid
of few of his counrymen and the protection of his
monarch this jealous ecclesiastic succeeded in re-
storing his pupil Galong to the throne Of his ances
tors Such was the influence Of Adrian that he easily
succeeded in establishing the throne Of the young
monarch on firm foundation He reformed their
jurisprudence, projected and partially completed
many useful public works, caused survey of the
coast encouraged and promoted trade with foreign
nations established naval arsenals, and introduced a
new system of discipline and efficiency in the Kings
army.
In the midst Of these useful reforms Adrian died,
and his numerous works Of improvement having no
master spirit to direct them; soon fell into disuse
Ga-long died soon after, lin 1872 and in 1921 his
illegtimate formally invested by the court Of
Peking with the empire of Tonquin and Cochin-Chna
In lS47 Tientri, the second, believe, from this
ruler, died. and succeeded by the present King,
Tu Duk, who has continued the prosecutions of the
missionaries, chiefly French and Spanish Roman
Catholics which were commenced by his predeces-
sor Tu Duk is about 30 years Of age, and it is
said that he has brother who is opposed to his pol
icy with respect to foreigners and whom he impris
oned few years SINCE for endeavoring to escape to
Singapore
With respect to the commercial history of Cochin
China, we have but little data from which any rela
bic statistical information can be derived. We re-
member having read, early in 1856, interesting
paper OH SOCuiIftHmA nHu S"ihoVJ", PAoPdioo W
Mr. Parkes the British consul at of the ports of
China, and published by the British Board of Trade
We regret inability, at this time, to condeuse for
the readers Of the Union the valuable information
contained in this documents but, from some notes
which we have preserved, and additional information
politely furnished at the statistical Office of the State
Department, we are enabled to exhibit the general
character of the trade of Cochin China and to show
how much would be gained to the navigation and
commerce of the world if its magnificent harbors
were opened to foreign trade.
The principal productions of AMMAN, or Cochin
China sugar, salt oil, rice raw silk, spices, tea,
indigo, saffron gums, varnishcs, &C.. in exchange
for which it receives from Singapore opium piece
goods lead Spanish dollars, and sundrcs AT one
period the King Of Cochn-China, like the sovereign
of Siam, possessed number of square-rigged YES
sells, with which he regularly traded to Singapore,
while he admitted into his ports the ships of foreign
nations, many of which were employed in taking
cargoes direct for Europe. Several causes conspred
to create and increase to the highest degree of ami
mostly unfavorable impressions against foreigners
but it was not until after Cochin China had encountered
several unfortunate collisions with the western pow
ers that all further intercourse strictly and vgor
ousy prohibited The first of these collisions occurred