fixing of prices at levels which they approved. A movement of the kind was set on foot as we have seen more than twenty years earlier, but this was by no means so formidable a manifestation of the genius of the Chinaman for exclusive dealing as that with which the factors were now faced. Finding how matters stood the supercargoes adopted a bold line. They declined to wait on the Mandarin at Whampoa or to commence the trade until the Co-hong, as the combination was called, was abolished, and they were at liberty as heretofore to trade without restraint. The Isontock, hearing of the dispute, summoned the principal native merchants before him and told them that if they did not dissolve the Co-hong he would find means to compel them to do so. This plain speaking had its effect, and trade dropped into its old channels. But within a year a further source of anxiety arose in one of those episodes with which the history of British trade in China teems. One of the Hoppo's officers was accidentally killed at Whampoa while engaged in the discharge of his duties amongst the shipping. Though no blame attached to any one the local officials seized two mates and four of the inferior officers of the Cadogan, one of the Company's ships, who were quietly walking in the street near the factory at Canton. An indignant protest was made to the Hoppo against this despotic action, and a plain intimation was given that unless redress was immediately afforded the Company would be recommended to transfer their commercial dealings from Canton to some other port. As usual when firmly treated the authorities were quite reasonable. The Mandarin who committed the affront was degraded from his office and a promise was given that he should be bambooed and rendered incapable of being again admitted into the Emperor's service. It may be doubted whether the punishment was ever inflicted, or if inflicted, whether the right person suffered, but the fact that the Hoppo thought it worth while to give even formal expression to his displeasure shows that the Chinese officials at this time had learned to value the privileges which trade brought in its train too highly for them to part with them readily. The sweet reasonableness shown by the Mandarins in this affair was, however, but a passing manifestation. Before many months had elapsed the old tactics were revived and practised with irritating persistency. In 1728, following upon a series of disagreeable incidents, came the levy of an additional duty of 10 per cent. on all goods sold by the merchants. The burden imposed by this charge was so serious that the European trading community decided upon the somewhat bold course of making a a personal protest to the Isontock. Assembling at the factories they proceeded in a body to the Isontock's residence. They were admitted after some delay to the Mandarin's presence, and delivered their address to him through one of his officers. After cursorily perusing the document the great man told them, not too affably, that they should deal with responsible merchants and pay their customs. With this advice, with which they could very well have dispensed, they were dismissed. Alter the interview there was some relief from the more obnoxious of the regulations, but the 10 per cent. duty was maintained in spite of repeated protests and representations to the Court of Peking.
(From a print engraved in 1789 from a picture painted in China.)
A new and important era in the history of European trade in China was reached in 1736 on the occasion of the accession to the throne of the Emperor Kienlung. Of all the modern rulers of China Kienlung deserves to be regarded as by far the greatest. He entered upon his long and eventful reign of more than sixty years animated by the highest principles. While performing the customary rites on the day of his installation, the youthful monarch made a vow that "should he like his illustrious grandfather, Kang-hy, be permitted to complete the sixtieth year of his reign, he would show his gratitude to heaven by resigning the crown to his heir, as an acknowledgment that he had been favoured to the full extent of his wishes." Kienlung lived to redeem this pledge, and by so doing gave a remarkable example of royal sincerity. The first public act of the Emperor was to recall from exile all the members of the Royal family who had been banished by his predecessor in consequence of their attachment to the Christian religion. Associated with this tolerant measure was the issue of an edict relative to foreign trade, the general tendency of which was liberal. The rescript abolished the 10 per cent. duty and made other notable concessions. On the other hand there was a provision in the imperial decree that all vessels on arriving at Whampoa should land their armament and leave it in the custody of the imperial officials. In due course the edict was promulgated, and the opportunity was availed of by the British traders to make the Isontock handsome presents, in the expectation, afterwards realised, that the order in reference to the delivery of guns, &c., might be dispensed with. Matters proceeded smoothly after this until 1741, when the arrival of Commodore Anson, in His Majesty's ship Centurion, the first King's ship to visit the Canton River, caused some excitement and led to a fresh crop of difficulties. Under the Chinese law the admission of warships to the river was forbidden, and obstacles were interposed to the Centurion's passage. Finding how matters stood. Commodore Anson hired a boat with the intention of proceeding to Canton to interview the authorities. As he was embarking the Hoppo declined to grant him a permit, and forbade the boatmen to proceed. Not to be thwarted in this fashion, Anson told the Hoppo that if by the next day a permit was not forthcoming he would arm the Centurion's boats and force a passage. This had the desired effect of breaking down the opposition to the famous officer's visit to Canton. Elated at his victory, Anson would have insisted upon an interview with the Viceroy at Canton, but he was dissuaded from pressing for this by the British traders, who feared that high-handed action would react unfavourably on commercial relations. After refitting and provisioning his ship, Anson put to sea with the view of intercepting the valuable Spanish ship bound annually from Acapulco and Manila to Lisbon. He succeeded in his venture and took his prize into the Canton River with the, to him, surprising result that the Chinese authorities promptly demanded the customary duties for both vessels. Anson emphatically declined to accede to this demand, and with a view to contesting the matter with the high Chinese authorities, repaired with his boat's crew in full dress to Canton. Actuated by a desire to ensure the safety of the shipment of stores for his vessels, he refrained from seeking an interview with the Viceroy for some days. At length, wearied with the procrastinating policy pursued towards him, he sent a letter by one of his officers demanding to see the Viceroy. This application would probably have met with but scant courtesy but for a happy incident which won the good will of the authorities. Two days after the letter was despatched a serious fire broke out in Canton. It would have ravaged a considerable quarter of the city but for the prompt and efficient aid rendered by the Centurion's men, who, by arduous work, were able to confine the outbreak within comparatively narrow limits. In gratitude for this signal service the Viceroy appointed a day for an interview. Anson attended at the time fixed, and, with a sailor's frankness, detailed to the Viceroy the various grievances under which the British traders laboured. He concluded with the expression of a hope that orders would be given which would prevent the recurrence of the events complained of. No immediate reply was given to this bold harangue. After a time the interpreter intimated to Anson that he did not believe that any reply would be given. The audience closed with the expression by the Viceroy of a hope that Anson would have a prosperous voyage.
The deliberate reticence of the Viceroy on this occasion was doubtless only a courteous
