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EMBASSY TO THE EASTERN COURTS OF COCHIN-CHINA, SIAM, AND MUSCAT;
EMBASSY TO THE EASTERN COURTS OF COCHIN-CHINA, SIAM, AND MUSCAT;
IN THE U. S. SLOOP-OF-WAR PEACOCK, DAVID GEISINGER, COMMANDER, DURING THE YEARS 1832-3-4. BY EDMUND ROBERTS. NEW YORK: HARPER & BROTHERS. 1837. Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1837, In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New York. TO THE HON. LEVI WOODBURY, THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, BY HIS FRIEND AND FELLOW-CITIZEN, THE AUTHOR....
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INTRODUCTION.
INTRODUCTION.
Having some years since become acquainted with the commerce of Asia and Eastern Africa, the information produced on my mind a conviction that considerable benefit would result from effecting treaties with some of the native powers bordering on the Indian ocean. With a view to effect an object apparently so important, I addressed a letter to the Hon. Levi Woodbury, then a Senator in Congress from the state of New Hampshire, detailing the neglected state of our commerce with certain eastern prince
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CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
SAILING FROM BOSTON—ARRIVAL AT ST. JAGO—DESCRIPTION—EXPORTS—GREAT DROUGHT—FOGO—FORTIFICATIONS—SAILING FOR BRAZIL—DESCRIPTION OF THE COAST—HARBOUR OF RIO AND DISTANT VIEWS—THE CITY—PUBLIC GARDEN—BOTO FOGO—BOTANIC GARDEN—POPULATION—PUBLIC BUILDINGS—SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The Executive having, in the year 1832, resolved on an attempt to place our commercial relations, with some of the native powers of Asia, on a sure and advantageous basis, orders were issued to prepare the United Sta
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CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
SAILING FROM MONTEVIDEO—DESCRIPTION OF THE ISLAND OF TRISTAN D’ACUNHA—ST. PAULS—ENGANO—ARRIVAL AT BENCOOLEN AND DESCRIPTION. Agreeably to orders from the navy department, the commander of the Peacock was required to proceed to the west coast of Sumatra, to ascertain whether Commodore Downes had obtained redress for the murders and robbery committed on board the ship Friendship, of Salem, by the natives of Qualah Battu; and if it should appear that from any cause such redress had not been effecte
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CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
SAILING FROM BENCOOLEN—ARRIVAL AT CROKATOA AND FORSAKEN ISLANDS—SCENERY—BEAUTIFUL SUBMARINE GARDEN—BRITISH FRIGATE—ARRIVAL AT ANGIER—SAILING FROM ANGIER—BAY AND CITY OF MANILA—BUILDINGS—POPULATION—PROVISIONS—LABOUR. On the last day of August, we weighed anchor at nine o’clock in the evening, from Bencoolen bay, and aided by the current and a land breeze, about midnight we once more found ourselves at sea. Owing to light head-winds from the southeast, calms, contrary winds, and violent squalls fr
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CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
MANILA CONTINUED—CALZADA—SEA-CUCUMBER—CIGAR-FACTORY AT BINONDO—EXPORTS—DUTIES—WEIGHTS AND CURRENCY—EXCHANGE—IMPORTS—LUZON—CAVITÉ—HURRICANES—LAGO DE BRIA—PINA—INDIAN AND BUFFALO—VISITS TO THE ALCADE. There is a fashionable drive in Manila, called the Calzada, encompassing, probably, two thirds of the circumference of Manila: it passes over a low, level piece of ground, bordering on the fosse or ditch of the city on one side, and on the open country and parade-ground fronting the bay, on the other
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CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
DEPARTURE FROM MANILA—CHOLERA—CAPE BOLINA—CHINESE VESSELS—PILOT—MACAO—LINTING—VILLAGE—WHAMPOA—JOS HOUSES—SACRIFICE—ARRIVAL AT CANTON—RIVER AND BOATS—DESCRIPTION OF CANTON—GREAT IDOL TEMPLE—LEGEND OF THE JOS HOUSE—RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES—MINOR TEMPLES. We had spent a fortnight most pleasantly at Manila, when the painful intelligence was received, that the Asiatic or spasmodic cholera had suddenly made its appearance on board the Peacock. It has been already stated that the diarrhœa and dysentery wer
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CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.
BUDHISM—TOMBS OF ANCESTORS—CEREMONIES—ORIGIN OF TUMULI OR TOMBS—SACRIFICES TO CONFUCIUS—PAN-HWNY-PAN—INFANTICIDE—CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS—GOVERNMENT GRATUITIES. Having given a description of the principal temples, &c., I shall now state some particulars relative to the introduction of the Budhism religion into China, and show what are the principles professed by its disciples, at the present day. In the sixty-fifth year of the Christian era, the emperor Ming-te invited the first priests;
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CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
DESCRIPTION Of CANTON—SACKING OF THE CITY—PLACE OF HONOUR—MOURNING—COMPASS—MATERIALS FOR BUILDINGS—HOUSES—PRINCIPAL OFFICES—DUTIES AND PENALTIES OF GOVERNOR—FIRES—GOVERNOR’S SALARY—DIVISION OF POWER. The name of Canton on Chinese maps, is written Kwang-tung-sang-ching, that is, the capital of the province of Kwang-tung, but when speaking of the city, the natives call it san-ching, the “provincial city,” or the “capital of the province.” It is built on the north bank of Choo-keang or Pearl river,
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CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
LITERARY INSTITUTIONS OF CHINA—EXAMINATIONS—SCHOOLS—TEACHERS—SCHOOL-ROOM CEREMONIES—COLLEGES—DOMESTIC COMMERCE—POPULATION OF THE PROVINCES—IMPORTS—EXPORTS. The Literary Institutions of China, are the pillars that give stability to the government. Her military forces are utterly inadequate to hold together the numerous and extensive provinces and territories, that constitute the wide dominions of the reigning dynasty. With great difficulty the Tartar troops overrun the country; conquering provinc
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CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER IX.
EARLY COMMERCE OF CHINA—AMERICAN TRADE—HONG-MERCHANTS—TRANSLATORS—LINGUISTS—FOREIGN FACTORIES—STYLE OF LIVING—MANUFACTORIES AND TRADE—PHYSICIANS—EGG-BOATS—MANUFACTURERS—MECHANICS—POPULATION OF CANTON. Portugal, Spain, France, Holland, Sweden, Denmark, Russia, England, and the United States, share in the commerce of Canton. The Portuguese ships led the way to China in the year 1576, but, difficulties occurring, they were restricted to Macao, to which place they have ever since been limited, excep
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CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES—MONEY WEIGHTS—COMMERCIAL WEIGHTS—OPIUM—OPIUM-SMOKERS—MANTCHOU DYNASTY. Among the exports and imports to and from China , are certain articles, which are not generally known to merchants not engaged in commerce to the eastward of the cape of Good Hope, among which are :— Agar-agar : this article is a species of seaweed, imported from New Holland, New Guinea, &c. It makes a valuable paste, and is extensively used in the manufacture of silks and paper. It is also used a
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CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.
DEATH—CEREMONIES OF IMPERIAL MOURNING—POPULATION OF THE CHINESE EMPIRE—KNOCK-HEAD CEREMONY—BEGGARS—CAT AND DOG MARKET—DR. B. AND THE CHINA-MAN—BARBERS—DRESS OF THE CHINESE—THE DRAGON GOD—SLAVERY. The Chinese having a great horror of the word “ death ,” they substitute in its place various periphrases, such as “absent,” “rambling among the genii,” “he being sick, occasioned a vacancy,” i. e., dead. The empress having died during the month of June, 1833, an imperial mandate was published, stating
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CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XII.
CLIMATE OF CANTON AND MACAO—METEOROLOGICAL AVERAGES—DEPARTURE FROM CANTON FOR MACAO AND LINTING—MACAO—POPULATION—SUPERSTITIOUS CEREMONY. The coast of China being similarly situated to that of the United States, having a vast continent stretching from the south and northwest to the northeast, possesses a climate nearly of the same character and temperature. From the gulf of Tung-hing to the vicinity of Canton, it may well be compared to the coast stretching from the Mississippi to North Carolina,
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CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIII.
SAILING FROM LINTING TO VUNG-LAM HARBOUR, IN THE PROVINCE OF FOOYAN, OR PHUYEN—GOVERNMENT OF SHUNDAI—ASSISTANT KEEPER OF VUNG-LAM—LETTERS TO THE KING OF COCHIN-CHINA—CATHOLIC PRIEST—DEPUTIES FROM SHUNDAI. After enduring several days of rainy and squally weather, we weighed anchor, and proceeded towards Turan bay, on the northern coast of Cochin-China, being the nearest and best point to hold communication with the capital, called Hué, from which it is distant about fifty miles; it being impossib
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CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XIV.
PRESENT OF A FEAST TO THE EMBASSY—DESCRIPTION OF ARRANGEMENT—DEPUTIES FROM HUÉ—EXTRAORDINARY DEMANDS—REFUSAL TO FORWARD DESPATCHES TO THE EMPEROR—LETTER OF THE ENVOY TO THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE—PRESIDENT’S LETTER—UNCONDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE DEPUTIES. On this morning, January twenty-fourth, Captain G. and myself visited the deputies: their residence was somewhat improved, since the previous visit paid to them; considering the filthy habits of the people, it was neat and comfortable. Our con
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CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XV.
SUSPENSION OF INTERCOURSE—FAILURE OF MISSION—DEPARTURE OF EMBASSY FROM VUNG-LAM BAY—ENVOY’S TITLES—MODE OF HUSKING RICE—TOMBS OF THE DEAD—FISHING BOATS—ABSENCE OF PRIESTS AND TEMPLES—SUPERSTITIONS—WILD ANIMALS—MANDARINS’ HOUSE—MODE OF TAKING LEAVE—GOVERNMENT OF COCHIN-CHINA—GRADES OF RANK. Two days having elapsed, on the third of February, without any official intercourse with the shore, the junior deputy again appeared; his colleague still remaining on shore on account of sickness. The professe
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CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVI.
PASSAGE FROM COCHIN-CHINA TO THE GULF OF SIAM—ARRIVAL AT THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER MENAM—PACKNAM—PROCESSION TO THE GOVERNMENT-HOUSE—RECEPTION—GOVERNOR—SIAMESE TEMPLES—INTERVIEW WITH THE SIAMESE FOREIGN MINISTER—PRIMA DONNA—FEATS OF STRENGTH—SIAMESE FEMALES—FIRE AT BANG-KOK—WHITE ELEPHANTS—EMBALMING—SHAVING-HEAD CEREMONY AND FEAST—FOX-BATS. We weighed anchor on the eighth of February, for the gulf of Siam; light winds and calms detained us nearly two days, within sight of the bay, in which lies Vung
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CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVII.
PRESENTATION AT THE PALACE OF BANG-KOK—DESCRIPTION—ROYAL ELEPHANT—WHITE ELEPHANTS—KING OF SIAM—GREAT TEMPLE OF GUATAMA—CITY OF BANG-KOK—TEMPLE OF WAT-CHAN-TONG, AND FIGURE OF BUDHA—BANYAN TREE—FIRE-FEEDERS—MISSIONARIES. On Monday, the eighteenth, arrangements having been previously made, three large boats were sent by the praklang, to convey us to the palace, for the purpose of being presented to his majesty. On the previous evening, the second praklang, or the phaya-phiphat kossa, with a long t
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CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHINESE JUNKS—MECHANIC ARTS OF SIAM—AMUSEMENTS—DANCING SNAKES—ANNUAL OATH OF ALLEGIANCE—DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL—EMBASSY FROM COCHIN-CHINA—EDUCATION IN SIAM—PALACE. The climate of Siam is more healthy than that of Batavia. Notwithstanding the great heat of the climate, and the vast quantity of uncleaned and undrained land, epidemics do not often prevail; yet the spasmodic cholera, a few years since, swept off upward of sixty thousand inhabitants. During our stay, the weather has been clear and
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CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XIX.
PROCESSION TO THE FUNERAL PILE OF WANG-NA OR SECOND KING—ORIGIN OF BUDHISM IN SIAM—SOMMONA KODOM—ATHEISTICAL PRINCIPLES OF BUDHISM—BUDHIST COMMANDMENTS—HISTORY OF SIAM—GOVERNMENT—TITLES OF THE KING—OFFICERS OF THE GOVERNMENT. April second. Having received an invitation from his majesty through the praklang, some days since, to witness the procession of the remains of the late second king to the funeral pile, and this day being set apart for that purpose, a suitable boat was sent to us early by t
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Exports from the river Menam (Siam) during the year 1832, showing the quantity and market value of each article.
Exports from the river Menam (Siam) during the year 1832, showing the quantity and market value of each article.
The foregoing is the quantity ascertained by the government for 1832, to which may be added a considerable quantity for each article smuggled, and principally by the Chinese. The exports, therefore, for the year 1832, taking the foregoing statement to be correct, amount to a sum not less than four and a half millions of dollars ....
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CHAPTER XXI.
CHAPTER XXI.
DEPARTURE FROM BANG-KOK FOR SINGAPORE—SINGAPORE—COMMERCE—BUGIS—MARITIME LAWS—DEPARTURE FROM SINGAPORE—STRAITS OF GASPAR—ISLAND OF JAVA—POPULATION OF JAVA—CLOTHING—DYING—STAMPING—FRUITS—BIRDS. Having brought my mission to a close in a very satisfactory manner, I was, on the evening of the third of April, invited to wait upon the praklang. The principal object of the visit was to reiterate his assurances, that every facility should be granted to American commerce, both in selling their cargoes, an
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CHAPTER XXII.
CHAPTER XXII.
BATAVIA—BURYING-GROUNDS—SERVANTS’ WAGES—ACADEMY OF ARTS—DEPARTURE FROM BATAVIA—ARRIVAL AT ANGIER—DEPARTURE FROM ANGIER—RED SEA—ARRIVAL AT MOCHA—TURKIE BEN AL MAS—PALACE OF MOCHA—CURRENCY AT MOCHA—TRANSPARENT STONE—COLOUR OF THE RED SEA. I now proceed to give some account of Batavia, &c. Although this city is situated in the midst of low, marshy ground, abounding in rice-swamps, and considered as the most unhealthy spot in the world, yet it is, nevertheless, a great commercial place, and
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The following exhibits a Statement of the Naval Force of the Sultan of Muscat, showing the names of his largest vessels, with some of the smaller classes—the rates of each; where built, and where stationed in the month of October, 1833.
The following exhibits a Statement of the Naval Force of the Sultan of Muscat, showing the names of his largest vessels, with some of the smaller classes—the rates of each; where built, and where stationed in the month of October, 1833.
Also fifty baghelas carrying from eight to eighteen guns, and ten balits carrying from four to six guns. The baghela is a one-masted vessel, from two hundred to three hundred tons. The balit is also a one-masted vessel, from one to two hundred tons. Part of his naval force was employed in convoying vessels up the Persian gulf, some in Africa, &c., &c....
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CHAPTER XXIV.
CHAPTER XXIV.
DEPARTURE FROM MUSCAT—ARRIVAL AT QUINTANGONY AND MOZAMBIQUE—EXPORTS FROM MOZAMBIQUE—IMPORTS—DEPARTURE FROM MOZAMBIQUE—ARRIVAL AT TABLE BAY—CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. Our voyage from Muscat to Mozambique was not marked by any particular occurrence, excepting the death of a very young and valuable officer. The southwest monsoon having ended, we were in daily expectation of the advent of the northeast monsoon; but on the morning of the seventh of October, without waiting for a change of wind, as we were re
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State of Commerce in the year 1833, at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Condensed and brought into Form from Various Documents.
State of Commerce in the year 1833, at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Condensed and brought into Form from Various Documents.
There arrived 1704 national vessels, and departed 1629; and arrived 696 foreign vessels, and departed 617. The exports consisted of the following articles, viz. :— There were imported 184,000 barrels of flour, including 13,000 barrels on hand, on the first of January; and there were exported 48,500; and there were on hand, the first of January, 1834, 35,000, which gave 100,500 barrels consumed—164,185 barrels were imported from the United States, and 6,815 barrels from Europe and elsewhere. The
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Of the Aboriginal Inhabitants of the Malayan Peninsula, and particularly of the Negroes called Semang.
Of the Aboriginal Inhabitants of the Malayan Peninsula, and particularly of the Negroes called Semang.
This subject has afforded matter of curious and interesting speculation, to several writers of modern date. Marsden, Leydon, Raffles and Crawfurd have alternately bestowed a slight attention upon it; but it is one which requires more minute investigation, and would amply repay the labours of the philosopher. Of the interior parts of the Malayan peninsula, which is the Suvarna or Gold island, one of the three sacred isles of the Hindoos [†] and the grand depot for souls after death, [†] there is
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TEA.
TEA.
It is well known wherever tea is used, that there are two descriptions of it, the black and the green . In the account of the domestic commerce of China heretofore mentioned, it is shown that the black teas are brought from the province of Tuh-keen , (which lies at the distance of about four hundred miles from Canton,) and the green teas from Keang-nan , (at the distance of about eight hundred miles.) The hilly upland districts of these provinces are the native and favourite soils of the tea-tre
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Tumbah Tuah’s Letter of Thanks to Captain Geisinger, Bencoolen, August 31st, 1832.
Tumbah Tuah’s Letter of Thanks to Captain Geisinger, Bencoolen, August 31st, 1832.
The commander of the United States ship-of-war Peacock, during our short stay at Bencoolen, presented one of the principal rajahs of that place some American tobacco, and the following letter of thanks was sent, written in the Malayan character, which, being translated into English, is as follows :— “BY THE MERCY OF GOD: “This friendly epistle is the dictate of a heart very white, and a face very clean, written under a sense of the greatest respect and most exalted love, permanent and unchangeab
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Translation of a Letter from the Sultan of Muscat to the President of the United States.
Translation of a Letter from the Sultan of Muscat to the President of the United States.
“IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. “To the most high and mighty Andrew Jackson, President of the United States of America, whose name shines with so much splendour throughout the world. I pray most sincerely that on the receipt of this letter it may find his Highness, the President of the United States, in high health, and that his happiness may be constantly on the increase. On a most fortunate day and at a happy hour, I had the honour to receive your Highness’s letter, every word of which is clear and
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Translation of the “Chinese Chop,” relative to the United States’ Sloop-of-war Peacock, D. Geisinger, Commander, and sent to the Hong-Merchants at Canton.
Translation of the “Chinese Chop,” relative to the United States’ Sloop-of-war Peacock, D. Geisinger, Commander, and sent to the Hong-Merchants at Canton.
“Chung, Imperial Commissioner at the Port of Canton, Tsunhwan of Jeho, &c., &c., hereby issues an order to the Hong-Merchants :— “The Custom officers at Macao have reported, saying: On the sixteenth day of the present Moon, [November ninth, 1832,] the pilot, Leu Kefang reported, that on the sixteenth, the American cruiser Geisinger [†] came and anchored off the Nine islands; that immediately he went and inquired why he came and anchored, and that the captain of the said ship repl
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