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The present dynasty instituted the office of Hoppo (invested with the general superintendence of maritime commerce), on account of its compassionating feelings towards distant foreigners; surely not in consequence of any necessity that it has for the foreigners' clocks and watches, broadcloth, long-ells, &c, or for the sake of the annual duties, amounting to some hundred thousand tales. The Central Nation possesses silk and cotton manufactures of various kinds, enough to clothe all its people j and abundance of dials, clepsydras and hour-glasses, as well as clocks and watches from Soo-chow and Yang-chow, sufficient to ascertain the lapse of time. With regard to the rare articles which are brought from the Four Seas, and by the nations of the north and south, these are piled up in the Imperial Palace in mountainous heaps. When any of the provinces are afflicted with famine, millions of tales are issued from the national treasury for their relief: what necessity, then, can there be for the trifling commodities of foreign nations? In consequence of the various people of the western ocean having long been dependent upon the tea, rhubarb, and other goods of China, for their existence, therefore the office of Hoppo was established, to superintend the trade on just and impartial principles: but as it was to be apprehended that the foreigners coming from afar over a tempestuous ocean, ignorant of the language, and unable to procure food for themselves, would be deceived and cheated by wicked natives, the Hong merchants were instituted to buy their goods, and the Linguists to be their interpreters; while pilots and conpradores were provided them, as well as food and water to support their existence. |
