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to Kokan consist of 30,000 horse-loads of tea, green, brick tea, and tea of an inferior kind, called "aknirik; " 200 horses laden with white felt cloth, 200 with alum, 50 with porcelain, and 50 with hardware.

3. The trade of Kokan with Karateghin is chiefly confined to the purchase of gold found in the sources of the Amu-Darya (Oxus). The gold washing is carried on in June and July, after the melting of the snows; in favourable spots a workman can wash out from 3 to 4 zolotniks (74 to 91 drachms), and in the worst localities about th zolotnik (1 scruple) per day. The gold is chiefly purchased by Indians and traders from Cabul, who dispose of it at Bokhara and Kokan, to which places it is generally sent in the autumn. At that time of the year the price of a zolotnik of gold at Kokan is 16 tenga (tamgha), or about 10s., when pure, and 88. for gold dust. At other times the zolotnik is sold at 12s. for the first quality, and 10s. for gold dust.

The trade with Bokhara is carried on much more through Tashkend than through Kokan. The articles brought to the markets of Bokhara are Russian cast-iron, rice, tobacco, and silks, some of Chinese manufacture, and others the produce of Kokan. Large flocks of sheep are also driven to Bokhara from Tashkend. In return, Bokhara supplies Kokan with dyes, drugs, and cotton and English cloths, which come through Herat. These, which are of the very worst quality, but quite in accordance with the Asiatic taste as regards colours and patterns, are imported on commission at from twelve to eighteen months. Besides these goods Kokan receives from Bokhara India hardware, and scarfs and turbans from Cabul. From Tashkend caravans reach Bokhara in thirteen to fifteen days, the cost being 248., 30s., to 338. per camel. Goods from Tashkend to Kokan are transported on camels and horses, the rates being 78. 2d. to 98. per camel, and 6s. to 7s. 2d. per horse. The distance is performed in five, six, to seven days. The cost of carriage from Kokan to Bokhara is the same as that from Tashkend, viz., 30s. to 36s. per camel, and the journey is performed in twenty to twenty-two days.

Khiva supplies Bokhara with Russian hardware, cast-iron pots, and leather; also with raw silk and sesamum oil and seeds. In return, Bokhara sends tobacco (to a very great extent), native cottons, dressed lamb-skins, furs, indigo, and green tea received from Kashgar. Bokhara is also the centre of a great trade in sheep, which are brought there by the Kirghiz in the middle of July; the traders from Shehr-i-sebz, Hissar, and other places, resort to Bokhara when the sheep sales take place. Goods are transported between Khiva and Bokhara at 128. to 188. per camel.

The Bokharian and Khivan camels travel the distance in ten or eleven days, but those of the Kirghiz employ fifteen days and more. On horseback, Bokhara may be reached from Khiva in four or five days; the Argamak horse will do it in three days. Merchandize from Khiva to Bokhara is generally shipped at Urghianch (Urghenj) in boats, which ascend the Amu-Darya (Oxus) as far as the neighbourhood of Charjuy, one day's journey from the Bokharian village of Kara-kul. The freight in such cases is 2s. 4d. per cwt. The overland carriage from Khiva to Urghianch is effected at 7d. per camel. The rate from Tashans to Khiva is 48. 2d. per camel.

Vessels available for the transport of goods, as above referred to, are found on the Amu-Darya (Oxus) from Kungrad as far as the small town of Char-juy, and, according to others, as far as the town of Tirmez (which

is within a day's journey of Balkh). These boats carry about 80 cwt., or two camels, about fifteen passengers, and the burthens of ten camels. It is said the Khivans have some boats which will carry 160 cwt. They are always towed up by line.

There are seven places convenient for landing on the Amu-Darya:— 1. Urghianch, a landing-place and station for all boats proceeding to Khiva from Kungrad, on the banks of the Amu, at one day's voyage from Khiva, and two days' from the Sea of Aral; 2. Uchuchak, a locality so called; 3. Kukertli passage; 4. Centre of distance between Kukertli and Charjuy; 5. Karki village; 6. Kilif passage; and, 7. Tirmez. On the whole of this extent the Amu is clear of rapids, and runs almost in a straight line between high banks.

CHINA.

Lieutenant-Colonel Neale, her Majesty's Secretary of Legation, gave all the information which it was possible to attain from reliable sources respecting the British trade which has actually arisen at the nine new ports recently opened to British commercial enterprise by the Treaty of Tien-tsin of 1858, and subsequent Convention of Peking of October 24, 1860. They are designated as follows:-1. Chin-kiang. 2. Kiu-kiang. 3. Hankow. 4. New-chwang. 5. Tang-chow. 6. Tien-tsin. 7. Taiwan (Formosa). 8. Chow-chow (Swatow). 9. Kiung-chow (Hainan). Taking these in the order in which they are written, the first three, namely, Chin-kiang, Kiukiang, and Hankow, are situated on the Yang-tze-kiang, or Great River, which traverses China from east to west, and that they are now referred to in commerce as the Yang-tze ports. The rest are on the sea-board, or closely adjoining it. The ports on the Yang-tze were opened to trade at the beginning of the present year (1861), in anticipation of the treaty-rights which accorded access to this river, but only when the rebellion, still raging on its shores, had been quelled by the Imperial troops and order restored; but as far as Chin-kiang, foreign trade did not fall under this restriction. Her Majesty's Minister in China, however, in communication with the Prince of Kung, obtained the consent of the Chinese Government to the immediate opening of all three ports, as before stated.

The river Yang-tze had long been looked upon by the British mercantile community as the main artery of trade in China, and its free navigation an object greatly to be desired, as without such it was deemed impossible to attain a thorough development of mercantile enterprise in our relations with this empire. This desirable object was at length achieved, together with other no less important concessions, by the Treaty of Tien-tsin of 1858. But notwithstanding the evident commercial advantages which were apparent by the liberty of access on the part of British merchants and ships into the heart of China by the channel of this noble river, very little information existed as to the relative trading advantages of the numerous cities and towns upon its shores. Some of these, especially on the southern or left bank, including Nanking, the capital of the province of Kiang-su, had been for a considerable period in the hands of the insurgents; and a flourishing city to-day in occupation of the Imperialists was to-morrow taken by the rebels, who left no vestige perceptible of its recent wealth and activity, and spared but few even of its inhabitants. In the interval, therefore, between the signing of the Treaty of Tien-tsin in 1858, and the period assigned for its ratification, the Earl of Elgin determined upon ascending this river for

the purpose of assuring himself, by personal observation and inquiry, respecting the actual condition and resources of the cities and towns along its source as far as Hankow, the limit assigned. His Lordship, in Her Majesty's ship Furious, was accompanied by a flotilla of gun-boats, and the expedition having reached Hankow, a distance of 677 statute miles from Shanghae, and having visited the principal towns on both banks of the river, returned to Shanghae on the 1st of January of this year (1861), after an absence of eight weeks.

The renewal of hostilities which now intervened having terminated with the ratifications of the Treaty of Tien-tsin and the Convention of Peking of the 20th of October, 1860, by which additional commercial advantages were conceded to Great Britain, a second expedition up the Yang-tze-kiang was deemed to be most essential and expedient; and Vice-Admiral Sir James Hope, in communication with Her Majesty's Minister, having undertaken its conduct and direction in person, the expedition ascended the river as far as Yoh-chow, 157 miles higher up the river than Hankow, the latter having been the highest point previously explored.

The ports of Kiu-kiang and Hankow were considered, subject to further investigation, to be by far the best situated for the establishment of the Consular authorities and the opening of trade. The expedition was accompanied by Mr. H. S. Parkes, by the Consular officers appointed by Her Majesty's Minister to reside at the several ports selected, as well as by three British merchants deputed by the Chamber of Commerce of Shanghae to report on the commercial capabilities of the several places visited by the expedition. The distances of the principal cities and towns from Shanghae by the river were as follows:-To Chin-kiang, 138 nautical miles; to Nanking, 182 nautical miles; to Kiu-kiang, 433 nautical miles; to Hankow, 570 nautical miles; to Yoh-chow, 727 nautical miles. The result of this expedition was the final selection of the ports of Chin-kiang, Kiu-kiang, and Hankow, as best suited for the purpose already referred to. The Consular officers were duly installed, the British flag hoisted at their residences, and these ports were officially announced as open to trade under specific regulations approved by Her Majesty's Minister in communication with the Imperial Government.

Chin-kiang. This town is in the province of Kiang-su, situated on the right bank (southern shore) of the Yang-tze river, near one of the chief entrances to the Grand Canal, and is 138 nautical miles from Shanghae. Chin-kiang has been re-occupied by the Imperialists since the close of the year 1857; but, during its five years' occupation by the rebels, it is reported to have been reduced to a miserable condition. Trade has been necessarily in abeyance for a considerable period, owing to the near vicinity of the rebel head-quarters at Nanking, distant only about forty-five miles lower down the river; but its position, with water-communication east and west on the Great River, and north and south by the Grand Canal, points it out to have been admirably adapted as a great entrepôt of trade, paralyzed at present, indeed, by the rebels who swarm in this district, but which it would again become, were confidence restored to the native merchants by the extirpation of these lawless marauders, who scourge and lay waste this once flourishing region. The presence of foreigners, however, on these comparatively abandoned scenes of former activity, extending around them fresh rays of commercial enterprise, and to some extent a moral, if not physical, protection to the native traders, will, it is hoped and expected, again set in motion

the stream of trade along the shores of this noble river. The Taoutae, or local governor of Chin-kiang, upon the arrival of the British Consul, showed every disposition to do his utmost to welcome the coming foreign settlement, and to encourage the native merchants who had sought refuge in the neighbouring large cities to return to Chin-kiang and trade freely with foreigners, as earnestly set forth in his proclamation here annexed.

The island is reported to be three miles in circumference, and as containing sufficient house .accommodation for a small foreign mercantile community, with ample store-rooms to meet the present exigencies of the port. But exclusively of this arrangement a sufficient extent of building-ground was secured upon lease in the name of Her Majesty's Government at Chin-kiang itself, for the future use of Her Majesty's Consul and of British subjects, comprising an area of forty-four acres, within which is a hill six acres in extent. The population of Chin-kiang, once reckoned at nearly 1,000,000, is now stated to be about 40,000. The river frontage is 1,400 feet.

Kiu-kiang.-This town is situated on the right bank of the river, 295 miles higher up than Chin-kiang. It is the first town reached showing symptoms of some prosperity. The inhabitants are well-dressed, and trade reported to be reviving. The commercial advantages of this town are to be found in the following circumstances:-It commands practically the navigation of the Poyang Lake, and has water-communication by creeks the whole way to Shanghae, although the presence of the rebels at Nanking, whose offshoots devastate the western banks of the Great Canal between Chin-kiang and Suchow, into which these creeks lead, paralyses for the present the trade by those channels. British-manufactured cotton goods, hitherto imported from Canton by the Meiling Pass, were found to be selling in the town, and hemp, tea, and other commodities available for exportation. The river at Kiu-kiang affords good anchorage, and no bottom was found at 9 fathoms. The climate is healthy, and its situation picturesque, surrounded as it is by limestone hills and a well-cultivated country. Game is said to be found in abundance in the neighbourhood, including wild boar and deer.

But to revert to the Poyang Lake; the chief importance of this town and port, in a commercial point of view, is derived from its situation at the entrance to this rich central reservoir. The rivers and creeks pour into it from the black and green tea districts, and from the regions of mineral and other products to the south-east, south, and west, embracing in their course the richest and most productive districts of the empire. This lake, which never before had been visited by a foreign vessel, was partially explored by Her Majesty's gun-boat Havoc in the month of March of this year (1861), having on board Mr. Hughes, the Acting British Consul at Kiu-kiang. A pilot was taken in at Hookow, opposite Kiu-kiang, and the Havoc proceeded up the channel, about a mile in breadth, which leads to the lake. After passing the town of Nankang-foo, the important city of Woo-chung was reached, distant from the entrance of the channel about forty miles. Woo-chung is situated on an island in the delta of one of the rivers which fall into the lake, and is approached by a channel 500 yards in width and 8 miles in length. This channel is navigable with caution up to the town for vessels not drawing more than 12 feet of water; along the creek, junks were crowded on both sides, and more activity appeared to prevail than even at most of the large cities on the Yang-tze-kiang. Woo-chung is an

unwalled town, and not very populous; but the inhabitants were almost entirely composed of traders, to the exclusion of the literary classes. The town had suffered much by the rebels between 1853 and 1856, but their return did not appear to be at present anticipated. Three or four very busy streets were full of shops and warehouses. Nearly all the public buildings had been destroyed by the rebels, but some are in course of reconstruction on a costly scale, especially the Provincial Assembly Hall of the merchants of Hoonan and Hoopeh. The Ninchow tea-junks pass by Woo-chung on their way to Hankow, and boats from Kwang-sin, the district in which the great tea-mart (Hookow) is situated, arrive here with cargoes of tea, joss-paper, &c., carrying back cargoes of tobacco-leaf and other articles. The Hookow teas intended for the Hankow market are here transhipped into junks of larger size more fitted for the rougher navigation of the Poyang Lake and of the Great River.

The famous Imperial porcelain manufactories of Kingte-chen in Tanchow-foo, to the south-east of the Poyang Lake, established 800 years ago, and which, in the time of the Jesuit Père d'Entrecolles (about 150 years ago), contained 3000 furnaces, affording employment to 1,000,000 of inhabitants, and which still exists, though on a very much reduced scale, furnishes its quota of trade in the commoner descriptions of china ware through Woo-chung to the surrounding districts, to Canton, and from thence to India and the Indian Archipelago. Between this town and Nanchang-foo, distant about fifty miles, a considerable trade is kept up in Manchester goods, and products of Canton were brought to Woo-chung across the Meiling Pass; they are put on board boats at Nangan-foo, in the south of Kiang-se, from whence there is direct water communication to Nan-changfoo and Woo-chung. It is stated also, that in former years, immediately previous to the Taeping rebellion, a brisk trade was kept up between the latter place and Nanking on the Yang-tze.

The Havoc was prevented by the shallowness of the channel, which was only seven feet deep, from reaching Nan-chang-foo, the provincial capital; she therefore returned to Woo-chung, and proceeded to the exploration of the lake, which, properly so called, only opens to view on passing the town of Too-chung. The lake now stretches away to the south and south-east; it was found to be generally shallow, but a deep channel runs in the direction of Tan-chow-foo to the south-west. Owing, however, to the brief period of time allotted to the expedition, and impossibility of obtaining good pilots, the Havoc was unable to visit the numerous towns on the shores of the lake, and returned to its station at Kiu-kiang.

Enough has been seen, however, of this fine inland sea, which is variously stated to be from seventy to ninety miles in length, and twenty miles in breadth, to justify the statement that, as a reservoir of trade, it teems with natural and acquired advantages rarely met with; surrounded with towns upon its banks where native merchants from the interior districts have long been in the habit of resorting, and where they collect and deposit the produce of the surrounding districts. The foreign traders will here find a wide field for barter, hitherto restricted to, and monopolized by, the habitual native dealers at the sea-board ports. And to render these advantages complete, coal is brought by water-carriage to the very borders of the lake from the mines in the neighbourhood, well adapted for steamers, and not exceeding in cost six dollars per ton. There does not appear, therefore, any good reason to doubt that this fertile and productive region, hitherto for

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