CHAPTER XXIX.

In the year 1786 a vessel of three hundred and fifty tons burden sailed from an American port for Canton.  She was the first to carry the flag of the United States to the shores of Cathay, and to begin a commerce that has since assumed enormous proportions.  European nations had carried on a limited trade with the Chinese before that time, but they were restricted to a single port, and their jealousy of each other prevented their adopting those measures of co-operation that have recently proved so advantageous.  China was averse to opening her territory to foreign merchants, and regarded with suspicion all their attempts to gain a foothold upon her soil.  On the north, since 1727, the Russians had a single point of commercial exchange.  In the south Canton was the only port open to those who came to China by sea, while along the coast-line, facing to the eastward, the ports were sealed against foreign intrusion.  Commerce between China and the outer world was hampered by many restrictions, and only its great profits kept it alive.  But once fairly established, the barbarian merchants taught the slow-learning Chinese that the trade brought advantage to all engaged in it.  Step by step they pressed forward, to open new ports and extend commercial relations, which were not likely to be discontinued, if only a little time were allowed to show their value.

As years rolled on, trade with China increased.  For a long time the foreigners trading with China had no direct intercourse with the General Government, but dealt only with the local and provincial authorities.  It was not until after the famous “Opium War” that diplomatic relations were opened with the court at Pekin, and a common policy adopted for all parts of the empire, in its dealings with the outer world.  Considering the extremely conservative character of the Chinese, their adherence to old forms and customs, their general unwillingness to do differently from their ancestors, and the not over-amiable character of the majority of the foreigners that went there to trade, it is not surprising that many years were required for commercial relations to grow up and become permanent.  The wars between China and the Western powers did more than centuries of peace could have done to open the Oriental eyes.  Austria’s defeat on the field of Sadowa advanced and enlightened her more than a hundred years of peace and victory could have done, at her old rate of progress.  The victories of the allied forces in China, culminating in the capture of Pekin and dictation of terms by the foreign leaders, opened the way for a free intercourse between the East and West, and the immense advantages that an unrestricted commerce is sure to bring to an industrious, energetic, and economical people.