Page 67 - Merchants and Mandarins China Trade Era

53.

to use the second or Inner Passage. This regulation was a part

of the system of Imperial decrees by which China controlled the

movements and activities of foreigners at Canton� The Inner

Passage was a circuitous maze through smaller streams that

curved around numerous islands before emptying into the Pearl

River at its mouth. It provided lovely scenery but consumed

a considerable amount of time (up to three days). Customarily
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travel between Macao and Canton was by an illegal "fast-boat"

through the Outer Passage. Foreign merchants usually chose

this method of making the trip to Canton in preference to the

several days the alternate route required. The "fast-boat"

averaged only twelve hours for the trip.

Since Chinese law restricted the Outer Passage to cargo

vessels and their crews, foreign merchants who traveled this

route had to do so in secrecy. They usually sailed under the

cover of darkness, when there were fewer Mandarins to notice

them. The trip nevertheless was very uncomfortable, since all

foreign passengers had to remain hidden even at nighttime.

Overlooking the Pearl River were a series of Chinese forts,

each with sentries who constantly watched the river traffic

for illegal intrusions. Concentrated at the narrow channel

of the Bogue, these fortifications included forts at Chuen-pi,

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11Fast-boats" (faster than cargo vessels, hence their
name) were Chinese vessels with two cabins, a foremast, and ten
to twelve oars (used optionally). They required a crew of
twelve to fifteen men plus a helmsman. The main cabin was
ample accommodation for four passengers. Hunter, 'Fan-Kwae'
at Canton, pp. 86-87.