Page 77 - Merchants and Mandarins China Trade Era

63.

interpret from them. The Linguist did not speak English. He

communicated with the merchants in Pidgin English, a language

that combined primarily English and some Portugese words with

Chinese syntax. Pidgin English was the language of trade and

commerce at Canton. There was little need for Americans to

learn Chinese. The Linguist not only interpreted for business

transactions, but he negotiated all transactions between local

officials and foreigners relating to the vessel. The fee for
27
his services was a flat $250.

When the vessel had acquired the necessary services of

the Security merchant, Comprador and Linguist, the Superinten­

dent of the Canton Customs (Yueh-hai-kuan-pu) or Hoppo sent his

officers to measure the vessel. Size not weight determined

tonnage duties at Canton. The Chinese measured a vessel in

terms of covids (one covid equalled almost fifteen inches).

There were three classes of size, each of which paid a fixed

rate of Taels per covid. The largest class carried the highest

rate of duty. American vessels usually paid measurement fees

28
eo�alling about two or three thousand dollars. A major
exception to this law was a vessel with a cargo of rice. Such

cargo made the vessel legally exempt from any measurement or

27
For details concerning the specific regulations of
trade at C0nton, see c1 report by American Consul Peter W. Snow,
enclosed in his despatch No. 26, Oct. 21, 1839, U.S., State
Department, Consular Despatches: Canton.
28
These figures are computed according to the informa­
tion in Consul Snow's report on the Canton trade, Consular
Despatches: Canton, Oct. 21, 1839.