Page 79 - Merchants and Mandarins China Trade Era

65.

cargo. Only after the Hoppo gave his permission could the

cargo be taken off. The vessel's Security merchant, who

always bought the cargo, sent down coolies with chop-boats or

lighters to unload and transport the cargo up to Canton. But

the Americans responsible for the vessel bore all costs pertinent
30
to the inward cargo. (In turn the Security merchant paid all

costs of the outward cargo.) Each chop-boat received about

fifteen dollars for its services.

While the vessel lay at anchor at Whampoa awaiting its

outward cargo, it was subject further to a constant barrage of
31
small fees which amounted to systemized graft and extortion.

The vessel remained at Whampoa up to six months, during which

time the Chinese prepared its cargo of exports. Throughout this

period of waiting, only the captain and supercargo left the

vessel for any extended time. The crew lived on board, restricted

to the vessel except for their "liberty-day" at Canton. Armed
with one-month's wages, in groups they ventured up to Canton to

spend all of it on souvenirs, liquor and amusement. A street

near the river, that "renowned thoroughfare called Hog Lane",

contained shops "kept by the greatest ruffians that can be

imagined" that catered only to the seamen. (Foreign residents

rarely ventured there themselves). The ship's officers carried

their crew after this day of riotous revelry back to Whampoa to

remain for the duration of the vessel's stay in China. In the

30
Liang, Kwang-tung-shih-san-hang-kao, p. 106.
31
H.B. Morse, The Gilds of China with an Account of the
Gild Merchants or Co-hong of Canton (London, 1909), p. 77.