Page 95 - Merchants and Mandarins China Trade Era

81.

In many instances the Hong merchants' partiality to for­
eigners stemmed from their aversion for the local authorities.

Although the local government was dependent upon the foreign

trade for its revenue, the officials also used the trade to

enrich themselves on the side. They squeezed and harassed the

Co-hong for money to supplement taxes. A parallel structure
11
of government over the Hong merchants exacerbated the squeeze."

Directly above the Co-hong on one side was the Hoppo (Kuan-pu)

or Superintendent of Customs. This official was an appointee

of the Imperial Court; he was therefore independent of local

provincial authorities. From his customs duties he had to pay

his staff of collectors and satisfy the officials and ministers

above him at Peking. He also usually was able to amass a fortune

of his own. The source of revenue for all these debts was the
53
11
foreign trade through squeezing" the Co-hong. Since he
wielded independent power over the trade, the Hoppo was an ex-

tremely influential official at Canton. For those able to secure

the position, the result was one of the most lucrative services

54
wit th e C1inese mpire.
.
. h' in
E
h'
In addition to the Hoppo, the Co-hong was also responsible
to the local proviincial officers of the Imperial government.

In China the province traditionally have maintained a certain
amount of independence from the central government at Peking.

53
Morse, Gilds of China, p. 71, and Morse and Macnair,
Far Eastern International Relations, p. 57.
54
The post was so lucrative that it was a one-year
appointment.