I s l a n d of H a i n
a n .
G o l d .
T h e in t e r io r o f China m a in t a in s a m o f t A n g u la r c h a r a c t e r ;
i t is v a r i e d w i t h c h a in s o f m o u n t a in s w i n d i n g a lo n g it s fu r f a c e ,
v e t f o a s to l e a v e v a l l ie s t h a t e n a b le d o n e o f t h e em p e r o r s t o
o p e n a c o m m u n i c a t io n b y w a t e r , p a r t ly b y m e a n s o f r iv e r s a n d
p a r t l y b y n a v ig a b l e c a n a l s , f r o m Peking to Canton, a d is ta n c e o f
1500 m i le s : l i t t l e in t e r r u p t io n o c c u r s in t h i s v a f t fp a c e , e x c e p t
t h e l o f t y m o u n t a in s w h i c h f e p a r a t e t h e p r o v in c e s o f Kiang-Jee
a n d Stuan-Tung. W e ih a l l f p e a k f a r t h e r o f th i s , a n d t h e o th e r
c a n a l s , in t h e i r p r o p e r p la c e s .
I s h a l l now enter 011 the topographical account, commencing
at its fouthern extremity. The iiland o f Hainan, i. e. the fourh
of the fea, expreffes its iituation. It belongs to the province of
Sluang-tung (which, opposite to Hai-nan, Juts far fouth in a
peninfulated form) and is diftant above twelve miles from the
Shore; is a hundred and lixty leagues in circumference, and
produces every thing that can conduce to the wants and conveniences
of life ; the climate alone is bad, by reafon o f the quality
of the water. The ifland abounds with gold; but as it has been
but half conquered, that valuable metal is in the power o f the
natives; a brave, independent people, who live in the middle
parts, amidft arduous mountains ; the reft o f the country being
a plain. The inhabitants had long a traffic with the Cbinefe;
one was deputed to examine the goods offered ; and on the other
part a Cbinefe merchant went to fee thofe of the mountaineers :
the utmoft honor was obferved on both Sides. The Cbinefe, efpe-
cially the governor, made immenfe profit o f the gold. This the
great Kang-bi difcovered, and put a final flop to a commerce
which till then had been allowed by law. The Lapis Armenus,
which produces blue fo much in requeft for coloring the porcelane,
lane, is alfo found here, and much o f it fent to Canton for that
purpofe. The fisheries are very lucrative, twenty or thirty thou-
fand jonks, of no inconfiderablë Size, come annually from Canton
to take in cargoes o f the dried or falted fifh, Our company’s Ships
now and then, put in here, and. may be fèGure during the mon-
foons.
T h e continent, after attaining the bottom o f the peninfula,
trends towards the ;north-eaft, and is all the way Skirted with
iSles, Thôfe beft known! to mariners are the two Sancianis, the
Falfe, and that called Saint John's, beneath which is good ant-
chorage. Y T h é great Ladrone and the AJfes ,Ears are noted
land marks. : The entrance o f the Vaft bay o f Canton opens
to the. eaft o f Sanciam ; the breadth jthere is about two and
twenty leagues, and the depth nearly the fame ; but filled With
iflands divided by moll: narrow, and intricate channels ; poffibly
thefe might be the gates af China mentioned by the two Mahometan
travellers o f the ninth century, -àS-Canton was thzis Canfu,
even at that time a moft flourishing city. It was alfo the Ca-
necium o f the Nubian geographer*.
Sanciam is famed for having been the place of interment o f
Saint Francis de Xavier, and for his tomb, which Still is to be
feen. Another ifle is that of Hoan-pou, where the Dutch had
built a fort in order to command the. navigation o f the Tigris,
or river of Canton. Their defign was difcovered, and they were
all maffacred.
T h e moft important city Is that o f Macao, feated on a little
peninfula, and which was, during a certain period,, celebrated
* Page 35-
f o r
I s l x o f Sa n c
ia m .
M acao.