210 On the Anthracite and Bituminous Coal-fields in China. 



To the coals .and combustible minerals of China, I cannot 

 further advert here. But what a conviction irresistibly presses 

 upon the mind, as to the incalculable utility of the railroad 

 system, and coal-mining improvements, in such an empire ! 

 If ever there were concentrated at one point all the circum- 

 stances especially and unequivocally favourable to that system, 

 and imperiously calling for improvements of the character 

 suggested, it seems to be presented in the case of the city of 

 Pekin. Here, with its enormous population of 1,500,000 

 souls, it is situated only at a day's journey — computed at 

 thirty miles — from an immense region of coal, comprising 

 several varieties. Yet its inhabitants cannot purchase the 

 best qualities of this coal, brought from the mountains on the 

 backs of mules and camels, under &1 1,60 per ton, and the very 

 worst for less than % 7 3 75 per ton. 



Without making unnecessary or invidious comparisons, it 

 might not unreasonably be suggested, that a Pekin railroad, 

 in connection with the coal mines, would be a far more profit- 

 able enterprise in its results, than the transportation of Ame- 

 rican coals to China. 



I will only add one circumstance, which had nearly escaped 

 me. Borneo, " the largest island in the world,"' which is only 

 twenty degrees due south of Canton, has lately come into re- 

 pute for the great quantity of coal which it contains, not only 

 accessible to ships along the coast, but extensively occurring 

 in the mountains of the interior. Much information has also 

 been acquired from the natives ; and the facts which are al- 

 ready elicited are regarded as of considerable importance, in 

 respect to the facilitating the steam navigation in the China 

 seas. Philadelphia will, of course, have her share in the en- 

 larged commercial intercourse with China. Would it, then, 

 be asking too much of those who are personally interested in 

 this improving trade, to communicate any additional facts, 

 which are either unknown to, or have been omitted by, the 

 author of these scanty notes ? 



Respectfully, 

 Philadelphia, April 28, 1845. Richard C. Taylor. 



Note. — The prices and admeasurements which are quoted in the fore- 

 going article, were reduced to the United States and English currencies 

 and measures from the Russian, as furnished by the Engineer Kovanko; 

 who, in like manner, converted them into the Russian from the Chinese 

 standards. In consequence of this triple conversion of standards, addi- 

 tional care has been taken to avoid error in these calculations. 



