291 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



[Calcutta. 



from whence there issues a white milky juice, which soon concretes, and is 

 scraped off' the plants, and wrought into cakes : these are covered with leaves, 

 to prevent their sticking together, and in this situation arc dried, and packed 

 in chests lined with hides, and covered with gunny, each containing forty 

 cakes, and weighing two maunds, and in that state exported to the places 

 where is it esteemed. This drug is always in great demand in China, not- 

 withstanding the prohibitions which have been from time to time issued 

 against it; likewise in all the eastern countries, the Malay Peninsula, 

 Sumatra, Borneo, Celebes, &c. 



This preparation, though simple, reqtures great attention to prevent 

 adulteration, to which it is liable, if left to the cultivator: it is vitiated with 

 a powder composed of the dried leaves and stalks of the poppy, made into a 

 paste with gum Arabic, or some other mucilage. 



Opium is very heavy, of a dense texture, commonly soft enough to re- 

 ceive an impression from the finger. It should be chosen moderately firm ; 

 its colour a very dark brown yellow, so dark that, unless held to the light, 

 it appears black ; of a strong smell and bitter taste ; as free from leaves as 

 possible ; and care should be taken, by rubbing it between the finger and 

 thumb, that there is no roughness or grittiness. That which is soft should 

 be rejected. In freight 14 Cwt. are allowed to a ton. 



The monopoly in the trade of opium, or the cultivation of the poppy, 

 may be traced at least as far back as the commencement of the British 

 influence in Bengal. The advantages resulting from it were for 

 several years merely considered as a part of the emoluments of certain 

 officers under the Government. In the year 1773 it was taken out of their 

 hands, and the profit of the trade assumed for the benefit of the Company. 

 The provision of the article was for many fears let out upon contract The 

 opium concern continued under the direction of the Board of Revenue till 

 1793, when it was transferred to the Board of Trade. On the expiration of 

 the contracts in 1797, the cultivation of opium was restricted to Bahar and 

 Benares, and discontinued in Bengal ; the mode of provision by agency was 

 resorted to, and still continues in practice. In July, 1799, some regulations 

 were published " for the guidance of all persons concerned in the provision 

 of opium on the part of Government, and for preventing the illicit culti- 

 vation of the poppy, and the illicit importation or traffic in the article of 

 opium/ 1 Under these regulations, which were further modified in 1807, the 

 cultivation of the poppy, except on account of Government, is expressly 

 prohibited ; but it is left entirely at the option of the cultivator, to enter 

 into engagements on account of Government at a settled price, or to decline 

 it altogether. The quantity grown, which is limited, is sold by public 



