466 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



[( 'hi/ta. 



small, though not limited. They consist at present of the following 

 persons : 



1. How-qua, or E-wo, the chief, a very opulent merchant, and of 

 shrewd character. He has had large dealings with the Americans, to whom 

 he is said to be attached ; and he deals also with the East India Company. 

 He has been concerned in several shipments to Europe, and is supposed to 

 have sustained considerable loss therefrom. 



2. Mow-qua, or Wong-lee, confines his transactions chiefly to the 

 East India Company, though he trades occasionally with persons from 

 India and America. He is described as a most independent and liberal 

 man. 



3. Puan-ke-qua, or Tuong-fou, was formerly the first Hong, and 

 retired ; but several of the subordinate merchants having failed, he was 

 compelled by the Government to return to business as third, and bear a 

 proportion of the losses, as he was considered to be one of the securities in 

 the transactions. He was formerly connected chiefly with the Dutch, 

 Danes, and Swedes ; but he now confines his business exclusively to the 

 Company. He is very opulent. 



4. Chun-qua, or Toun-shong, is distinguished by his connexions at 

 the Court of Pekin, and by his interest with the Mandarins at Canton. 

 He is respectable, and in good circumstances ; trades chiefly with the Com- 

 pany, but considers himself the merchant for the French trade ; he also has 

 to do with the India Country trade, 



5. Con-se-qua, or Ly-chuen, a very reputable merchant, but bus .sus- 

 tained much injury through his connexions with the Americans; by the 

 credits given to them, he is supposed to have lost a million of dollars. His 

 conduct has been so satisfactory, that he has been supported by the Com- 

 pany. He is represented as agreeable in his manners, polite, and hospitable, 

 and the most attached to foreigners. He still does business with Americans 

 and the India Country traders, but mostly with the Company. He possesses 

 a very superior knowledge of the English language. 



6. Pack-qua, or Sy-shing, one of the insolvent Hongs, supported by 

 the advances and credit of the Company ; he is paying his debts by instal- 

 ments. He trades with India, and with the Americans. He is an honest, 

 but weak man. 



7. Man-hop, or Hock-Ion, another insolvent Hong. He is expert in 

 business, and considered correct in his dealings with individuals. He is 

 cautious and prudent; does less business than the rest, and chiefly confines 

 his transactions to the Company. He is paying his debts by instalments. 



8. Poon qua, or Toonti, another insolvent, who has nearly, if not 



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