514 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



[.Japan, 



The town of Nangasacki is situated at the head of the harbour, and is 

 destitute of walls or fortifications. The streets are neither straight nor 

 wide. Three small rivulets run through the town, which is divided into the 

 inner and outer town, the former of which contains 26, and the latter 01 

 streets, in none of which strangers are suffered to dwell ; they have parti- 

 cular suburbs allowed to them, where they are narrowly watched. The 

 houses are low and mean, though well inhabited, containing merchants and 

 artificers. 



Trade. — The only people allowed to trade at Japan are the Chinese 

 and the Dutch. 



Chinese Commerce. — The Chinese have almost from time immemorial 

 traded to Japan, and arc die only people in Asia who have engaged in the 

 trade, or are allowed to visit the empire. Formerly they proceeded to 

 Osacca harbour, although it is very dangerous, on account of rocks and 

 shoaJs. The Portuguese shewed them the way to Nangasacki. At first 

 the annual number of their vessels amounted to upwards of one hundred. 

 The liberty which they then enjoyed, is at present greatly contracted, 

 since they have been suspected by the Japanese of favouring the Catholic 

 missionaries at China, and have made attempts to introduce into Japan 

 Catholic hooks printed in China. They arc l here/ore as much suspected 

 and as hardly used as the Dutch. They are also shut up itt a small 

 island, and strictly searched whenever they go in or come out 



When a vessel arrives from China, all the crew are brought on 

 shore, and all charge of the vessel is taken from them till such time as 

 every thing is ready for (heir departure; consequently, the Japanese 

 unload it entirely, and afterwards bring the vessel on shore, where at 

 low water it lies quite dry. The next year it is loaded with other goods. 



The Chinese are not suffered to go to the Imperial Court, which 

 saves them considerable sums in presents and expences. They are allowed 

 to trade for twice as large a sum as that granted to the Dutch ; but 

 as their voyages are neither so long nor so dangerous, they are obliged 

 to contribute more largely to the town of Nangasacki, tmd therefore pay 

 more, as far even as 60 per cent, fannagin, or flower money. 



Their merchandise is sold at three different times in the year, and 

 is brought in 70 junks. The first fair takes place in the spring, for the 

 cargoes of 20 vessels ; the second in the summer, for the cargoes of 30 

 vessels ; and the third in autumn, for the cargoes of the remaining 20. 

 Should any more vessels arrive within the year, they are obliged to re- 

 turn without being allowed to unload the least article. Although their 

 voyages arc less expensive than the Dutch, and they are not under the 



