350 
COCHINCHIN Ac 
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MODERN COCHINCHINA, 
In the 35th year of the reign of Camig-shung, King of 
Cochinchina, and the 50th of his age, (1774 of the Christian 
sera,) a sudden and overwhelming insurrection broke out in 
his capital, the city of Quin-nong. This rebellion was headed 
by three brothers. The eldest, whose name was Yin-yac, 
was a wealthy merchant who carried on an extensive com- 
merce with China and Japan ; the name of the second was 
Long-nicmg^ a general officer of high rank and great com- 
mand ; and the third was a priest. Such a dangerous com- 
bination of wealth, of military power, and of influence over 
the minds of the people, was but feebly resisted on the part 
of the King, who, from a sickly constitution and an indolent 
habit of body, had for many years surrendered, in a great 
degree, the reins of government into the hands of his generals, 
who were mostly eunuchs. Other circumstances at the moment 
teaded to forward the views of the rebel chiefs. The imposition 
of a poll tax had created a general discontent among the people. 
The first step they took, which is the usual proceeding on 
such occasions, was to get possession of the person of the 
King, and to secure every part of the royal family that came 
within their reach ; and all who fell into their hands were 
immediately put to death. The city of Sai-gong was sup- 
posed to be favourable to the cause of the deposed sovereign. 
An army was therefore marched against it, the walls were 
levelled with the ground, and 20,000 of its inhabitants put 
to the sword. Trials and executions were daily exhibited 
