C O C H I N G H I N A. 345 
same time, a sort of demi-diplomatic coiimiission of a public 
nature to a gentleman connected in the firm of the house. 
Whatever the motives were which influenced the conduct of 
Mr. Hastings in this instance, the result of the mission might 
easily have been foreseen. The character of merchant is 
here, as well as in China, held in very low esteem, and the 
government is equally jealous of admitting an indiscriminate 
introduction of foreigners into its ports. How much soever, 
therefore, the monopolizing system of the East India Com- 
pany may be deprecated, and the wisdom of that pohcy 
questioned which prohibits English ships from doubling the 
Cape of Good Hope, whilst those under, the flags of every 
other nation profit by such restriction, I am decidedly of 
opinion that the trade to China and to Cochinchina ought 
never to be thrown open to individual merchants. The 
Chinese, in particular, are so averse to their subjects trading 
promiscuously with foreigners, that the government appoints 
an united body of merchants who exclusively are allowed 
to deal with strangers ; and one of whom is obliged to be- 
come security for the fair dealing and the good conduct 
of the Captain and crew of every ship which ^'isits the 
port of Canton. All trade is considered by these nations as 
a species of gambling, in which the number of foul players 
far exceeds the number of those who play fair. The tempta- 
tions indeed of large prolits, which commerce sometimes pre- 
sents, are difficult to be resisted ; and when individual interest 
comes in competition with the public service, the latter is very 
apt to give way to the former. Hence, without adopting the 
illiberality of the Chinese maxim, the impolicy is obvious of 
committing the affairs of government into the hands of those 
