"A Pedestrian Tour in China"

"This day was published, price 3 s sd, sewed, or 4s. in boards. A Peestrian Tour I«in China, from the Island Of Hainan to Macao, in the Year 1820 by the Supercargo of an English vessel wreeked on Hainan. This interesting work constitutes the 55th Number of the Journal of Voyages and Travels; and the next Number, on March 1, of the same work, will contain (...) London (...)"

Anúncio publicado na primeira página do jornal Star (Londres) a 4 de Fevereiro de 1822 dava conta de que estava disponível para venda um fascículo de uma obra mais vasta intitulada "Diary Of A Journey Overland, Through The Maritime Provinces Of China From Manchao (leia-se Macau), On The South Coast Of Hainan, To Canton In The Years 1819 And 1820"

J. R. são as iniciais do supercargo que assina o relato. A viagem começa a 11 de novembro de 1819 a partir da rada da Taipa e termina em Cantão a 16 de Fevereiro de 1820. Uma jornada conturbada marcada por um naufrágio - do Friendship - perto de Hainão. Deduzo que era um comerciante britânico já que à chegada a Cantão refere ter reportado o naufrágio a um "Mr. Drummond". Trata-se de James Drummond (1767-1851), um escocês que ocupava um dos cargos mais importantes - fazia parte do selected comitte - da Companhia Inglesa da Índia Oriental, detentora do exclusivo do comércio naquela zona do globo em nome da monarquia britânica. J. R. refere ainda o apelido Horsburgh a propósito de termos náuticos. Trata-se de James Horsburgh (1762-1836), hidrógrafo escocês que trabalhou para a Companhia Britânica da Índia Oriental (EIC) e que mapeou grande parte da China, Sudeste Asiático, Índia..

Excertos:

"Journal of a Voyage from Macao, towards Tenon, in Conchin-China" inserido no Vol. 6 de "Voyages and Travels"

On the 11th of November, 1819, the Friendship sailed from the Typha,* with a moderate breeze at N. N. E. and hazy weather. At noon the Grand Ladrone bore E. by S., distance live and a-half or six leagues. (...)

 * This is a river of China, through which a ship proceeding to the harbour of Macao must pass, there being thirteen feet at low water in the fair track between the Typha and the entrance of the harbour, whereas in the more open space between Kai-kong and Macao, there are not more than about eleven feet under the same circumstances. Such is the information usually given as to these places, yet the statement of the journal, with singular accuracy, and on it absolute reliance may be reposed, puts the matter in a some- what different point of view, seriously worth the attention of navigators.

The city of Macao, usually pronounced Macow, is called by the Chinese Ou-moon, (moon in Chinese signifies an entrance or pass) and was ceded by that people to the Portuguese towards the close of the sixteenth century.

The celebrated Albuquerque was the first European who formed the design of opening a communication with China, in consequence of his having met with, at Malacca, several vessels of that nation, whose seamen had more politeness and decorum than were at that period to be found among the nobility of Europe. The information which they gave him concerning the civilization and resources of their country, induced that eminent man to lay the whole before the court of Lisbon ; and, immediately after, a squadron was fitted out, in 1517, for the double purpose of peace or war, as the exigencies of occasion might require, a thing which formed the grand feature of every naval expedition at that period. (...)

The Portuguese still retain nominal dominion over the island, but theChinese, who never lose sight of their national interest, and the integrity of the celestial empire, are really the masters of the place, their mandarinesexercising magisterial authority as effectually at Maeao as at Canton. According to Mr. Horsburgh, Macao is situated in latitude 22 degrees,10£ minutes north, and longitude 113 degrees 32 minutes east, or 18 mileseastward of Canton by chronometer reckoning, and twelve mites westwardofGrand Ladrone. Tho town stands on a high peninsula that terminates theisland of Macao to the southward, being joined to it by a narrow isthmus onthe north side of the town: several miserable erections called forts, app6aron the hills which surround the town, but even these neglected buildings,by their contrast with the neat country-houses sprinkled upon the risinggrounds, give the whole an entertaining appearance. These houses are the favourite residence of the principal merchants, who retire thither after the fatigues of business, and enjoy all the pleasures of refined society; but there is little intercourse between the agents of the India Company. stationed at this place, and the Portuguese authorities. The situation is peculiarly pleasant and healthy, and is the more valuable, as being the only settlement, which Europeans have in connexion with the Chinese; consequently forming the only accessible point for some articles of commerce, which are productive of greatest profit to the Company, and to private traders. Regarding this particular, further opportunities in the progress of these notes will admit of explanation.