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C H A P T E R F O U R  COMPRADORS AND THE PROVISIONS TRADE THE PROVISIONS TRADE IN CANTON provided large quantities of supplies and victuals to an ever-increasing number of ships; it became one of the most important industries for the smooth conduct of trade and control of foreigners in China. As we will see, the weaknesses that developed within the provisions trade would affect the overall effectiveness of the Canton System. In 1731 provision purveyors or ‘compradors’1 were officially licensed by the Junminfu at Qianshan. Like the Macao pilots, they wore a wooden license around their waist so it could be easily seen from a distance.2 The compradors’ licensing fees were passed on to the foreign traders in the form of a one-off payment.3 These fees began to rise in the 1780s and continued to do so until the 1830s. Many foreigners, especially the private traders, were charged fees disproportionate to the size and needs of their ships. This only encouraged them to seek provisions from other foreigners in Canton rather than from the Chinese. In the 1780s and 1790s foreigners began selling provisions privately to other foreigners, bypassing the compradors. By the early 1800s the Chinese linguists and tidewaiters stationed next to the ships had gained control of much of this illicit and lucrative trade. Sidestepping the compradors siphoned funds away from the Hoppos, and weakened their control of trade. A close examination of the activities of the compradors will show other areas in the administration that were responsible for the enormous growth of the trade while at the same time contributed to the overall weakening of the central administration and foreigners’ unhappiness with the way trade was being conducted. Control of the provisions trade by the compradors began very early in Canton. In 1704 Lockyer mentioned that ‘every factory had formerly a Compradore’, but 52 The Canton Trade because the Hoppos tried to extract ‘liberty’ money from them ‘they have of late been quite discarded’. A year earlier, Captain Hamilton stated that he was required to purchase all his provisions from an ‘Interpreter at Maccao’, who assisted the Hoppo and spoke Portuguese. Captain Hamilton declared he had no choice but to purchase provisions from this person.4 By 1716 the English were purchasing their provisions from compradors at both Canton and Whampoa, a practice that would continue for some time.5 The GIC captains and supercargoes acquired their provisions from compradors in the 1720s.6 Beginning in 1729, the Dutch also entered into contracts with compradors each year to supply provisions (see Plate 13).7 In 1730 the Dutch submitted a petition consisting of thirteen articles to the Hoppo. Article Two requested they be allowed to choose their own linguists, compradors and servants; Article Nine requested they be allowed to procure whatever was needed for the repair and maintenance of their ships, without restriction.8 The Dutch supercargoes received the following reply from the Hoppo. After the ships have been a long time sailing at sea, they are in the need of cordage, wood, and other provisions. They must make a list of what is needed. I shall issue a chop to allow for their purchase. It is forbidden to purchase items without my permission or to transport items by anyone who is not in my service.9 Controlling the daily flow of victuals and naval stores to the crews, captains and supercargoes was one way for Hoppos to control the foreign community. Ensuring a steady flow of provisions was prudent because a crew that was not properly fed was a crew likely to cause trouble.10 Captains and supercargoes who did not receive their packaging materials, containers and Chinese labourers in a timely fashion in order to pack goods, tranship merchandise and prepare their ships for departure were also a potential source of trouble. If their goods did not arrive on time owing to lack of materials or insufficient help in stowing cargo, the ships faced lying over for another season. Such delays could cut deeply into company profits. If a full stomach was a way to pacify, then it stood to reason that an empty stomach was a way to persuade. Controlling the foreign community at Canton was not an easy task for the Hoppos. Foreigners fought with the Chinese occasionally and also had disagreements among themselves. Chinese living on the river often tried to take advantage of the foreigners by selling them watereddown liquor or defective...

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