British Opium Policy and Its Results to India and China

Fast-crabs and scrambling-dragons.

We must explain, however, what "fast-crabs" were. The Chinese Government in vain drove the opium ships from Macao and Whampoa; they settled in again at a very convenient spot called Lintin, which is an island roadstead of the "outer waters," near the mouth of the Canton River. Here the merchants kept up a fleet of large "receiving vessels," armed, manned, and equipped so as to defy any Government junks which might venture against them. Into these vessels the opium clippers transshipped their chests, ofttimes in full sight of the custom junks if any were outside. This being effected, and word given to the consignees, certain native dealers, called in the slang of the trade "melters," made bargain with the European houses, and having paid down large prices in foreign dollars or bars of silver, obtained in return orders for the delivery of so many chests. Provided with these, fast rowing boats were sent alongside the "receiving ship" (as often as not while the officials were at hand), and the orders being exhibited, the chests were counted out, and their contents shifted to bags. These were the boats called "fast-crabs" or "scrambling-dragons." A report addressed to the Imperial Court in 1834, describes the nefarious system, and also explains the native vice which sustained it. It says: --

"They are well armed with guns and other weapons, and are manned with some scores of desperadoes, who ply their oars as if they were wings to fly with. All the custom-houses and military posts which they pass are largely bribed. If they happen to encounter any of the armed cruising boats, they are so audacious as to resist, and slaughter and carnage ensue. The late Governor Loo, on one occasion, having directed the Commodore Tsin Yuchang to cooperate with Teen Poo, the district magistrate of Heangshan, they captured Leang Heennee, with a boat containing opium to the amount of 14,000 catties. The number of men killed and taken prisoners amounted to several scores. He likewise inflicted the penalty of the laws on the criminals Yaoukow and Owkwan (both of them being brokers), and confiscated their property. This shows that faithfulness in the enforcement of the laws is not wanting; and yet the practice cannot be checked. The dread of the laws is not so great on the part of the common people, as is the anxious desire of gain, which incites them to all manner of crafty devices, so that sometimes, indeed, the law is rendered wholly ineffective.

"There are also, both on the rivers and at sea, banditti, who, with pretence of acting under the orders of Government, and of being sent to search after and prevent the smuggling of opium, seek opportunities for plundering. When I was lately placed in the service of your Majesty as acting Judicial Commissioner at Canton, circumstances of this nature were very frequently reported. Out of these arose a still greater number of cases, in which money was extorted for the ransom of plundered property. Thus a countless number of innocent people were involved in suffering."

This extract answers, of itself, the inevitable question: "If the Imperial Government were sincere in its opposition to the traffic, besides being so anxious about the drain of silver, how could so illicit a business continue?" The answer lies in the gross corruption and avarice of most Chinese officials, a point which must be well understood; for although Pagan roguery cannot excuse Christian covetousness, still it is clearly the duty of a nation to respect their own laws before they expect foreigners to regard them. The native State paper cited above, relates what was universally known -- that the prohibition of opium was not and could not be enforced, because the people would have the drug, and the mandarins made a very great profit by it. Sir H. Pottinger (10th April, 1843) speaks of "the connivance of the Chinese authorities of all ranks" as a great obstacle to any plan of improvement. The same distinguished man reported (8th February, 1844): --