The opium clippers / by Basil Lubbock.

  • Lubbock, Basil, 1876-1944.
Date:
1933
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The opium clippers / by Basil Lubbock. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    days out—a voyage of 3 months and 7 days. The Bombay Gazette in commenting on the clipper’s performance, remarked: “This is not the first instance in which this vessel has proved herself a match for any vessel in this quarter of the world regarding her sailing qualities.” Condition of the Opium Trade in Spring of 1839. The year 1839 opened with the opium trade in a state of fever and hysteria. Prices dropped ten points at a time. Fortunes vanished in a few hours. The markets were overstocked with the drug and every clipper returning from China spread the most disquieting reports of conditions in that part of the world. On March 6, 1839, Captain Henry Pybus of the Sir Edward Ryan, just arrived from Lintin 39 days out, added to the genera] gloom by his account of printed placards against the opium traffic posted up in all the main streets of Canton. He also brought a copy of Captain Elliot’s order of December 18. About the same time came a notification from Russell & Co. to their East India constituents that they would not longer take consignments of opium. One of their Parsee customers failed to stop his shipment of the drug, but he managed to post the following letter by the same clipper: It is now rest in Almighty’s pleasure, who I trust will not put all his creatures in ruinous state: the evil result always rest in his power, but the human continually encourages themself to do as much as they can for their welfare. Yourselves are too far from me: I cannot form any idea what will result be but I have all my Patna in Almighty care, which cost me 900 rupees per chest. Please exert your utmost exertion as not to part them at ruinous price but retain it until the prosperous result of this trade. I will not draw, I assure, although the scarce cost put me in inconvenient. Indian letters and chits have always been notorious for their quaint wording. Here is another business letter written to Russell & Co., by Parsees: Bombay, June 13,1833. Dear Sir,—We avail of departure of Cornywalhs and thanking vour favour of April 19, enclosing 2000£ in small pamphlets (note “bills) suitable our order. Now heavy distress falling upon us through Almighty God, taking from bosom of family and friends