Auguste Haussmann is a merchant from Alsace. In 1844 he joined the mission Lagrene which aims to build lasting relationships between China and France. His responsibilities include particularly the observation of potential outlets of French industry in the Middle Kingdom. During his visit to Hong Kong, it offers a nuanced approach to the future of the British colony.
With the first Opium War (1839-1842), Britain forced China to open up politically and economically. "Through his generosity secular politics offers few examples, and which for that very reason, must seem ambiguous, [England] had stipulated for the benefit of all nations." Auguste Haussmann is clear from the introduction to his Client: British altruism is doubtful, we must overcome it with China by establishing lasting relationships on behalf of the French government ... It is the purpose of the mission of the Minister Plenipotentiary Lagrene, in 1844.
Auguste Haussmann joined along the way members of the diplomatic corps. It is a businessman Alsace, sent by the Chamber of Commerce Mulhouse to handle the economic part and sing the French products. More specifically, it represents the textile industry in the region. His book "Journey to China, Cochin China, India and Malaysia is full of great rigor and differs from the writings of the time. It's more accurately reflect its mission to offer dreams and escape through an exotic story. The anecdotes and short descriptions were always meant to illustrate or prove the analysis of the commercial attache.
In February 1844, he embarked on "Archimedes" captained by Pâris. It is, for the record, the first French ship to steam at double the Cape of Good Hope. After many long calls, Haussmann arrived in Macao in August. With his colleagues, he exposes the products of French industry in Macao and Canton ... without much success. So a businessman somewhat disillusioned happens in Hong Kong, especially in the delta of the Pearl River, the ship has narrowly escaped an attack by pirates.
It seems quite reluctant to see what is positive about him and his description of the bay is quickly dispatched. No wonder the spectacle before him, but these remarks: "He [Hong Kong] blame [...] to leave some taken some wind to the northern part, and, cons, to be too cashed in the South by the mountains, which prevents the wind from southwest to come clean air during the hot season. "The expedition landed on the island and visit. "By penetrating into the interior, we find a sequence of barren hills and small valleys where grow some trees, tall grass and yams. Can be seen also, from time to time, rice watered by the numerous streams that descend from the mountains, and have been given to Hong Kong on behalf of many poetic too fragrant island streams. The general appearance of the country is sad, savage, and the surface very uneven. "
Auguste Haussmann notice some beautiful buildings in the small English town of Victoria, and stresses that" building seen in buildings, streets that s' fielded through neighborhoods that were already emerging, and names of principal officials of the colony, wide streets, airy, where one is almost in Europe in the middle of the Chinese. " The passenger seemed to be impressed as he discovers the center of Queen's road to the palace of the governor, but criticism gets over it quickly on the unhealthy climate and many fevers that decimated the population. More
length, the businessman stands the first inventory of the economic colony of French point of view. He explained that the nearby Chinese ports each month sends "a sixty large merchant vessels, who bring [Hong Kong] needed food to residents, and they return with a small shipment of long-cloths and other products European industry. "The salt trade is Haussmann important and said that it is "a highly lucrative monopoly for the government [Chinese], and it gave rise, for some time to smuggle more active. Junks which bring to Hong Kong, taking in return for opium and other items, which are sold in shops in the city of Victoria. The specialist then details what products come from a particular region and s inquires about the "great mystery" surrounding the trade with the cities of Shanghai and Kit-Yeo-Yeo. The Alsatian
note that trade of call is more important in Hong Kong. The British were therefore able make them indispensable and this port, a few years. This is important information for the mission Lagrene and businessman embarks enumerations of numbers to show how trade is vital to the British colony. It also analyzes the causes of this colonial settlement: the decline of Macau comes first because, for the French, "if [Macao] had been declared free port in time, the English probably would never have thought to go live Hong Kong "after the military effectiveness of the English and the Chinese administrative system deplorable, particularly the Customs. While
coldness, Auguste Haussmann paid scant attention to the attractiveness of the island and the spectacle of the colony. Contrary to recognize all travelers crossing after him, "this island is not populated enough or fertile enough, nor enough suitably located, in order to become an important market." The result gives a priori wrong, but it adds a useful clarification that makes him perhaps a clever vision. Hong Kong will not grow, "as long as Canton and the four northern ports will be opened to foreign ships." And so the tortured history of China was lucky of the British colony? That the assertions Haussman stating: "Today [Hong Kong] is, somehow, that the preservation of established European merchants in China, a place of refuge in times of war and a military establishment formidable, "but in the context of a quarrel of Sino-European, the French envoy already sees" the British possession change into a huge warehouse. "
As a balance sheet, the commercial attache finally acknowledges that" everywhere by the hand of man has triumphed over the rebellious nature. "And to finish on this positive note: "Hong Kong is the most beautiful monument of glory could ever set himself up England market and shipping!".
Sources and photography: Auguste HAUSSMANN, Travel China, Cochin China, India and Malaysia, 3 volumes, 1848; Numa BROC, Illustrated Dictionary of French explorers of the nineteenth century, 1992. Azémar Thanks to Yves and his inexhaustible library of old books on Asia, 89 Hollywood Road - Hong Kong.
Auguste Haussmann joined along the way members of the diplomatic corps. It is a businessman Alsace, sent by the Chamber of Commerce Mulhouse to handle the economic part and sing the French products. More specifically, it represents the textile industry in the region. His book "Journey to China, Cochin China, India and Malaysia is full of great rigor and differs from the writings of the time. It's more accurately reflect its mission to offer dreams and escape through an exotic story. The anecdotes and short descriptions were always meant to illustrate or prove the analysis of the commercial attache. In February 1844, he embarked on "Archimedes" captained by Pâris. It is, for the record, the first French ship to steam at double the Cape of Good Hope. After many long calls, Haussmann arrived in Macao in August. With his colleagues, he exposes the products of French industry in Macao and Canton ... without much success. So a businessman somewhat disillusioned happens in Hong Kong, especially in the delta of the Pearl River, the ship has narrowly escaped an attack by pirates.
It seems quite reluctant to see what is positive about him and his description of the bay is quickly dispatched. No wonder the spectacle before him, but these remarks: "He [Hong Kong] blame [...] to leave some taken some wind to the northern part, and, cons, to be too cashed in the South by the mountains, which prevents the wind from southwest to come clean air during the hot season. "The expedition landed on the island and visit. "By penetrating into the interior, we find a sequence of barren hills and small valleys where grow some trees, tall grass and yams. Can be seen also, from time to time, rice watered by the numerous streams that descend from the mountains, and have been given to Hong Kong on behalf of many poetic too fragrant island streams. The general appearance of the country is sad, savage, and the surface very uneven. "
Auguste Haussmann notice some beautiful buildings in the small English town of Victoria, and stresses that" building seen in buildings, streets that s' fielded through neighborhoods that were already emerging, and names of principal officials of the colony, wide streets, airy, where one is almost in Europe in the middle of the Chinese. " The passenger seemed to be impressed as he discovers the center of Queen's road to the palace of the governor, but criticism gets over it quickly on the unhealthy climate and many fevers that decimated the population. More
length, the businessman stands the first inventory of the economic colony of French point of view. He explained that the nearby Chinese ports each month sends "a sixty large merchant vessels, who bring [Hong Kong] needed food to residents, and they return with a small shipment of long-cloths and other products European industry. "The salt trade is Haussmann important and said that it is "a highly lucrative monopoly for the government [Chinese], and it gave rise, for some time to smuggle more active. Junks which bring to Hong Kong, taking in return for opium and other items, which are sold in shops in the city of Victoria. The specialist then details what products come from a particular region and s inquires about the "great mystery" surrounding the trade with the cities of Shanghai and Kit-Yeo-Yeo. The Alsatian
note that trade of call is more important in Hong Kong. The British were therefore able make them indispensable and this port, a few years. This is important information for the mission Lagrene and businessman embarks enumerations of numbers to show how trade is vital to the British colony. It also analyzes the causes of this colonial settlement: the decline of Macau comes first because, for the French, "if [Macao] had been declared free port in time, the English probably would never have thought to go live Hong Kong "after the military effectiveness of the English and the Chinese administrative system deplorable, particularly the Customs. While
coldness, Auguste Haussmann paid scant attention to the attractiveness of the island and the spectacle of the colony. Contrary to recognize all travelers crossing after him, "this island is not populated enough or fertile enough, nor enough suitably located, in order to become an important market." The result gives a priori wrong, but it adds a useful clarification that makes him perhaps a clever vision. Hong Kong will not grow, "as long as Canton and the four northern ports will be opened to foreign ships." And so the tortured history of China was lucky of the British colony? That the assertions Haussman stating: "Today [Hong Kong] is, somehow, that the preservation of established European merchants in China, a place of refuge in times of war and a military establishment formidable, "but in the context of a quarrel of Sino-European, the French envoy already sees" the British possession change into a huge warehouse. "
As a balance sheet, the commercial attache finally acknowledges that" everywhere by the hand of man has triumphed over the rebellious nature. "And to finish on this positive note: "Hong Kong is the most beautiful monument of glory could ever set himself up England market and shipping!".
FD.
Sources and photography: Auguste HAUSSMANN, Travel China, Cochin China, India and Malaysia, 3 volumes, 1848; Numa BROC, Illustrated Dictionary of French explorers of the nineteenth century, 1992. Azémar Thanks to Yves and his inexhaustible library of old books on Asia, 89 Hollywood Road - Hong Kong.
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