アヘン弛禁論の形成について

Abstract

In the years following 1829 (the 9th year of Daoguang 道光), the problem of the opium was vigorously discussed in terms of an economic crisis precipitated by the outflow silver specie from China. Under such circumstances, the idea to legalize the opium trade began to be formed in Canton. This idea became prevalent enough to be introduced for the first time in a memorial proposed by Liangguang 兩廣 Governor-General Li Hongbin 李鴻賓 late in 1831. In the period between the spring of 1831 and June 1832, this idea was clearly expressed in an essay titled "Mi hai 弭害", composed by the Canton literati Wu Lanxiu 呉蘭修. In connection with the political situation to garner the support of Grand Secretary Ruan Yuan 阮元 and empress Quan 全, the idea of legalization was formally proposed in a memorial of Xu Naiji 許乃濟 on the 27th day of the 4th month of the 16th year of Daoguang (1836). The proposal tolegalize the opium trade was intended to take the opium trade, which had been removed from the purview of the Canton system, back within that system. This proposal was also intended to reconstruct the weakened hong merchants 行商, who under this scheme were to deal exclusively in the legitimized opium trade. Thus this proposal, which sought to reconstruct the Canton system, was intended essentially to benefit local society in Canton. On the other hand, authorities in Peking were seriously alarmed by the northern voyages of the opium-ships, being connected with distribution of religious tracts by foreign missionnaries. The authorities in Peking were temporarily inclined to accept this proposal because it was planned to put an end to the northern voyages of the opium-ships.