Part 1
Transcriber’s Note
There are only two extant copies of /Reminiscences of Western Travels/ (Xi hai ji you cao 西海纪游草), written by the first Chinese traveler to the United States in 1849. One is in private hands in China; the other is housed in the New York Public Library. There are significant differences between the two. The former was the source of the 1985 revised edition***, published in China, but this eBook is based on the latter. For further details, please see "Transcriber's Note, Part 2" and "A note about the author’s names and the book title's translation" at the end of this document. See also my online project at http://scalar.usc.edu/works/firstchinesetraveler/.
There are uncommon characters in the Chinese transcription. If they do not appear on your screen, you will need to download and install a suitable font. Alternatively, you may refer to the photos of the original book's pages. Typographical errors in the American newspaper and periodical reports were not corrected.
按语
第一位远赴美国游历的华人，于1849年著述的“西海纪游草” [Reminiscences of Western Travels]， 现今硕果仅存两个珍本。其中一本，为中国私人收藏；另一 本，是纽约公共图书馆的藏书。两书之间，有显著 差别。中国岳麓书社于1985年 出版的校订本***，是跟据前者编撰，而我的电子书内容则以 后者为蓝本 编写。详情请参阅本文结尾的英文按语， 及关于作者名 字和书名翻译的注释， 亦请浏览我的纲页。
在中文的誊本中，有些罕见的汉字，如果没有出现在屏幕上，您需要下载安装合适 的字 体；另一个可行方法是参考原书每页的照片。至于在美国报刊报道中出现的 排印错误，均会原文收录，不作 更正。
TMT
***Lin Zhen 林针. "Xi hai ji you cao 西海纪游草 ." *...*
First Chinese Traveler to the United States:
Lin King Chew, /Reminiscences of Western Travels/ & Relevant American Press Reports, 1847-1850
第一位赴美游历的中国人:
林綤㿝《西海纪游草》 及美国报刊相关报道, 1847-1850
Table of Contents 目录
林綤㿝《西海纪游草》
封面 Front Cover
扉页 [1849] Title Page
西海纪游序 Forewords
庚戌[1850]王道征"序"
欧梦蕉"序"
西海纪游自序 Preface
西海纪游诗 Poem [道光二十九年(1849)初稿]
救回被诱潮人记 Rescuing the Chaozhou People
〔附〕记先祖妣节孝事略 Ancestral Account
跋 Postscripts
己酉[1849]周见三"跋"
己酉[1849]歗云梅"跋"
American Press Reports 美国报刊报道
"A Great Curiosity Coming to this Port--A Yankee Speculation," New York Daily Tribune, February 6, 1847
"The Chinese Junk Keying," New York Daily Tribune, July 14, 1847
"The Chinese Junk," New York Herald, July 21, 1847
"The Chinese Junk," Albany Evening Journal, August 11, 1847
"The Chinese Junk," New York Daily Tribune, August 13, 1847
"A Chinese Junketing," New York Commercial Advertiser, August 31, 1847
"Law Courts," New York Daily Tribune, September 8, 1847
"Chinese Junk," New York Daily Tribune, September 28, 1847
"The Chinese and the Junk," New York Daily Tribune, October 4, 1847
"Arrest of a Chinaman," Morning Courier and New York Inquirer, October 7, 1847
"Seamen's Chaplain for China," New York Evangelist, October 7, 1847
"Arrest of a Celestial," Brooklyn Evening Star, October 8, 1847
"Ling Keng Chow," New York Daily Tribune, October 19, 1847
"Sailing of the Chinese Sailors, Belonging to the Cochin China Junk," Dwight’s American Magazine ..., November 13, 1847
Transcriber's Note, Part 2
A note about the author’s names and the book title's translation
*卥海纪游艸*
杨廷球题
Reminiscences of Western Travels By Lin Kung King of Amoy China Who visited the United States in 1847—[1]849 and was afterwards employed as Linguist to the U.S. Consulate at Amoy
BookCover
[封面 Front Cover]
衟灮己酉蒲月
卥海纪㳺艸
鸣轩杨廷球题
RectoCover
[扉页 Title Page]
西海纪游序
序 吾乡林君景周，翩翩佳公子也，侨寓鹭门。丁未二月，由粤东起程往花旗，至六月 达其国。越已酉二月，仍返泉州足迹所经，一一纪述，幷托之长句，名曰 《西海纪 游艸》。以写其天时人事之变迁，风俗山川之离合，令阅者惝恍迷离，恍如置身绝 域。壮哉斯游乎！
顾余闻景周性惇笃而家甚贫，白发在堂，无以为养。其乘风破浪，孤剑长征，将以 博菽水资而为二老欢也。其游不久即归，非得已者。不知者乃以此相 夸诧，过矣！
集中所记尊大母节孝事略，语极真挚。而营捄潮州二十六人，身蹈不测，幸得闺秀 雷即声以三百金力为排解，其事尤可传。夫以景周负权奇俶傥之姿， 何施不可？
而必为海外之行，以蓄其甘旨。义愤所发，至于从井救人。向非侠女子引手一援， 其欲生入玉门关也，难矣！乃景周至有所不顾，一意孤行，自求其是。卒之吉人天 相，履险如夷，抽身从九万里归，家庆团圆，重承色笑。虽景周之智略足以驭之， 亦景周之孝思有以致之乎？
余于景周素未谋面，近其师林伊洛先生以所着大集见示，并属题识。时余方株守穷 庐，毫无善状足以仰慰先灵。受而卒业，深羡其逮事二亲，能得天伦 之至乐也！
于是乎书。
庚戌仲春，三山王道征譔
PageImage
[西海纪游序 一 Foreword 1]
PageImage
[西海纪游序 二 Foreword 2]
庚戌岁，伊洛林先生以其门弟子林君景周《西海纪游艸》见示。其中以骈体摹写九万 里人情土俗、物产天时，无不详 记，使人披阅之下，宛然在目。至于义救潮人， 礼维闺秀，末复述祖妣苦节，表扬当世，此皆至性至情，出于自然，竟成希有仅 事。惜予频年落魄，良晤 无缘， 窃幸诵君之诗，而喜为天下道也。谨书数语，以 志鄙怀云尔。
乌麓欧梦蕉谨识
PageImage
[西海纪游 一 Travelogue 1]
西海纪游自序
岁维丁未，月届仲春爰借东风，远游西极。萧萧长夜，碧海青天；黯黯离愁，临形 吊影。衣冠优孟，数十年之去日匆匆；傀儡登场，九万里之奔波碌碌。感 时抚 景，惨谈吟诗；往事聊陈，焉能情巳。于是，谱海市蜃楼，表温柔之佳话；借镜花 水月，发壮丽之大观。
曘蓼集茶，苦中之苦；披星带月，天外重 天。父母倚闾而 望，星霜即父母之星霜；家人筹数愆期，冷煖殆家人之冷暖。腹如悬磬，午夜不计 饔飧；身似簸箕，风雨飘流荡迹。千金一饭，王孙容易 豪雄；百结愁肠，绝域难 堪腥臭。镫如求璧，水甚淘金。年来之心迹迷茫，有谁知巳；此日之关山迢递，即 景生愁。鬼气蛙声，频增旅恨；蓬头垢首，强 啜糟醨。水手跳梁，称呼伙计 (番 人呼粤人为伙计) 梢工督令，宛尔将军 (夷俗出海多权)。伍子吹箫，英雄气短；
周郎顾曲，儿女情长。梦里还 家，欢然故里；醒仍作客，触目红毛 (夷人多红毛 蓝目)。
四旬航海，惊殊寒暑三更 (记得四十日之洋，而三迁寒暑，因南北廛度之分故 也)；两阅人生，虚度韶光什二。回忆牛衣对泣，游人知有室之乖 (予 初婚未久， 即辞家外出)；举头斗柄频更，荡子抱无家之痛。东西夷夏，球地相悬；南北舆 图，身家背面 (大地旋转不息，中国之昼即西洋之夜)。痛 思及此，出涕潸然；逝 者如斯，情深今古矣！
时而寂寞光阴，空仍是色；继暂逍遥云汉，醉不关痴。覩环海之连天，天仍连海；
念双亲之思子，子更思亲。桴海远游，谩笑囊无长物；图书左右，竟㤀 地不容 锥。水绿山青，遽喜舍舟登彼岸；花明柳暗，来随飞絮去沿萍。屈指梅萼春芳，不 觉莲香夏至 (予自二月由广东起程，至六月方达其国)。
百丈之楼䑓重叠，铁石参差 (以石为瓦，各家兼竖铁支，自地至屋顶，以防电患) 万家之亭榭嵯峨，桅樯错杂 (学校行店以及舟车，浩瀚而齐整)。
舻舳出洋入口， 引水掀轮 (货物出口无饷，而入税甚重。以火烟舟引水，时行百里)；潜踪背负挑 肩，骆䭾马傤 (无肩挑背负之役)。浑浑则老少安 怀，嬉嬉而男女混杂 (男女出 入，携手同行)。田园为重，农夫乐岁兴歌；山海之珍，商贾应墟载市 (每七日为 安息期，则官民罢业)。博古院明镫 幻影，彩焕云霄 (有一院集天下珍奇，任人游 玩，楼上悬镫，运用机括，变幻可观)；巧驿传密事急邮，支联脉络。暗用廿六文 字，隔省俄通 (每百 步竖两木，木上横架铁线，以胆矾、磁石、水银等物，兼用 活轨，将廿六字母为暗号，首尾各有人以任其职。如首一动，尾即知之，不论政 务，顷刻可通 万里。予知其法之详)；沿开百里河源，四民资益 (地名纽约克，为 花旗之大马头，番人毕集。初患无水，故沿开至百里外，用大铁管为水筒，藏于地 中，以承河淄。兼筑石室以蓄水，高与楼齐，且积水可供四亿人民四月之需。各家 楼䑓暗藏铜管于壁上，以承放清浊之水，极工尽巧。而平地喷水高出数 丈，如天 花乱坠)。酋长与诸夷并集，贵贱无分；白番与黑鬼私通，生成黄种 (土番面赤身 昂，性直而愚。三百年前，英人深入其地，久而家焉。
屡夺亚非利加黑鬼，卖其 地为奴。而禁白黑相配。间有私通者，遂生黄面虬毛之类)。天堂地狱，奉教竞 竞；赎罪捐躯，超生一一 (西洋诸国多奉耶 稣、天主二教)。
舣海舰舸千里，子母炮连城 (即天炮也)；坤灵日月旋干，浑天仪秉鉴 (其人善测 天地度数，虽航海周年不覩山岚，亦无毫厘之差。如西儒利玛窦之 天地形说，亦 不及其详)。郡邑有司，置刑不用 (其法准原、被告各携状师，并廿四耆老当堂证 驳，负者金作赎刑，槛作罪刑)；城乡要害，寓兵于农。
刻字为碑，瞽盲摩读 (盲 瞽院华丽非常，刻板为书，使盲人摸读)；捐金置舍，孤寡栽培 (设院以济孤寡鳏 独)。车舂水织，功称鬼斧丛奇；良治书 城，技夺天工灵活 (集板印书，以及舟、 车、舂、织、锤、铸等工，均用火烟轮，运以机器，神速而不费力。余独有志于舟 车之学，可以济公利私。惟 独力不支，苟吾人有志共成，不期年可以奏效也)。或 风或雨，暴狂示兆于悬针；乍暑乍寒，冷暖旋龟于画指 (以披璃管装水银，为风雨 暑寒针)。
山川人物，镜中指曰㽞形 (有神镜，炼药能借日光以照花鸟人物，顷刻 㽞模，余详其法)；术数经纶，学校男师女傅 (有闺秀雷即声，其同学女友， 见余 恭敬无嫌疑，现为女傅。其书院中有子女自六、七岁至十六、七岁者四百余人，男 女师长四人，均任其职。每日课定巳、午、未，每礼拜期放学二日， 率此成例)。
一团和气，境无流丐僧尼；四毒冲天，人有奸淫邪盗 (斯亦不免)。应心得手，创 一技便可成名 (其俗不尚虚文，凢人能首创一艺，足以利世，特加 桨赏)；远国他 邦，道不同目为愚蠢 (目崇信鬼神、奉祀土木偶者为贱鄙罪人)。四海工商毕集， 阜尓经营；卅省民庶丛生，年增倍蓗。医精剖割，瞒 人背地开棺 (每省有一医 馆，传方济世。凡贫民入其中就医，虽兔谢金，或病致死，即剖尸验病，有不从 者，即开棺偷验)；事播新文，衾影难藏声迹 (大政细务，以及四海新文，日印于 纸，传扬四方，故官民无私受授之弊)。南圃南农遍地，棉麦秋收；北工北贾居 奇，酒肉兄弟。黑鬼生充下陈，毕 世相承 (英人以黑鬼卖于其地，遂世为贱役。
主人贫，輙转卖之)；拈䦰众选贤良，多签获荐 (凡大小官吏，命士民保举，多人 荐拔者得售)。暴强 所扰，八载劳师 (其地原属英吉利管辖，因征税繁扰，故华盛 顿出而拒之，遂自为国，争霸西洋)；统领为尊，四年更代 (众见华盛顿有功于 国，遂 立彼为统领，四年复㽞一任，今率成例)。四时土产，物等价昂；半据荒 洲，地宽人少 (其地虽居天下四分之一，然而人民不及中国二省之多。工人少 而 土物贵，理所必然)。
去日之观天坐井，语属齐东；年来只测海窥蠡，气吞泰岱。眼界森临万象，彩笔难 描；耳开奇怪多端，事珠谁记？潺潺流水，桃源渔子重来；烛烛其华，周 召家人 遗爱 (男女自婚配，宜其有室家之乐矣)。瓜田纳履，世复何疑；李下整冠，人无 旁论 (归舟之出海，主事者每抱客妇在怀，丑态难状，恬不 为怪)。春风入座，一 言联静好之机；宋玉东墙，百礼防范围之制 (予恒与夷女并肩把臂于月下花前，未 尝及乱)。娇藏锦绣，遍地𣰽毺；貌衬玻璃 ，映窓梅雪。桃花上马，蛮姨领露蝤 蛴；油壁香车，游女鞭含夕照。依依杨柳，到处垂青；荡荡桃花，西秦薄命 (予有 句云: "好花一入行人子，不 揷金樽痛客心")。秋月春芳，难穷幽韵；亀年延寿， 莫绘倾城。诗酒琴棋，堂飞旧燕；𦂶罗书𦘚，醉冩春风 (书𦘚琴棋，玉人各精其 妙)。敢 啧卿卿，言真咄咄。蛮腰舞掌，轻鸿远渡重渊 (女友随凌氏，玉腰纤小， 窈窕可人，恐小蛮见者，应羞婢对夫人)；莺啭歌檀，玉佩声来月下 (夷女 虽工诸 艺，予独取其风琴，手弹足按，音韵铿锵，神致飘然)。
时临乞巧，巧遇潮人；景为玉成，成诸蛮女 (时有潮州澄海人二十六辈，被英商诱 去，舟飘其地，值余哀诉舟中鞭朴以及离别之苦。余为营救，竟得附 舟归里。余 之获交女友雷即声，亦根于此，遂主于其家者两月。噫！予之救火及身，更感其情 多方垂顾。不意平生知巳，竟出于海外之女即。而余结草啣 环，又在何日？兴怀 及此，未尝不潸然欲涕也。被诱之事，余详卷后)。廿六人之随风飘荡，苦海无 涯，两百日之忍气吞声，捐生一旦。众为救归鼓祸， 遭驱象而送向蛇吞；吾悲同 调相怜，计钓鲤而敺由獭祭。相逢萍水，难辞萍寄他方；无缝天衣，幸获天缘凑 巧。夷宫会审，临提难𦘚葫芦；鲍管分金， 即日乘机航苇 (于八月廿六日，众得 返棹)。
天从人愿，何妨平地兴波；友玉他山，毛秃鹊桥填壑。主人高义，保非罪之拘囚 (因救潮人而鼓祸，蒙女友之父以三百金保余出禁)；彼美多情，喜 惊 鳞之脱网。百八度之星娥系足，指约盟心 (自厦到其处，恰一百八十度，余感 其情，赠以金指约一枚)；两阅月之红拂垂青，玉容表誓 (答以小照)。
凄凄江 草，梦印杨州；浙浙秋天，炉灰画字 (恒与围炉夜话)。虽使君有妇，抱痛人天；
惯小姑无郎，心坚金石 (尝语余以不嫁)。底事华番异 致，黎倩牵心；天然胡妇多 情，子卿谁是？夜绕池塘梦草，孤灯泪渍衾裯；时维覩𦘚呼真，一纸心悬枕席。
刻刻关心双鲤，云山万叠无踪；年年作客秦川，面目故吾黧瘦。相思红豆，𣗳头空 盻尽寒鸦；沟水长流，叶上只一通锦字 (余在南方九月，只得玉人 一书而巳)。阴 晴渺渺，一残编昏晓流年，雨雪霏霏，九阅月婆娑牙轴。蠹鱼饱蛀，咀嚼华英 (每 译夷书以解闷) ；秃管余堆，抹涂鸦字。
时即凄风苦雨，冐冻寻芳;居恒矮屋炎天，汗蒸流水。深感兰香割股，馈奉高堂；
减寿祈天，孝慈守节 (在彼追念先祖妣节孝，因作一记，详卷后)。
音容如在，痛 绕膝之无从；桑梓虽遥，幸归㠶之迅发。山海竒观，书真难罄；椿萱并茂，贫亦何 忧。生逢 盛世，岂甘异域之久居；略叙游踪，思补职方之 外纪。情有未尽，复 缀以诗。
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[西海纪游自序 一 Preface 1]
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[西海纪游自序 二 Preface 2]
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[西海纪游自序 三 Preface 3]
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[西海纪游自序 四 Preface 4]
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[西海纪游自序 五 Preface 5]
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[西海纪游自序 六 Preface 6]
西海纪游诗
足迹半天下，闻观景颇奇；因贫思远客，觅侣往花旗。初发闽南掉，长教徼外驰， 星霜帆作帐，冻馁饼充饥。
游子思亲际，原亲忆子时；思亲虞老迈，忆 子患凄其；妻对牛衣泣，夫从斗柄 移。舆图看背向，道路怅多歧；
鳞甲争飞舞，风涛作鼓吹；蜃䑓藏雾社，蛟壑起云螭；谩啧船牢久，须怜绝域羇；
岸由 山数转，春出夏来兹。
宫阙嵯峨现，桅樯错杂随；激波掀火舶，载货运牲骑；巧驿传千里，公私刻共知；
泉桥承远溜，利用济居夷；
战舰连城炮，浑天测 海蠡；女男分贵贱，白黑辨尊卑；俗奉耶稣教，人遵礼拜 规；联邦情既洽，统领法犹垂；
国以勤农富，官从荐举宜；穷招孤寡院，瞽读揣摩碑；断狱除刑 具，屯军肃令 仪，暑寒针示兆，机织火先施；
土广民仍少，售昂物只斯；南方宽沃壤，北省善谋赀；少蓄遨游志，今开夙昔疑。
玉堂铺锦绣，琼宇衬玻瓈；
秋月弹湘怨，苍松绘雪姿；才追谢道蕴，慧媲蔡文姬；走笔笼鵞帖，迎𨦟探虎棋；
楼头镫变幻，镜里影迷离；
算贯毫厘末，谈㤀辩驳疲；嫦娥辞碧落，大 士渡银湄。为释潮澄祸，俄兴楚卞 悲；雷陈交缱绻，缟𥿉结相思；
被揑曾穿牖，爰提至有司；亥初遭禁系，午末脱拘縻；红袖援双手，良朋助一𡕸。
黎明 伤祖饯，甛黑绕塘池；
覩画卿频唤，囘书望素丝；簟衾余泪晕，面目瘦燋黧；纂译聊温习，耕锄藉砚菑。
残篇鱼蠹蚀，牙轴秃囊锥。
九月栖鸿鹢，周年傍 栢篱，龙门登印度，猪溷锁麟儿；磨炼曾如许，头胪叹殆 而。归程欢迅速，家庆乐酣嬉；
萍梗何为者，𫇴荛或采之；不才无所用，即事偶成诗。
道光二十九年又四月，闽县天荡子林綤㿝景周初稿
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[西海纪游诗 一 Poem 1]
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[西海纪游诗 二 Poem 2]
救回被诱潮人记
余未离家三月之前，巳闻英商在广省买一汉船，并招潮州人，意欲归国，藉竒以获 利。
迨丁未六月，余甫达花旗，即见其船泊于港口 候騐。至数日，余即与同行者下船探众，询及始末，方知被英夷 所诱，前曾伪立合约云：欲往爪鸦贸易，以八月为限，限𣼛听去留。而后船经其地 而不入，众方知苦。
然而悔巳晚矣。䜣及长洋，数受鞭笞之惨，求死不能， 今而后，苟舟他往，众等虽死此地亦不与俱矣。因船值逆风，不 得往英，而寄泊于此，幸得遇君， 愿垂救之。
同行云，"此处有鲁姓者，为花旗法家第一，苟得其片言只字，何患不完璧归赵？" 余是以不辞劳苦，代众勤访两月，因其避暑相左，恐舟他往，未免患 生鱼肉。于 是八月中旬，众即向英人求归，而英人见众心力齐一，亦恐有变，况土人闻汉船 至，争欲观之。人与英夷银钱半枚，始得上船，遍览日得银钱 数千，岂肯放归， 因架诬众欲谋乱，遂押七人于牢中。
其日，𣼛城之人，纷纷传扬，是夜潮人之首蚁相者来余寓中，泣䜣益惨切，余以未 遇鲁姓末如之何。比晓，遂到槛中相探，见有额破足跛、血染征衣 者，不堪卒 视。幸而医人周顾，余颇心安，姑作善言宽慰之。
至第四日夷官会审，而鲁姓适归，于是并集䑓前，首座一官即按词讯问，尔等何故 谋杀船主，从实招来，法不容诈。时余坐于旁列，遂向前代译始末情 由，并于十 九人中，择一为证，即将文凭当堂译明，而鲁姓亦坐于堂右，指驳英夷，井井有 条。只见英夷战兢汗下，莫措一词，而夷官究知其𡚁，遂当堂释 放七人，观者欣 声雷动。
明日，余与鲁姓之名，传闻远迩，遂命众等将舟中行李移入雷即声家中，其人为各 国水手之会主，颇有血性，待众如 同手足，不问月费。而余之获识其女，亦由此也。
既而托鲁性代众伸冤，转告英夷，呈入船封察院，不日判云：拐带汉人船无执照， 而众有文凭，其伪可知，况鞭挞平民，罪不容逭，姑念众等贫 无依倚，罚英人以 金作赎刑，即日配船送众归国，使游子无冻馁之悲，室家无悬望之苦，虽一切工 资，亦不许白吞，毋违，特示。
至是一一如判，众得于 八月二十六 日附舶返掉。
噫，英人以余破其奸，而不余愿，知余初学神镜法，即嘱其友照镜师 诬余，以所买之物为盗，私与协文医生串通，值余外出私开箱箧，迫余以所买之物 还之，不然即欲送官。余先有成见，岂肯坠其鬼术，正欲其到官剖雪，且潮州人等 见余救火焚身，求余一并同归，余以事未明白不从。余虽遭诬陷，中怀 全无芥 蒂，是日送众百里之外，众虽含辛泣别，余独以救人为快事焉。
至二十九夜，夷官 遣役来拘，明早余同役早饭于雷家，雷即 声之女恳其父兄代余鼎力，至午，官亦知其详，准其父以三百金保余在外候讯，而 后初同行者自西省而归， 并鲁姓至 官厅代余剖译曲直，其事始明。
余之得于十月游览南方者，多蒙诸友人爱屋及乌之力也。
潮州被诱之人，于是冬安抵广省，勒碑于潮。余至巳酉二月方得旋厦，爰记此事， 为后人之劝云尔。
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[救回被诱潮人记 一 Rescue Story 1]
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[救回被诱潮人记 二 Rescue Story 2]
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[救回被诱潮人记 三 Rescue Story 3]
〔附〕记先祖妣节孝事略
先祖妣，侯宫 (人氏，议叙贵州贵阳府定番州知州用周公讳时权之女，小字嬉官。
幼读书，识) 大体。年十五，母病延医无效，先祖妣日夜悲痛，焚香告天， 割股 和药以进，愿减巳寿延亲年，母病获痊。时曾祖考 (岁进士便选州讳琼苑公闻其贤 孝，遂聘为次子妇。) 入门数年，克臻妇道。生三子：长端言公，次 慎言公，季 即吾父也。不幸先祖考中年去世，遗下诸孤皆幼弱，所有业产尽被族人侵占。先祖 妣事女红，日不再食。有窥其贫，欲劝之改节者，见其誓志 不移，卒敬畏之。然 而贫甚，迨先伯父稍长，寄食厦门，遂家焉。綤㿝少时颇不好学，先祖妣恒以 "荡 子囘头金不换" 之语谆谆训诫。呜呼！今而后，慈训 不可得闻巳，是可痛也！先 祖妣既逝，㿝即荡迹天涯，因自署为天荡子，以志不肖，不敢㤀先祖妣之德意云 耳。先祖妣生于乾隆庚辰年，终于道光乙巳年， 享寿八十有六，殡厦门之城南。
子孙贫贱，不能仰邀 旌表。虽即一抔之土，尚难返葬故鄕。抱痛终天，曷其 有极！抑天之所以成就节孝者，如此而巳耶？
时在海外，追思往昔，谨和泪濡 毫，略陈梗概。
不肖孙林綤㿝百拜谨记
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[先祖妣节孝事略 一 Ancestral Account 1]
跋
男子志在四方，足迹不出里巷者，其人必无以广见闻而增胆识。
景周表弟居于 泉之厦岛，癸卯岁负笈抵省，不以𪜬学浅，执弟子礼甚恭，是不远数百里而 游 也。其为人倜傥不群，胸次爽朗，𪜬深喜之。归家后二年，受外国花旗聘，舌耕海 外，是不远数万里而逰也。𪜬闻之益喜，知此行乘风破浪，必有以长 其学问，扩 其胸怀矣。春间浮海，旋即以所着《西海纪逰草》邮寄于𪜬。披阅之下，其中徃来之 跋涉，遭际之竒异，以及人情土俗、物产天时，无不一一 详记，使人了然于目， 了然于心。窥见一斑，其文思不大有进哉！至于不避艰险，营救潮人，实出于血 性，尤为不负斯行矣。
表弟孝于亲，奔走海外，常 以不能承欢𦡀下为悲，且述 其祖妣生平苦节，以志不㤀，其天性之肫挚，不可想见哉？
巳酉十月望后，愚表兄周见三谨跋
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[西海纪游跋 Postscript]
跋
景周勇于游，尝附贾舶远涉九万里，至北亚墨利加之花旗国。今春归来，出所着自 序一篇，风土夷情，探访繙译，既详且确复为韵语五百言，托寄深矣。
时有潮州 民船被夷商诱去，残害死者甚伙。适其船遭风失道至花旗，景周乃为营救二十六 人，得脱斯难，闻者义之。笔墨之妙，犹余事也。
巳酉清和歗云梅识于鹭江寄舫
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[西海纪游跋 一 Postscript 1]
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[书背 Book Back]
Images of the Original Publication in New York Public Library 藏于纽约公共图书馆的珍本照片
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[Left: the spine of the volume in which the book is bound with other books and pamphlets. Right: the volume's inside.]
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[Left: the volume's table of contents. Right: the book's original card-catalog record in New York Public Library.]
A Great Curiosity Coming to this Port--A Yankee Speculation
New York Daily Tribune
February 6, 1847, p.1
It appears that a new visitor may shortly be expected in these parts:
/Novel Speculation/.--An enterprising Yankee at Canton has recently built a Chinese Junk of 300 tons fitted and rigged entirely after the Chinese mode, which he intends taking to New York, loading her with every species of China knicknacs, curiosities, etc. to be sold on board after arrival off that city. He takes also a Chinese crew, a theatrical and juggling company, males and females, and everything curious, illustrative of the manners and customs of the Celestials.
The junk will have canvas sails and a Christian rudder to make her suitable for the long voyage, but upon arrival at the Narrows, every thing foreign will be replaced by Chinese articles, mat sails, clumsy rudder and all, and the junk anchor off the city in her entire oriental costume and build, where she will remain as a show shop, sale room and mountebank exhibition. It is expected she will make the passage in five months.
The cost of the whole affair will be about $30,000, and the “cute” proprietor will undoubtedly realize a large fortune. After having exhausted the United States, he has been offered $30,000 to deliver his junk in England. The Manhattanese will stare as broadly at the strange sight of a cruiser from the flowery land sailing up their noble river, as did the aborigines when old Hendrick Hudson astonished their unsophisticated senses by a display of his Dutch canvas in their bay. The junks are said to be good sea boats, and nothing worse than delay is feared in the voyage. We only wonder some one never thought of it before.
The Chinese Junk Keying
New York Daily Tribune
July 14, 1847, p.2
THE CHINESE JUNK KEYING.—The Captain and consignees of the Chinese Junk have made arrangements to exhibit this singular specimen of Chinese naval architecture to the citizens of New York. She will be up this morning at 11 o’clock at Castle Garden, where she will be moored and ready to receive visitors tomorrow, from 6 o’clock, A.M. until 5 ½ o’clock, P.M.—In coming up the Bay she will be decorated with flags peculiar to her country, and salute the vessels in our harbor. Particulars hereafter. Get out your half dollars, and prepare to /Chin-Chin/ Capt. Kellett and have a confab with HESING.
The Chinese Junk
New York Herald
July 21, 1847, p.2
THE CHINESE JUNK--“Have you seen the Chinese Junk?” is the question addressed to ten thousand people every day, by such of our citizens as are fortunate enough to have seen this extraordinary vessel, and the innumerable curiosities of every kind that are to be seen on board of her She is visited daily by thousands of our people, and there appears to be no end to the excitement she has made in our community. She is, indeed, a novelty, and one hour’s stay on board of her will give a better insight into Chinese manners and customs, than can be learned in a library of books.
The Chinese Junk
Albany Evening Journal
August 11, 1847, p.2
This strange craft continues to attract numerous Visitors. Though the project originated with a Yankee, it was carried out by an Englishman, who “bought in” for $10,000 premium, after the Junk was ready for Sea. The Chinese Sailors who are on board complain of ill-usage. They belong to a Province of China remote from Canton, and were shipped for a coasting Voyage. After being some weeks at Sea, suspecting foul play, they refused to work, and the Junk drifted for two days. But the Proprietor and a few English Sailors arming themselves and taking advantage of a favorable moment, forced the Chinese to work. Subsequently they determined to starve themselves to death, and were nearly three days without food.
After the Junk had been a week or ten days in New York, an American Gentleman who had resided five years in the place from which these men came, went on board, and finding that he spoke their language (which differs from that spoken at Canton) they made their complaint to him. This gentleman communicated the facts to some Merchants, who called upon the Junk Proprietor and asked him to pay the Chinese Sailors regular wages and provide for their return in an American ship.—Their proposition was at first rejected and resented, but on finding that his Junk would be libelled and his speculation blown up, the Gentleman complied, and arrangements are now making for the return of the Men who were inveigled from their homes.
The Chinese Junk
New York Daily Tribune
August 13, 1847, p.2
THE CHINESE JUNK.--The /Albany Evening Journal/ publishes as its leader of Wednesday an interesting story about the junk. It seems that somebody who can talk about the lingo of the Chinamen has been on board and has learned from them that they have been badly used In the first place they say that they were inveigled on board under pretence of a coasting voyage and that after being some weeks at sea, suspecting foul play, they refused to work and the junk drifted for two days. But the proprietor and a few English sailors arming themselves and taking advantage of a favorable moment, forced the Chinese to work. Subsequently they determined to starve themselves to death, and were nearly three days without food. The gentleman in question, according to the /Journal/, interested some merchants in the matter who compelled the proprietor to pay the Chinamen full wages and to make arrangements for sending the men home, although he resisted the proposition when first made to him.
We are not informed as to the truth of this story, but it seems to us bear marks of a lively imagination. If it originated with the Chinamen it is enough to say that they are unequaled liars. Moreover we understood from Captain Kellett, some time before this gentleman is alleged to have visited the junk, that the Chinamen were receiving regular wages as sailors and that his intention was to send them out by some ship going from New York to China. The only complaint we then heard on board was from Mr. HESING who, in the confidence of friendly conversation lamented the violence he had been compelled to do his domestic affections by leaving his three wives. He did not, however, charge this upon Capt. Kellett, but upon the unfortunate paucity of accommodations in the junk for so extensive a family.
A Chinese Junketing
New York Commercial Advertiser
August 31, 1847, p.2
A CHINESE JUNKETING.--A rather grave disagreemen and some disturbance took place yesterday, on board the Chinese junk, between Capt. Kellett and his mate and a portion of the Chinese crew, some of whom, the captain alleges, have been made discontented by parties who wish to seduce them from his service. The pecuniary offers held out to them have unsettled them, but they are too cunning and suspicious to release the captain from his responsibility in reference to them, and the consequence has been a disposition to mutiny and riot. They had smoked opium so freely, during their meditations upon the matter, that the riotous spirit yesterday obtained the ascendancy, and its first indication was a demand for the wages, which the captain tendered to the discontented, and offered them a bonus of twenty dollars if they would return their original agreements or give him a release in full from all claims. This they refused to do; and under the excitement of the opium made a severe attack upon the captain and mate. They were, however, eventually subdued, and some of the ring-leaders, it is said, were taken to the police office. We saw two of them evince a similar spirit some time ago.
While we are writing this, some half dozen of them have passed our office, on their way from the station house, probably, for examination on the charge. The poor fellows seem disconsolate enough, and one of them we saw wiping tears from his eyes. Their names are Assoy, Ayong, Lonee, Attee, Attoo, Tinding and Corotin; and they were this morning committed for violently assaulting Edward Rinett, second captain to the junk.
Law Courts
New York Daily Tribune
September 8, 1847, p.2
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT--[…]
/The Chinese Junk/.—Mr. Lord, on behalf of Hia Siang, Ung Fl, Lim Chingal, Khosing Thiam, and 22 others, (26 in all,) seamen of the Chinese Junk, the Keying, filed a libel against the vessel, claiming wages from September last, when they started from Whampoa, near Canton—also for maintenance here during proceedings, and for sufficient to enable them to procure a passage back to Whampoa (the latter requiring between $100 and $200 each.) The claim that such was the agreement for the voyage, which they understood was to be for Batavia or Singapore, and not to occupy over eight months. Mr. Burr, on behalf of Capt. Kellet, of the vessel, made objections, but the Court thought the men had a right to libel the vessel, and show, if they could, that the wages and allowances are due to them. The order was allowed.
Chinese Junk
New York Daily Tribune
September 28, 1847, p 2
CHINESE JUNK.--This vessel remains in the keeping of the U.S. Marshal of this district, in consequence of the libel placed on her by the Chinese crew. We do not know how much longer she will remain here, but the native crew are going home soon in a merchant vessel.
The Chinese and the Junk
New York Daily Tribune
October 4, 1847, p. 1
THE CHINESE AND THE JUNK.--It seems the difficulty with Capt. Kellett has been settled, the Captain paying $1000 for their passage home. To-morrow morning the whole crew are expected to attend the Mariners’ Methodist Episcopal Church in Cherry st. On Monday next they are to leave for the Celestial Empire. The Junk remains.
Arrest of a Chinaman
Morning Courier and New York Inquirer
October 7, 1847, p.2
/Arrest of a Chinaman/.--Sin Ken Chem was arrested, charged with stealing a quantity of Daguerreotype apparatusses, belonging to Peter N. Harsley, No. 112 Broadway, valued at $35. It seems that Sin was in the employ of Mr. Harsley, but whether to learn the art or not does not appear. On the 1st of September, however, he left, taking with him the articles in question, probably with the idea of starting the business in his own country. He was held for examination.
Seamen's Chaplain for China
New York Evangelist
October 7, 1847, p.158
Sailed, on the 4th inst. in the bark Candace, Captain Gardner, the Rev. Geo. Loomis, commissioned by the American Seamen's Friend Society to preach the gospel to seamen in the port of Canton. Being " ready to depart on the morrow," a public meeting was held on the previous evening in the Allen street Methodist Episcopal church in this city. It was a meeting of uncommon interest. The Rev. Dr. Peck preached from Matt. 9: 36, 37, 38. General theme--/the compassion of Christ; the objects which excited it, and its practical exercise/. In conclusion, he called attention to the multitudes employed on the sea, wandering, scattered and shepherdless; and forcibly urged the duty enjoined in the text.
The Instructions of the Board were given by Mr. Spaulding, one of the Secretaries of the Society, to which the chaplain made an impressive response. He had left the home and the friends of his youth, to minister in the port of Canton to the destitute sailors scattered like sheep. He had entered upon this work impressed with its importance, not only to the seamen themselves, but to the millions of China.