The villages tributary to China consisted only of the settlements of Goldees and Mangoons, or their temporary fishing stations.

The Chinese empire contains much territory still open to colonization, and I imagine that it would be to the interest of the Celestial government to scatter its population more evenly over its dominions.

Possibly it does not wish to send its subjects into regions that may hereafter fall into the hands of the emperor of Russia.
There is a great deal of land in Manjouria adapted to agriculture, richly timbered and watered, but containing a very small population.
Millions of people could find homes where there are now but a few thousands.
A Russian village and military post seventeen miles below the mouth of the Songaree is named Michael Semenof, in honor of the Governor General of Eastern Siberia.

We landed before the commandant's house, where two iron guns pointed over the river in the direction of China.
However threatening they appeared I was informed they were unserviceable for purposes of war, and only employed in firing salutes.

A military force was maintained there, and doubtless kept a sharp watch over the Chinese frontier.
The soldiers appeared under good sanitary regulations, and the quarters of the Commandant indicated an appreciation of the comforts of life.