Lot 617
U.S. Involvement in China. Group of three letters detailing American concerns and intervention in China in 1849, probably the most significant American military involvement in that country since sailors and marines from the St. Louis were landed in Canton following a clash between Americans and Chinese at the trading post.
The British/Chinese Opium Wars (1839-1842) had resulted in a painful defeat for the Chinese, as they fought to limit British opium smuggling and resisted paying damages for opium they had confiscated from the smugglers. Although technically ended by the Treaty of Nanking, the relationship between the British and Chinese was never free from strife and the letters offered here illustrate the concerns of Americans in China vis-a-vis the impact of hostilities between those two countries.
Our first item appears to be a transcript or summary of an article from the North Peking Gazette which makes evident Chinese suspicions of British/American collusion "…It is believed in the inner city, that the Americans are assisting the English both in men and money, for the opening of the city gates…" The second item, an April 5, 1849 letter written by U.S. Consul P.S. Forbes in Canton, is directed to Commodore David Geisinger, Commander of U.S. forces in the East Indies. Minor foxing and soil do not obscure the text which reads, in part, "…It is of course very gratifying to my feelings to merit the approbation of the commodore…and I have seconded your own efforts to protect American citizens and their property…" An April 11 letter from several Canton businessmen to Geisinger expresses their gratitude for the deployment of the Dolphin to protect American factories: "…The difficulties which are expected to arise between the British and Chinese Governments on the 6th instant, having been deferred…we take the earliest moments of returning tranquility to impress how much we feel indebted to you for your prompt attention to American interests in this quarter…".
Estimated Value $800 - 900.
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