The Empress of China and America's First Asian Trade
In yesterday’s article we looked at the life and career of Samuel Shaw, the first American to establish diplomatic negotiations with China.
Today, we will take a deeper look at his first trip aboard the Empress of China.
This article is a bit longer than my usual fare, but sometimes I come across a document that is really worth going into depth on.
The Empress of China
Before Samuel Shaw was appointed as the first American diplomat to China, he journeyed there as a representative of several wealthy merchants to establish trade between the United States and that nation.
He sailed on the appropriately named Empress of China, arriving in Canton after a seven month trip.
When he returned, Shaw wrote a letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs John Jay which outlined his adventure.
This letter discussed the highlights of his travels and was eventually published in a dozen newspapers across the country.
The Letter
First, we should talk about the journey of the letter itself.
Shaw sent this correspondence to Jay in May of 1785, almost as soon as the Empress returned safely to New York City.
Jay then sent the letter to the Continental Congress, who formed a committee of James McHenry, Rufus King and William Samuel Johnson to discuss how to respond.
First, the committee decided to have the letter published. Then, they changed their mind and sent it back to Jay.
Jay, in turn, sent it back to Shaw.
Shaw, in turn, sent it back to Jay. He requested Jay publish the letter at his discretion.
Foreign Friends
So, what are the contents of this letter?
Shaw notes that the trip itself was very agreeable.
While passing by Malaysia, the Empress came across a small fleet of French ships who warmly greeted the Americans and informed Samuel that they too were going to China. The two nations sailed together the rest of the way.
Upon arrival, they were greeted by several leading members of Canton society as well as the European diplomats already in the city. Shaw notes that everyone was extremely friendly, though the Chinese were a bit confused because, “our being the first American ship that had ever visited China, it was some time before they could fully comprehend the distinction between English men and us.”
Chinese Law
Shaw relays two stories regarding tense situations in China.
First, he discusses how strict the police in Canton were and how all the European Nations met with a leading Chinese figure (and the Americans) to remedy certain restrictions placed on the diplomats.
These issues were put on the table and the Chinese made adjustments to their rules which pleased the foreigners and everything smoothed over.
The Canton War
A tense situation broke out in November of 1784 which almost interrupted into war.
Samuel Shaw recounts that an English ship was honoring a guest who had come for dinner by shooting off a canon.
Unfortunately, this blast killed one Chinese person and injured two others.
The Chinese were not happy about this and demanded that the “Gunner” be handed over for punishment. The English refused to give up the man.
China called in all its citizens and all of the European nations called in their closest ships of war.
It appeared that a full scale war might break out (with, interestingly, all the nations of Europe on the same side).
Resolution
Although the English and Chinese had several meetings, and the situation seemed to be resolved, the Chinese suddenly kidnapped the ship’s representative, George Smith.
They then called a meeting with all the European countries (except Great Britain) and Shaw. At this meeting, they promised that if the “Gunner” was handed over he would be given a fair trial and set free if the whole ordeal was an accident.
This comforted the other nations enough to convince the English to go along with the plan. They complied, Smith was set free and the “Gunner” given over to the Chinese.
Although it would later be determined that this man was guilty and he was executed, relations between China and all of their guests returned quickly to normal.
To read Shaw’s letter FOR FREE, click here.
Or, for an article by the New England Historical Society that talks about other parts of the trip I left out, click here.
Want to learn about another Founder who traveled the world by sea?
OK, here you go:
The First American Adventurer - John Ledyard
To learn more about Shaw’s voyage, check out ‘The Empress of China’.
Don’t let the blurry image below fool you, this is a thoroughly researched book written in 1984.
If you’d like a copy you can get one through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
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