The Present Position and Prospects of the British Trade with China by James Matheson

The Present Position and Prospects of the British Trade with China by James Matheson

James Matheson (1796 1878) became a leading taipan, with significant influence and power in Hong Kong. When this pamphlet was published, in 1836, he was still trading from Canton (Guangzhou) and, following the abolition of the East India Company's monopoly on trade with China, appealed to the British government to pressure the Chinese to lift the severe restrictions on trading. He suggests that despite the efforts of the merchants, China refuses to acknowledge the law of nations, to trade fairly, and as such has 'long since surrendered her rights and is no longer in a position to enforce them'. Matheson's personal appeal to the Duke of Wellington was rebuffed, but his business partner, William Jardine, later persuaded Lord Palmerston to adopt a tougher approach, which ultimately led to the First Opium War. This is a powerful and provocative text: a defence of both free trade and an aggressive foreign policy.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781108045896
ISBN 10	1108045898
Title	The Present Position and Prospects of the British Trade with China
Author	James Matheson
Series	Cambridge Library Collection - East And South-East Asian History
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
Year published	2012-08-09
Number of pages	152
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.