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Auction: 21042 - The Opium Wars Collection
Lot: 63

First Opium War
The Eastern Expedition
The Elliot Negotiations
1841 (11 Feb.) long letter (only) from Turner & Co in Macao to John Gladstone & Co, Liverpool, docketed that it was received on 31st August. The letter gives a lot of detail of the trade and the negotiations including, "... Notwithstanding Captain Elliot announcement that the trade would be opened ten days after the Chinese New Year, no similar declaration has been made by Keshen and consequently the blockade is still enforced, and no pilot chops can be obtained for English ships. The true cause of this delay it is impossible to ascertain. The Americans in Canton make it out to be of a very serious nature. No less than a hostile chop from the Emperor, but on such reports we place very little faith especially as the Chinese have agreed to the dismantlement of the Forts at Kowloon, in the immediate vicinity if Hong Kong, and also seeing that another meeting takes place this day at the Bogue between Captain Elliot and Keshen. Our Plenipotentiary at all events seems quite satisfied with the state of affairs, for he holds out hopes that almost immediately after the meeting above alluded to the port will be opened, and allow countrymen at liberty to proceed to Canton. The interested opposition of the local Mandarins to any agreement is in our opinion the more probable cause for these delays ... All the particulars we have of the cession of Hong Kong are derived from Captain Elliot's proclamation ... We believe that nothing has been said on either side regarding the future conduct of the opium trade and therefore we look forward with some alarm to the discussion that may take place on this truly embarrassing question... ". There is further information about smuggling tea and the large quantities of cotton waiting to be allowed into Canton.


1841年2月11日澳門Turner & Co. 寄利物浦John Gladstone & Co. 據記錄, 它是在 8 月 31 日收到的. 此信函主要內容為義律發佈, 中國新年後10 天將重啓貿易往來, 但中方两廣總督琦善即未有公佈, 社區封鎖仍然繼續. 信中亦敘述到義律在1841年1月29日的公告確認香港已割讓予英國. 此信函是補充說明「穿鼻草議」的發展情况之重要信函.

Sold for
HK$5,500

Starting price
HK$3500