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Auction: 21042 - The Opium Wars Collection
Lot: 93

First Opium War
The Eastern Expedition
The End of Hostilities
1842 (5 Sept.) entire letter from Turner & Co in Macao to John Gladstone & Co, Liverpool "via Marseilles", rated at "2/8" with "INDIA" in oval, the flap with Liverpool arrival c.d.s. (9.1); there are some vertical filing creases.


The letter gives the interesting speculation waiting for official notification, "... A report has been current among the Chinese for some weeks past that Nankin has been taken. Some say ransomed for an immense sum, but no official communication has yet been received from the Plenipotentiary of the proceedings of the Expedition since June. By a vessel which arrived at Hong Kong from Chusan A few days ago we understand private letters were received mentioning that some severe fighting had been going on in the neighbourhood of Nankin, but its actual occupation or ransom is not spoken of. Our ships of war and troops, it seems, have suffered more severely than in any previous engagement. Several officers and almost 180 men having fallen, two of our corvettes are said to be in the Grand Canal ps. but unless some official and authentic communication is received from our authorities in Command. We are at a loss and know what weight should be attached to such reports, and an arrival from the Fleet is most anxiously looked for...". A good letter which illustrated the keen desire for news


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Sold for
HK$4,200

Starting price
HK$3200