The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk
If you believe you should have access to this document, click here to Login.
| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.03311 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0078] September-December 1786 |
| Title | Samuel Shaw to Henry Knox and Samuel Ogden on his China travels |
| Date | 21 November - 3 December 1786 |
| Author | Shaw, Samuel (1754-1794) |
| Recipient | Ogden, Samuel Knox, Henry |
| Document Type | Correspondence; Business and financial document |
| Content Description | Written from Canton, present-day Guangzhou, China. Writes a lengthy letter updating his friends Knox and Ogden on the status of his business in China. Says he is pleased to finally be able to write, but is sad to report on the illness and death of their mutual friend Mr. [Isaac] Sears, who had been in China with him. Describes the cool reception he received from the Europeans when he arrived in China, because of the threat of competition the Americans posed. Discusses their business prospects, including the high prices and poor sales for tea and other goods. Includes a detailed explanation of his dealings with Captain [John] Green and his partner, [Thomas] Truxtun. Though Shaw and his partner [Thomas] Randall do not have anything against Truxton, "[a]s to Green- I do not know a term in any language sufficient to express my detestation of him." Recounts several offenses of Green's. Explains that according to Chinese law, any fighting that resulted in the death of one party would incur execution on the surviving party; this has resulted in Green badmouthing everyone without fear of reprisal. Shaw has included a narrative detailing his interactions with Green; he is distributing it to European businessmen in China in hopes of clearing his name. See GLC02437.03310 for the narrative and an explanation of the dispute between Shaw and Green. |
| Subjects | Commerce Merchants and Trade Asia Corruption and Scandal Maritime Finance Economics Drugs Law Debt Global History and Civics Friendship Health and Medical Death Diet and Nutrition Law Death Penalty Asia |
| People | Shaw, Samuel (1754-1794) Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Ogden, Samuel (1746-1810) Sears, Isaac (1730-1786) Green, John (1730-1793) Truxtun, Thomas (1755-1822) |
| Place written | Guangzhou, China |
| Theme | Merchants & Commerce; Foreign Affairs |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Related documents | Samuel Shaw to John Green on their China dispute Eleazer Oswald to Henry Knox about Shaw's dispute in Canton Henry Knox to Eleazer Oswald about Shaw's Canton troubles |