DBQ - British-Chinese Relationship (1750-1850)

Document 2

The measures lately taken by the Government [of Great Britain] respecting the tea trade, having more than trebled the former legal importation of this article into Great Britain, it [has] become particularly desirable to cultivate a friendship, and increase the communication with China, which may lead to such a vent [market] throughout that extensive empire, of the manufactures of the mother country.

You should fairly state, after repeating the general assurances of his majesty’s friendly and peaceful inclinations towards the Emperor... first the mutual benefit be derived from a trade between the two Nations, in the course of which we receive besides other articles to the amount of twenty millions of pounds weight of Chinese tea.. . and for which we return woolens, cottons, and other articles useful to the Chinese, but a considerable part is actually to China in bullion (silver).

It is necessary you should be on your guard against one stipulation which, perhaps, will be demanded from you: which is that of the exclusion of the trade of opium from the Chinese dominions as being prohibited by the Laws of the Chinese Empire; if this subject should come into discussion, it must be handled with the greatest caution. It is beyond a doubt that no inconsiderable portion of the Opium raised within our Indian territories actually finds its way to China: but if it should be made... Any article of any proposed Commercial treaty, that none of that drug Should be sent by us to China, you must accede to it, rather than risk any essential benefit by contending for a liberty in this respect.

Document 3

Yesterday your Ambassador petitioned my Ministers to memorialize me regarding your trade with China, but his proposal is not consistent with our dynastic usage and cannot be entertained. Hitherto, all European nations, including your own country’s barbarian merchants, have carried on their trade with Our Celestial Empire at Guangzhou. Such has been the procedure for many years, although Our Celestial Empire possesses all things in prolific abundance and lacks no product within its own borders. There was therefore no need to Import the manufactures of outside barbarians in exchange for our own produce. But as the tea, silk, and porcelain which the Celestial Empire produces are absolute necessities to European nations and to your selves, we have permitted, as a signal mark of favor, that foreign hongs [Chinese business associations] should be established at Guangzhou, so that your wants might be supplied and your country thus participate In our beneficence… 

Nevertheless, I do not forget the lonely remoteness of your island, cut off from the world by intervening wastes of sea, nor do I overlook your excusable ignorance of the usages of Our Celestial Empire. I have consequently commanded my Ministers to enlighten your Ambassador on the subject, and have ordered the departure of the mission.

Document 5

Our sin is growing, and encouraging the trade in opium is, indeed, one of the darkest that ever invoked the wrath of the most high God upon a people. Where are the preachers of the gospel, where is the spirit of the common humanity fled, that this sin should till this moment exist unrebuked? Oh what a wail of misery would awaken your remorse and compassion, could the dying agonies of one poor, opium-victim reach your soul! Think then of THE MILLIONS who have already thus perished, and then ask yourself how long is this to continue and no man in a Christian land regard it? How long is a British government to be seen drawing revenue from this source, admitting the misery, and excusing itself for abetting, by a fallacy, the most contemptible and insulting even to common sense? How long is a whole community of British merchants to be content with earning the price of blood, because if they do not, others will in their stead?

Document 6

Foreign ships that have come to Guangzhou for trade have profited heavily. No matter what merchandise was imported, it all sold. No matter what merchandise was desired, it was procured... Our Great Emperor treats everyone equally, permitting all to trade and make a profit... Allowing you to trade every year without tight control is a grace upon you. To show gratitude you should respect our laws.

Now I publicly declare the following edict and all foreign merchants should, upon receiving this edict, abide by its instructions without delay and to surrender to the imperial officials all the opium on your ships. The Chinese merchants are responsible for inventorying how many cases are confiscated, examined, registered, and destroyed. Eliminate the harmful substance with absolutely no exception.

Document 7

However pernicious and impolitic the traffic in opium may be, and whatever opinion this House may pronounce to-night against its further continuance, we ought to recollect that these persons engaged in this traffic under the full sanction, and indeed encouragement, both of the Indian (British East India Company) and the home Government; that they were deprived of their property by an act of violent and unjustifiable outrage on the part of the Chinese authorities; and that they received, at the same time, from her Majesty’s Superintendent of Trade, on behalf of the Government, a distinct and specific pledge of reimbursement. I think, therefore, whatever may be the fate of the present motion, these individuals are clearly entitled to full, fair, and entire indemnification for their losses.