Page 134 - Merchants and Mandarins China Trade Era

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Canton in opposition to the Imperial government s stoppage of

the opium trade, the Americans refused their pleas to join

them and instead remained at Canton to trade. On the other hand

the Chinese, not pressured by the lack of foreign trade at Canton,

were able to maintain their policy regarding opium. Both sides

used the other to achieve their ends.

This American and Chinese compatability would be
extremely crucial to future Sino-American relations. They

formed benevolent attitudes toward one another that would

influence future policies. During the nineteenth century the

United States developed a special relationship with China

shared by no other foreign country. The Chinese continually
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looked to the United States to "curb the other barbarians.11

The American Government responded positively to this plea.

As had been the case before 1844, their motives were usually

to protect and foster American trade with China. Concerning

the American position, the motivation for a profitable trade

cannot be too strongly emphasized. Although other attitudes

towards China influenced the development of American policy,

especially with the arrival of missionaries in China, merchants

and trade were responsible for creating the basic American

attitude toward China. Before 1844 all opinions of China and

the Chinese were determined by commercial policy.

III

Chinese teas and silks were American merchants• primary

interest in the China trade. Maintaining consistent profits in

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S . h er, Management of American Barbarians, pp. xvi-xvii.
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