Page 369 - Merchants and Mandarins China Trade Era

3 55.

After 1815 the trade became more regular with investors and

speculators employing the same master and consignee on re­

peated voyages. The masters were consequently more cautious

in releasing information.

In 1836 Consul Peter W. Snow, son of the former consul,

met the same difficulties experienced by his father. By then

Americans had permeated the English markets, a circumstance

which further complicated the consul's job. Snow reported in

July: "Many American Ships arrive from England with full car-

goes of English Goods, often times a considerable part on Eng­

lish account consigned to different American & English houses,
they will not any of them give a list of their consignments

or the amount, & it is also impossible to get the value of

Export Cargoes correctly." The consul concluded that with

"so many obstacles in the way, & such an unwillingness of the

part of so many merchants. .probably no statement will be
33
made for the present season."

American merchants' fears that the consul might use

his official knowledge for his own nercantile advantage

were not unfounded. As consul, the appointee received no com­

pensation whatever except fees for his consular duties. The

latter included the legal registration of American vessels and

their cargoes as well as powers of attorney. These fees hardly

33
Consular Despatches: Canton, P.W. Snow, Jul. 15,
1836. The consular returns on American shipping and coJTu�erce
at Canton are very fragmentary. Figures kept by American
merchants are much more reliable.