Page 382 - Merchants and Mandarins China Trade Era

368.

Infrequently, one of the Squadron's vessels would include a

stop in China on its cruise. The "Vincennes," the first

vessel of the Squadron to visit China, arrived from Honolulu

in January 1830 for a short layover of several weeks. While

anchored at Macao, Capt. Finch traveled to Canton and con­

ferred with American residents. He asked Consul C.N. Talbot

and leading American merchants for information on American

commerce with China. Finch further inquired about the Ameri- ,

cans' opinions as to regular visits by the American Navy to

China.

In reply the merchants informed Finch that "the com­

merce of the United States with China is at present on a fav­

orable footing." Nevertheless, they favored his idea of per­

iodic arrivals of American warships. The merchants stated

that through naval visits "our national character would be

elevated in the estimation of whole Chinese Empire and the

neighboring governments. 11 American merchantmen still

experienced difficulties with pirates in the seas surrounding

China and the East Indies. So, besides boosting national

prestige, the warships would provide protection for American

trading vessels. But the merchants emphasized that only if

warships observed "the same deference towards the customs of

China, and conciliatory disposition as exhibited by yourself,"

would they have a positive impact on the Chinese. This

specifically meant anchoring no closer to Chinese territorial
54
waters than Lintin. American merchants still reflected

54
Besides Consul Talbot, American merchants signing the
Letter to Finch included: James P. Sturgis, Samuel Russell, John
R. Latimer , and William H. Low. Finch enclosed the letter in
his despatches� "Captains' Letters," Capt. W.B. Finch, Jan. 14,
1830.