Page 394 - Merchants and Mandarins China Trade Era

380.

with the English. Such a position is interesting, because it

indicates an apparent departure from the strong opposition most

American merchants in China had declared to co-operation with

English interests. Throughout the opium crisis the American
merchants as a community remained aloof from the English.

Americans clung tenaciously to this stance when the English

decided to leave Canton in late May. Asked by the English

Superintendent of Trade to support the English by accompanying

them, the Americans all refused. The question then is why

Americans requested their own government to support the English.

American residents were highly incensed at their treat­

ment by the Chinese. They had willingly adhered to Chinese

regulations without opposition; they had traded at Canton on

Chinese terms. Throughout the years American traders and mer­

chants had attempted to maintain good relations with the Chin­

ese authorities. They believed that the Chinese had reciprocated

with a friendly attitude. When Commissioner Lin demanded the

surrender of all opium in foreign hands, the Americans expected

him to accept their word that they possessed none. Russell &

Co., which had been holding opium owned by English speculators,

had immediately transferred the drug to the English Superinten­

dent. Consequently, Coffil'1lissioner Lin's refusal to believe the

Americans' avowal that they possessed no opium, plus his indis­

crimination in treating all foreigners alike, infuriated the

Americans. Although content to abide by Chinese laws, even
those contrary to Western concepts, Americans believed that Com­

missioner Lin's actions had exceeded the limits of the "Canton

system. 11