Page 422 - Merchants and Mandarins China Trade Era

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further the Celestial Empire's foreign relations, explained

that treaties between countries were necessary only when "harmony

did not exist." He told Kearny: "But if our two countries carried

on the trade as usual, there will, of course, be peace between

us, & no formal compact will be necessary in addition." Once

again assuring the Commodore that he need not fear for A.rnerican

commerce, Ch'i Kung added specifically that the new tariff would

31
"pass into force in a uniform manner for every country."

Kearny accepted the Governor-general's statements and,

for the second time, announced his imminent departure. He felt

that he could achieve nothing more in China. This time no one

opposed his decision, except Augustine Heard. The latter had not

yet received any compensation from local officials and blamed

Kearny. Claiming that the Commodore was not forceful enough,

Heard stated that "he seemed to think it so important to stand

well with the Chinese that he did what amounted to nothing .11 32

Nevertheless, the "Constellation" left Macao in the summer of

1843 and American merchants were again left to themselves,

with a consular-agent to oversee their commercial interests.

Although Kearny had obtained for them promises that they would

receive most-favored-nation treatment, the Supplementary Treaty

had not yet been concluded. The American trade in China still

31
Kearny's correspondence with Ch'i Kung of March and
April is in "Squadron Letters, " East India Squadron, Jan. 16,
1843.
32
Letter, A. Heard to J.S. Amory, Apr. 5, 1843, Heard MSS.
Heard similarly complained in Letter, A. Heard to W. Appleton &
Co., Mar. 2 5, 1843, William Appleton & Co. MSS. Letter, A.
Heard to J.P. Sturgis, Apr. 3, 1843, Heard MSS.