Page 426 - Merchants and Mandarins China Trade Era

412.

a new commercial system governed by a tariff instead of the
36
Co-hong. Since summer was the slack season, the merchants

could afford to be patient. But the Americans, concerned over

their place in the new system, anxiously desired a response from

the Chinese authorities. They had received no definite communica­

tion from the Chinese since Governor-general Ch'i Kung's general

assurances to Kearny in June. At the end of July, Consular-agent

Edward King requested permission for the American merchantman

"Mary Chilton," consigned to Russell & Co. in which King was a

partner, to trade under the proposed tariff. King received an

affirmative answer from Imperial Commissioner Ch'i-ying, who was

conducting negotiations with the English concerning the Supple-
37
mentary Treaty.

Three days later, on August 1, the Imperial Commissioner

sent another communication to the consular-agent. He explained

that this note was in reply to Kearny's earlier inquiry about

American trade under the new regulations. The Commissioner had
been unable to attend to American affairs previously, because the

Chinese and English had only recently finalized specific regula­

tions. Ch'i-ying now stated: "As it i_i.e. the new systeID7

respects the American Merchant Ships, we great Ministers of State

will as it behooves us, address the Emperor, requesting him with

the same benevolence to permit them to repair to the four ports

36
Letter, Wetmore & Co. to G. Peabody, Jul. 26, 1843, Salem,
Essex Institute, George Peabody MSS.
37
correspondence between King and Ch'i-ying of July 28
and 29 is in Consular Despatches: Canton, E. King, Sep. 20, 1843.