Page 448 - Merchants and Mandarins China Trade Era

434.

latter part of the month.

Although Parker had recommended that Cushing accommodate

himself to Chinese tardiness, by mid-April the latter resolved

to act. He wrote another strong complaint to Ch'eng, but this

time he despatched Commodore Foxhall A. Parker in the frigate

11Brandywine" to deliver the message. On his arrival at Whampoa

on April 20, the Corni�odore received a visit from local officials

who asked him his purpose. The Chinese still declared the pre­

sence of foreign warships at Whampoa illegal. Parker responded

that he wished to pay his respects to the governor and fire a

1
salute from the 11Brandywine. 11 Governor Ch 2ng immediately thanked
the Commodore for his proferred compliments, but he stated that

both an interview and a salute were "against all the settled laws

of the land." Ch'eng emphasized that "the laws of China and

other nations are unlike; and as our countries are now at
74
peace, still more incumbent is it for each to maintain the laws. 11

Parker decided not to create an incident and returned downriver.

At Macao Cushing's frustration had not diminished. Yet
75
he continued to wait for the arrival of the Imperial Commissioner.

Since a treaty with China was the primary objective of his mis­

sion, Cushing realized that, if he forced his way to Peking, he

could jeopardize the treaty and, more importantly, the friendly

attitude of the Chinese toward Americans. The trade of his

countrymen outweighed the honor of presenting his credentials to

74
Fuess, Life of Caleb Cushing, I, 430. Ch'eng's corres­
pondence with Com. Parker is in Diplomatic Despatches: China, C.
Cushing, Apr. 22, 1844. Parker himself reported on his trip to
Whampoa in "Squadron Letters," East India Squadron, Apr. 1844.

75
. Letter L A. Hea�q to G. Hear9, Apr. 28� 1844, Heard MSS.
ip
D. 1 omatic Despa�ches: China, C. Cushing, May 21, 1844.