Lot
530 
China, 1834 (Aug. 28) Macao to Canton, China, folded letter datelined "Macao, August 28. 1834" from J. Archer to William Wetmore at Canton, carried privately, content regarding Lord Napier's negotiations, "…Lord Napier seems to have a good deal of finesse, it is what the Chinese have not been accustomed to in the intercourse with the company, possible some important results may grow out of the present negotiations. I am however not so sanguine that matters will be satisfactorily resolved so soon as some imagine, there is a vast deal of policy about the Chinese and the visit of the Mandarins to his Lordship may have been nothing more than a feeler to learn how far his powers extended. I sincerely hope he may succeed in establishing the trade upon a permanent and liberal footing…"; some letter bleed through, Fine and scarce. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
In 1834 England sent Lord Napier to Macao to discuss trade with government officials. He wanted to negotiate the terms of the Canton system now that the East India Company no longer had a monopoly. However, the Canton system did not allow direct contact with Chinese officials and Napier was turned away by the governor. The governor closed trade on September 2nd and the British, despite Lord Napier's desire to force open the port, agreed to continue trading under the old terms.
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Realized: $1,600