Lot
568 
China, 1839 (Sep. 28) Canton, China to New York N.Y., gray folded letter datelined "Canton September 28th 1839" from Samuel Wetmore to William Wetmore, endorsed "Oneida" at bottom left, New York manuscript "6" ship letter rating for port of arrival, pencil "Rec'd 30 March" arrival docketing, some interesting content reading in part "Had not Captain Elliot unjustifiably tampered with the collection of mostly mint of trade to which every British Merchant as will as those of other nations, has a claim upon to pursue, tell if become purely a government question, the number of ships which have come in, would have had no sensible effect upon prices such as it now has, but imports would have gradually advanced & exports declined… No vessel has done any thing in the way of discharging with the exception of the Canton Packet, which was the first vessel arrived… Thomching assures me that he has a letter from the Tea Counry, stating that the news of the stoppage of the trade had reached there & that prices for Twankeys & Hysons had fallen very much…". Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Sir Charles Elliot, KCB (1801-75), was a British naval officer, diplomat, and colonial administrator. In late 1833, Elliot was appointed as Master Attendant to the staff of Lord Napier, Chief Superintendent of British Trade. His position was involved with British ships and crews operating between Macao and Canton. He was appointed Secretary in October 1834, Third Superintendent in January 1835, and Second Superintendent in April 1835. In 1836, he became Plenipotentiary and replaced Sir George Robinson as Chief Superintendent of British Trade.
Realized: $800