Event

British embassy to the Qianlong court, 1793

A mission sent by King George III to the Chinese emperor in 1793 asking for trade privileges.

4 links, 3 backed by primary records

Connections 4

Qianlong Emperor received the envoy and answered the King's requests Primary record 1
Qing imperial government refused the request for an accredited representative Primary record 1
Guangzhou (Canton) foreign merchant firms were permitted there Primary record 1
East India Company its gifts were a speculation on trade profits; the cannon came from the government Scholarship & press 2

Timeline 1 date

Proof 2 sources

Emperor Qianlong, letter to George III, 1793, Internet Modern History Sourcebook, Fordham University, 1793. Primary record
you have dispatched a mission respectfully bearing your memorial
this request is contrary to all usage of my dynasty and cannot possibly be entertained
But as the tea, silk and porcelain which the Celestial Empire produces, are absolute necessities to European nations and to yourselves, we have permitted, as a signal mark of favour, that foreign hongs [merchant firms] should be established at Canton
Chinese and British Diplomatic Gifts in the Macartney Embassy of 1793 (Henrietta Harrison), University of Oxford (Oxford University Research Archive). Scholarship & press
For the Company the gifts could be seen as a speculation on the potential profits of the embassy if the negotiations succeeded.
The embassy also presented six brass cannon and two mortars which were provided by the government rather than paid for by the East India Company.

Page history 1 change