Anlage N. 38 d. 30 Januar 184311Zeitlich erst nach der Kennzeichnung des Dokuments als Abschrift eingefügter Vermerk von dritter Hand, mit dem die Abschrift offenkundig einer Sentasvorlage als Anlage Nr. 38 vom 30. Januar 1843 zugeordnet wurde. 

Abschrift 22Vermerk von zweiter Hand. 

Manchester 9th. January 1843.

Sir.

I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th. ulto. on my return from Scotland a few days ago and at the same time I received a letter from Mr. Colquhoun, the Hanseatic Consul in London informing me that he was instructed by the Senate of Hamburg to suggest the prosperity that I should tender to the Senate the resignation of my appointment as their Consul to the Emperor of China.

In reply I beg to state

My consular Déploma3 from the Senate of Hamburg was addressed to His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China.4 About the Month of November 1830 I presented the same to „Howqua“ an Hong Merchant at Canton the highest authority then approachable in China - who assured me that he would make the necessary communication to the higher authorities and that he would take upon himself to say that the Flag and Commerce and Citizens of Hamburg should at all times enjoy equal priviledges5 with the most favored Foreign Powers6 I communicated this sometime in 1831 to Mr. Syndicus Sieveking at the same time stating that as my seyour in China was not at the time to be prolonged for any length of time that I considered it to be my Duty to appoint a Vice Consul until the pleasure of the Senate was known who would attend to the Interest of any Ship or Citizen of Hamburg who might require it & that I had indorsed7 even my Diploma to Alexander Matheson Esq. as Vice Consul. I have no instention8 of again returning to China. I have partners there, as well as at Bombay & Calcutta conducting my Mercantile etablishment9 at their places. My own residence is now here when for a time I had the honor3Abweichende Schreibweise für „Diploma“. 41829, im Jahr der Ernennung John MacVicars zum Konsul der Hansestadt Hamburg in Kanton, wurde China von dem der Qing-Dynastie angehörenden Kaiser Daoguang regiert. 5Abweichende Schreibweise für „privileges“. 6 Das Prinzip der Meistbegünstigung galt seit den 1820er Jahren in bilateralen Handelsverträgen als erstrebenswert, hatte sich zur Zeit der Ernennung John MacVicars zum Konsul der Hansestadt Hamburg in Kanton aber noch nicht allgemein durchgesetzt. Nach dem Ersten Opiumkrieg (1839–1842) drangen die Briten gegenüber China allerdings erfolgreich darauf, es in einem Zusatzabkommen zum Vertrag von Nanjing (29. August 1842), dem Vertrag von Humen (8. Oktober 1843), fest zu verankern. Diesem Beispiel folgen alle weiteren Handelsverträge, die China im langen 19. Jahrhundert mit europäischen Staaten abschloss. Vgl. Nord, Handelsverträge Chinas. 7Es muss heißen „indossed“. 8Es muss heißen „intention“. 9Es muss heißen „establishment“. 

to fill the Office of Chieff10 Magistrate of the Town.

In the present position of affair in China it is impossible to say on what footing Foreign States will be received and acknowledged by the Chinese.11 The Policy of the Britisch12 Government cannot be to claime13 for themselves any priviledges14 which other European powers shall not equally enjoy. To England & to America a free commercial intercourse with China is of greater actual importance than to any other Powers in as much as the Trade between China & these Countries is of vastly greater importance (at present at all want) than with continental Europe. The interchange of commodities between the former and China is large & with all others comperatively15 small.11MacVicar spielt hier darauf an, dass mit der Unterzeichnung des Vertrages von Nanjing (29. August 1842) viele rechtliche Fragen des künftigen Handels zwischen China und Großbritannien sowie anderen Staaten noch offen geblieben waren; sie wurden für Großbritannien erst mit dem Vertrag von Humen (8. Oktober 1843) geklärt.  13Es muss heißen „claim“. 14Abweichende Schreibweise für „privileges“. 15Muss heißen „comparatively“. 

The leading articles of Import into China are Raw Cotton Opium, & Manufactured Goods & Metals and the Exports are Teas, Raw Silk, Silk Piece goods & some minor articles.

Raw Cotton has hitherto been almost exclusively supplied by British India. But America may compete in that article and is even now making some Shippments16 there.16Es muss heißen „shipments“. 

Opium is supplied from British India from Malwa through the Portugue17 settlement of Damann18 and a little from Turkey, some has also gone from Egypt. -18Es muss heißen „Daman“. 

In Manufactured Goods the Treade is of a more limited extent than is generally supposed. I send you herewith a list of the actual Exports from Great Britain of the leading articles of British Manufacture & Metal exported to China direct19 for the last four years20, indirect21 the Treade in those articles is not great. Of Foreign Manufactures the Export through England (and of late year it has been almost confined to what has gone through this Country) is not great and is compized in some Woolen Goods, some 19Es muss heißen „directly“. 20Die erwähnte Liste liegt dem Dokument nicht bei. 21Es muss heißen „indirectly“. 

|2. Blatt, Vorderseite| Dutch (Belgian) absichtlich freigelassener Wortzwischenraum, der nicht gefüllt wurde a considerable value of Watches, Musical Snuff Boxes, Eau de Coulogne22 & some small articles of Bigouterie23.22Es muss heißen „Eau de Cologne“. 23Es muss heißen „Bijouterie“. 

America Exports to China some Cotton Manufactured Goods but I do not think successfully as the Trade does not appear to increase.

In the present state of the Manufacturing Industry of the World & the ascertained want of China, I do not think that any other country continented24 or American can successfully compete with Great Britain in the market of China in Cotton Goods. The Chines25 are utilitarian in their tastes and fashion they are strongly wedded to old customs & slow of change, plain useful and not fancy articles find meet26 acceptance with them.24Es muss heißen „continental“, gemeint ist Kontinentaleuropa. 25Es muss heißen „Chinese“. 26Eines der beiden Verben - „find“ oder „meet“ - ist überflüssig. 

In woolen Goods of particular discriptions27 I think it probable that the Manufactures of Germany may obtain a footing, but it is remarkable that whereas the Export of Woolen and Worsted Fabriecs28 to China absichtlich freigelassener Wortzwischenraum, der nicht gefüllt wurde was to the expiry of the East India Company’s Charter in 1834 amounted to about a Million Pounds sterling in annual value the Export since then has gradually decreased until now it amounts to only about one fourth part of that value - I am unable to account for this, or to obtain any imformation29 in China to enable me to do so, but the fact is undoubted & does not from30 any diffculty31 in supplying the articles, but because Sales can not profitably effected.27Es muss heißen „descriptions“ 28Es muss heißen „worsted fabrics“ (zu deutsch: Kammgarngewebe). 29Es muss heißen „information“. 30Gemeint ist offenkundig „form“. 31Abweichende Schreibweise für „difficulty“. 

The export32 from China are principally Teas & Raw Silk; of Tea the Total quantity exported from China (exclusive of the overland Trade with Russia) is probably about 70 Millions of Pounds annually. Englishmen and their descendents are the largest consumers of Tea.33 Great Britain consumes for Home on almost 37 Millions of Pounds. - The British Colonies, Australia, Canada, British India &c. almost 10 Millions of Pounds. The United States of America about 17 Millions of Pounds. France, Holland, Germany 33Zum Teekonsum der Briten und der dadurch bewirkten Entfaltung des Welthandels mit Tee mit ihren Auswirkungen auf die Hauptproduzenten in China und Indien: Gardella, Harvesting Mountains; LIU, Tea War; Rappaport, Thirst for Empire. 

|2. Blatt, Rückseite| to about 6 Millions of Pounds. The Exports34 of Raw Silk from China is very unequal, varying from 2000 to 18000 Bales of almost 100 Pounds each annually, the avarage35 of the last 10 years is from 6000 – 7000 Bales, this comes principally to England & is chieffly36 consumed in the Country, but no doubt may be beneficially used at Berlin, Elberfeldt37 and other part38 of Germany.34Es muß heißen: „export“ 35Es muss heißen „average“. 36Abweichende Schreibweise für „chiefly“. 37Es muss heißen „Elberfeld“. 38Es muss heißen „parts“. 

I doubt not that a Trade to a moderate extent may be beneficially established between Hamburg & China and the known caution & circumspection of the German character will I am persuaded, not permit them to go rashly into the Trade or without that minute & critical knowledge of it which is indispensably necessary for the successful pursuit of any Trade and I can say from experience is greatly so in China.

I should think that for the present any Consular appointment from the Senate to the ports about to be opened in China would be quite unnecessary.39 I40will in all probability be a considerable time before any mercantil41 establishment will be formed at other places than Canton or Hong Kong.39Mit dem Vertrag von Nanjing (29. August 1842) war das im Ersten Opiumkrieg (1839–1842) unterlegene Kaiserreich China von Großbritannien gezwungen worden, neben Kanton künftig auch die Häfen von Xiamen, Fuzhou, Ningbo und Shanghai zu öffnen und hier einen weitgehend freien Handel zu dulden.  40Es muss heißen „It“ 41Es muss heißen „mercantile“. 

Hong Kong now a British settlement will be for some time the Empirum of the Foreign Trade of China and the Depot for Merchandize for the port42about to be opened.43 In little more than a year from having no population where ever on the island it has now upwards of 20000 inhabitants.42Es muss heißen „ports“ 43Mit dem Vertrag von Nanjing (29. August 1842) war das im Ersten Opiumkrieg (1839–1842) unterlegene Kaiserreich China von Großbritannien gezwungen worden, neben Kanton künftig auch die Häfen von Xiamen, Fuzhou, Ningbo und Shanghai zu öffnen und hier einen weitgehend freien Handel zu dulden.  

The Trade with the other ports will for some time be conducted from Hong Kong by fast sailing weatherly Vessels with a Super Cargo or intelligent Capitain & bye & bye as the Trade extend44 establishements will be formed at the other ports.44Es muss heißen „expands“. 

I think the interest of the State of Hamburg is to watch events as they develope45 themselves, for which purpose a resident Consul in their Interest who will from time to time communicate to them what is going forward & who will if an occassion46 presents itself present such claims on the part of the Senate as may be just & proper, would no doubt be|3. Blatt, Vorderseite| useful. The immediate advantages to be derived by a47 extension of Trade will not in my opinion be great but that in the course of time great changes will take place in the relations of civilized Europe with that Country. I cannot doubt & I should humbly conceive it to be the Policy of the State of Hamburg to be on the alirt48 & with that circumspection which has maintained their independence for a thousand years quietly but firmly & steadily to claime49 for themselve50 their advantages of peaceful Commerce which other independent States may obtain & in which I do not think they will experience any diffculty51.45Es muss heißen „develop“. 46Es muss heißen „occasion“. 47Es muss heißen „an“. 48Es muss heißen „alert“. 49Es muss heißen „claim“. 50Es muss heißen „themselves“. 51Abweichende Schreibweise für „difficulty“. 

Whether the appointment of any Special or permanently paid Envoy or Consul for such purpose may be deemed necessary it is not for me to presume to offer any opinion upon.

The Senate of Hamburg very kindly granted my Solicitation & appointed me their Consul to China – at that Time which was during the exertence of the East India Company’s Charter which expired in 1834. I could not as a British subject either perend to or remain in China but as Consul for some foreign State, which through Courtesy the East India Company under these circumstances permitted.

I now beg most respectfully & greatfully52 to tender my resignation and request you will be assured that I will at all time be glad to render any services that may be in my power or these of my establishment in the East to the Flag & citizens of Hamburg.52Der Buchstabe „e“ vor dem „a“ wurde zur Korrektur der Schreibweise nachträglich gestrichen. Es muss allerdings heißen „gratefully“. 

My Brother in law & partner at Hong-Kong M^r. David Laing Burn53 has resided several years in China and is very intimatly54 acquainted with all proceedings there. He will I am sure if it is desired by the Senate be most happy to correspond with you to afford you information & to give answer to any question you may proponed55 and to show every attention to any Hamburg Ship or Citizen going to China who may carry a Recommendation to him from you. 53David Laing Burn wurde nicht wie vorgeschlagen zum Konsul der Hansestadt Hamburg in Kanton berufen. Stattdessen kam es zwischen Preußen, den drei norddeutschen Hansestädten und anderen deutschen Staaten zu einem Streit über die Berufung eines gemeinsamen deutschen Konsuls für Kanton. Erst 1852 wurde mit Georg Theodor Siemssen dann erneut ein Konsul der Hansestadt Hamburg in Kanton berufen.. 54Es muss heißen „intimately“. 55Es muss heißen „propone“. 

Those now to apologize for the length of this letter & with assurances of my great respect and esteem for the Honor of the Senate & for yourself in particular

I have the Honor to be
Sir
Your faithful & obedient
Humble Servant
(sig:) John Macvicar

To His Excellency
Mr. Dr. Lappenberg
Syndicus
Hamburg