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East India Company Papers, 1787-1792

Overview of the Collection

Title
East India Company Papers
Dates
1787-1792 (inclusive)
Quantity
2.5 linear feet of shelf space, (2 boxes plus oversize)
Collection Number
Cage 1697 (collection)
Summary
Instructions, accounts, lists, charters, and other papers presented to George Viscount Macartney, Great Britain's first ambassador to China, as he was to sail for his post.
Repository
Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection is open and available for research use. Researchers may be asked to use preservation copies rather than originals.

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

"In September, 1792, George Viscount Macartney sailed from England to become Britain's first Ambassador to reach Peking. Although the Embassy was an official mission, its expenses were paid by the East India Company, which had a monopoly of British trade with China. Consequently the Ambassador received instructions from the Chairman (Francis Baring) and the Deputy Chairman (John Smith Burges) of the Court of Directors of the East India Company. These instructions were dated and signed at the East India House on September 8, 1792, and were transmitted together with thirty-three enclosures to his Lordship on September 9."

[From Earl Pritchard's introductory note, filed with the collection]

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Content Description

Instructions, accounts, lists, charters, and other papers presented to George Viscount Macartney, Great Britain's first ambassador to China, as he was to sail for his post. The collection includes a total of 34 items, plus a set of preservation copies, and supporting documentation produced by Earl Pritchard.

The collection includes the original manuscripts (letter of instructions and 23 of the original enclosures), plus copies or abstracts of 6 others.

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Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

[Item Description] East India Company Papers, 1787-1792

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in a single series, in sequence by the original item number.

Acquisition Information

Earl Pritchard donated this collection to the Washington State University Libraries in 1937. He acquired these materials in 1931 from an English bookseller, Bernard Halliday. According to Pritchard's notes, Halliday split the collection into two parts. Pritchard acquired this portion, and he believed that the remainder was sold to a library in Tours, France.

Processing Note

This collection was processed by Cheryl Gunselman.

Related Materials

Earl Pritchard Papers on the 1792 Macartney Embassy to the Viceroy of Canton (Cage 4583).

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Description: Supporting documentation: Earl Pritchard's introductory note (1937) and typed transcriptions of related documents
    Dates:
    Container: Box 1, Folder 1
  • Description: Document 1: Letter from the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the East India Company to His Excellency Lord Viscount Macartney
    Dates: 1792 September 8
    Container: Box 1, Folder 2
  • Description: Document 6: Account of silver shipped on board the Hindostan at the disposal of the Ambassador, Bullion Office
    Dates: 1792 September 6
    Container: Box 1, Folder 3
  • Description: Document 7: Account of imprests to sundry persons on account of salary
    Dates: 1792
    Container: Box 1, Folder 3
  • Description: Document 8: Particulars of information wished to be obtained at China on the articles of raw silk and Nankeen cloth
    Dates: 1792
    Container: Box 1, Folder 3
  • Description: Document 9: Deed of Covenants from Lord Viscount Macartney to the East India Company on his Appointment of Ambassador to China
    Dates: 1792 August 29
    Container: Box Oversize, Folder
  • Description: Document 10: Copy of Deed of Covenants from Sir George Leonard Staunton Baronet to the East India Company on his succeeding to acting as Ambassador to China
    Dates: 1792
    Container: Box 1, Folder 4
  • Description: Document 11: Form of Covenants signed by Ambassador's Suite
    Dates: 1792
    Container: Box Oversize, Folder
  • Description: Document 13: Copy of a letter from the Secret Committee to the Select Committee at Canton
    Dates: 1792 September 5
    Container: Box 1, Folder 5
  • Description: Document 14: Copy of List of the Packet from the Secret Committee to the Select Committee at Canton
    Dates: 1792 September 8
    Container: Box 1, Folder 5
  • Description: Document 15: Copy of Covenants from Capt. Mackintosh as Commander of the Hindostan employed in the Service of the East India Company in the Embassy to China
    Dates: 1792 August 29
    Container: Box 1, Folder 5
  • Description: Document 16: Copy of Instructions from the Secret Committee to Capt. Mackintosh of the Hindostan
    Dates: 1792 September 5
    Container: Box 1, Folder 5
  • Description: Document 17: Copy of the Court's Instructions to Captain William Mackintosh
    Dates: 1792 August 15
    Container: Box 1, Folder 6
  • Description: Document 18: Manifest of Goods in Private Trade and Merchandise laden on board the Hindostan, Capt. Wm. Mackintosh
    Dates: 1792 August 28
    Container: Box 1, Folder 7
  • Description: Document 19: Manifest of Goods in Private Trade and Merchandise laden on board the Ship Hindostan Capt. Wm. Mackintosh in addition to his usual allowance
    Dates: 1792 August 28
    Container: Box 1, Folder 7
  • Description: Document 20: Copy of the Charter party of the Ship Hindostan for China, 1248 tons
    Dates: 1792 June 20
    Container: Box 1, Folder 8
  • Description: Document 21: Copy of a List of Packet to Captain William Mackintosh of the Ship Hindostan
    Dates: 1792
    Container: Box 1, Folder 9
  • Description: Document 22: Resolution of the Court of Directors authorizing the Ambassador to suspend or dismiss the Commander or the Officers of the Hindostan for breach of Orders
    Dates: 1792 September 5
    Container: Box 1, Folder 9
  • Description: Document 23: Copy of a Letter from the Secretary to Captain Mackintosh enclosing a Resolution of Court of the same date
    Dates: 1792 September 5
    Container: Box 1, Folder 9
  • Description: Document 24: Copy of Colonel Cathcart's instructions
    Dates: 1787 November 30
    Container: Box 1, Folder 10
  • Description: Document 26: Copy of instructions from the Chairman and Deputy Chairman to Messrs. Browne, Irwin and Jackson
    Dates: 1792 April 25
    Container: Box 1, Folder 11
  • Description: Document 31: Copy of List of the Packet delivered to Messrs. Browne, Irwin and Jackson
    Dates: 1792 April 23 and 27
    Container: Box 1, Folder 12
  • Description: Document 32: Estimate of Stock at China to March, 1794
    Dates: 1792 August 31
    Container: Box 1, Folder 12
  • Description: Document 33: List of the Book Packet to His Excellency the Right Honorable Lord Viscount Macartney, K.B. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Emperor of China
    Dates: 1792 September 9
    Container: Box 1, Folder 12
  • Description: Document 34: References to the General Letters to Canton respecting Teas
    Dates: 1792
    Container: Box 1, Folder 12
  • Description: Ribbons and thread used to bind the documents (removed during conservation, 2013)
    Dates:
    Container: Box 1, Folder 13
  • Description: Document list prepared by Earl Pritchard
    Dates:
    Container: Box 1, Folder 14
  • Description: Preservation copies for entire collection, except documents 9 and 11
    Dates:
    Container: Box 2, Folder

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