Russell and Company, 1818-1891: America's trade and diplomacy in nineteenth-century China.

摘要

Although much has been written about the American relations with China, case studies of American firms in 19th-century China are still lacking. This study seeks to investigate Russell & Co.'s mercantile and related activities in light of its economic as well as diplomatic role in China in order to gain a more exact view about the role of the trade and the relations between government policy and the economic interests of the private merchant.; Russell & Co.'s predecessor was Samuel Russell & Co. founded in 1818. Reorganized in 1824, this company was renamed Russell & Co. After it merged with Perkins & Co. in 1830, this commission firm emerged as the leading American company in East Asia.; After the First Opium War, supported by the first Sino-U.S. treaty, the company's position was greatly strengthened. The partners accumulated handsome profits by means of normal operations as well as in the illegal drug traffic. Owing to its dominant financial position and its close connections with prominent politicians in Washington, the firm controlled the important U.S. consulates in China at midcentury. As guardians of American interests in China, they adopted an uncompromising attitude toward the Chinese government, which was backed by the U.S. navy. Certainly, the support of economic interests constituted the basic focus of U.S. policy toward China in the 19th century.; The new environment in the China trade after the Second Opium War, and the impact of innovations in transportation and communication, however, resulted in the decline of the commission business. When the crisis of Baring Brothers & Co., Russell's major British financier, occurred in 1890, Russell & Co. was unable to continue and finally collapsed the following year.