The Journals of Major Samuel Shaw, the First American Consul at Canton. With a Life of the author, by J. Quincy

Front matter

THE LIFE AND JOURNALS OF Major SAMUEL SHAW. THE JOURNALS OF Major SAMUEL SHAW, THE FIRST AMERICAN CONSUL AT CANTON. with A LIFE OF THE AUTHOR, BY JOSIAH QUINCY. BOSTON: WM. CROSBY AND H. P. NICHOLS, 111 Washington Street. 1847. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1847, by The Boston Marine Society, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts. CAMBRIDGE: STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY METCALF AND COMPANY, PRINTERS TO THE UNIVERSITY.

Preface

The subject of the ensuing Memoir, having served his country with honor and distinction in the army during the war of American Inde pendence, was the first who, after that event, received the appointment of Consul of the Unit ed States at Canton from the American Con gress, in 1786; an appointment which, in 1790, President Washington renewed. He resided sev eral years in that city, and was engaged for a considerable period in active commerce in the Chinese and Indian seas. The trade of the United States with China and India he made the special object of his study ; and at his death, which occurred in 1794, he left, in man uscript, Journals containing an account of the first and of other early voyages from the Unit-

PREFACE.

. VI ed States to Canton. They throw a light on the commercial relations of our country with those distant regions at that period, which can not fail to be interesting ; and, although the intercourse of half a century intervening since they were written may have made that which was once novel now familiar, yet, from the un changeableness of Chinese habits and policy, they undoubtedly contain much information, which, even at this day, is both useful and attractive. These Journals of Major Shaw came, after his death, into the possession of his nephew and legal representative, Robert Gould Shaw, of Bos ton. Their publication has often been solicited, but has hitherto been withheld ; the present pro prietor doubting if a work not originally de signed for the press could with propriety be giv en to the public.

He has, however, now yielded to the urgency of friends, and to the assurance of judicious merchants, long and intimately ac quainted with the China trade, that their publication not only will be practically useful, but is due to the memory of their author, will redound to his honor, and will gratify a wise public curiosity concerning the early state and history of

PREFACE.

. VII this branch of American commerce. Assuming all the expenses, Mr. Shaw has transferred the copyright of the book to the Boston Marine So ciety, in aid of whose funds he was of opinion its proceeds would be most appropriately applied ; and to this object they are devoted. If the commercial information these Journals contain is adapted to gratify curiosity, a deeper sentiment will be excited by the narrative of the military life of Major Shaw, composed chief ly of letters written to his nearest relatives and friends, from his enlistment in the American ar my, at Cambridge, in December, 1775, to its final disbandment, at West Point, in January, 1784, and describing almost every important event in the war of the American Revolution. Written at the moment of victory or of defeat, amidst poverty and privation, they illustrate the character of the writer, and also feelingly ex hibit the principles, motives, and spirit of that class of the soldiers of our Revolution to which he belonged, — a class which entered the army, at the commencement of the struggle for Inde pendence, under the impulse of patriotic zeal, and, sustained by the same sentiment, continued in it until its close, — undeterred by danb

PREFACE.

. gers or disasters, neither moved by the sufferings they endured, nor disgusted by the neglect or the wrongs they experienced from their country. On these men, more than on any other, the arm of Washington leaned. Yet of them, individually, history has little to record. Their agency, though efficient, was unobtrusive. They thought not of telling the story of their own services to posterity. The confidential narrative contained in the private letters of Major Shaw cannot, therefore, fail to awaken, in the Amer ican public, feelings of interest, respect, and grati tude. Having been requested to prepare a Memoir of the author of these Journals by the proprietor of them, I have undertaken the task from no other motive than the gratification resulting from being instrumental in perpetuating the memory of one who was during life honored and be loved by all who knew him.

It was my happiness, in my early youth, to enjoy the privilege of his acquaintance and correspondence ; and now, after the lapse of more than fifty years, I can truly say, that, in the course of a long life, I have never known an individual of a character more elevated and chiv-

PREFACE.

. IX alric, acting according to a purer standard of morals, imbued with a higher sense of honor, and uniting more intimately the qualities of the gentleman, the soldier, the scholar, and the Christian. JOSIAH QUINCY. Boston, April, 1847. PAGE CONTENTS MEMOIR

Chapter I

His Birth, Parentage, and Education. — Joins the American Army as a Lieutenant of Artillery. — Incidents occurring at Cambridge and Dorchester Heights. — March of the American Army to New York. — His Remarks on that City, and Conversation with General Putnam. — Arrival of General Howe with the British Army, and immediately succeeding Events 3 CHAPTER n. Attack on the British Ships in Tappan Bay by American Galleys. — Retreat of the American Army from New York. — Straits to which it was reduced. — Death of Thomas Henley. — Skirmishes with the Enemy before and after the Battle of White Plains. — His Indignation at the Conduct of the Militia. — Capture of Fort Washington by the British. — Account of the Battle of Princeton 18

Chapter VI

Incursion of the British into the Jerseys. — Arnold's Treachery. — Difficulties in the Exchange of Prisoners. — The Command in the Southern Department conferred on General Greene. — His Character and Popularity 73 CHAPTER VE. Revolt of the Pennsylvania Line. — The French Army under Rochambeau. — Battle near the Cowpens. — Revolt in the New Jersey Line. — A Subaltern's Outfit in the American Army. — Impositions on the Army, and the Injustice done to its Soldiers by the States. — Chevalier Mauduit du Plessis 84 CHAPTER Vffl. Discontent of the American Army. — Address to Congress in its Behalf by its Officers. — Proceedings on that Occasion. — The Newburg Anonymous Addresses. — Measures taken to counteract their Influence. — Glorious Conduct of Washington. — The persecuting Spirit manifested towards the Tories condemned. 99 CHAPTER K. Cessation of Hostilities proclaimed to the American Army. — Washington's and Knox's Certificates of Major Shaw's Services and Merit. — He engages in the First Commercial Enterprise from the United States to China. — Returns, and is appointed CONTENTS.

XIII the First Consul from the United States at Canton. — His Second Voyage to the Chinese Empire. — His Residence there. — Voyage to Bengal, and Return to the United States 108

CHAPTER X.

Third Voyage to Canton. — Commerce with Americans prohibited at Batavia. — His Proceedings on that Subject. — Death of his Brother Nathaniel. — He returns to New York. — Vindicates the Character of General Knox. — His Marriage. — Departure for Bombay. — His Death on the Return Voyage. — Remarks on his Life and Character 117 JOURNALS. First Voyage to Canton 131 Second Voyage to Canton "215 Visit to Bengal 257 Return to Canton, and Voyage Homeward 293 Appendix MEMOIR MEMOIR.

Chapter I. His Birth, Parentage, And Education

JOINS THE AMERICAN ARMY AS A LIEUTENANT OF ARTILLERY. INCIDENTS OCCUR- RING AT CAMBRIDGE AND DORCHESTER HEIGHTS. MARCH OF THE AMERICAN ARMY TO NEW YORK. HIS REMARKS ON THAT CITY, AND CONVERSATION WITH GENERAL PUTNAM. ARRIVAL OF GENERAL HOWE WITH THE BRITISH ARMY, AND IMMEDIATE- LY SUCCEEDING EVENTS. Samuel Shaw was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on the 2d of October, 1754. He was the third son of Fran cis and Mary Shaw. His father, a merchant engaged in extensive business, and distinguished for intelligence and enterprise, early placed him at one of the common schools of Boston, and at the usual age entered him at the Latin School, then under the care of that distinguished teacher, James Lovell. His progress there is said to have evinced great quickness of intellect ; and the knowledge of Latin he acquired enabled him in after life, during the leisure of the camp and of his voyages to India and China, to become familiar with the most popular and admired Latin poets and historians, passages from whose writings he often introduced into his letters and journals ; such quotations from the classics not being then MEMOIR. considered pedantic, but as the result of the natural associ ations of a well educated and judiciously cultivated mind.

Being destined for commercial pursuits, Samuel Shaw soon quitted the school for the counting-house, in which he was assiduously occupied, when the political circum stances of the times gave an unanticipated direction to his thoughts and fortunes. The relations of amity, and the feelings of affection, which had subsisted for a century and a half between the inhabitants of those British colonies which now con stitute the United States and the parent country, were terminated on the 19th of April, 1775, by the battle of Lexington. The concentration of Continental troops in the vicinity of Boston, and the battle of Bunker's Hill, which succeeded, on the 17th of June, made it apparent that hostilites were inevitable, and that a struggle had commenced which arms alone could decide. On the side of America, while manhood and middle age advanced to meet the crisis with cautious but firm steps, the young, the ardent, and the enterprising, casting away fear, and taking counsel only of patriotism, rushed to the standard of their country with a determined and intrepid zeal.

The subject of this memoir had not attained the age of manhood when these events occurred. Circumstan ces, however, early enlisted both his principles and his passions in the cause of his country. The northern part of Boston, where he resided, was also the abode of some of the most active and ardent spirits who gave character and impulse to the first movements of the American Rev olution. Troops, sent from the parent state to awe the colonies into submission, and parading the streets of Boston, were continual causes of excitement and anger ; giving intensi- MEMOIR. ty to feelings which it was difficult to restrain, and im possible to allay. Boston being at that time regarded by the British as a garrison town, the officers of the army were billeted on the inhabitants. The house of Francis Shaw was assigned for quarters to Major Pitcairn and Lieutenant Wragg.

A tradition in the family states, that, the latter having at the table, in the presence of Samuel Shaw, spoken of the Americans as " cowards and rebels," he immediately resented the reproach, and transmitted to the lieutenant a challenge. While arrangements for a duel were in preparation, the fact came to the knowledge of Major Pitcairn, who interfered, and, either by influence or authority, obtained from the lieutenant such an apolo gy for the offence as Mr. Shaw was willing to accept, and the affair was thus terminated. On the 2d of October, 1775, Samuel Shaw attained the age of manhood, and, with the assent of his father, immediately took measures to insure his enrolment in the army, then collecting at Cambridge under the aus pices of Washington. From this period a series of letters, written by him to his father, his brother, and his friend, the late Rev. John Eliot, D. D., are preserved, and constitute the only remaining evidence of the events of his military life.

Extracts from these letters will form the chief basis of the ensuing narrative. They place in strong relief his spirit, sufferings, and virtues. Nor can they fail to excite a more general interest, from the graphic detail of the war of the Revolution by one who was either an actor or a witness throughout the whole period. The application of Mr. Shaw to General Washington was for a lieutenancy in the train of artillery. While it was under the consideration of the Commander-in-chief, he wrote thus to his father (December 1st, 1775) : — MEMOIR. " With respect to getting a commission, the matter rests with the General, and I suppose will be determined to-day. Colonels Mason and Burbeck have both of them been very friendly to me, and recommended me to Captain Foster, of the train, who wil lingly accepted me, and returned me yesterday as one of his lieu tenants to the General.

How it will turn, I know not ; but I shall be extremely obliged to his Excellency if he do not make a black mark against my name." In the same letter he thus exults over the capture of a British ordnance-ship by a Continental cruiser, commanded by Captain Manly : — " I congratulate you upon the occasion. It is one of the luck iest things that could have happened. General Gates, Colonel Burbeck, and all the officers here, declare, that, if an inventory of military stores for a laboratory had been sent for to England, it could not have been executed more completely. She has been unloaded with the utmost expedition, lest the enemy should get intelligence of her being at Cape Ann, and attempt to rescue her. I hope to have the pleasure of seeing some of her stores at Cam bridge." It is apparent from his next letter, that a spirit of care ful selection in regard to appointments was exercised even thus early by Washington, notwithstanding the ur gency of the crisis and the obvious policy of conciliatory measures in the fluctuating and unformed state of the American army.

" I board," he again writes (December 28th, 1775, to his father), "at a house in Cambridge, as my captain thought it not advisable for me to go into quarters till my commission takes place. This advice he gave me from his acquaintance with the two officers who are left out, and who, he supposes, will take ex ception at my coming in before their times expire. This will be next Monday, when I shall go to the barracks and join the com pany." MEMOIR. 7 His subsequent letters, until the regiment to which he belonged was marched to Dorchester Heights, are all dated from Prospect Hill in Charlestown. In these let ters the incidents of the siege of Boston are related with a particularity natural in so novel a scene. Common and slight events became important to a mind like his, which took an interest in every thing that evidenced the ac tivity and spirit of the American troops.

On the 1st of January, 1776, he again writes : — " My time of service commences to-day, and I shall presently repair to my quarters and join my company An attempt was made last week by two divisions of the army from Cobble and Winter hills, under General Sullivan, consisting entirely of volunteers, upon the ministerials at Bunker's Hill, for the purpose of destroying the remaining houses at Charlestown, which they occupied for barracks. They went off in high spirits, and got within two musket-shots of the enemy, who took no alarm, when they were obliged to return, by reason of the channel over which they were to pass not being sufficiently frozen to bear them. It is said that it will be attempted again, but I apprehend not very soon, as many of the soldiers in the old army are gone, and oth ers are going, home, their term of service being expired.

How ever, as soon as the new army is completed, I am of opinion that not only an attempt will be made there, but also another on Boston My best wishes attend you and all our friends. That the new year may prove a happy one, and afford us fresh cause to rejoice in the goodness of our common Parent, is the ardent prayer, my dear parents, of your affectionate and dutiful son." Again he writes (February 14th, 1776) : — " A successful attempt has been made on Charlestown, and ten houses were burnt. The expedition was carried on with great secrecy, hardly any person besides those employed know ing a syllable of the affair until they had the pleasure of seeing the blaze. Among the prisoners taken was a woman, who, being MEMOIR. something fatigued, was, by General Putnam's order, carried be tween two men part of the way ; but, this mode being found in convenient, the General, with his usual affability, cried out, — ' Here, hand her up to me ' ; which being done, she put her hand round his waist, and made this pious ejaculation as they rode off: — ' Jesus bless you, sweet General !

May you live for ever ! ' * " Our life in camp is confined. The officers are not allowed even to visit Cambridge, without leave from the commanding of ficer, and we are kept pretty closely to our duty. The drum beats at daybreak, when all hands turn out to man the lines. Here we stay till sunrise, and then all are marched off to prayers. We exercise twice a day, and every fourth day take our turn on guard. Opinions are various, whether Boston is to be attacked or not. I think it is a difficult question to answer. However, if it should be judged expedient to do it, I hope our troops will act with sufficient resolution to command success. Should it be my lot to go, I trust that a sense of what I owe to my country, my parents, and myself, will induce me to behave in a suitable manner. " A fracas happened last night, between our guard at Cobble Hill and the regulars at Charlestown.

Fourteen of the guard went over the mill-dam, and tore the plank off from the mill, and brought it away. Encouraged by this success, they went a second time, intending to burn what was left of it. The regulars, alarmed, had placed five sentries, who fired upon our men, but without doing them any damage. Our men returned the fire briskly, and would have taken the sentries, had not the British, from one of their batteries, opened upon them with grape-shot, which obliged them to desist." The restricted nature of his pecuniary resources at this period, and the limited sphere of his wants, are thus simply expressed. " I thank you for the eight pounds, lawful money, which you * Washington's account of the same affair may be found in Sparks's Writings of Washington. Vol. in., p. 241. MEMOIR. 9 sent me.

I shall be as prudent as possible, and hope I shall rub along without drawing any more upon you ; though I must be pretty saving, as the officers of our corps are ambitious of mak ing a good appearance, — each person being to furnish himself with a uniform complete, a sword, and a laced hat." His last letter from Prospect Hill (February 24th, 1776) acknowledges the receipt of the further sum of four pounds from his father, and expresses the hope, that he shall have no need of another supply, as he ex pects soon to receive his pay, and that in the mean time he can obtain credit for any necessaries he may want ; " after which," says he, " with a little prudence, my pay will maintain me genteelly." In this, as in his other letters, his youthful affections are expressed by enumerating by name several members of his family, and particular friends, and sending them messages of love.

His domestic feelings are indicated by the question, — " When will the time come that we shall all sit down in our little room, and eat a Sunday's dinner together ? Perhaps soon ; perhaps never. Let us not be discouraged, but trust a kind Providence for the event, after what is re quired on our part has been done." He adds, — " Prep arations are making here for some great blow, which will soon be struck." * From his next letter (March 10th, 1776) it appears that the anticipated blow resulted in the movement of that part of the American army to which Lieuten ant Shaw belonged from Prospect Hill to Dorchester Heights. This completed the investment of the town of Boston, and resulted in its evacuation by the British. In another letter, also dated on those Heights, he writes : — * An attack on Boston, by passing over the ice, was then contemplat ed by Washington.

Ibid., p. 290. MEMOIR. " Our company was ordered here last Monday night, where we expect to remain until something decisive is done. My health, by God's blessing, is good. Make yourself as easy on my account as possible. Our accommodations are as good as could be expected, my circumstances convenient, and my spirits as good as ever." After the evacuation of Boston by the British, the ar my was marched to New York, and his next letter (April 6th, 1776), dated at New London, where he was wait ing for a wind, the troops and cannon being on board a transport, represents the young soldier as feeling rather better than worse for the march, but sadly afflicted by his own wants and those of his companions. " I had flattered myself," he writes to his father, " that I should have no further occasion for your assistance.

Two months' pay are due me ; but, no money being forthcoming, I have been obliged to draw on you, not knowing when I shall re ceive any. I am in want of an entire new suit, and have no means but this draft, which I hope you will accept ; and I trust it will be some time or other in my power to make you amends for all your kindnesses to me. Our march has been different from what I anticipated. The officers (upwards of twenty in number), having given their provisions to the men, chose to dine at their own cost at the public houses on the road. This creates a new and not a small expense, which, however, must be met, unless a person has a mind to be looked upon as a Joe Bunker, that is, a fellow without a soul." His next letter (April 17th, 1776), from New York, expresses the delight he experienced, in sailing out of New London harbour, at seeing the American fleet, un der Commodore Hopkins, with several prizes taken from the enemy ; and how agreeable it would be to him (if a soldier might be allowed to have a will of his own) MEMOIR. should it fall to the lot of the artillery to be ordered on the expedition against Quebec, which was then depart ing, under General Sullivan.

" Presence at a siege would afford me an opportunity for im provement, to say nothing of the credit which, in case of a storm, a soldier has a chance of gaining for himself in such a campaign. This city [New York] is handsome, but ah ! poor Bos ton ! I have seen no place like thee. The private and public buildings here are elegant. There is a marble statue to the memory of Pitt, and a bronze one of the British tyrant on horse back ; but what avail these ? The honest sincerity, kindness, and hospitality, for which the inhabitants of our once happy town were so remarkable, are not to be found here. So far as one has money, so far he may have friends. The people of this place are a motley collection of all the nations under heaven. Every thing is extravagantly dear, so that a subaltern must live close to bring both ends of the month together.

We are to receive our pay in a day or two, all of which I shall be obliged to lay out at once for clothing, in which I am sadly deficient." In his next letter (New York, May 3d, 1776) he ex hibits the reasoning of the period concerning the importance of immediately taking possession of Canada by the Continental forces. " The seat of war may be thus changed, and much bloodshed prevented. By securing Quebec, the savages will be prevented from being stirred up against us ; and, if we fail in our present attempt, it will be impossible to succeed hereafter. I had yester day an opportunity of hearing General Putnam's sentiments con cerning our affairs. He was looking at the cannon in the fort here, and asking several questions of me (I being then on guard) concerning them ; which having answered, I took the freedom to ask him what his opinion was in regard to the enemy.

He replied frankly, that he thought they would endeavour to give us a brushing here. ' Then,' said I, ' we shall have a little business, MEMOIR. General.' ' Not a little, neither,' replied the old gentleman ; ' for when they come up with their ships you '11 have your hands full, I warrant you.' On this I observed, that a smart fire from eight or ten ships of the line, well returned by our batteries, would give a young person some idea of a cannonade. ' Ay, would it,' concluded he, laughing, ' and of a pretty hot one, too.' " You have heard, no doubt, better descriptions of New York and its inhabitants than any I can give, so I shall not attempt it. Suffice it to say, that a person might be here a twelvemonth with out contracting an acquaintance worth his while ; and, so much is their attention engrossed by self, that but a small share of it alights upon strangers.

I flattered myself, before I came here, that, in such a place as New York, whatever I might want could be procured on something like reasonable terms. In this, howev er, I reckoned without my host, for the price of every thing is raised to an extravagant height. Linen, such as used to be sold DO ' at 2s. 8d., now brings six or seven shillings. " My two months' pay I have not received. One guinea per week is the moderate price a gentleman must pay for board. This, however, is an expense a soldier can very well steer clear of, by taking up with his quarters ; but, on a march, it is well if it is not more. It is not unlikely we shall soon march southward. Wherever I am, it will be my great happiness to write to and receive letters from you. My affectionate regards to mother, brothers, sisters, aunts, and to all friends."

On the 24th of May, 1776, he again writes from New York : — " Not a single line have I had from you or any of our friends. But, though out of sight, my dear parents, you are not out of mind. Distance, instead of lessening, increases my anxiety for you in these troublesome times. By the accounts from Boston, I fear the fortifying and securing that much afflicted place from the future attempts of our enemy goes on but slowly. Surely, the inhuman treatment the inhabitants have received from those barbarians should excite their utmost endeavours to guard against a repetition of it. MEMOIR. " You have doubtless the great news from England of the mighty things they intend to do this campaign, and how poor America is to be frightened with Hessians, Hanoverians, Wal deckers, Brunswickers, and many more hard names, that I do not at present recollect.

Great Britain, in my humble opinion, will find it a more difficult task to bring those troops into the field than to marshal them in the Gazette." " I am now [June 11th, 1776] stationed at Red Hook, about four miles from New York. It is on an island, situated in such a manner as to command the entrance of the harbour entirely, where we have a fort with four eighteen-pounders, to fire en barbette, that is, over the top of the works, which is vastly better than firing through embrasures, as we can now bring all our guns to bear on the same object at once. The fort is named Defiance. Should the enemy's fleet make an attempt, they will, I think, be annoyed by it exceedingly. It is thought to be one of the most important posts we have. " There are two families here, — Mr. Vandyke and his son, good, staunch Whigs, and very clever folks, — between whom and our people a very agreeable intercourse subsists.

I rode out with the young man, about a week ago, to a place called Flush ing, on Long Island, sixteen miles off, where, and in most of the country towns round about, the Tories from the city have taken shelter.* It is almost incredible how many of these vermin there are. Scarce was a house we rode by, but Mr. Vandyke would say, ' There lives a rascally Tory.' The day before yesterday, a boat belonging to one of them was taken, coming from the Asia, on board of which ship she had been carrying provisions. There were a number of letters for Tories tied up in a bag, with lead in it, in order to sink them in case of surprise ; but this happened * The disaffection to the Revolution, on Long Island and in the lower counties of New York, is fully stated in Washington's letters. See Sparks's Writings of Washington, Vol. III., pp. 398-400 ; also, pp. 440, 469,470; Vol. IV., p. 86.