George Abbot to his wife Nancy (Stickney) Abbot, 26 January 1840

[From George Abbot in Canton, China, to his wife Nancy in Beverly, Massachusetts. He says they were delayed in unloading their cargo; talks about how he'll return home, either direct or via Manilla; talks about the Chinese New Year and its effect on the price of tea; describes his health, and the weather; and says he's been away for a long time and wishes to be home.

Addressed to "Capt. George Abbot, Beverly, Mass. U.S.A." Also on the outside is written "for Tenobia."]

Canton Jany 26th 1840

My Dear Wife,

Since my last scrawl the 12 inst., no oportunity has presented for writing you previous to this, the Ship Tenobia1 Capt. Kinsman2 direct for N York. And even now after the elapse of a fortnights time, I have nothing that I deem of much importance to write respecting my prospects here, as I am still in doubt what course I shall pursue as it regards a return voyage. After many delays occasioned by the differences between the Chinese Govt and Foreigners generally, I have succeeded in discharging my cargo of Rice,3 and am now prepared to load again, but whether I shall load direct for the U States from here, or go to Manila for a return cargo, I cannot now say, as it depends entirely on the price of Teas, and the Freight I am offered after the China New Year 5th Feby, whether I remain here or go to Manila. Should I load here I hope to be with you by the first of July. On the contrary, should I go to Manila it will probably prolong my voyage a month or six weeks at least. I would not have you in the least anxious, even should I not be at home in that time, as there is very much uncertainty, both as it regards futer operations, and the passage home. I write then particularly to guard you against another unnecessary anxiety should I appear to be out of time.

I particularize the New Year as a data to govern myself by (as you observe) because it is celebrated here something as our Thanksgiving is in New England. Whole familys meet together (often from different parts of the country) under the paternal roof and have a regular New England jollification, but with this difference. Instead of three days, they take a fortnight, and all business is suspended a week previous to the important day. And it is said after that time produce (Teas) fall in price, something as Turkey & poultry does with us. The Chinese you know are a Tea drinking nation.

Now, a little about myself. My health since my last has been about the same. I have however experienced a tremendous cold, and my lungs have been much afflicted with the "old complaint," but am much better now, having quite thrown off the cold, and find much relief from Asthma. My corporation is much reduced, I assure you, and in appearance so much altered that if, as you said, you should hardly have known me if meeting me in the street when I returned the last voyage from Rio, you now would certainly pass me by. A face similar may be found in the old Portrait, wiskers & all. Just step into the front room and see Pa!! There was a time when it was with much difficulty (so fleshy) that I could lodge on leg on the other, but now, painfull to relate, they can be doubled & twisted with ease. For curiositys sake I was weighed the other day, and the result was 148 pounds. George,4 just run into Mr. Sheldon and see what I weighed when I left home.

This is the vilest climate for invalids as can well be conceived of. The Thermometer varying frequently from 80º to 28º degrees in the space of 12 hours, from a hot burning sun, to a raw cold E. N. E. wind with frost. And now, while writing this, my fingers actually are aching with cold.

And how is it with my Dear Wife and children this inclement season, and how are their healths? I hope and trust in good health and enjoyments, and that it be the almightys will to continue them so is my most earnest and constant prayer. Still I must confess I am at times really quite nervous on that head, and the thoughts are truly disturbing. I do want to see you all very, very, much. I hope it will please God, in good healths, and trust it will. It is a long, long, time since I left you, and a tedious, long time to me it has been I assure you. And the time that must necessarily elapse before I can be with you again is truly heart sickning, and I am determined never to be caught again on a voyage of this kind, if it should be my hard luck to be obliged again to leave home. Only think of it, it is now over nine months since I have heard from you excepting thro' Mr. Gallop by whom this letter goes to you. He is 1st officer of the Tenobia, and on his return to Beverly will call and see you.

How are your finances Nancy? I hope you have no di[____]ulty in getting funds from N York when you want them. Should you have, you will always find my credit [_____] with Mr. Hall. He will always honor your order, if informed it is my wish he should do so.

This probably is the last letter I shall write you from this place. My next, I confidently hope, I shall bring myself, and if I load here which I think probable, a month or six weeks after receipt of this you may expect to hear from me at New York, where on my arrival I shall expect to be handed a package of letters that will occupy hours in reading. You must tax your memory & patience for news &c, as you will recollect that old news will be new to me, having been absent near a year and half. In the mean time my sweetest kisses to all the children, and believe me truly, and affectionately, your Husband

George Abbot

  1. The ship was actually the Zenobia.
  2. Nathaniel Kinsman (1798-1847)
  3. An excerpt from p. 23 of An East India Company Cemetery: Protestant Burials in Macao, Volume 73, by Lindsay and May Ride (Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press, 1996) provides some background on the trading in the area at that time.
    Many of the merchants who were not British took advantage of the extra opportunities offered by the vacuum and continued to trade. Some British ships were sold to Americans; a small clandestine trade was organized, with British firms chartering ships flying other flags and foreign ships taking British goods on board. Cotton was piling up at Hong Kong, tea and silk at Whampoa. Everyone was working feverishly to reap the freight harvest before a British blockading force arrived. In the midst of the proscription, on 23 October 1839, Nathaniel Kinsman (112) arrived at Hong Kong from Salem in command of the Zenobia and in a letter described how 60 large British ships were lying at anchor there, unable to get upriver to Whampoa, while American vessels were hurrying back and forth between the two anchorages, carrying cotton up and tea down, both for themselves and for the British. Kinsman engaged himself in this oblique trade, loading the Zenobia with cotton on behalf of Jardine, Matheson & Co and moving to Whampoa. There he waited for six weeks until the price of tea had dropped far enough for a profitable buy. "My inrention," he said, "is to remain perfectly quiet and watch the moving of the waters and when I see a chance, walk into the tea market, load my ship, and be off and leave the belligerents to fight out their differences, in their own way, wishing success to the English ..." When the British enforced their blockade in January 1840, down came the price of tea, and Kinsman sailed for New York with 1,400 tons in the holds, expecting to make a level of profit never realized before, and scarcely believing his luck.
  4. George William Abbot (1825-1861), George and Nancy's son