China - Lot 701

China STAUTON (George Leonard), Sir - [MACARTNEY] An Authentic account of an embassy from the King of Great Britain to the Emperor of China with a relation of the voyage undertaken on the occasion by this Majesty's ship the lion, and the ship Hindostan taken chiefy from the paper of His Excellency the Earl of Macartney London, Bulmer and Co, 1797. 2 volumes in-4; illustrated with 2 frontispiece portraits of Emperor Tchien Lung and Lord Macartney. Some mid-text figures. Large margins, untrimmed, partly uncut (text). A large atlas in folio consisting of 44 plates (plate 5 misnumbered 26) including a large folding map and 6 double-page spreads. Light staining in the outer margin on the first 10 plates and small scattered spotting in places. ½ contemporary cherry calf, ornate smooth spines, black title-pieces and tomaisons, light rubbing. A good copy. Official account (and plates) of Lord Macartney's famous and unsuccessful journey to the Chinese emperor in 1792-94, by George Staunton, Macartney's principal secretary. Staunton accompanied Lord Macartney's embassy to China in 1792 as Principal Secretary. The stated aim of the embassy was to establish diplomatic relations and improve trade relations with China. Following an audience with the Chinese Emperor, their proposals were rejected. Staunton was a gifted observer, and this book recounts his observations, which extend to the botanical field. Staunton's account also describes the places visited during the expedition, including Madeira, Tenerife, Rio de Janeiro, Java, Sumatra and Cochinchina (Sinica 2382). This failure led to the establishment of the English colony of Hong Kong.