When was it published?

February 23, 1769 in The Virginia Gazette

Foreign News February 23, 1769

The Virginia Gazette

Q: What keywords are associated?

China Trade, East India Company, Sailors Killed, Ship Seized, Forbidden City

Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia

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What is this article about?

East India Company ships in a Chinese harbor waited three months for cargo; some crew entered a forbidden city out of curiosity and were killed by locals to protect secrets. Chinese then seized one ship, forcing the others to depart empty-handed.

Clipping

OCR Quality

98% Excellent

Full Text

A letter from a Gentleman in the East Indies, to his friend in London, says: "Our ship, with two more of the Company's having lain three months in a harbour in China, waiting for a cargo, a few of our ship's crew made a party, and imprudently forced themselves into one of their cities, merely through a foolish curiosity, when the Chinese put them all to death, because they never suffer any of their arts to be laid open to any Europeans whatsoever. After this act of cruelty they seized one of our ships, and the rest were glad to get out of the harbour without loading. &c."

What sub-type of article is it?

Trade Or Commerce

What keywords are associated?

China Trade East India Company Sailors Killed Ship Seized Forbidden City

Where did it happen?

China

Foreign News Details

Primary Location

China

Outcome

a few sailors killed; one ship seized; other ships departed without cargo.

Event Details

Three East India Company ships waited three months in a Chinese harbor for cargo. Some crew members entered a city out of curiosity and were killed by the Chinese to prevent exposure of their arts to Europeans. The Chinese then seized one ship, and the remaining ships left the harbor unloaded.