136 Kenneth S. Latoiirette, 



courtly style. "^^'^ He later gave space to a letter from a merchant 

 in Canton criticizing the objects of the mission."* The treasurer 

 of the American Oriental Society was very sceptical as to its 

 success in reaching Peking, and, seemingly, of the probability 

 of a treaty.^^^ 



Gushing left the United States in the summer of 1843, i" 

 the "Missouri." The plan was for him to go to Egypt, thence 

 overland across the Isthmus of Suez, and by sea to Bombay, 

 where he was to meet the squadron. At Gibraltar, however, the 

 "Missouri" caught fire and burned, and Gushing went on by 

 British conveyance to Bombay. Here he was taken on board the 

 "Brandywine" and completed his voyage to Ganton.^^*' 



In the meantime, on September 22d, 1843, Paul S. Forbes, 

 recently appointed United States consul at Ganton, had reported 

 his arrival to the Imperial Gommissioner, and in doing so, 

 apprised the latter of Gushing's coming. He told of the special 

 commission from the United States and asked the best route to 

 pursue to Peking. Kiying replied advising against the proposed 

 trip to the capital, saying with characteristic suavity that it was 

 too long for a party which had already come so far and that 

 their business could just as well be conducted at Ganton.^"' 



Gushing arrived at Macao February 24th, 1844, and on the 

 27th sent a tactful letter to the acting viceroy of the provinces of 

 Kwangtung and Kwangsi. He announced his mission, saying 

 that he was on his way to Peking to deliver a letter to the Emperor, 

 and had stopped for a few weeks at Macao until the "Brandy- 

 wine" should have taken on provisions and prepared to continue 

 to the mouth of the Peilio, and that he wished to take this oppor- 

 tunity to inquire after the health of his majesty. Ghing, the 

 acting viceroy, replied on March 19th, saying that the inquiry 

 after the Emperor's health showed "respectful obedience and 

 politeness exceeding to be praised," but strongly urged Gushing 

 not to think of going to Peking, since the Emperor must first be 



'^'Niles Register, 64:308, July 15, 1843. 



"*Ibid., 67:36, Sept. 21, 1844. 



^^^ Greenough, China, in Journ. of Am. Oriental See. i : 143-161, Boston, 

 1849. (Paper presented to the Society in 1844.) 



"''Benton. Thirty Years' View, 2:515, is verj' bitter against the entire 

 expedition. 



^'" Consular Letters, Canton, III. 



