The papers are almost entirely concerned with Macartney's embassy to Russia in 1764-1767, and include notes, memoranda, drafts of the trade treaty he negotiated, and a final copy; accounts of travel in Russia and general descriptions of the country, including a treatise on the natural history of Siberia and fossils found there; descriptions of principal figures of the Russian Court and of court protocol; and copies of correspondence and The collection also contains a printed copy of a 1762 decree by Catherine II concerning Alexis Bestoucheff-Rumin; and a dispatch sent by Russia to China in 1792 during Macartney's mission in Peking. Accompanied by a microfilm of the Macartney Papers in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland
Description:
George Macartney was born in Ireland and educated at Trinity College. In 1764, Lord Holland proposed him as envoy extraordinary to Saint Petersburg for the negotiation of a trade treaty. Knighted before departing England, Macartney returned in 1767 after concluding the treaty and receiving the Polish Order of the White Eagle. He spent much of the remainder of his career in colonial governorships, including that of Madras, and took his seat in the Irish Parliament in 1788. In 1792 he was sent as plenipotentiary on a mission to Peking, and upon his return from China undertook negotiations with the exiled Louis XVIII in Verona. Macartney thereafter retired from public life due to ill health. and In French and English.
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain., Great Britain, Russia., Russia, and Siberia (Russia)
Subject (Name):
Catherine II, Empress of Russia, 1729-1796. and Macartney, George Macartney, Earl, 1737-1806.
Subject (Topic):
Diplomatic and consular service, British, Diplomatic and consular service, Russian, Diplomats, Commerce, Foreign relations, Politics and government, Court and courtiers, and Description and travel
"The Emperor of China (left) reclines on a mattress on a low dais, smoking a long pipe and contemptuously watching, out of his slit-like eyes, Lord Macartney, who kneels on one knee, holding out the King's letter, which is signed 'GR \ WP [Pitt] Sec.' The Emperor emits a puff of smoke from a twisted mouth in a subtly insulting manner. Behind him stand two impassive mandarins, their folded hands concealed in their voluminous sleeves. Beside the dais (right) stands a soldier in armour, holding a sword in his clasped hands. The Chinese have pointed beards and moustaches, and long claw-like fingernails. Over the dais is an ornate canopy in the manner of a Chinese pagoda, ornamented with a dragon. Macartney, wearing the insignia of the Bath, kneels in profile to the left, indicating with his left hand a number of presents which have been placed at the Emperor's feet. Five members of his suite prostrate themselves behind Macartney, their heads touching the floor so that their faces are hidden and the backs of their breeches are ludicrously conspicuous. Behind are others bringing presents, the two most prominent are identified as Sir George Staunton, secretary to the Embassy, and Huttner, who published a German account of the expedition. Staunton, who is not caricatured but does not conspicuously resemble his portrait (by Engleheart, 1792, engraved C. Picart), stands full face behind Macartney, holding the string of a toy balloon decorated with the royal arms, to which is attached, in place of a basket, a cock standing on a pair of breeches. Huttner holds a magpie in a wicker cage. Men crowd behind them carrying, one, a toy coach complete with six horses, driver, postilion, &c, the whole on a small wheeled platform; another, a rocking-horse; a third holds a weathercock in one hand, a British flag in the other. The objects on the ground are: a volume of 'Boydell's Shakespeare' on which is a rat-trap; a bat, trap, and ball, dice-box and dice, a battledore and shuttlecock (on which is a crown); an oval miniature of George III, to which is attached a child's coral and bells; a toy windmill; a magic-lantern with a 'slider' (cf. BMSat 6287) which projects at each side showing devils, in the lantern is a figure of Punch; the model of a man-of-war flying a British flag, and an E.O. table."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Reception of the diplomatique & his suite at the Court of Peking and Reception of the diplomatique and his suite at the Court of Peking
Description:
Title etched below image.
Publisher:
Pubd. Septr. 14th, 1792, by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street
Subject (Name):
Macartney, George Macartney, Earl, 1737-1806, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Staunton, George, Sir, 1737-1801, and Hüttner, Johann Christian, 1766-1847
Title from item., Publication place and date inferred from that of the magazine for which this plate was engraved., Dated in the British Museum catalogue: 1 August 1772., Plate from: The Oxford magazine, or, Universal museum ... London : Printed for the authors, v. 9, p. 24., and Temporary local subject terms: Devil -- Demons - Gallows -- Coronets -- Orders: Order of the Bath -- Order of the Garter -- Bags of money.
Contemporary manuscript copy signed J. Tapner [John?]. Two epistles in heroic couplets, each with an Argument and extensive prose notes keyed to line numbers, of descriptions of flora, fauna, cuisine, arts and architecture, and anecdotes on religion, customs, and history. Epistle I includes discussion of: the "riches of the Kingdom of Madura under its Hindoo Kings;" the "magnificence and sanctity of the Pagodas;" the "strong resemblance between the Hindoo and Egyptian deities." Epistle II includes: "Eulogy of Trimul Nag King of Madura before the Conquest and Division of that Kingdom by the Tartars" and other anecdotes about his palace, wives, and reign; descriptions of the Royal Gardens; "Transition to the present happy situation of the Carnatic under the British Government;" a "hint of what remains to be done for the prosperity of India;" and praise for Lord Macartney for giving "a system of life which tun'd to harmony a land of strife." Notes refer to various East India Company officials including Lords Clive and Hastings, and quote from letters by other "high persons" to Macartney
Description:
Binding: red sprinkled edges, contemporary vellum over boards, with title on spine: 46 Irwin's Hindoo Garden; and inscription on front cover: Hayley., In English., and No illustrations. The text contains only blank frames with captions for the intended content.
Subject (Geographic):
India, Carnatic (India), and Madurai (India)
Subject (Name):
Hayley, William, 1745-1820., Irwin, Eyles, 1751?-1817., Macartney, George Macartney, Earl, 1737-1806., and East India Company.
Subject (Topic):
Epistolary poetry, English, English poetry, Hinduism and politics, History, Description and travel, and Religious life and customs
Holograph diary recording Macartney's embassy to China between September 11, 1792 and January 15, 1794. The first volume narrates his journey to China; embarking on board a man-of-war from London, he lists the members of his train; describes his stop in Madeira, where he dines with the governor, visits the gardens, and attends a ball. He then stops at Tenerife, where he learns of "barbarities committed by the blacks" in St. Domingo; and continues with stops at St. Iago; Rio de Janeiro; and the islands of Amsterdam and St. Paul. Throughout, he provides summaries of the island's history, inhabitants, agriculture, and interesting flora and fauna. The volume concludes with two essays on trade and commerce, one on avarice and the other explaining differences of custom and manners between Chinese and Europeans which cause difficulties in conducting trade. This latter treatise is preceded by a petition by "Tong-Foo and Buble-me-qua" asking for aid in recovering debts owed them by English merchants and The second volume begins with a brief summary of the journey from England, but focuses primarily on his time in China. He describes, in detail, the reception he receives from the local dignitaries upon his arrival in China; the activities and machinations of the court and courtiers; the architecture; social life and customs; missionary work in China; British foreign relations with China; and especially his own opinions concerning cultural differences in negotiating with various members of the court. The volume concludes with his opinion on how to preserve the diplomatic ground lately gained in China. At the beginning of the first manuscript is an inscription, "This journal was written by Lord Macartney on board the Lion merely for his own amusement and to pass away some tedious hours of a very long sea voyage."
Description:
In English., Watermark on paper: 1803., Marbled endpapers in vol. 1., and Binding: vol. 1: full vellum. Vol. 2: half vellum; back board is covered with marbled paper. Written on spine of vol. 2: Embassy to China.
Subject (Geographic):
Amsterdam Island (Terres australes et antarctiques françaises), China, Great Britain., Great Britain, China., Madeira Islands, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Saint Paul Island (Indian Ocean), and Tenerife (Canary Islands)
Subject (Name):
Macartney, George Macartney, Earl, 1737-1806.
Subject (Topic):
Diplomatic and consular service, British, Travelers' writings, English, Commerce, Court and courtiers, Description and travel, Foreign relations, Politics and government, and Social life and customs
Holograph diary recording Macartney's embassy to China between September 11, 1792 and January 15, 1794. The first volume narrates his journey to China; embarking on board a man-of-war from London, he lists the members of his train; describes his stop in Madeira, where he dines with the governor, visits the gardens, and attends a ball. He then stops at Tenerife, where he learns of "barbarities committed by the blacks" in St. Domingo; and continues with stops at St. Iago; Rio de Janeiro; and the islands of Amsterdam and St. Paul. Throughout, he provides summaries of the island's history, inhabitants, agriculture, and interesting flora and fauna. The volume concludes with two essays on trade and commerce, one on avarice and the other explaining differences of custom and manners between Chinese and Europeans which cause difficulties in conducting trade. This latter treatise is preceded by a petition by "Tong-Foo and Buble-me-qua" asking for aid in recovering debts owed them by English merchants and The second volume begins with a brief summary of the journey from England, but focuses primarily on his time in China. He describes, in detail, the reception he receives from the local dignitaries upon his arrival in China; the activities and machinations of the court and courtiers; the architecture; social life and customs; missionary work in China; British foreign relations with China; and especially his own opinions concerning cultural differences in negotiating with various members of the court. The volume concludes with his opinion on how to preserve the diplomatic ground lately gained in China. At the beginning of the first manuscript is an inscription, "This journal was written by Lord Macartney on board the Lion merely for his own amusement and to pass away some tedious hours of a very long sea voyage."
Description:
In English., Watermark on paper: 1803., Marbled endpapers in vol. 1., and Binding: vol. 1: full vellum. Vol. 2: half vellum; back board is covered with marbled paper. Written on spine of vol. 2: Embassy to China.
Subject (Geographic):
Amsterdam Island (Terres australes et antarctiques françaises), China, Great Britain., Great Britain, China., Madeira Islands, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Saint Paul Island (Indian Ocean), and Tenerife (Canary Islands)
Subject (Name):
Macartney, George Macartney, Earl, 1737-1806.
Subject (Topic):
Diplomatic and consular service, British, Travelers' writings, English, Commerce, Court and courtiers, Description and travel, Foreign relations, Politics and government, and Social life and customs
"Hibernia lies on the ground with her harp broken. On a table (left) are two money bags, one full and labelled "Exchequer", the other decorated with the Irish harp and almost empty. Into this Lord North is plunging his hand while an African with outstretched hand says: "Don't forget poor Mungo my good Ld N------h". A man in hat and laced coat is trampling on Hibernia, saying to a bystander: "Sr George we must keep her down". Sir George [Macartney] answers: "Ay my Ld T------d. [Townshend] and exert ourselves or she will be too Strong for us"."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from the index to the magazine. See British Museum catalogue., Publication place and date inferred from that of the magazine for which this plate was engraved., Sheet trimmed to plate mark., Illustration to the article, The history of the late Parliament in Ireland, published in the London Magazine, v. 41 (1772)., Plate from: London magazine, or Gentleman's monthly intelligencer. London : Printed by C. Ackers, v. 41 (1772), page 3., and Temporary local subject terms: Personifications: Hibernia -- Bags of money -- Reference to the Exchequer's Office -- Reference to the Irish revenues -- Harlequin -- Blacks: politicians as blacks -- Musical instruments -- Furniture.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Name):
North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792, Dyson, Jeremiah, 1722-1776, Macartney, George Macartney, Earl, 1737-1806, and Townshend, George Townshend, Marquis, 1724-1807
Title from British Museum catalogue., Plate from: Baratariana : a select collection of fugitive political pieces, published during the administration of Lord Townshend in Ireland ... The second ed., corrected and enlarged. Dublin, 1773., and Temporary local subject terms: John Gore, Baron Annaly -- Godfrey Lill -- Francis Andrews -- Philip Tisdall -- Furniture: chairs.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Name):
Townshend, George Townshend, Marquis, 1724-1807, Macartney, George Macartney, Earl, 1737-1806, Cunyngham, Alexander, 1737-1783, Malone, Anthony, 1700-1776, and Hely-Hutchinson, John, 1724-1794
