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53-697: The Jardine Paper was the proposal sent by Dr. William Jardine to Lord Palmerston to guide the British government in its plans to wage war with China which eventually was called the First Opium War . The actual strategy of Britain in the First Opium War very much mirrored the details of the Jardine Paper. No copy of the Jardine Paper is currently available but a letter from William Jardine to James Matheson dated December 19, 1839

106-498: A forceful response, which resulted in the First Opium War . Following his return to Britain from China, between 1841 and 1843, he was Member of Parliament for Ashburton representing the Whig party. Jardine died in 1843, bringing an end to his short political career. Jardine, one of seven children, was born in 1784 on a small farm near Lochmaben , Dumfriesshire, Scotland. His father, Andrew Jardine (abt. 1750- d. 1793), died when he

159-442: A most conscientious, honourable, and kind-hearted fellow, extremely liberal and an excellent man of business in this market, where his knowledge and experience in the opium trade and in most articles of export is highly valuable. He requires to be known and to be properly appreciated. James Matheson joined Magniac & Co. from the firm Yrissari & Co where he was partner. After Francis Xavier de Yrissari's death, Matheson wound up

212-494: A period where businesses operated in a highly volatile and uncertain environment where the line between success and bankruptcy was extremely thin. Jardine was known for his legendary imperiousness and pride. He was nicknamed by the locals "The Iron-headed Old Rat" after being hit on the head by a club in Guangzhou. Jardine, after being hit, just shrugged off the injury with dour resilience. He had only one chair in his office in

265-637: A series of military campaigns intended to bring the Qing government to the negotiating table. Eventually, the British pushed far enough up north to threaten the Imperial Palace in Beijing itself. The Qing government, forced to surrender, gave in to the demands of the British. Richard Hughes, in Hongkong: A Borrowed Place, A Borrowed Time , stated "William Jardine would have made his mark as admirably as

318-537: A soldier as he did as a Tai-pan ." Lord Palmerston wrote, To the assistance and information which you and Mr. Jardine so handsomely afforded us it was mainly owing that we were able to give our affairs naval, military and diplomatic, in China those detailed instructions which have led to these satisfactory results. In 1843, the Treaty of Nanking was signed by official representatives of both Britain and China. It allowed

371-1114: A surgeon's mate aboard the Brunswick belonging to the East India Company , and set sail for India. In May 1817, he abandoned medicine for trade. Jardine was a resident in China from 1820 to 1839. His early success in Canton as a commercial agent for opium merchants in India led to his admission in 1825 as a partner in Magniac & Co., and by 1826 he controlled that firm's Canton operations. James Matheson joined him shortly afterwards with Magniac & Co. reconstituted as Jardine, Matheson & Co. in 1832. After Imperial Commissioner Lin Zexu destroyed 20,000 cases of opium seized from British traders in 1839, Jardine arrived in London that September to press Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston for

424-547: A townhouse in 6 Upper Belgrave Street, then a new upscale residential district in London near Buckingham Palace. He had also bought a country estate, Lanrick Castle , in Perthshire, Scotland. In late 1842, Jardine's health had rapidly deteriorated due to colon cancer . In the latter part of the year, Jardine was already bedridden and in great pain. He was assisted by his nephew, Andrew Johnstone and later on by James Matheson in his correspondence. Despite his illness, Jardine

477-478: A very large gathering of family, friends, government and business personalities, many of whom Jardine had helped in his lifetime. Jardine, a bachelor, willed his estate to his siblings and his nephews. Though in Alain Le Pichon's edition of Jardine Matheson's collection of Jardine's correspondence for Oxford University Press, it is speculated that Jardine has an illegitimate child with a 'Mrs. Ratcliff' who

530-583: A war with China. Initially unsuccessful in his forays in England, he was brushed aside by the "Iron Duke" ( Duke of Wellington ), then the British Foreign Secretary , and reported bitterly to Jardine of being insulted by an arrogant and stupid man. However, his activities and widespread lobbying in several forums including Parliament sowed seeds that would lead to war in a few years. Matheson returned to China in 1836 to prepare to take over

583-691: Is almost exactly the same as the Jardine Paper: William Jardine (surgeon) William Jardine (24 February 1784 – 27 February 1843) was a Scottish opium trader and physician who co-founded the Hong Kong –based conglomerate Jardine, Matheson & Co . Educated in medicine at the University of Edinburgh , in 1802 Jardine obtained a diploma from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh . The next year, he became

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636-571: Is quite competent to do both,...until an adequate naval and military force...could be sent out from the mother Country. When All this is accomplished – but not till then, a negotiation may be commenced in some such Terms as the following – You take my opium – I take your Islands in return – we are therefore Quits, – and thenceforth if you please let us live in friendly Communion and good fellowship. You cannot protect your Seaboard against Pirates and Buccaneers. I can – So let us understand Each other, and study to promote our mutual Interests. Lord Palmerston,

689-577: The Brunswick when the crew of a French ship forcibly boarded her. Jeejeebhoy long continued as a close business associate of Jardine and that a portrait of Jeejeebhoy hung in Jardines' Hong Kong office in the 1990s was tribute to that. In 1824, a very important opportunity arose for Jardine. Magniac & Co., one of the two most successful agency houses in Canton, fell into disarray. Hollingworth Magniac , who succeeded his brother Charles Magniac after

742-427: The "Creek Hong" in Canton, and that was his own. Visitors were never allowed to sit, to impress upon them that Jardine was a very busy man. Jardine was also known as a crisis manager. In 1822, during his visit to the firm's Guangzhou office, he found the local office in management crisis, with employees in near mutiny against the firm's officers. Jardine then proceeded to take temporary control and succeeded in putting

795-470: The Board feel a melancholy pleasure in thus publicly expressing the respect in which they hold his memory.” ON the evening of 22 September 1852, The Framjee Cowasji Testimonial gathering was called to discuss a suitable memorial to erect in his name. P LeGreyt who was chairing the testimonial, termed it an "extraordinary occasion" and said “This is the first instance that has been known in which persons of

848-484: The Chinese officials in Canton. The Chinese Viceroy ordered the Canton offices where Napier was staying to be blockaded and the inhabitants including Napier to be held hostages. Lord Napier, a broken and humiliated man, was allowed to return to Macao by land and not by ship as requested. Suffering a fever, he died a few days later. Jardine, who had good relations with Lord Napier, a Scottish peer, and his family, then took

901-502: The Foreign Secretary who succeeded Wellington, decided mainly on the "suggestions" of Jardine to dispatch a military expedition to China. In June 1840, a fleet of 16 Royal Navy warships and British merchantmen, many of the latter leased from Jardine Matheson & Co., arrived at Canton and the First Opium War quickly broke out. For the next two years, British forces engaged the Chinese military in numerous battles as part of

954-463: The Middle Kingdom's wrath." He then ordered the surrender of all opium and the destruction of more than 20,000 cases of opium in Guangzhou, representing 50 per cent of the entire trade in opium in 1838. He also ordered the arrest of opium trafficker Lancelot Dent , the head of Dent and Company (a rival company to Jardine Matheson). Lin also wrote to Queen Victoria , to submit in obeisance in

1007-408: The advantage of coming from a family with social and economic means, while Jardine came from a much more humble background. Jardine was tough, serious, detail-oriented and reserved while Matheson was creative, outspoken and jovial. Jardine was known to work long hours and was extremely business-minded, while Matheson enjoyed the arts and was very eloquent. William C. Hunter wrote about Jardine, "He

1060-563: The age of 19, boarded the East Indiaman Brunswick as a surgeon's mate in the East India Company's Maritime Marine Service. Taking advantage of his employee's "cargo privilege", he traded successfully in cassia , cochineal and musk during his 14 years as a surgeon at the firm. On his first voyage, Jardine met two men who would come to play a role in his future as a drug trafficking merchant. The first

1113-419: The classes and denominations, of both natives and Europeans, have come forward to raise posthumous testimonial in honour of a native of this presidency” . In 1862, Foundation stone was laid in his honour by Honorable Juggonnath Sunkersett to build Framji Cawasji Institute (now Framji Cowasji Hall). In 1892, Memoirs of the late Framji Cowasji Banaji were published by Bombay Gazette Steam Printing Works. It

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1166-475: The entire foreign community entertained him at a dinner in the dining room of the East India Company’s Factory. About eighty persons of all nationalities, including India, were present, and they did not separate until several hours after midnight. It was an event frequently referred to afterwards amongst the residents, and to this day there are a few of us who still speak of it. The Qing government

1219-425: The firm as Jardine was preparing to fulfill his temporarily delayed retirement. Jardine left Canton on 26 January 1839 for Britain as retirement but in actuality to try to continue Matheson's work. The respect shown by other foreign opium traffickers to Jardine before his departure can be best illustrated in the following passage from a book by William C. Hunter. A few days before Mr. Jardine’s departure from Canton,

1272-639: The firm to his nephew Sir Alexander Matheson, who was also known as of the same capacity and competence as the elder Jardine and Matheson. David Jardine, another nephew of Jardine, became taipan after Sir Alexander Matheson and was one of the first two unofficial members appointed to the Legislative Council in Hong Kong. David in turn would hand over to his brother Sir Robert control of the firm. Joseph succeeded Robert as taipan. Framji Cowasji Banaji Post his death The Education Board under

1325-414: The firm's affairs and closed shop. Yrissari, leaving no heir, had willed all his shares in the firm to Matheson. This created the perfect opportunity for Matheson to join in commerce with Jardine. Matheson proved a perfect partner for Jardine. James Matheson and his nephew, Alexander Matheson, joined the firm Magniac and Co. in 1827, but their association was officially advertised on 1 January 1828. Jardine

1378-407: The firm. Upon the death of his older brother, David, Jardine set up a fund for his brother's widow and arranged schooling for his four sons. In a letter to Magniac, Jardine wrote, My only Brother has a very large family, three or four of them Boys, and as he has not the means of providing for them all, in the way I wish to see them provided for, I am desirous of having one of them here, to commence in

1431-731: The first partners, was formed in China, taking the Chinese name 'Ewo' (怡和) pronounced "Yee-Wo" and meaning "Happy Harmony". The name was chosen as it had been used by the former Ewo Hong run by Chinese merchant Howqua , a business with an impeccable reputation. The firm's operations included smuggling opium into China from Malwa , India, trading spices and sugar with the Philippines , exporting Chinese tea and silk to England, factoring and insuring cargo, renting out dockyard facilities and warehouse space, trade financing and other numerous lines of business and trade. In 1834, Parliament ended

1484-540: The illegal opium, grew, and so did the firm of Jardine, Matheson & Co., which was already known as the Princely Hong for being the largest British trading firm in East Asia. By 1841, Jardine had 19 intercontinental clipper ships , compared to close rival Dent and Company with 13. He also had hundreds of small ships, lorchas and small smuggling craft for coastal and upriver smuggling. In 1841, Jardine

1537-565: The initiative to use the debacle as an opportunity to convince the British government to use force to further open trade. In early 1835 he ordered James Matheson to leave for Britain to persuade the Government to take up strong action to further open up trade in China. Matheson accompanied Napier's widow to England using an eye-infection as an excuse to return home. Matheson in England then extensively travelled to meet with several parties, both for government and for trade, to gather support for

1590-507: The latter's death in Paris , was in search of competent partners to join his firm as he was intent on leaving Asia. He was also forced to have his brother, Daniel, resign from the firm after marrying his Chinese mistress. In later years, Jardine had helped Daniel by sending his young son Daniel Francis, his child by his Chinese wife, to Scotland for school. Magniac invited Jardine to join him in 1825 and, three years later, James Matheson joined

1643-659: The monopoly ceased. Jardine Matheson then began its transformation from a major commercial agent of the East India Company into the largest British trading hong (洋行), or firm, in Asia. William Jardine was now being referred to by the other traders as "taipan". Jardine wanted the opium trafficking to expand in China. In 1834, working with the Chief Superintendent of Trade representing the British Empire, William, Lord Napier , tried unsuccessfully to negotiate with

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1696-470: The monopoly of the EIC on trade between Britain and China. Jardine, Matheson & Co. took this opportunity to fill the vacuum left by the East India Company. With its first voyage carrying raw silk, but ironically no tea, the ship Sarah (now owned by Thomas Weeding, but previously owned in partnership by Weeding, Jardine and Cowasjee) left for England , becoming the first free trader to arrive in England after

1749-544: The necessity for a war plan. This plan was known as the Jardine Paper . In the 'Jardine Paper', Jardine emphasized several points to Palmerston in several meetings and they are as follows: There was to be complete compensation for the 20,000 chests of opium that Lin had confiscated, the conclusion of a viable commercial treaty that would prevent any further hostilities, and the opening of further ports of trade such as Fuzhou , Ningbo , Shanghai , and Keeson-chow. It

1802-478: The objectives he had outlined. He also provided maps and charts of the area. In a well calculated recommendation letter to Parliament, creating a precedent now infamously known as 'Gunboat Diplomacy', Jardine states: No formal Purchase, – no tedious negotiations,...A firman insistently issued to Sir F. Maitland authorizing him to take and retain possession is all that is necessary, and the Squadron under his Command

1855-480: The office in order in just a matter of days. Also a shrewd judge of character, Jardine was even able to persuade the Rev. Charles Gutzlaff , a Prussian missionary, to interpret for their ship captains during coastal smuggling of opium, using the idea that the reverend would best gather more converts during these smuggling operations. Matheson claimed to own the only piano in Asia and was also an accomplished player. He

1908-521: The office, and work his way, by industry and application to business. All four of David's sons moved on to work with Jardine, Matheson & Co. in Hong Kong and South China, starting as clerks and eventually becoming partners, managing partners or senior executives of the firm, locally known as taipan , a Chinese colloquial title meaning foreign-born senior manager. But, it was their reputation for business probity, innovative management and strict fiscal policies that sustained their partnership's success in

1961-414: The opening of five major Chinese ports, granted extraterritoriality to foreigners and their activities in China, indemnification for the opium destroyed and completed the formal acquisition of the island of Hong Kong , which had been officially taken over as a trading and military base since 26 January 1841, though it had already been used years earlier as a transhipment point. Trade with China, especially in

2014-468: The partnership. Magniac returned to England in the late 1820s with the firm in the hands of Jardine and Matheson. Contrary to the practice at the time of retiring partners removing their capital from the firm, Magniac left his capital with the firm in trust to Jardine and Matheson. The firm carried on as Magniac & Co. until 1832 as the name Magniac was still formidable throughout China and India. Magniac wrote of William Jardine: You will find Jardine

2067-546: The presence of the Chinese Emperor. Having arrived in London in September 1839, Jardine's first order of business was to meet with Lord Palmerston . He carried with him a letter of introduction written by Superintendent Elliot that relayed a few of his credentials to Palmerston, This gentleman has for several years stood at the head of our commercial community and he carries with him the esteem and kind wishes of

2120-567: The presidency of eminent educationist and Judge, Sir Erskine Perry, put below resolution before the committee and passed "Framji Cowasji, Esq., resigned his seat in consequence of his advanced time of life. The eminent and good citizenship, and zeal in supporting every measure for public improvement, which distinguished our late much esteemed colleague, are too well-known to your Lordship (Governor of Bombay) in Council to need any notice from us, but in recording his death, which subsequently occurred,

2173-469: The trade out to free traders. Jardine entered into partnership with retired surgeon Thomas Weeding and opium and cotton trader Framji Cowasji Banaji . The firm did well and established Jardine's reputation as an able, steady and experienced private trader. One of Jardine's agents in Bombay, who would become his lifelong friend, was Parsee opium and cotton trader Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy . Both men were on

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2226-609: The whole foreign society, honourably acquired by a long career of private charity and public spirit. In 1839, Jardine successfully persuaded the British Foreign Minister, Lord Palmerston, to wage war on China, giving a full detailed plan for war, detailed strategic maps, battle strategies, the indemnifications and political demands from China and even the number of troops and warships needed. Aided by Matheson's nephew, Alexander Matheson (1805–1881) and MP John Abel Smith, Jardine met several times with Palmerston to argue

2279-566: Was Thomas Weeding, a fellow doctor, and surgeon of the Glatton, one of the other ships in the convoy. The second was 26-year-old Charles Magniac who had arrived in Guangzhou at the beginning of 1801 to supervise his father's watch business in Canton in partnership with Daniel Beale . By leaving the East India Company in 1817, Jardine was able to exploit the opportunity afforded by the company's policy of not transporting opium but contracting

2332-543: Was a gentleman of great strength of character and of unbounded generosity." Hunter's description of Matheson was, "He was a gentleman of great suavity of manner and the impersonation of benevolence." But there were similarities in both men. Both men were hardworking, driven and single-minded in their pursuit of wealth. Both men were also known to have continuously sent money home to less fortunate family members in Scotland and to have helped nephews by providing them work within

2385-594: Was also responsible for removing one of the firm's ship captains for refusing to offload opium chests on the Sabbath, Matheson observed, "We have every respect for persons entertaining strict religious principles, but we fear that very godly people are not suited for the drug trade." On 1 July 1832, Jardine, Matheson & Co. , a partnership between Jardine and Matheson as senior partners, and Magniac, Alexander Matheson, Jardine's nephew Andrew Johnstone, Matheson's nephew Hugh Matheson, John Abel Smith, and Henry Wright, as

2438-445: Was also suggested by Jardine that should the need arise to occupy an island or harbor in the vicinity of Guangzhou, Hong Kong would be perfect because it provided an extensive and protected anchorage. As early as the mid-1830s, the island of Hong Kong had already been used for transhipment points by Jardine Matheson and other firms' ships. Jardine clearly stated what he thought would be a sufficient naval and military force to complete

2491-507: Was elected to the House of Commons , a Whig Member of Parliament (MP) representing Ashburton in Devon. He was also a partner, along with Magniac, in the merchant banking firm of Magniac, Smith & Co., later renamed Magniac, Jardine & Co., the forerunner of the firm Matheson & Co. Despite his nominal retirement, Jardine was still very much active in business and politics and built

2544-590: Was in progress, Jardine was apprenticed to a surgeon who would provide housing, food, and the essential acquaintance with a hospital practice, with the money his older brother, David, provided. He graduated from the Edinburgh Medical School on 2 March 1802, and was presented a full diploma from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh . He chose to join the service of the British East India Company (EIC) and in 1803, at

2597-424: Was known as the planner, the tough negotiator and strategist of the firm and Matheson was known as the organization man, who handled the firm's correspondence, and other complex articles including legal affairs. Matheson was known to be behind many of the company's innovative practices. And both men were a study in contrasts, Jardine being tall, lean and trim while Matheson was short and slightly portly. Matheson had

2650-406: Was nine, leaving the family in some economic difficulty. Though struggling to make ends meet, Jardine's older brother David (1776-1827) provided him with money to attend school. Jardine began to acquire credentials at the age of sixteen. In 1800 he entered the University of Edinburgh Medical School where he took classes in anatomy, medical practice, and obstetrics among others. While his schooling

2703-403: Was pleased to hear of Jardine's departure, then, being were more familiar with Jardine as the trading head and were quite unfamiliar with Matheson, proceeded to stop the opium trafficker. Lin Zexu , appointed specifically to suppress the drug trafficking in Guangzhou, stated, "The Iron-headed Old Rat, the sly and cunning ring-leader of the opium smugglers has left for The Land of Mist, of fear from

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2756-415: Was provided with an annual pension and shares with Jardine's firms which was later on cashed out years after Jardine's death. An older nephew, Andrew Johnstone, administered Jardine's issue. His other nephews David, Joseph, Robert and Andrew Jardine, all sons of Jardine's older brother David, continued to assist James Matheson in running Jardines. Matheson retired as taipan in 1842 and handed over control of

2809-457: Was still very active in keeping an eye on business, politics and current affairs, and continued to welcome a steady stream of visits from family members, business partners, political associates and his constituents. He died on 27 February 1843, just three days after his 59th birthday, one of the richest and most powerful men in Britain and Member of Parliament. Jardine's funeral was attended by

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