[Chart of the Coast of China, From the Canton River] to [the mouth of] the Yang Tze Keang

Book Description

London: William H Allen & Co, 1850. Steel-engraved map, southern sheet only (of 2). Good condition. 26 1/2 x 39 1/2 inches. The southern-most sheet of an engraved sea chart (issued in two sheets) of the coast of China from the Canton River to just north of the mouth of the River Min, with insets of the River Min to Fow-Chow-foo; Mouth of the Yung-Kiang; Mouth of the River Woo-Sung; Killon Harbour and Merope Bay; and River Woo- Sung to Shang-Hae. With latitude and longitude scales, compass roses, soundings, notes on tides throughout, some navigational advice, rivers and place names labeled in interior with notes on regional production. This chart, surveyed after the First Opium War (1839-42) and before the Second Opium War (1856-60), would have been of particular interest to the East India Company as they were deeply involved in China. Initially, all the tea the British comsumed in such vast quantities came exclusively from there. Until they began to import opium from India, the Company was suffering a huge imbalance of payment and loss of specie. So the opening of trade and legalization of opium in China, which were outcomes of the 2nd war, were matters of huge consequence to the East India Company and its supporters. John Walker, Junior, (1787-1873) was appointed Hydrographer to the Admiralty in 1808 and Geographer to the East India Company in 1847. Together with his brother Charles, he continued the family business started by his father, John Walker, senior, who was an assistant to Alexander Dalrymple at the Hydrographic Department as well as Hydographer to the East India Company in 1779. Two other sons, Michael and Thomas, both worked for the Admiralty as a hydographer and a draughtsman, respectively.

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