Seeking Profit and Power: Philadelphia, China Trade, and the Making of America
Less than six months after then end of the Revolutionary War, the Empress of China set sail from New York harbor bound for China. The voyage had two motives. First, to make a profit by meeting the American demand for Chinese-made goods, including tea, porcelain, and silks. Second, to show the rest of the world that the newly-formed United States could be an equal player on the world stage.
Empress of China captain John Green carried a letter of introduction from Congress, a map showing the vast expanse of the continent, and a copy of the Declaration of Independence. He may not have known what he would find half-way around the world, but he had the backing of the new nation to act as a businessman and quasi-diplomat to deal directly with one of the oldest and most powerful empires on earth.
Seeking Profit and Power: Philadelphia, China Trade, and the Making of America, an exhibition I guest curated along with Brett Palfreyman, PhD, for the Independence Seaport Museum makes the case that this voyage — and the trade it ushered in — is key to understanding how the United States saw itself at the fragile moment of its founding. The exhibition is presented in commemoration of the United States Semiquincentennial and will be on view March 20, 2027 — January 3, 2028.
In addition to amazing artifacts from the Museum’s collection including documents Captain Green brought with him to China, beautiful porcelain, a stand-out portrait of the Chinese merchant Houqua, and one very fabulous red silk shawl, we borrowed several important items including a “States service” saucer owned by Martha Washington, and a “hong bowl” showing an image of the Empress of China.
The museum’s team including Dan Kennedy, Mike Medeja, Craig Bruns, Sarah Augustine, and Alexis Furlong (under the direction of Peter Seibert) were wonderful to work with. I’m proud of the nuanced story we told about a crucial moment in American history.
Learn more on the Museum’s website here.
Read about it in Antiques and the Arts Weekly here.
Hear about it on WHYY here.
