Henry Hayne diary volume 2, 1816 August 9-October 22

Containers:

Box 1

Scope and content:

Item is a bound manuscript diary, 267 pages, containing the journal of Henry Hayne during the Amherst embassy's travels through China. This volume begins when the ship arrives at the mouth of the Pei-ho (Hai River). Hayne records their journey up the river from Tianjin towards Pekin, and documents their unsuccessful attempt to seek an audience with Emperor Jiaqing. The audience was refused following the British embassy's refusal to participate in "ca tow" (kowtow) to the emperor, and the convey sailed south, through China's interior, to Guangzhou, eventually arriving January 1, 1817.

The Volume 2 journal describes the travel of the embassy from Tianjin to Nanjing, August 9-October 22, 1816. Hayne discusses various aspects of diplomatic etiquette, as well as the embassy's boat travel on rivers and the Grand Canal, often pulled by Chinese native trackers. Hayne describes their poor health and status, and hazardous working conditions. He also remarks on the crowds of Chinese people who found the British very curious, and describes how the Chinese military cleared the way for the British by whipping the onlookers.

Hayne also includes his impressions and summaries of the Chinese geography and landscapes; agriculture; commerce; food; women's appearances and clothing; burial rites; festivals; and Chinese customs. Several officials are mentioned, including Duke He-shih-tai and Quang-tai-gin.

The interior back cover has a drawing of a map of Pekin with notes about the voyage.

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