Lot 1759

1840 (9 Nov) Macao to Somerset, England An important First Opium War letter dated 9 November 1840 from Macao to Somerset, England, written during the British occupation of Chusan . The letter reveals strategic insights into British expectations for a swift resolution of the conflict, though tempered by skepticism from China experts. Notably, it mentions the movement of a Chinese hostage and British logistical plans to transfer invalid soldiers from Chusan to Manila, offering rare documentation of the medical and diplomatic dimensions of early war operations. A valuable historical artifact shedding light on British military disposition, wartime morale, and Sino-British interactions during the initial stages of hostilities The letter has the following message: “... the Chinese are causing xxx about the English, and the officers of the Expedition entertain great hopes that matters in dispute will be speedily adjusted — those who know more of the Chinese however are very far from feeling any such confidence. the xxx from Chusan came down the other day and it is believed has gone over to Manila to arrange for the accommodation there of some xxx that are to be sent down from Chusan — “

1840年11月9日於第一次鴉片戰爭初期英軍佔領舟山後的軍事與醫療部署紀錄 此信件撰於第一次鴉片戰爭初期、英軍攻佔舟山（1840年7月首次佔領）後數月，由澳門寄往英國薩默塞特。內容揭示英方對於迅速解決中英爭端所抱持的樂觀態度，但書信作者亦指出熟悉中國情勢者多不持相同看法，反映當時英軍內部對戰局發展的不同預期。 信中提及一名來自舟山的軍醫官（surgeon）抵達澳門，據信即將前往馬尼拉安排接收從舟山送往後方的傷病官兵。此段內容對於理解當時英軍如何處理遠征軍之醫療與後勤支援系統，具高度史料價值。 原文節錄如下： 「……中國人對英人顯得更加不安，而遠征軍官員們對於爭端能迅速解決抱有極大希望——但那些更瞭解中國人性格的人卻完全沒有此種信心。舟山來的一名軍醫日前來到，據信他已前往馬尼拉安排那裡的接收設施，以安置一些即將自舟山送往後方的病弱官兵。」 此信充分體現了戰爭初期英軍的軍事部署、醫療安排與外交觀察，為研究鴉片戰爭中英軍行動提供寶貴的第一手資料。