Howqua
Encyclopedia
Howqua was the most important of the Hong merchants in the Thirteen Factories
, head of the E-wo hong
and leader of the Canton Cohong
–Gong1 hong2 (公行). He was once one of the richest men in the world.
, China, he was known to the West as "Howqua" (the second). His father, Wu Guorong was also "Howqua" (the first) and was founder of the family company. Because his Chinese name was too difficult for western traders to pronounce, the name Howqua comes from his Chinese Business Name "浩官" , very similar to a DBA
. He became rich on the trade between China and the British Empire
in the middle of the 19th century during the First Opium War
. Perhaps the wealthiest man in China during the nineteenth century, Howqua was the senior of the Hong merchants in Canton, one of the few authorized to trade silk and porcelain with foreigners. According to historic records, there was a fire in 1822 and many of the cohong
s were burned down. The melted silver formed a little stream, the length was almost 2 miles. Of the 3 million dollars of compensation that was required to pay the British from the Treaty of Nanking
, he single-handedly contributed one million, one third of the total sum. He later died in Canton
the same year.
Till this day, portraits of the pigtailed Howqua in his robes still hang in Salem
and Newport mansions
built by U.S. merchants grateful for his assistance.
, the Qing Dynasty saw a short period of trade prosperity. Canton
also became one of the most populated cities in the world.
The founders of then world-renowned firms including James Matheson
, William Jardine
, Samuel Russell
and Abiel Abbot Low
all had a close relationship with Howqua. Following the 1842 Treaty of Nanking
, which spelt the end of the Thirteen Factories, Jardine Matheson & Co
continued to use "Ewo" as their Chinese name.
With the spelling Hu-Kwa, his name and likeness are used for a brand of imported lapsang souchong
smoked tea
.
Thirteen Factories
The Thirteen Factories was an area of Canton , China, where the first foreign trade was allowed in the 18th century since the hai jin ban on maritime activities...
, head of the E-wo hong
Ewo (hong)
The Ewo Hong ; Cantonese: yi wo hong) was a Qing Dynasty hong established by Wǔ Guóyíng in Canton in 1783 and later became the leader of the cohong of the Thirteen Factories under the stewardship of Howqua, who took over in 1803...
and leader of the Canton Cohong
Cohong
The Cohong, often spelled as kehang or gonghang, was the Chinese import-export monopoly in Guangzhou during the Qing dynasty...
–Gong1 hong2 (公行). He was once one of the richest men in the world.
Biography
Born in FujianFujian
' , formerly romanised as Fukien or Huguing or Foukien, is a province on the southeast coast of mainland China. Fujian is bordered by Zhejiang to the north, Jiangxi to the west, and Guangdong to the south. Taiwan lies to the east, across the Taiwan Strait...
, China, he was known to the West as "Howqua" (the second). His father, Wu Guorong was also "Howqua" (the first) and was founder of the family company. Because his Chinese name was too difficult for western traders to pronounce, the name Howqua comes from his Chinese Business Name "浩官" , very similar to a DBA
Doing business as
The phrase "doing business as" is a legal term used in the United States, meaning that the trade name, or fictitious business name, under which the business or operation is conducted and presented to the world is not the legal name of the legal person who actually own it and are responsible for it...
. He became rich on the trade between China and the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
in the middle of the 19th century during the First Opium War
First Opium War
The First Anglo-Chinese War , known popularly as the First Opium War or simply the Opium War, was fought between the United Kingdom and the Qing Dynasty of China over their conflicting viewpoints on diplomatic relations, trade, and the administration of justice...
. Perhaps the wealthiest man in China during the nineteenth century, Howqua was the senior of the Hong merchants in Canton, one of the few authorized to trade silk and porcelain with foreigners. According to historic records, there was a fire in 1822 and many of the cohong
Cohong
The Cohong, often spelled as kehang or gonghang, was the Chinese import-export monopoly in Guangzhou during the Qing dynasty...
s were burned down. The melted silver formed a little stream, the length was almost 2 miles. Of the 3 million dollars of compensation that was required to pay the British from the Treaty of Nanking
Treaty of Nanking
The Treaty of Nanking was signed on 29 August 1842 to mark the end of the First Opium War between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the Qing Dynasty of China...
, he single-handedly contributed one million, one third of the total sum. He later died in Canton
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
the same year.
Till this day, portraits of the pigtailed Howqua in his robes still hang in Salem
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,407 at the 2000 census. It and Lawrence are the county seats of Essex County...
and Newport mansions
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
built by U.S. merchants grateful for his assistance.
Legacy
During his time as one of the Hong merchants in the Thirteen Factories, under the Canton SystemCanton System
The Canton System served as a means for China to control trade with the west within its own country. Seen from the European view, it was a complement to the Old China Trade.-History:...
, the Qing Dynasty saw a short period of trade prosperity. Canton
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
also became one of the most populated cities in the world.
The founders of then world-renowned firms including James Matheson
James Matheson
Sir James Nicolas Sutherland Matheson, 1st Baronet , born in Shiness, Lairg, Sutherland, Scotland, was the son of Captain Donald Matheson, a Scottish trader in India...
, William Jardine
William Jardine (surgeon)
William Jardine was a Scottish physician and merchant. He co-founded the Hong Kong conglomerate Jardine, Matheson and Company. From 1841 to 1843, he was Member of Parliament for Ashburton as a Whig....
, Samuel Russell
Samuel Russell
Samuel Wadsworth Russell, born in Middletown, Connecticut , was an American entrepreneur and trader, and founder of Russell & Company, the largest and most important American trading house in China from 1842 to its closing in 1891.- Early life :Orphaned at the age of 12, Russell did not receive any...
and Abiel Abbot Low
Abiel Abbot Low
Abiel Abbot Low was an American entrepreneur, businessman, trader and philanthropist who gained most of his fortune from the China trade, importing teas, porcelains, and silk, and building and operating a fleet of reputable clipper ships.- Early life :Abiel Abbot Low was one of twelve children of...
all had a close relationship with Howqua. Following the 1842 Treaty of Nanking
Treaty of Nanking
The Treaty of Nanking was signed on 29 August 1842 to mark the end of the First Opium War between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the Qing Dynasty of China...
, which spelt the end of the Thirteen Factories, Jardine Matheson & Co
Jardine Matheson Holdings
Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited often referred to as Jardines, is a multinational corporation incorporated in Bermuda and based in Hong Kong. While listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Singapore Exchange, the vast majority of Jardines shares are traded in Singapore...
continued to use "Ewo" as their Chinese name.
With the spelling Hu-Kwa, his name and likeness are used for a brand of imported lapsang souchong
Lapsang souchong
Lapsang souchong is a black tea originally from the Wuyi region of the Chinese province of Fujian. It is sometimes referred to as smoked tea...
smoked tea
Tea
Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by adding cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant to hot water. The term also refers to the plant itself. After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world...
.