Archives at Cornell

Richard Cobden letters : to R. M. Martin

Collection — manuscript box: 65 - folder 1

Identifier: 4226

Scope and content

Letters discussing Cobden's opinion on the English in China and especially on the English bombardment of Canton in 1857.

Dates

1849, 1857.

Creator

Cobden, Richard, 1804-1865. (Person)
Martin, R. M. (Person)

Biographical / Historical

In 1857 there was a dispute between the British plenipotentiary and the governor of the Canton provinces, resulting in the English admiral destroying river forts, burning ships, and bombarding the city. Cobden reviewed official documents and brought a motion in Parliament condemning the action. The resulting debate led to the defeat of the Palmerston government and cost Cobden his seat in Parliament.