145. With China We Trade, Historical Ties between China the Founding Fathers

In the following I copy the excellent article written by Mr. Mead, the President of History Education Council of Hawaii. It is carried in Honolulu advertiser.com on March 11, 2009.

'With China We Trade,' Historical Ties between China and Founding Fathers

Jeffrey Bingham Mead, History Education Council of Hawaii
Reader Submitted

When Benjamin Franklin was in his final years as Minister to France in 1783-85 he commented on the Order of Cincinnati and the subject of the absurdity of descending honor. Franklin-descendant and author/historian Mark Skousen recorded in 'The Completed Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin' the following. "For honour worthily obtain'd, is in nature a personal thing, and incommunicable to any but those who had some share in obtaining. Thus among the Chinese, the most ancient, and from long experience the wisest of nations, honour does not descend but ascends This ascending honour is therefore useful to the state as it encourages parents to give their children a good and virtuous education." (note, Franklin's original words is available through this link)

New research discoveries focusing on influences between traditional Chinese civilization and the Founders of the United States of America in 1776 is revealed by Dr. Dave X. Wang, manager of Queens Library at Hollis in New York and adjunct professor with St. Johns University.
The March 11, 2009 edition of Asia Times Online features an interesting China-USA history article recommended by the History Education Council of Hawaii, said Jeffrey Bingham Mead, president and founder of the council. The author, Dave Wang, PhD., is the manager of Queens Library at Hollis in New York and adjunct professor with St Johns University.
The title of the article is 'With China We Trade' in the 'Speaking Freely' business section:
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China_Business/KC11Cb01.html
Dr. Wang points out that the newly independent United States of America faced dire economic challenges from the British Empire, which had successfully closed European markets to the Americans. "Embodying Americans' hope to break through the British blockade and revitalize the depressed postwar economy, the Empress of China, the first American commercial ship after its independence, left New York for Canton (Guangzhou), China, on February 22, 1784. Before the Empress of China left the East River Harbor of New York, George Washington duly signed the sea letter, guiding the purpose of the Empress of China's voyage."
"Given the situation," writes Dr. Wang, "commerce became 'the lifeblood of America's recovery from its economic slump'. New trade partners had to be discovered, new trade routes had to be opened and new connections had to be established. Otherwise, political independence wouldn't last long. It was in this critical situation that the first American voyage to China started."
"Dr. Wang has spent a considerable amount of time and effort uncovering Early America's ties to China and the China trade, asserting that Chinese culture and civilization influenced the Founding Fathers of the American Republic in 1776. Dr. Wang's discoveries provide a fresh and intriguing perspective that the ties between one of the world's oldest civilizations and one of the world's youngest are more important than ever. We are looking forward to inviting him to Hawaii and Connecticut to lecture," said Mead.
Dr. Dave Wang publishes his research on a weblog at:
http://foundingfathersandchina.blogspot.com/
"The bilateral trade relationship between America and China is far older than many people realize," said Mr. Mead. "Dr. Wang's research and publications are recommended for Hawaii's history classrooms and for historians and history buffs in general. His insights on Chinese influences on the Founding Fathers of the United States should spark curiosity and discussion. We look forward to having Dr. Wang to speak in Hawaii."
The History Education Council of Hawaii, Inc., (HECH) is an allied organization of the National Council for History Education (NCHE). The goals of the History Education Council of Hawaii are to promote and advance the study and teaching of history in schools throughout Hawaii, facilitate professional programs and interactive activities involving educators, teacher-candidates, historians and historic preservationists, museums as well as the government, military and business communities. HECH is located online at http://www.historyeducationhawaii.org and by e-mail at mailto:historyeducationhawaii@gmail.com