423. George Washington Sorounded by the Imports from China

In the early morning of a day in the late 1780s a patrician gentleman stood in his house in Mount Vernon, his feet cushioned by straw carpeting from China. As he relaxed, he enjoyed Chinese Hyson tea from a Chinese porcelain cup and watched his golden Chinese pheasants strutting on the lawn. Before he ate breakfast, which was served with Chinese porcelain wares, he sat at his table reading news on American trade with China. Later, as he went for a walk around his property, he checked on his geese and pigs also from China. In the afternoon, he would survey his Chinese flower gardens on his farm.

The man was George Washington, first President of the United States. He has a true appreciation for Chinese imports. He personally involved in spearheading U. S. trade with China.