• Home
  • Weathervanes
    • In-Stock Weathervanes
    • Animals
    • Aquatic
    • Arrows & Banners
    • Birds
    • Boats
    • Cars, Trucks, & Airplanes
    • Custom Weathervanes
    • Dogs
    • Fantasy & Mythology
    • Fish & Whales
    • Horses
    • Plants & Insects
    • Sports & Culture
    • Repairs and Restorations
  • Roof Finials
    • In-Stock Finials
    • Ball Finials
    • Ball & Cone Finials
    • Faceted Finials
    • Figurative Finials
    • Majestic Finials
    • Rotating Finials
    • Round Finials
    • Scroll Finials
    • Spike Finials
    • Finial Bases
    • Repair and Restorations
  • Roof Caps
    • Bases for Vanes or Finials
    • Custom Copper Roof Caps
    • Quick Caps!
  • Parts and Accessories
    • Balls and Ornaments
    • Bases
    • Dedications
    • Directionals
    • Hooks
    • Lightning Rod Parts
    • Mounting Brackets
    • Posts
    • Rings
    • Spacers
    • Time Capsules
    • Wind Cups
  • Other Interests
    • Antique Lightning Rods
    • Copper Plaques
    • Copper Sculpture
    • Cupola Plans
    • Repairs and Restorations
    • Weathervane Workshops
  • Information
    • About Ferro
    • Contact Us
    • Choosing A Weathervane
    • Custom Quote Request
    • Directions to the Studio
    • FAQs – And answers!
    • Finishes
    • Grounding
    • Policies
    • Reading List
    • Repairs and Restorations
    • Scrapbook
    • Sizing Weathervanes and Finials
  • Installation
    • Aluminum Weathervanes
    • Assemble Copper Vanes
    • Grounding
    • Installing Copper Vanes
    • Roof Finials / Roof Caps
  • Blog

Weathervanes, Finials, Spires, Roof Caps, Parts, Repairs, Restorations, Stock or Custom.

ferrovanes@gmail.com
$0.00
No products in the cart
Go to shop
Ferro Weathervanes Ferro Weathervanes Ferro Weathervanes Ferro Weathervanes
  • Home
  • Weathervanes
    • In-Stock Weathervanes
    • Animals
    • Aquatic
    • Arrows & Banners
    • Birds
    • Boats
    • Cars, Trucks, & Airplanes
    • Custom Weathervanes
    • Dogs
    • Fantasy & Mythology
    • Fish & Whales
    • Horses
    • Plants & Insects
    • Sports & Culture
    • Repairs and Restorations
  • Roof Finials
    • In-Stock Finials
    • Ball Finials
    • Ball & Cone Finials
    • Faceted Finials
    • Figurative Finials
    • Majestic Finials
    • Rotating Finials
    • Round Finials
    • Scroll Finials
    • Spike Finials
    • Finial Bases
    • Repair and Restorations
  • Roof Caps
    • Bases for Vanes or Finials
    • Custom Copper Roof Caps
    • Quick Caps!
  • Parts and Accessories
    • Balls and Ornaments
    • Bases
    • Dedications
    • Directionals
    • Hooks
    • Lightning Rod Parts
    • Mounting Brackets
    • Posts
    • Rings
    • Spacers
    • Time Capsules
    • Wind Cups
  • Other Interests
    • Antique Lightning Rods
    • Copper Plaques
    • Copper Sculpture
    • Cupola Plans
    • Repairs and Restorations
    • Weathervane Workshops
  • Information
    • About Ferro
    • Contact Us
    • Choosing A Weathervane
    • Custom Quote Request
    • Directions to the Studio
    • FAQs – And answers!
    • Finishes
    • Grounding
    • Policies
    • Reading List
    • Repairs and Restorations
    • Scrapbook
    • Sizing Weathervanes and Finials
  • Installation
    • Aluminum Weathervanes
    • Assemble Copper Vanes
    • Grounding
    • Installing Copper Vanes
    • Roof Finials / Roof Caps
  • Blog

The China Weathervane Affair of 1844

Home ShopArrow WeathervanesThe China Weathervane Affair of 1844

The China Weathervane Affair of 1844

How a Yankee Weathervane Caused a Chinese Riot

Category: Arrow Weathervanes. Tags: Arrow Weathervane, Copper, Traditional.
2
Share
  • Description
  • Reviews (0)

The China Weathervane Affair of 1844

The following is an extract of a letter, dated May 17 1844 from an American in Canton China to his family in New England.

“We had a little row here a few days since,  just to kill the monotony of the place, and two or three of the Chinese were shot by the foreigners. It originated in a flag-staff (queer place) or rather the weather vane on the said staff. The Brandywine brought out a very fine staff for this Consulate–with weather vane, cardinal points, &c. &c.  Well, this weather vane was a large gilt arrow, and with the Chinese the arrow is the sign of war, sickness, famine, &c. &c. When the arrow was first put up, some of the Chinese protested against it, but little notice was taken of their remarks. But unfortunately, this season has proved very dry–a good part of the rice crop is ruined–a great deal of distress exists among the lower classes, owing to the high price of rice, and Canton and vicinity is extremely sickly. So the Chinese said the arrow caused the whole of this, and like all wise people, they knew it would be so.  At last notices were posted up, saying that if the arrow was not removed, the flag-staff would be destroyed. Mr. Forbes, the American Consul, thought best to send down the top-mast and take the arrow off; some seamen from Whampoa came up for the purpose and lowered the top-mast, when a large crowd of Chinese who had collected, made a rush for the arrow, cut the halyards which held the top-mast, and down it came by the run, but they did not succeed in getting the arrow. The Americans then mustered with their muskets, and were assailed by showers of stones–but succeeded in driving some thousands of the Chinese from the American square. Several shots were fired at the Chinese, and I have no doubt some Chinese were killed, though the Chinese only report three wounded by bullets.  The flag-staff was put all right again (minus the arrow); some soldiers came from the city to protect the factories, and all has been quiet since. But we expect another row soon, as now they want the cardinal points, gold ball, and the spear taken off, and that the flag-staff should be no higher than the former one. This will not be afforded to them, and in the event of their attempting to arrange it themselves, their Gods must protect them, as there will be no firing over their heads again–and we muster fifty Yankees, all well armed, and willing to face the whole mob of Canton–and furthermore have the mandarins on our side. Another row will be a very serious affair.”

Source: http://www.cowhampshireblog.com/2013/07/18/1844-how-a-yankee-weathervane/

 

.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “The China Weathervane Affair of 1844” Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related products

7 foot Star Barn Replica Arrow Weathervane*
Pay Deposit
View Details

7 foot Star Barn Replica Arrow Weathervane*

Arrow Weathervanes
10
Dedication Arrow Weathervane*
Pay Deposit
View Details

Dedication Arrow Weathervane*

Arrow Weathervanes, Personalized Weathervanes
7
Ben Franklin Arrow Weathervane*
Pay Deposit
View Details

Ben Franklin Arrow Weathervane*

Arrow Weathervanes
6
Washburne Arrow Weathervane*
Pay Deposit
View Details

Washburne Arrow Weathervane*

Arrow Weathervanes
4

Helpful Links

SPECIALS

DESIGNS IN STOCK

SIZING

FINISHES

ANATOMY

INSTALLATION

CUSTOM FABRICATION

PARTS & ACCESSORIES

GROUNDING

REPAIRS

Contact Information

Send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap!

Send Message

Ferro Weathervanes

30 Cutler Street, Warren Rhode Island 02885

© [2020] · FerroWeathervanes.com. No portion of this site may be reproduced for profit. Feel free to reproduce portions for educational purposes as long as credit is given to Ferro Weathervanes. | Sitemap