882
2.
W.H. Foster, Jr., E.D. Barbour, Walter Scott Fitz, and David O. Clerk also of Boston, E.W. Stevens of Lawrence, and F. Delano Hitch of Fairhaven. These men ploughed distant seas in their New England built ships, and transacted business with every port of the world, and, while in China, practically lived in exile for many years at a time.
The firm was originally founded by Samuel Russell, who came out to China from Middletown, Connecticut, in 1818, as representative of B. and T.C. Hoppin of Providence. Later he and Philip Amidon, who represented Brown and Ives, also of Providence, formed a partnership; and Mr. J.P. Cushing, who was placed in charge of the house of Perkins and Co. of China at the age of 16, effected a consolidation in 1824 of these two great firms, John M. Forbes, Augustin Heard, and W.A. Low being taken into partnership.
The house of Russell and Co. was therefore actually constituted on January 1, 1824, in succession to that of Samuel Russell and Co. which had existed from December 26, 1818, to December 26, 1823. It confined itself strictly to agency business. From January 1, 1824, until the middle of 1830 the sole partners were Mr. Russell and Mr. Philip Amidon. In September, 1829, Mr. W.H. Low arrived from Salem in the ship "Samatra" and in November, 1830, Mr. Augustin Heard, Senior, arrived from Boston in the barque "Lintin". These two gentlemen (Mr. Low and Mr. Heard) became partners in the house, the first until the end of the year 1833, when, having been obliged to leave Canton from ill-health, he was landed and died at the Cape of Good Hope.
One of the most picturesque figures in the firm, thereafter, was Captain Robert Bennet Forbes, who was in addition a master mariner, and is perhaps best remembered as the captain of some famous ships in the China trade.
Russell and Co. expanded its business and soon became the most powerful American house in the East, having connexion in London with Baring Bros. and Co. and the Rothschilds in France, in India with Jamsetjee, Jejeebhoy and Sons, and in Boston at different times with J. and T.H. Perkins, Bryant and Sturgis, W. Appleton and Co., and Robert G. Shaw. The offices of Russell and Co. were in the centre of the row of Hongs or "factories" established at Canton. They later moved to Hongkong, as we shall see.
About the late Thirties the Western trade at Canton was at its peak, and presently with the founding of Hongkong a new aspect was given to the development of this commerce. In a concluding article we shall see how Russell and Co. extended its interest to the Colony.
Shewan, Tomes and Co. became the successors of Russell and Co. in Hongkong, occupying the same offices. Upon the walls can still be seen the pictures of some of the famous ships that belonged to the firm; and even the linen retained by the new firm bears the inscription "R. and Co." and the same "Kee Cheong" blue and white flag, that has sailed over so many seas, is in use.
Yesterday's article on Russell and Company showed how the firm was founded, and mention was made of the principals in the Thirties. These were Mr. Samuel Russell (the founder), Mr. Philip Amidon, Mr. W.H. Low, and Mr. Augustin Heard. Mr. Low, however, died at the end of 1833. During the term of 1834-5, consequent upon the death of Mr. Low, there were admitted Mr. John C. Green, Mr. John M. Forbes and Mr. Joseph Coolidge; and Mr. Heard retired.