Description:

THE DEATH OF A MERCHANT CAPTAIN AT CANTON
Good content A.L.S., 2pp. 8vo., Dec. 5, 1783, from Francis Werry to John Bonus, on the subject of the death of John's relative, Captain William Bonus, who commanded the Austrian Imperial East India Company ship GRAF ZIZENDORF. In part: "... I find myself under the disagreeable necessity of conveying to you the necessary advice of Capt. Bonus's decease which event took place on the 8th November at 7 o'clock in the evening, he dying aboard the ship at Whampoa ... His illness was a dysentery, a disorder very common to this climate. He depend'd too much on the strength of his constitution, and kept it secret some time. He was ill near six weeks, but about ten days before his death, came from Canton (where he had been ever since our arrival) down to the ship at Whampoa, hoping the change of air would assist him. On board he had the advice of several surgeons, who from the first thought he could not recover. Our ship has been very sickly, have buried twelve & have a number now sick. Capt. Bonus's man Richard has by his own desire been discharged to get home in an English ship, but at present he is very ill & I fear without great care, he will not recover, he has the very same disorder as his poor master had..." Werry also discusses the dispersal of Bonus's effects, and states that his burial was "... made decent and agreeable to the rank he held..." The document bears folds, with several splits with old cello tape repairs, else very good. The Austrian East India Company was established in 1722, in direct competition with the companies established by the British, French, and Dutch governments. It was abolished in 1727 due to mounting political pressure on the emperor.

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