China, America and the Pacific explores the cultural and trading relationships that emerged between America, China and the Pacific region between the eighteenth and early twentieth centuries. Manuscripts, rare printed sources, visual images, objects and maps from international libraries and archives document this history.

The documents in this resource cover the following topics, among others:

  • Old China Trade (roughly 1783-1844)
  • Early commercial development of New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Salem, Providence, Baltimore
  • Maritime routes between East and West Coasts (before overland trails)
  • Development of Hawaii as key American trading post before annexation
  • Chinese-American cultural exchange (including 19th century Chinese immigration)
  • Commodities of the China trade
  • Fur Trade in Northwest Pacific
  • Diplomacy and politics of America and the Far East

For further information on the material selected for inclusion in this resource, visit the Selection Criteria and Participating Libraries.


China, America and the Pacific contains content that has been sourced from leading libraries and archives, including:

  • American Philosophical Society
  • Boston Athenaeum
  • California Historical Society Collection at Stanford
  • Hagley Museum and Library
  • Hawaiian Historical Society
  • Massachusetts Historical Society
  • Nantucket Historical Association
  • Phillips Library, Peabody Essex Museum
  • University of Alberta
  • University of British Columbia
  • University of California, San Diego
  • Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library


The archival material in this resource consists of the following document types:

  • Accounts
  • Advertisements
  • Business Records
  • Catalogues
  • Clippings
  • Correspondence
  • Ephemera
  • Illustrations
  • Journals
  • Logbooks
  • Manuscripts
  • Maps
  • Memorandas
  • Mercantile Papers
  • Newspapers
  • Notebooks
  • Objects
  • Painting
  • Pamphlet
  • Photograph
  • Poster
  • Prints
  • Printed Books
  • Scrapbooks
  • Shipping Papers


In order to facilitate browsing and to highlight the scope of the resource, the documents in China, America and the Pacific have been tagged with the following key thematic areas:

  • Advertising and Consumption
  • Arts and Artefacts
  • Crime
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Education
  • Employment and Labour
  • Exploration
  • Health and Welfare
  • Migration and Immigration
  • Politics, War and Diplomacy
  • Race Relations
  • Regulation and Legislation
  • Religion, Faith and Philosophy
  • Social Life
  • The Natural World
  • Trade and Commerce
  • Transport and Communication
  • Travel and Tourism

Learn more about the themes and the types of documents tagged with them in the Thematic Guides.


Due to the nature of these sources, graphic images and written accounts featuring violence, sexual violence, injury, death, racism, and explicit language may be found in this resource.

Please also note that, due to the period in which the primary sources in this resource were produced, some do contain language and terminology that is outdated, derogatory and offensive by modern standards. Learn more about our approach to terminology in this resource in the Language Statement.


A variety of research tools provide further contextual information or guidance for teaching and research. From essays and video interviews to biographies and exhibitions, explore the options under Research Tools or view the full list in Teaching Tools.