# 22. “ The EMPRESS OF CHINA , ARRIVAL at Wampoa in 1784”
	After departing New York in February, THE EMPRESS of CHINA arrived in Wampoa in August , just south of Canton on the Pearl River. She is shown under escort by a large Chinese junk. On December 28, 1784 she departed Wampoa heavy with cargo, the first teas for the United States, on a U.S. vessel. With her “Grand Chop” in hand, which was a seal given by the Chinese officials that stated how many men, fire arms, canon, etc. were on board and that the ship had permission to leave the Celestial Empire, the EMPRESS raised anchor and passed the remaining shipping on her way to the open sea. Once more the Empress faced the tricky navigation of the Pearl River, but after dropping the pilot off at Macao, she was homeward bound. She passed through the narrows and docked in New York on May 11, 1785, laden with spices, teas, silks and exotic goods that would tantalize the American imagination and spur the vast China Trade.
	Signed and Numbered Edition of 900 lithographs on archival paper Image Size : 18.5” x 23.5 “ x ; unf.....$350.00