James Flint

James Flint was an English merchant and diplomat employed by the English East India Company whose actions lead to the establishment of the Canton System of Chinese trade with the West.

Left in China as a youth, Flint was one of the first English to learn the Chinese language becoming the first Company’s Chinese interpreter. His Chinese name was Hóng Rènhuī. In 1741 he took up a position at the Company factory in Canton.

During the 18th century, Canton was the major Chinese port for foreign trade. Considering trading conditions in Canton unsatisfactory because of the high customs duties and maltreatment in Canton, the English decided to reopen trade with northern parts.

In 1755 Flint and Samuel Harrison went to Ningbo where they made business with local tea and silk merchants, and although they were in the meantime warned by the Qing court not to do that, they ignored the prohibition. When their access was restricted, Flint decided to visit the Qianlong Emperor in Tianjin and to submit a memorial to complain about the corruption and irregular customs duties in Canton. The consequences of this act were more than unfavorable. Although the government initiated the investigation into irregular customs duties in Canton, Flint was imprisoned in Macao for three years because he violated the official protocol, and then banished from China forever. Through a series of restrictive regulations Canton was made the only port open to foreign traders.

After leaving China, Flint used the Chinese knowledge of agriculture to introduce to cultivation of the soya bean to America.