113

Review of Selected Works of Samuel Wells Williams

GUAN Yu*Samuel Wells Williams (1812–1884) is an important figure in thehistory of U.S.-East Asia relations. He stands out as one of the first
American missionaries to China, the first American professor in sinology
and the witness to Japan’s opening to the world. He worked and lived in
East Asia (mainly Canton, Macao, Beijing and Japan) for 43 years. The
Selected Works of Samuel Wells Williams, with Zhang Xiping (张西平),Wu Zhiliang (吴志良) and Tao Demin (陶德民) as the editors and Gu Jun(顾钧) as the associate editor, is a cooperative outcome of Macao
Foundation, Beijing Foreign Studies University and Great ElephantPublishing House (Zhengzhou, China). Here is a brief introduction ofthem.

IThe Life and Letters of Samuel Wells Williams was written and compiled byhis son Frederick Wells Williams. First published in 1889, this book of 12chapters records, in a chronological order, the experiences of Williams as amissionary, scholar and diplomat through the journals and correspondence of
him and his contemporaries, interlaced by telling from the author. With anintact demonstration of raw materials, it gives a truthful portrait of Williams,* GUAN Yu 管宇 is Ph. D. Candidate at Beijing Foreign Studies University.

114

Journal of Cultural Interaction in East Asia Vol. 9 2018

his life and his inner world, which distinguishes it from ego-thumping autobiographies and deep-processed biographies.
Born into a Christian family in Utica, New York, Williams was appointed
as a printer for the missionary station of Guangzhou by the American Board
in 1832. One year later, he went there and began his 40-year career in China.
During the first 20 years, he was mainly responsible for editing and(). Between 1856 and 1876, hepublishing the Chinese Respiratory 《中国丛报》
served as U.S. Chargé d’Affaires for nine times. In 1853 and 1854, Williams
did interpreting on Com. Perry’s two expeditions to Japan. In 1856, heresigned from the American Board and accepted the position of Secretary ofthe U.S. Legation to China. In 1858, he witnessed the signing of the Treatyof Tientsin with Wm. B. Reed, U.S. Minister Plenipotentiary. After Williams’
return to the U.S., he was appointed as the first Professor of Chinese
Language and Literature by Yale University in 1877. In 1884, he passed
away in New Haven, Connecticut.
As seen in the book, S. W. Williams, the founder of American sinology,
opened a window for Americans to understand the real China in early modern(times. His publications include lexicons such as Easy Lessons in Chinese 《拾)(级大成》, Tonic Dictionary of the Chinese Language of Canton Dialect 《英华) and A Syllable Dictionary of the Chinese Language 《汉英韵府》(),分韵撮要》()
and informative readings like A Chinese Topography 《中国地志》, A Chinese) and the masterpiece The Middle Kingdom(Commercial Guide 《中国商业指南》(《中国总论》). In addition, when Williams managed the printing office ofChinese Respiratory, he wrote on Chinese weights and measures, naturalhistory, literature, construction, etc.. Undoubtedly, Williams’ passion for
Chinese language and knowledge was largely driven by his original motive toadvance Christianity in China. Williams deserves our growing research for hislong stay in China as multiple identities and his knowledge and experiencethat come along. This book provides valuable sources for missionary studies
and the research on American sinology, China-U.S. relationship in the 19thcentury and modern Chinese history at large.

Book Reviews

115II) is the first book in the U.S. that makes a(The Middle Kingdom 《中国总论》
comprehensive overview of China’s cultural history and current conditions (inlate Qing Dynasty). It epitomizes American sinology in the 19th century.
As one of the first American missionaries to China, Williams dedicatedthis book to his bosom friend Gidden Nye for his generous help with which
Williams returned to his sick father in America from Canton.
In two volumes and 26 chapters, this magnum opus unveils China’sgeography, population, nature, laws, education, language, literature, art, sociallife, etc.. Such an encyclopedia about China cannot be finished in only twoyears without Williams’ long stay in China and his intensive research into theChinese language and culture. As a linguist, diplomat and missionary, he wasable to survey every aspect of China. Moreover, the vast illustrations and both
Chinese and Western literature quoted in the book gives it further academic
value. This book was revised and published in 1883 based on the 1848
edition, with three chapters added: the Taiping Rebellion, the Second Opium
War and Recent Events. Much of the revision was assisted by his son
Frederick W. Williams.
As Williams put in both editions, the purpose of writing The Middle
Kingdom is to “divest the Chinese people and civilization of that peculiar andindefinable impression of ridicule which has been so generally given them byforeign authors”. Since the American Revolution, Americans’ knowledge ofChina had been indirect and partial. They glimpsed the tip of the iceberg
from nothing but non-fictions and travel journals of European diplomats andmerchants, predominantly An Authentic Account of an Embassy from the Kingof Great Britain to the Emperor of China (Sir George Thomas Staunton) and
The Chinese: General Description of the Empire of China and Its Inhabitants(Sir John Francis Davis). After the dissolution of the Society of Jesus andthen the outbreak of the Opium War, the Chinese were treated with contempt
and the image of China plunged, much in a distorted way. The Middle

116

Journal of Cultural Interaction in East Asia Vol. 9 2018

Kingdom, at this opportune moment, made the American voice heard on
Chinese studies and rid of the dependence on Europe for understanding
China.
Overall, this book provides an accurate and brilliant insight into China
and the Chinese. For example, on the character of the Confucian system ofethics, it captures one of the essences of Confucianism – ritual propriety:“From the duty, honor, and obedience owed by a child to his parents, he(Confucius) proceeds to inculcate the obligations of wives to their husbands,subjects to their prince, and ministers to their king, together with all theobligations arising from the various social relations. Political morality mustbe founded on private rectitude.” (vol.1, p.530)

IIIThe Journal of S. Wells Williams: Expedition of Japan With Commodore
Perry is based on the bounded volume of Williams’ private letters to his wifein 1853–1854. It was faithfully transcribed by Prof. Miyazawa Shinichi (宫泽真一).
It falls into five parts: the Preface by Shinichi, the body part of Japan
Journal, the Reference of the editors, the Appendix which comprises miscellaneous unpublished correspondence of Williams in 1853–1854 and the Notes
to the body part.
The Journal tells of Williams’ experiences during his expeditions to Japan
in 1853 and 1854 as an interpreter and aide to Perry, which marks the start ofhis transition from a missionary-printer to a diplomat. In May 1853, themotive to further Gospel and the call of the sate impelled Williams to reachNaha, Lewchew. On Jun 6th, Perry and his delegation managed to visit thecapital of Lewchew - Shuri in spite of local opposition. On July 14th, the U.S.
met Japan officially for the first time in history in Kurihama, with the letter ofPresident Fillmore being delivered. On Aug 1st, a bazaar was open for theU.S. in Napa, which indicates the commencement of their free trade. The firstBook Reviews

117

expedition ended on Aug 3rd. On Jan 21st, 1854, Perry and Williams reachedNapa, Lewchew for their second expedition. On Mar 31st, the Treaty ofKanagawa was signed, a symbol of the establishment of U.S.-Japan bilateralties. On Jul 11th, another treaty was signed between the U.S. and Lewchew, astrategic port to Japan. On Aug 11th, Williams ended his second expedition
and returned to his home in Macao.
This book offers precious materials for the research on the diplomatic
career of S. Wells Williams as well as Japan-U.S. relationship. During the twoexpeditions, Williams’ command of Japanese and Chinese contributed to theconclusion of the treaties, and moreover, his timely advice to Perry helped
ease possible frictions with Japan. For example, in drafting the Kanagawa
Treaty, the number of Japanese ports to be opened was cut to two from five,and consular jurisdiction was excluded upon Williams’ request. With hisreason and dispassion, Williams served as a buffer agent between the assertive commodore and the vigilant Japanese. Meanwhile, he was steadfast andfar-sighted. He made it clear that Japanese close surveillance would incur
resolute actions from America, and he bluntly turned down Japan’s request tolimit U.S. movement within Nagasaki. By including the most-favored-nation
treatment in the Kanagawa Treaty, Williams laid the foundation for theenduring business interests of America in East Asia. Such flexible diplomacy
was attributed to his Christian motivation and his pursuit of national good. As
Shinichi puts it, the expeditions put an end to the isolation policy of
Shogunate Government through peaceful, though threatening with men-ofwar, means, and opened Japan’s long-closed doors to foreigners and theircommerce, with its impact as far-reaching as what the Opium War left onChina. With the two expeditions, Williams accomplished the state-conferredmission and embarked on the journey of professional diplomacy.

IVThe Journal of S. Wells Williams: Expedition to Tientsin and Peking

118

Journal of Cultural Interaction in East Asia Vol. 9 2018

(1858–1859) is a collection of private letters from Williams to his wife
between Apr 17th, 1858 and Jan 13th, 1860. During this period, Williams wasattached to the U. S. embassy, assisting Minister William B. Reed in thenegotiation of the Tientsin Treaty, and accompanied his successor John E.
Ward to Peking to exchange the ratifications. Meanwhile, he also went toShanghai and Japan with the legation. The letters tell of Williams’ experiences and association as a diplomat as well as his concern for his family
across the Pacific.
In April 1858, the warships of Britain, France, Russia and America
assembled at the Taku Forts at a stalemate with China. Rounds of futile
negotiations provoked conflicts between the Anglo-French Allied Force andthe Qing army. The disparity in strength was clearly detected by Williams, but
remained oblivious to the conceited and feckless Chinese officials. “... my pity
is more excited at their ignorant confidence, than my indignation at theirrefusing to grant us what is demanded. I’m afraid nothing short of theSociety for the Diffusion of Cannon Balls will give them the useful knowledge they now require to see their own helplessness. (p.44)” As Williams
observed, the citizens of Tientsin fled in large numbers during the war andmoved back when it winded down. They remained indifferent to foreign faces
and passive in resistance though in dire poverty. Such a disorder andsuffering must have hardened Williams’ missionary resolve and impelled him
to get the article into the Tientsin Treaty which permitted the free exercise of
the Christian religion among the Chinese people.
After leaving Tientsin, Williams went to Shanghai in charge of investigating the losses of Americans at Canton and elsewhere. There, he learned themiserable news of his son Olyphant’s death. Later, in 1859, he went with thenew U.S. Minister Ward to exchange ratifications at Peh-tang as the latterrefused to perform the kowtow before the Emperor.
This book provides valuable sources for the research on Williams’
diplomatic career and contribution, as marked by his competence in interpreting, negotiation, compiling of the treaty, and most importantly, his vision
to have missionary activities legalized in China. In a broader sense, it unveils
a missionary’s view of China and offers us a different perspective to see
modern Chinese history and diplomacy.

Book Reviews

119V), which was(The Syllabic Dictionary of the Chinese Language 《汉英韵府》
published in 1874, embodies the highest achievement of Williams in theChinese language research.
The motive of compilation, according to Williams in the Preface, stems
from the scarcity of practical and up-to-date lexicons and the tenfold growthof Chinese language learners at that time.
The Dictionary emerged mainly out of his previous work -- A Tonic). Other works of his(Dictionary of the Chinese Language 《英华分韵撮要》
predecessors had also been consulted. For example, Williams referred to the() in arranging characters, the K’anghi Tsz’tien
Wu-fang Yuen Yin 《五方元音》(《康熙字典》) and Medhurst’s translation in defining characters and expres) in(sions, and the Selected Characters Carefully Examined 《艺文备览》
defining etymologies.
The Introduction part of the lexicon is a multifaceted and profound thesison the Chinese language, including Mandarin, orthography, aspirates, tones,
old sounds, dialects, radicals and primitives. A wide range of lists and tables
are provided in the body as well as the Introduction part, such as the Abstractof the Chinese Dynasties, the List of Family Surnames of the Chinese, theNames of the 18 Provinces and the 28 Chinese Zodiacal Constellations. Thebody part contains 12,527 characters under 522 pronunciations. Everypronunciation is annotated by the manner of articulation, the old sound andthe ways to pronounce its dialects, followed by all the Chinese characters ofthat pronunciation and different tones. Such a phonetic transcription system
distinguishes the Dictionary from others. Apart from its pronunciation andtone, almost every character is marked with the structuring or etymology andthe meanings, and exemplified by common phrases and expressions. Eachmeaning is separated by a semicolon, but it does not correspond to theexpression below one-to-one — quite a difference from modern dictionaries.
) by(Compared with the Dictionary of the Chinese Language 《五车韵府》

120

Journal of Cultural Interaction in East Asia Vol. 9 2018

Robert Morrison and A Dictionary of the Ko-keen Dialect of the Chinese) by Walter Medhurst, this Dictionary has more
(Language 《福建土话字典》
concise, accurate and evenly explained definitions. Moreover, a cultural
perspective was adopted to clarify character structures (人 on p.370) andmeanings (鬼 on p.566), which offers Chinese learners a deeper insight intoChinese philosophy and society. Notably, different from Robert’s long-windedanalysis, Williams used the shortest sentences to convey the richest culturalconnotation (理 on p.603).
Despite its breakthroughs, the lexicon is still flawed. In some cases, ameaning has no illustrative expression, or one expression overlap another (理会 and 必理会这一句 on p.519). Although the emphasis on dialects makes theDictionary special, they’re limited to those spoken in missionary and businessdestinations. This brings us to the conclusion that Williams’ study of Chineseis also utilitarian.
After its debut in 1874, the Dictionary received wide applause and becamea must-have for Western Chinese learners. It had since been modeled on bylexicon compilers for its accuracy, conciseness and tidiness, and was later
revised in accordance with the Wade system. As a milestone in American
sinology, it will leave an indelible mark in the history of teaching Chinese toforeigners and the history of Chinese-English dictionaries.

VISamuel W. Williams in East Asia: Selected Archives from the United States
and Japan is a treasury of archives on the study of Williams compiled by TaoDemin, professor of Kansai University and founding President of Society for
Cultural Interaction in East Asia.
Apart from Part I — membership certificates and autobiographies, the bodyof the book showcases the images and literature related to Williams by four
periods: around the First Opium War, during the expedition to Lewchew andJapan, around the signing of the Tientsin Treaty and the residence in Peking,Book Reviews

121

at Yale University till his death. The appendixes include materials about
Elijah C. Bridgeman, the guide to the Samuel W. Williams Family Papers andProfessor Tao’s several articles about Williams.
With the images drawn mainly from the Japanese translation of Narrativeof the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan andthe literature from Samuel W. Williams Family Papers of Sterling Memorial
Library, Yale University, the abundant and wide-ranging archives embody thestrenuous research efforts of Tao in the past two decades. They also reveal his
approach to probe into history from as many perspectives as possible. First,
the historical facts are provided in diverse forms, e.g., in both manuscripts
and printed text (the autobiography of Williams), in multiple languages (theKanagawa Treaty, the Additional Articles to the Tientsin Treaty) and in
extracts of different books (Luo Sen’s Journal of a Visit to Japan). Second,
both the core materials and their “derivatives” have been uncovered. For
example, although Perry and Williams were key players in the expedition toJapan and their journal and memoir are central to relevant analysis, Luo Senand Yoshida Shoin also contributed their own share and thus offered us fresh
insights with the Japan Journal and the Letter of Surrender respectively. Bytaking all the materials into account, one will gain a holistic picture of anevent. Meanwhile, new domains of research will pop up. For instance, a focus
on the missionary-printer career of Williams cannot miss the mention ofElijah Bridgman. To start from that, one might unconsciously extend his
attention to the first-generation missionaries in China such as Peter Parker,Charles Gutzlaff and their cooperation and inheritance. Another example. In
studying the diplomatic life of Williams, one will find his important role inthe conclusion of the Burlingame Treaty. Then after further reading, the dual
identity of Burlingame in China-U.S. diplomacy might emerge as a new
dimension of interest.
Samuel W. Williams in East Asia serves as the most complete source forthe research on Williams. It also offers a glimpse into missionary activities inmodern East Asia, early American sinology and the relationship between
America and East Asia in the 19th and 20th century. Moreover, it provides
valuable experience for the mutual learning and constructive interaction
between the East and the West.
The Selected Works of Samuel Wells Williams were published to review
the historical figure who made a difference in the 19th century Asia-Pacific andsummarize the experience of mutual learning, equal dialogue and constructive
interaction between China and the U.S., Japan and the U.S., as well as theEast and the West at large.