Merchants of Deceit

In the early 19th century, Connecticut resident, Samuel Russell set out for Canton, China to sell American made goods in this remote Asian nation. He was one of several Western businessmen who made the dangerous months' long journey halfway around the world in search of fortune. Once there, he discovered that opium sales was in high demand, and far more lucrative. In this little known chapter in American history the dangers and opportunities Russell faced there, as an opium importer are revealed; the many facets of feudal Chinese culture under the control of an ancient imperial dynasty are explored; and the difficult choices needed to traffic opium over the objections and under the nose of the emperor and his minions are described in vivid detail.