Who was Sir John Bowring? - Part 2

Sir John Bowring lived a life of multiple careers. He published translated works from different European cultures before dedicating his time to the advancement of radical ideas, in particular utilitarianism. Then he became an MP or member of parliament advocating free trade and reforms in military discipline and prison conditions. Due to financial struggles he took positions overseas becoming a player in the advancement of British interest in the Far East.

Political Career

Bowring became a prominent commissioner that published numerous commercial reports for the Foreign Office and the Parliament. He revealed in this report his liberal trade views and distain for mercantilist policies, eventually he became an MP advocating more liberal reforms.

In the early 1830’s, with his personal finances remained in taters, Bowring decided to work as a commissioner for the foreign offices. He received a commission to study Dutch public finance making use of his mercantile background during his youth and received allowances. This allowance, however, only covered Bowring’s travel expenses. Nevertheless, the work became a source of experience from which he built up his career in making reports for the foreign office and Parliament. In 1834, he took this time as a salaried commissioner position and worked on the First Report on the Commercial Relations between France and Great Britain.

The Anti-Slavery Society Convention, 1840, by Benjamin Robert Haydon

In 1835, Bowring won a seat in Parliament representing Clyde Burghs and retained it until 1837. In his tenure, he supported free trade, thus advocated the repeal of the Corn Laws. He even contributed in foundation of the Anti-Corn Law League that pressured Parliament to repeal the protectionist law. He also used his utilitarian beliefs into pushing for penal reforms and improve the conditions of prisoners. He also joined the movement for the abolition of slavery. He also called for the abolition of flogging as part of military discipline.

During this time, he continued his work as a commissioner studying Anglo-French trade resulting to the publication of the Second Report on the Commercial Relations between France and Great Britain. He also worked on a report on the commerce and industry of Switzerland in 1836.

After losing his seat in Parliament in 1837, Bowring had no problem finding employment as he accepted more commissions to make reports on international trade. He reported on the trade of Italy, in particular of Tuscany, Lucca, Papal States, and the Lombardy-Venetia. In 1840, he submitted reports on the Prussian Commercial Union or the Zollverein and the commerce of Syria. In his report, he warned against the mercantilism and what later came to be known as import-substitution strategy where countries, despite high financial cost, aimed to reduce importation by producing this foreign goods locally. He also lauded the idea of free trade as he witnessed in the Zollverein.

Cover of one of Bowring's Report

In 1841, he regained his place in Parliament, but this time for the constituency of Bolton and held his sit until 1849. During his 2nd time in Parliament, he continued to fight for free trade, penal reform, and military reform. In 1846, he saw the repeal of the Corn Law. In 1849, another one of his advocacies, the decimal system in currency, also saw approval with the start of issuance of the florin which worth 1/10 of a pound or 2 shillings. His support for the decimal system continued further beyond his tenure when in 1854, he published his work The Decimal System in Numbers, Coins, and Accounts.

In addition to publication of works after his tenure, Bowring busied himself with translating various liberal works. This promoted reformist ideas in British society. Eventually, he also contributed to the foundation of the Liberal Party in 1859.

Overseas Career

Bowring made a name for himself as a proponent of utilitarianism and liberalism, however, he also earned a reputation overseas. Due to a financial mishap, Bowring worked in the other side of the world and created an impact that changed histories.

In 1847, Bowring made terrible investment decisions that led to once again his financial ruin. To recover his loses, he decided to take overseas positions and found his way to China. From 1849 – 1853, he served as consul in Canton as well as Superintendent of Trade in China. Then in 1854, the Queen knighted Bowring and he became Sir John Bowring. Soon after his knighting, he received his appointment as Governor of Hong Kong for the next 5 years.

British Capture of Beijing during the Second Opium War

As a Governor of Hong Kong, he wished to reform the administration. He proposed for the enfranchisement of many Chinese, allowing them to vote for members of the Legislative Council. This proposal, however, met rejection in London. With regards, to relation with Chinese official, he made a terrible impression. He failed to completely understand Chinese politics and took aggressive stance against the Qing Government. His order to bomb Canton led to the Second Opium War in 1856. This made him unpopular in London, nevertheless, had the support of Lord Palmerston, the Prime Minister at that time. During the course of the war, he almost became a victim of poising in an incident known as the Esing Bakery Incident. In 1859, his tenure ended and he returned to England.

Before he left though, he had himself some accomplishments other than the Second Opium War. In 1855, he made a visit to Siam and made well use of his acquaintance with its legendary ruler Mongkut (Bowring made a description of King Mongkut during his recollections). He successfully negotiated a treaty with the Siamese that bore his name (Bowring Treaty) that opened Siam to trade. This precipitated Siam’s push for modernization under King Mongkut and his son Chulalongkorn.

King Mongkut

Later Career and Demise.

After his duties overseas, Bowring returned to England and made attempts to join Parliament once more. He continued to be a government official and a diplomat during his final decade.

In 1860, Bowring once again ran for election to become a MP representing Exeter, his hometown. This failed. Instead, he took another commission in 1861, this time to study the commerce of the newly established Kingdom of Italy. Then he also accepted an unusual appointment from a foreign government, becoming the Minister Plenipotentiary of the small Pacific island Kingdom of Hawaii. As the representative of Hawaii he worked to negotiate treaties of friendship between the Pacific kingdom and various European countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland. He worked for Hawaii as much as his health allowed, which had begun to decline due to his age. 

He continued to be active in politics though. He became Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Devon. He continued to champion prison reforms. He attempted to be elevated to the peerage, but his bid failed. Then, on November 23, 1872, the colorful life of Sir John Bowring came to end at the age of 80. His son Lewin Bentham Bowring kept his father’s legacy by publishing his Autobiographical Recollections.

Summing Up

Sir John Bowring’s lived a dynamic life. He began as a businessman making use of his father’s career as a foundation for himself. Then from his business trips, he indulged his passion for literature and made contributions in expanding the knowledge of English readers to other European works. From a translator and literati, he became radical, a proponent of the growing idea known as utilitarianism which influenced his advocacy for free trade and other liberal reforms during his time as an editor and later MP. Then with a financial turmoil, he found himself in the forefront of history becoming a diplomat for some and an agent of British imperialism to others. He played a major role in the continuing decline of the Qing Dynasty of China and the dawn of the modern history of Siam (modern day Thailand). Age caught Bowring ultimately leading to his demise in 1872. He, however, left legacies that truly made a mark in world history.

See also:

Sir John Bowring - Part 1

Bibliography:

Conway, Stephen. “Bowring, John (1792-1872). The Bloomsbury Encyclopedia of Utilitarianism. Edited by James Crimmins. New York, New York: Bloosmbury Academic, 2017.

Tsang, Steve. History of Hong Kong. New York, New York: I.B. Tauris, 2007.

The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Sir John Bowring.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Accessed on June 20, 2020. URL: https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Bowring