"[Lot of 2 - Government Reports on the Boxer Rebellion] ", U.S. Government

This lot contains two Congressional volumes with remarkable primary source detail on the involvement of the United States in suppressing the Boxer Rebellion including:

A. Annual Reports of the War Department for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1900. Report of the Lieutenant-General Commanding the Army … Part 7, published 1900. This 255 page report contains numerous photographic illustrations, folding maps, and a very large Proclamation in Chinese and English (in color). Hardbound in original leather with gilt title labels on the spine. Condition: Contents are very clean and tight. The front hinge is starting, the covers are light worn, and the edges are bumped.

B. Message from the President of the United States, Transmitting Report of William W. Rockhill, Late Comissioner to China, with Accompanying Documents [in] Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States..., published 1901. 391 pages with 2 folding plates. Hardbound in original leather with gilt title labels on the spine. Condition: Contents are clean and tight with toning to the right edge of the title page. Binding is moderately worn and soiled.

The United States joined seven European countries to suppress an attempt of a martial arts movement (“Boxers") in China to eliminate foreigners and foreign influence, including Christianity. A short, bloody war ensued in which the U.S. Marines played a key role in the defeat of the Boxers, as depicted in the maps (in the first volume above). The foreign forces imposed a punitive indemnity ($333 million) that weakened the government and permitted even greater foreign influence over China. It is significant in terms of the U.S. Presidency because it established the ability of the President to send troops to protect American interests without specific Congressional authorization.

References:

Condition: B+

See description above.