Mr. Hammond
arrived 1791 · British
Biography
Mr. Hammond arrived in the United States in 1791 as the first official representative ever sent from Great Britain to the newly independent country, several years before the conclusion of Jay's treaty. His appointment resulted from pressure by London tradespeople and merchants, who in 1790 urged the Foreign Secretary to protect British trade interests in America. The establishment of formal diplomatic and trade relations that followed, including the eventual treaty with Jay, had significant unintended consequences for European piano-makers, as men who had been unsuccessful in England and Germany began emigrating to the United States to seek their fortune.
Highlights
- The first official representative ever sent from Great Britain to the United States, arriving in 1791.
- His appointment, urged by London tradespeople and merchants, preceded the conclusion of Jay's treaty and had significant effects on the transatlantic piano trade.
Source
Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), pp. 102, 103.
Public domain.