China, Imperial. A Unique 'Taiping Rebellion' Safe Conduct Pass to British Navy Personnel

An extremely rare surviving document on Chinese Imperial Yellow silk and bears the seal of the Chief of  Taiping Rebels, Hong Xiuqan in red ink, with the lettering and the wording in black ink, the silk is embroidered with floral patterns in very thin threading. It measures at 38cm (w) x 43.5cm (l), and remains an extremely rare historical piece in very fine condition. 

The Chinese Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864) was a civil war between the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the Qing Dynasty. The war began when Taiping Heavenly Kingdom leader Hong Xiuqan proclaimed a prophecy that led him to believe he was the brother of Jesus Christ, spurring a movement that resulted in a war rooted in religious conviction over territorial economic circumstances. The civil war had an estimated death toll of 20 million people, and left the already established Qing Dynasty in Power.  

Above is a Safe Conduct Pass issued to British Navy Personnel, Mr. & Mrs. Baldwin, and their accompanying parties including Mr. & Mrs. Allen Young. As the war progressed, the Taiping Rebels were able to capture the city of Nanjing and institute it as their capital. To retaliate against this, ships were needed to travel down the Yangtze River and the Qing Dynasty enlisted the help of the British Navy. The British agreed to help because of their already existing commerce in China. 

A Safe Conduct Pass is a deal struck between two opposing sides to allow movement of a significant person or persons across enemy territory in a time of crisis. This pass was issued to Allen Young, a Lieutenant in the British Royal Navy who commanded a ship during the Crimean War in 1854 and who was involved and led many British Arctic Expeditions including the North West Passage Expedition. Many of his journals and letters have been recovered, as well as photographs of the expeditions. He assisted Captain Sherard Osborn in the Taiping Rebellion and even commanded a gunboat during his time in China.