The British East India Company had long been an overwhelming share of the Canton trade in the Qing Dynasty. Only 1 or 2 commercial vessels came from other European countries for a long time. But American merchants independent from the British expressed their concerns after the second half of the 18th century. Till the dawn of 1784，the first merchant ship was sent from New York to Canton. Since then，the United States gradually played an important role in the Canton trade and became a hostile competitor of the British in the early 19th century. Especially in 1817-1818，45 American ships came to Canton for trade. Both of their records have been found in the British Parliament.

This article is based on the records，and subjects to discuss the American merchant ships in Canton trade in the early 19th century.