A Vindication of England's Policy with Regard to the Opium Trade

"A Vindication of England's Policy with Regard to the Opium Trade" by Charles Reginald Haines is a late 19th-century exploration of the controversial opium trade between British India and China. The book's central purpose is to present a pro-British perspective on the opium trade. Haines undertakes a mission to challenge and refute criticisms leveled against England by anti-opium organizations. Early on, Haines confesses his initial disapproval of the opium trade, a sentiment shaped by prevalent anti-opium viewpoints. However, his stance shifts dramatically as he engages in a comprehensive study, analyzing evidence from diverse perspectives and delving into primary sources. As the story unfolds, the author aims to vindicate England's actions, contesting claims that Britain forced opium upon China. Instead, he contends that the opium trade was a complex relationship shaped by Chinese demand as well as historical factors.