View from the southwest of Fort George and the City of New York, a mid-eighteenth century engraving by J. Carwitham. The Empress of China sailed from here to the Orient in 1784. Courtesy of Peabody Essex Museum.

The total "Invoice of sundries shipped on board The Experiment," however, was for £8,860.0.0. "Eighteen Boxes of Spanish Milled Dollars containing 1000 Dollars each" made up the difference. ²⁴ The promoters of this second American voyage, given the uncertain reception of the items available for export to China, relied to an extraordinary extent upon the universal acceptability of specie to ensure a successful venture. Silver coin represented over eighty percent of the value of the cargo they shipped, compared with about twelve percent of the Empress of China's cargo, which had cost £37,384.12.0. ²⁵ The much smaller size of their vessel -- the Experiment was about one-fifth of the Empress of China's tonnage -- may partially explain this huge difference, since the sloop did not have the capacity to transport a more balanced shipment. Nevertheless, it seems that the smaller scale of the venture, and its diverse shareholding, engendered a more cautious approach in assembling merchandise that could be sold profitably in Canton;

The subscribers gave Dean careful instructions:

On your departure from Newyork you are to proceed to Canton in China, touching at such places as you may Judge neccessary for Refreshment -- Keeping in Mind at all times to use your best endeavours to compleat your Voyage as soon as possible.

When you reach the Streights of Sunda, it is recommended to you to keep yourself always on your guard against the Natives of Java and the other Islands, and to endeavour to get through the Streights and to your destind Port as soon as you can .... ²⁶