Description:

Photograph of Historic site, The American Consulate. On the south side of Queen’s Square is the site of the first American Consulate in Britain, established in 1792, to protect the interests of American citizens in Bristol. Between 1698 and 1807 about 2,100 slaving voyages sailed from Bristol. Trade with Africa, the Caribbean and America accounted for over half of Bristol’s trading in the 18th century. After American independence, Bristol continued to trade with both the northern states and southern slave states of America. This explains the establishment of a consulate in Bristol to represent American interests in the city. Slave-produced tobacco from the southern states of America were important to the city’s economy.

With thanks to the authors of the Slave Trade Trail around Central Bristol, Madge Dresser, Caletta Jordan, Doreen Taylor.

Creator: David Emeney

Date: 18th century

Copyright: Copyright BCC Museum