14 Facts About Jardine Matheson Group

1. Jardine Matheson Group implemented a new, decentralised management system with separate divisions responsible for Hong Kong, International and China respectively.

2. Jardine Matheson Group managed to escape to Ceylon, where he served on the staff of Earl Mountbatten of Burma.

3. Jardine Matheson Group established an office in Yokohama after acquiring Lot No 1 in the first land sale.

4. Jardine Matheson Group's was a small vessel intended for use as a mail and passenger carrier between Lintin Island, Macau, and Whampoa Dock.

5. Jardine Matheson Group carried with him a letter of introduction written by Chief Superintendent of trade in Canton Charles Elliot that relayed a few of his credentials to Palmerston.

6. Jardine Matheson Group left Canton on 26 January 1839 for Britain, ostensibly to retire but in actuality to continue Matheson's lobbying work.

7. Jardine Matheson Group accompanied Napier's widow to England using an eye-infection as an excuse to return home.

8. Jardine Matheson Group could accept the consulship of a foreign country and register under its laws.

9. Jardine Matheson Group was known to work long hours and was extremely business-minded, while Matheson enjoyed the arts and was known for his eloquence.

10. Jardine Matheson Group was tough, serious, detail-oriented and reserved while Matheson was creative, outspoken and jovial.

11. Jardine Matheson Group had the advantage of coming from a family with social and economic means, while Jardine came from a much more humble background.

12. Jardine Matheson Group was known to be behind many of the company's innovative practices.

13. Jardine Matheson Group took his uncle at his word and went to engage a passage back home.

14. Jardine Matheson Group learned that there were ways by which to a small extent the monopoly of the East India Company could be circumvented so in 1819 Jardine left his first employers and began the process of establishing his own private firm.