19世纪中叶,在澳门处于政治动荡、经济凋敝、人心惶惶之际,美国商人们却坚持以澳门为基地展开经贸活动,一方面配合了确保美国东亚利益的行动,另一方面也从客观上促进了澳门经济转型。同时,美国在澳门的经贸活动也促进了澳门与美国的文化交流。《美国驻澳门领事馆领事报告》系驻澳门领事发送给国务院的报告与信件,如领事馆收费情况报告、美国船只进出澳门港季度报告、特别事件报告及信件等,包括一些信件所附录的当地报纸的剪报等。这些信件内容,涉及美国在澳门的重大活动、中美关系、东亚国际政治格局中的重大事件。

In the mid-nineteenth century, when Macau was in political turmoil, its economy suffered the depression, and people were in great anxiety, American businessmen insisted on using Macao as a base to carry out economic and trade activities, which was matched by actions to ensure the interests of the United States in the East Asia. The activities have promoted Macao's economic transformation. At the same time, US economic and trade activities in Macau have also promoted cultural exchanges between Macau and the United States. “Consular Report of the US Consulate in Macau” refers to reports and letters sent by the Consulate in Macau to the State Council, such as reports on the status of consulate charges, quarterly reports of US vessels entering and leaving the port of Macau, special incident reports and letters, including local newspapers clippings appended to some letters, etc. The content of these letters is related to major events in modern Macau-US relations, Sino-US relations, and the international political landscape of the East Asia. From the perspective of economic and trade activities, three aspects can be involved: Australia-US trade and economic restructuring, the US and special industries, and cultural exchanges triggered by economic and trade activities.