"that have come to my knowledge) lead me to believe that they must have some Europeans among them. If my belief is well founded there can be no doubt that long they will not only not avoid foreign vessels but with such opportunities of attacking the defenceless of them".
Extract from a letter addressed by the master of the British Merchant Vessel "Whampoa" to the Consul at Amoy. Being forced to seek "shelter on my voyage to Formosa I put into Leo-loo Bay and was informed by my Supercargo that four Cantonese boats lying there were piratical and that we should certainly be attacked in the night if we remained. I therefore put to sea though blowing a gale of wind.
"In one of the boats Europeans were observed"
I have, &c.
(Signed) Mr. S. Nolloth, Captain and Senior Officer.
(Five Copies)
Colonial Secretary