had been enfranchised by the Strukpot thrown down the hatchway.
7: The Haughty has this day returned to this port from an unsuccessful search for pirates who had carried off a boat (with its crew) in the Lyemoon passage to this anchorage releasing the latter after a fortnight's confinement in a place unknown to the captives a short distance from Hongkong.
In this case, as in every other case, whether a Sun Boat has been successful or not in her special object, several reports of recent piratical acts were made to the Lieutenant in Command by fishermen and others of whom enquiries had been made relative to the particular case.
82 There cannot be a more convincing proof of the frequency with which piracy is committed with impunity in these waters, than the fact that, along the coast of this island, fishermen and other seafaring people, whose pursuits often bring them together in numbers although they are frequently separated, are in the habit of subscribing to pay native junks themselves, generally if not always.