Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 352

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Trip to Canton in the Constellation.

JUNE,

adiniral had scarcely left the city for the ship, before the senior hong- inerchants were called on to give security for his safe return. And

the report of thirteen guns-instead of the Chinese number three- for the salute, was such positive proof of treachery, that nothing but the admiral's safe return in person could allay the alarm of the pro- vincial authorities.

It was nearly sunset when the admiral left the ships, evidently much pleased and well satisfied with his reception, and the atten- tions shown him on board the foreign men of war. On Monday the 18th, two other officers, one the second in command to the admiral, visited the commodore. These men were from northern provinces, and though they had been a year or more at Canton, had never before been on board a foreign vessel. They said they had supposed, from all reports, that the foreign men-of-war were strong, but till then they never believed them so strong as they now found them to be. They seemed astonished when told, that many of the English ships were far superior to the Constellation.

On the 27th, the commodore for the first time went up to the pro- vincial city, where he remained till the 8th of June. On the 7th, having previously closed his correspondence with the governor of Canton, some bullocks, sheep, &c., were sent by his excellency on board the ship, it having been stipulated that other articles, an atlas, &c., should be given by him in return. Tuesday afternoon, the 7th of June, having been fixed upon for leaving the city, the governor sent an officer to the consulate with his compliments to take leave of the commodore. At three o'clock, a large Chinese fast boat was in readiness; but it was late in the evening before we reached the ship, near Second Bar. The progress down the river was slow; and it was past sunset on Saturday the 11th, when the Constellation return- ed to her former anchorage in the Roads off Macao.

Regarding the correspondence with the authorities at Canton, we have only to remark, what is generally known, that his excellency the governor was very civil and courteous, (or as the Chinese term it, #kung shan, “respectfully obedient," for so the phrase has usually been translated when speaking of foreigners,) willingly en- gaging to pay the demands for losses, and leaving it for the commo- dore to fix their amount.

Of the ships and of the officers we need say but little. The Bos- ton is admired by all for her proportions and her 'splendid battery.' The age of the Constellation drew from the Chinese many exclama- tions of surprise. She is one of the six frigates ordered in 1794, on