1842.
21st.
Sketches of China.
81
Mr. Davis, with his lady and family, embarked in the
ship Asia, captain Wolfe, for England.
22d. The Board assembled, and in pursuance to their instruc- tions under the royal signet and sign manual, sir George Best Robin- son assumed the office and duties of chief superintendent, John H. Astell that of the second, and captain Elliot, late secretary, that of the third superintendent. Cor. P. 80.
26th. About half past 6 o'clock P. M. a fire broke out in St. Paul's church, Macao, causing the entire destruction of the whole building. 29th. Captain Macdonald of the Argyle, this day appeared before H. B. M. chief superintendent, and deposed to the following state- ment on oath.
Appeared Alexander Macdonald, and deposed, that he is master of the British ship Argyle; states, that being bound from Bengal to Canton, the ship fetched in between Hawchime and Lieuchee Island on the 21st instant. Is quite certain that it was somewhere between these points that the ship fetched, but cannot speak with more precision, because of the state of the weather which had prevented him from observing for the four previous days. Owing to the damage the sails had sustained, the ship was anchored at this place, and, on the morning of the 22d, at day-light, deponent sent a boat on shore, then distant (two miles, with the view to seek a pilot. The boat contained the second officer of the ship, an European sea- cunnie, a Manila seaçunnie, and nine lascars, twelve in number altogether. The boat was not armed, and deponent is persuaded that no outrage was offered to the natives by the boat's crew. The boat did not return to the ship at all; at about one o'clock, however, two Chinese boats came off and communicated with the ship. The people asked whether she was bound to Macao? Deponent desired them to go on shore, and send off his boat. They pretended to go, but returned,— that is to say, two men returned in a sampan (a small boat), and intimated by signs, that the boat's crew were seized. They offered, before the ship left the place, ou the 22d, to bring the people back, if deponent would give them 500 dollars. He had not the money with him, and, under all the circumstances of the case, ho thought it best to repair to this place, where he arrived to-day."-Cor. p. 81.
(To be continued.)
ART. II. Sketches of China: partly during a journey of four months between Peking, Nanking, and Canton, with notices and observations relative to the present war. BY JOHN FRAN- cis Davis, esq, F. R. 8., &c. Late his majesty's superintendent in China. 2 vols. 12mo. With a map of China proper.
Mr. Davis, either by design or oversight. has omitted to inform his
VOL. XI. NO. IL
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