L O R D A N S O N ’S V O Y A G E
than the Centurion, yet the being intended folely for war, had a
great fuperibrity in the fize of her guns, and in many other articles,^
over the&aleon, which was a veifel fitted out principally for traffic
: And as to the fecond quedion, they told the Chinefe, that
amongft the nations o f Europe, it was not cui'tomary to put ,to
death thofe who fubmitted; though they readily owned, that.-the
Commodore, from the natural bias of his temper, had treated both
them and their countrymen, who had formerly been in his power,
with very unufual courtefy, much beyond what they could have
expected, or than was required by the cuftomS eftablifiied between
nations at war with each other. Thefe replies fully fatisfisd .the
Chinefe, and at the fame time wrought very powerfully in the
Commodore’s favour.
On the 20th of July, in the morning, three Mandarines, with
a gieat number of boats, and a vaft retinue, camp on board the
Centurion, and delivered to the Commodore the Viceroy o f Cantoris
order for a daily fupply of provifions, and for Pilots to carry
the (hips up the river as.far as the fecond bar; and at the fame
time they delivered him a melfage from the Viceroy, in anfwer to
the letter fent to Canton. The fubftance o f the melfage was, that
the Viceroy defired to be excufed from receiving the Commodore’s
vifit, duringjthe then exceffive hot weather; becaufe the alfembling
the Mandarines and foldiers, ne.ceifary to that ceremony, would
prove extremely inconvenient and fatiguing ; but that in September,
when the weather would be morejpmperate, he (liquid be glad to
fee both the Commodore himfelf, and the Knglijh Captain of the
other (hip that was with him. As Mr. Anfon knew that an exprcls
h*d been dlfpatched to the court o f Pekin, with an account of the
Centurion-and her prize being arrived in the river o f Canton-, he had
no. doubt but the principal motive for putting off this vifit was, that
th* Regency of Canton might gain time to receive the Emperor’s
intrusions, about their behaviour on this unufual affair.
When the Mandarines had delivered their melfage, they began
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R O U N D t h e w o r l d . m
but he immediately told them, that he would never fubmit to any
demand of that kind; that as he neither brought any merchandize
thither, nor intended to carry any away, he could not be reafon-
ably deemed within the meaning of the Emperor’s orders, which
were doubtlefs calculated for trading velfels only ; adding, that no
duties were ever demanded of men of war, by nations accuftomed
to their reception, and that his Mailer’s orders exprefsly forbad
him from paying any acknowledgment for his (hips anchoring in
any port whatever.
The Mandarines bting thus cut (hort on the fubjedl of the duty,
they faid they had another matter to mention, which was the only
remaining one they had-in charge ; .this was a requeft to the Commodore,
that he would releafe the prifoners he had taken on board
the galeon ■, for that the Viceroy of Canton apprehended the Emperor,
his Mafte-r, might be difpleafed, i f he (hould be informed,
that perfons, who were his allies, and carried on a great commerce
with his fubjedts, wero under confinement in his dominions.
Mr. Anfon was himfelf extremely defirous to get rid of the Spa-
niards, having, on his firft arrival, lent about an hundred of them
to Macao, and thole who remained, which were near four hundred
more, were, on many accounts, a great incumbrance to him.
However, to enhanee the favour, he at find raifed feme difficulties ;
but permitting himfelf to be prevailed on, he at lalt told the Mandarines,
that to-(hew his readinefs to oblige the Viceroy, he-would
releafe -the prifoners whenever they, the Chinefe, would order boats
to-fetch them off. This- matter being thus adjufted, the Mandarines
departed ; and, on the 28th of July, two Chinefe yanks were
fent from Canton, to take on board the prifoners, and to .carry them
to Macao. And -the Commodore, agreeable to his promife, dif-
miffed them all, and diredted his purfer to allow them eight days
provifionfor their fubfiftence, during their failing down the river :
Since, before they were difpatched, th0 Centurion was arrived at her
moorings above the fecond bar, where (he and her prize propofed
to continue till the monfoen drifted.
Though