1788.
January1.
On the go.th, we received- on board tbe remaining part of our
cargo of teas.
I have before obferved, that there were fundry parcels of inferior
furs., together with the marmot cloaks-, which we were permitted
to fell i a few of thefe had been difpofed of, bat the greateft part
hill lay on our hands, and they- being the only thing which now,
detained us at China, we at lah fold the whole, together with the
flints, buckles, and blankets, to Chichinqua, for 1,009 dollars j
the old man at the fame time ohferving, that he had no other
motive for making this purchafe, than a wifh to haften our departure,
it being a pity, he laid, that two fueh fmall veffels as oar’s
fliould be detained at a‘heavy expence for fuch a trifle. I am inclined
to think, that old Chichinqua was flncere in this affection,
for when the furs were delivered to his people, they feemed to regard
them as mere rubbifh, though a month before, they would
certainly have fetched at leaft four times the money; but at that
time we were not at liberty to fell any thing whatever.
By this time our cargo. was properly flowed, our water com-
pleated, and every thing ready for. fea. At ten o’clock in the
morning of the 5th of February we unmoored, and at twelve
weighed anchor and made fail, having a, breeze at North North
Weft. At three in the afternoon we came to with the fmall
bower, at the bottom of the fleet, in fix fathom water. In the
evening our Captains arrived from Canton, having difcharged the
faflory, and finally fettled all our bufinefs there.
In the morning of the 6th the King George unmoored, but
having little or no wind, fhe warped down the fleet, and came up
with us about four o’clock. Having the wind generally contrary,
we
we came to every tide, and did not arrive in fight of Macao till the 1788.
morning of the 9th, when we anchored in Macao Roads 3 Macao February.
bearing Weft South Weft, and the Peak of Lintin Eaft about four
leagues diftant.
Our grand object being now compleated, thou mayeft eafily
imagine we are anxious for a fpeedy and fafe paffage to Old England,
but no one more than thine, &c.
W. B.
M acao, 7
Feb. 10th. 3
L E T T E R XLV.
CH I N A is a place fo much frequented by Englilhmen, on
account of the very extenfive commerce carried on there by
the Eaft India Company, and on that account fo univerfally
known, that it will perhaps be ridiculous for me to make any remarks
concerning it 5 however, as thou art fond of novelty, and
perhaps aft no farther acquainted with China than by perufing
Du Halde, I fhall trouble thee with what few obfervations I have
been able to make concerning this place and its inhabitants.
Were we to form our opinion of this country, from the impref-
fions its firft appearance makes, it would be of the moft unfavourable
kind, as fcarcely any thing in nature can have a more barren,
■ dreary, and uncomfortable afpett, than the Lema Iflands, or in*.
Q__(j deed