Anson's Voyage Round the World: The Text ReducedWalter, Richard
History
Anson's Voyage Round the World: The Text Reduced
Walter, Richard
Anson, George Anson, Baron, 1697-1762; Voyages around the world -- Early works to 1800
Some time before this Captain Saunders took his passage to England on
board a Swedish ship, and was charged with despatches from the Commodore;
and soon after, in the month of December, Captain Mitchel and Colonel
Cracherode embarked on board one of our company's ships; and I, having
obtained the Commodore's leave to return home, embarked with them. I must
observe, too (having omitted it before), that whilst we lay here at Macao
we were informed by some of the officers of our Indiamen that the Severn
and the Pearl, the two ships of our squadron which had separated from us
off Cape Noir, were safely arrived at Rio Janeiro, on the coast of
Brazil; and it was with great joy we received the news, after the strong
persuasion, which had so long prevailed amongst us, of their having both
perished.
Notwithstanding the favourable disposition of the mandarin Governor of
Janson at his leaving Mr. Anson, several days had elapsed before he had
any advice from him, and Mr. Anson was privately informed there were
great debates in council upon his affair. However, it should seem that
the representation of the Commodore to the mandarins of the facility with
which he could right himself, if justice were denied him, had at last its
effect; for on the 6th of January, in the morning, the Governor of
Janson, the Commodore's advocate, sent down the Viceroy of Canton's
warrant for the refitment of the Centurion, and for supplying her people
with all they wanted; and next day a number of Chinese smiths and
carpenters went on board.
It was the beginning of April before they had new-rigged the ship, stowed
their provisions and water on board, and fitted her for the sea; and
before this time the Chinese grew very uneasy and extremely desirous that
she should be gone, either not knowing, or pretending not to believe,
that this was a point the Commodore was as eagerly set on as they could
be. On the 3rd of April two mandarin boats came on board from Macao to
urge his departure; and this having been often done before, though there
had been no pretence to suspect Mr. Anson of any affected delays, he at
this last message answered them in a determined tone, desiring them to
give him no further trouble, for he would go when he thought proper and
not before. On this rebuke the Chinese (though it was not in their power
to compel him to be gone) immediately prohibited all provisions from
being carried on board him, and took such care that their injunctions
should be complied with, that from that time forwards nothing could be
purchased at any rate whatever.
AT SEA AGAIN.
On the 6th of April the Centurion weighed from the Typa, and warped to
the southward, and by the 15th she was got into Macao road, completing
her water as she passed along, so that there remained now very few
articles more to attend to; and her whole business being finished by the
19th, she, at three in the afternoon of that day, weighed and made sail,
and stood to sea.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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