Wellesley (flag) 72 Captain T. Maitland. Blenheim 72 Captain T. Herbert. Blonde 44 Captain T. Bourchier. Druid 44 Captain H. Smith. Modeste 18 Captain H. Eyres. Cruiser 16 Commander Giffard. Pylades 18 Commander Anson. Columbine 16 Commander Clarke. Bentinck 10 Lieutenant R. Collinson. Algerine 10 Lieutenant T. Mason. Sesostris steamer 4 Commander Ormsby, I.N. Phlegethon steamer 4 Lieutenant M'Cleverty, R.N. Nemesis steamer 4 Mr. W. H. Hall, R.N. Queen steamer 4 Mr. W. Warden, R.N. CHAPTER XXVII. All those persons who have visited Amoy, either out of curiosity or on matters of business, appear to agree with each other in regarding it as a place peculiarly adapted for the extension of European trade. The mercantile spirit and enterprise of its inhabitants, and their anxious desire to trade with foreigners, when not held back by the arbitrary orders of the mandarins, have been long known and recorded by several travellers, before there was any prospect whatever of the trade being opened. Mr. Gutzlaff observed respecting it, in the account of his voyage along the coast--"Its excellent harbour has made it from time immemorial one of the greatest emporiums of the empire, and one of the most important markets of Asia. Vessels can sail close up to the houses, load and unload with the greatest facility, have shelter from all winds, and in entering or leaving the port, experience no danger of getting ashore. The whole adjacent country being sterile, the inhabitants were forced to seek some means of subsistence elsewhere. Endowed with an enterprising spirit, and unwearied in the pursuit of gain, they visited all parts of the Chinese empire, gradually became bold sailors, and settled as merchants all along the coast. Thus they colonized Formosa, which, from that period to this, has been their granary, and visited and settled in the Indian archipelago, Cochin China, and Siam. A population constantly overflowing, demanded constant resources for their subsistence, and this they found in colonization; and thus they spread themselves all along the coast of China, up to Mantchou Tartary. As soon as the colonists amass sufficient money, they return home, which they leave again when all is spent." Elsewhere he says, "Many of these merchants, settled in the northern parts of China, return annually with their profits. It is not surprising, therefore, that a large amount of Chinese shipping belongs to Amoy merchants, and that the greater part of the capital employed in the coasting trade is their property. Hence, even this barren tract is become one of the richest in China, from the enterprise of its inhabitants. Wherever