“What are the means? A British steamer of one hundred and fifty tons, manned by twenty sailors and ten Chinese, and carrying an armament of four guns of four-pound calibre each. In the event of a disturbance, the Queen may suffice to transport the women and children of American citizens from the city, provided they reach her decks without molestation; but to defend the lives or property of American citizens here in the presence of an invading mob or a band of robbers, the provision made is not equal to any exigency whatever.” After some vernacular of the shop—he went to Japan with their “best wishes _freighted_,”—they indulge in wonderful erudition about Columbus, De Gama, Cook, La Perouse, and Magellan, and they wind up with the pleasant tangible, of requesting his acceptance of a durable memorial of his visit to China, as a testimony of the estimation in which they held his public services and private character. U. S. FLAG-SHIP MISSISSIPPI, _Hong Kong_, September 7, 1854. GENTLEMEN: It is impossible for me to find words sufficiently expressive of my profound thanks for the very flattering praise which you, in your prodigal kindness and generosity, have bestowed upon me in your communication of the 4th instant. In the execution of my duties as commander of the East India squadron, and with special reference to the mission to Japan, I am unconscious of having done more than might have been expected of me as a zealous and loyal officer. The testimonial of which you speak will be received with the highest gratification, and my children will be enjoined to treasure it as a memorial of the many favors their father had received from his fellow-countrymen in China. In separating myself from those with whom I have been so long and so agreeably associated, I can not but hope that we shall all meet again in our own happy country; and with this pleasant anticipation, I subscribe myself, with every feeling of sincere friendship and respect, Your obliged and most obedient servant, M. C. PERRY.