ly might be expected to give us the best lights for
avoiding this perplexity. Our boat returned in the evening with two
officers sent by the Governor, who informed the Commodore that it was the
Governor's opinion that if the Centurion ventured into the river of
Canton, the duty would certainly be demanded; and therefore, if the
Commodore approved of it, he would send him a pilot who should conduct us
into another safe harbour, called the Typa, which was every way
commodious for careening the ship (an operation which we were resolved to
begin upon as soon as possible), and where the above-mentioned duty would
in all probability be never asked for.

This proposal the Commodore agreed to, and in the morning we weighed
anchor, and, under the direction of the Portuguese pilot, steered for the
intended harbour, where we moored in about five fathoms water. This
harbour of the Typa is formed by a number of islands, and is about six
miles distant from Macao. Here we saluted the Castle of Macao with eleven
guns, which were returned by an equal number.

The next day the Commodore paid a visit in person to the Governor, and
was saluted at his landing by eleven guns, which were returned by the
Centurion. Mr. Anson's business in this visit was to solicit the Governor
to grant us a supply of provisions, and to furnish us with such stores as
were necessary to refit the ship. The Governor seemed really inclined to
do us all the service he could, and assured the Commodore, in a friendly
manner, that he would privately give us all the assistance in his power;
but he, at the same time, frankly owned that he dared not openly furnish
us with anything we demanded, unless we first procured an order for it
from the Viceroy of Canton, for that he neither received provisions for
his garrison, nor any other necessaries, but by permission from the
Chinese Government; and as they took care only to furnish him from day to
day, he was indeed no other than their vassal, whom they could at all
times compel to submit to their own terms, only by laying an embargo on
his provisions.

On this declaration of the Governor, Mr. Anson resolved himself to go to
Canton to procure a license from the Viceroy, and he accordingly hired a
Chinese boat for himself and his attendants. On his arrival there he
consulted with the super cargoes and officers of the English ships how to
procure an order from the Viceroy for the necessaries he wanted. As it is
the custom wit