THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 



421 



and a half fathoms of water, Macao bearing Weft, three '779- 

 miles diftant. This fituation was, indeed, very ineligible, 

 being expofed to the North Eaft, and having fhoal water, 

 not more than two fathoms and a half deep, to leeward; 

 but as no nautical defcription is given in Lord Anfon's voy- 

 age of the harbour in which the Centurion anchored, and 

 Mr. Dalrymple's general map, which was the only one on 

 board, was on too fmall a fcale to ferve for our direction, 

 the mips were obliged to remain there all night. 



In the evening, Captain Gore fent me on more to vifit the 

 Portugueze Governor, and to requeft his afliftance in pro- 

 curing refrefhments for our crews, which he thought might 

 be done on more reafonable terms than the Comprador would 

 undertake to furnifh them. At the fame time, I took a 

 lift of the naval ftorcs, of which both veflels were greatly 

 in want, with an intention of proceeding immediately to 

 Canton, and applying to the fervants of the Eaft India Com- 

 pany, who were, at that time, refident there. On my ar- 

 rival at the citadel, the fort-major informed me, that the 

 Governor was fick, and not able to fee company^ but that 

 we might be afTured of receiving every afliftance in their 

 power. This, however, I underftood would be very incon- 

 fiderable, as they were intirely dependent on the Chinefe, 

 even for their daily fubftftence. Indeed, the anfwer returned 

 to the firft requeft I made, gave me a fuflicient proof of the 

 fallen ftate of the Portugueze power ; for, on my acquaint- 

 ing the Major with my defire of proceeding immediately to 

 Canton, he told me, that they could not venture to furnifh 

 me with a boat, till leave was obtained from the Hoppo, or 

 officer of the cuftoms ; and that the application for this 

 purpofe muft be made to the Chinefe government at 

 Canton. 



The 



