THE. PACIFIC OCEAN. 425 



The Comprador, whom we at firft engaged with, having '779- 



difappeared with a finall fum of money, which had been « „— -t 



given him to purchafe provifions, we contracted with ano- 

 ther, who continued to fupply both fhips, during our whole 

 flay. This was done fecretly, and in the night time, under 

 pretence, that it was contrary to the regulations of the port; 

 but we fufpected all this caution to have been ufed with a 

 view either of enhancing the price of the articles he furnifhed, 

 or of fecuring tohimfelf the profits of his employment, with- 

 out being obliged to fliare them with the Mandarines. 



On the 9th, Captain Gore received an anfwer from the ihurfday*). 

 Committee of the Englifh Supercargoes at Canton, in which 

 they ailured him, that their bed endeavours mould be ufed 

 to procure the fupplies we flood in need of, as expeditioufly 

 as pofliblc ; and that a pafTport mould be fent for one of his 

 officers, hoping, at the fame time, that we were fufficiently 

 acquainted with the character of the Chinefe Government, 

 to attribute any delays, that might unavoidably happen, to 

 their true caufe. 



The day following, an Englifli merchant, from one of our Friday 10. 

 fettlcments in the Eaft-Indies, applied to Captain Gore for 

 the afliftance of a few hands to navigate a veffel he had 

 purchafed at Macao, up to Canton. Captain Gore judging 

 this a good opportunity for me to proceed to that place, gave 

 orders that I fhould take along with me my Second Lieute- 

 nant, the Lieutenant of marines, and ten feamen. Though 

 this was not prccifcly the mode in which I could have 

 wifhed to vifit Canton, yet as it was very uncertain when 

 the pafTport might arrive, and my prefence might contri- 

 bute materially to the expediting of our fupplies, I did not 

 hefitate to put myfclf on board, having left orders with Mr. 



Vol. III. 3 I WilHamfon, 



