NAVIGATION OF THE CHINA SEA. 133 



who made this matter a subject of especial notice and study, had a good opportunity of 

 continuing his observations upon the phenomena of this remarkable appearance. 



On the morning of the Gth of April, as the ship was proceeding on her course, vast numbers 

 of fishing boats were descried as far as the eye could reach. No less than two hundred and 

 sixty-nine of these little craft were counted, at one time, from the poop. They were sailing in 

 couples, about ninety fathoms apart, before the wind, with a net extended between each two. 

 They were curiously rigged, having square sails set upon two or three masts, which had, at a 

 distance, somewhat the appearance of courses and topsails, which they hoisted and lowered as 

 they desired to graduate the rate of sailing, in order to keep way with their consorts. These 

 vessels were engaged in taking a small fish similar to the sardine of the Mediterranean, and the 

 same mode of netting them is pursued in both localities. 



The appearance of these craft was a sure indication of the proximity of land, and accordingly, 

 at half past ten in the morning, it was sighted. The ship continuing her course toward the 

 roadstead of Macao, was anchored at dark under the Ladrones. On the following morning she 

 proceeded to Macao roads, and after a commimication with the shore, the course was continued 

 on to Hong Kong, where she finally came to anchor about sunset of the same day. 



Here were found the sloops-of-war Plymouth and Saratoga, and the store-ship Supply ; the 

 two former of which, as the Mississippi let go her anchor, fired the usual salute, which was duly 

 returned from the guns of the Mississippi ; the Susquehanna, however, was nowhere to be seen. 

 This vessel had been designated by the government as the flag-ship of the Commodore, who, 

 much to his surprise and disappointment, found that she had sailed a fortnight previously for 

 Shanghai, having on board the United States commissioner to China, the Honorable Mr. 

 Mar.shall, as well as Dr. Parker, the secretary of legation, and Mr. Forbes, the United States 

 consul at Canton, all of whom the Commodore desired particularly to see, before sailing for 

 Japan. No other course was left to him therefore, but to dispatch the Plymouth to the same 

 port, with instructions to Commander Buchanan of the Susquehanna to await there the 

 Commodore's arrival in the Mississippi, which he meant should follow the Susquehanna as soon 

 as she could be prepared for the northern cruise ; and fortunately Shanghai was at no great 

 distance out of the route to Japan. 



On the following day the customary interchange of salutes was made with the forts and the 

 foreign vessels of war in port, and this was succeeded by an exchange of personal courtesies 

 among the officers of the various nations represented. With Commodore Eoquemausel, of the 

 French navy, particularly, who had his pennant on board the frigate Capricieuse, the Commo- 

 dore enjoyed a very agreeable intercourse, both official and personal. The English admiral, 

 Sir F. Pellew, was absent. It is unnecessary to note, on every occasion, the courtesies that 

 American officers invariably receive from the British authorities abroad, civil, naval, and 

 military. "In no instance," remarks the Commodore, "during a long service in foreign 

 countries, have I experienced any want of hospitable attention ; and, in fact, the governments 

 of all nations, with the exception of that of the United States, furnish the means for public 

 entertainments by ample allowance of ' table money,' and it thus becomes a duty, as it is 

 doubtless the pleasure, of these ofiicials to expend it hospitably." 



The stay of the Mississippi was but short at Hong Kong; long enough, liowever, to make 

 apparent every sign of commercial prosperity, although the place is not very attractive to 

 visitors. There is no picturesque beauty in the appearance of the town, albeit some travellers 



