PROSPECTS OF OUR TRADE WITH CHINA. 413 



During' the writer's residence at Macao, Senhor Paulino (who was 

 a captain) assumed the government of that place, by consent of the 

 Bishop, the Baron de Port de Alegre, Conselheiro Manoel Pereira, 

 &c., &c. A Portuguese frigate was despatched from Goa with troops, 

 and a despatch addressed to the Senate tore-establish the former 

 order of affairs, but the Portuguese residents would not suffer the 

 frigate to land her men, nor even the captain to come on shore, 

 the people watching under arms by night. After the lapse of a 

 month, the captain addressed a petition respecting his commission 

 to the Viceroy, who deputed two Mandarins to go down to Macao. 

 They were attended by about 2O0 soldiers, with matchlocks, spears, 

 and shields, and conducted into the Senate, the soldiers lining the 

 staircase, and forming themselves in a body without. The Manda- 

 rins on entering the Senate took the uppermost seat. Captain 

 Paulino sat on the side seat in his uniform with his long sword. 

 The captain of the frigate entered with his letter, attended by a 

 gentleman who came with him from Goa. Padre Consalvos was 

 the interpreter. The Mandarins without any ceremony, said " they 

 had been sent by the Viceroy to see the opening of a letter that 

 had been sent by the king of Portugal." The captain produced 

 the letter. The Mandarins desired him to open the letter. He de- 

 clined doing so. The Mandarins nodding to Senhor Paulino desired 

 him to open it. The captain refused to deliver it to him, stating 

 that his instructions were to deliver it to the bishop, or the senate ; 

 but, none of them being present, he then offered it to the Mandarins 

 to open. They then asked the interpreter to read the address on 

 the letter, on hearing it interpreted, they also declined opening it. 

 The Mandarins now asked if none of the senate were present; the 

 answer was, on mentioning about half a dozen names, the bishop 

 included, that they were all ill of the cholera. This excited a smile 

 from the Mandarins. The interpreter now called to one of the 

 young priests, and told him to " go and tell the bishop that such a 

 person was present — adding, he will come then." In about ten 

 minutes the bishop entered, wearing his gold cross suspended from 

 his neck. All the Portuguese rose and saluted him by kissing his 

 hand, as he passed up the room, and even the captain and his friend 

 advanced towards him, which excited the attention of the Manda- 

 rins. The bishop took his seat next to Senhor Paulino. It should 

 have been noticed, that the bishop was a very little man. But his 

 countenance indicated much good nature, combined with gravity, 

 and a commanding demeanour. On seeing the bishop seated, his 

 small stature excited a smile, but on fully noticing him, and perceiv- 

 ing that there was that which commanded a high degree of respect, 

 regaining their former placid manner, the Mandarins asked if he 

 would open the Jetter, to which he consented. The captain ap- 

 proached with the letter, which the bishop took, evidently not pleased 

 with the conduct of the captain, and opened it. The letter being 

 thus opened, the Mandarins spoke as follows : " The king's letter 

 being opened, this terminates our commission. We hope that all 

 affairs will now be amicably adjusted among you. There has been 

 a long and mutual understanding between the emperor and the 

 king of Portugal. You have been permitted to reside in China for 



