332 INTERVIEW WITH SUPERIOR CHIEF. [1845. 



chambers behind him. He received me sitting, when to 

 put an end to any forms of etiquette which might be 

 in contemplation, and in order to arrive at that point of 

 equality upon which all our measures were to be con- 

 ducted, I planted myself sans ceremonie on the mat near 

 him, and shook him by the hand, in true English style, a 

 compliment which I observed somewhat to discompose 

 him, although his assumed gravity quickly vanished. 



The customary formal questions were then put. From 

 whence do you come ? What do you want ? When do 

 you go, and where ? To these interrogatories I made a 

 general reply : " that my Queen had sent me to visit 

 foreign countries, in order to correct the charts by which 

 our vessels might navigate in safety, and that it was 

 important we should obtain a knowledge of the hidden 

 dangers surrounding their island, in order that none 

 should be wrecked upon its shores ; that to effect this in 

 a proper manner, it was necessary to observe the sun and 

 stars, and make other measurements from the various 

 hills about the island ; but that we had no wish to enter 

 their towns or interfere with their people, and I therefore 

 hoped that he would give them strict injunctions not to 

 interfere with any marks which we might erect, and that 

 our operations would not disturb the harmony which 

 ought to exist between all nations ; that our object was 

 for the benefit of mankind in general, and that he must 

 not consider me as the servant solely of rny Sovereign, 

 but as that of all nations ; that immediately our opera- 

 tions were completed, we should proceed to Korea, and 

 endeavour to see the ruling power there, and then call at 

 Japan for refreshments on our return to China." 



