1845.] PURCHASE OF A HORSE. 59 



the part of the French rendering them uneasy. How 

 could this happen if money was not in circulation ? But 

 the French were able to purchase their supplies in the 

 market, either directly, or, I believe, latterly, through a 

 Mandarin, appointed to superintend these affairs. But 

 to put the question to the test, I made the inquiry as to 

 the value of such a pony as that furnished me; the 

 reply was, " fifteen dollars." " Can I purchase one for 

 that sum ?" " Undoubtedly." " Can I purchase this 

 one ?" " Yes." He was not a purchase, but ' 'a tribute 

 horse " from Shantung Province, near Pekin, sent by the 

 Chinese Emperor. My Interpreter in this case also mys- 

 tified the term present into tribute, as it was undoubtedly 

 a present. Finally, on dismounting, before the horse could 

 be changed, I repeated the question : " Will you sell 

 this horse for fifteen dollars ?" On the reply in the affir- 

 mative, Aseng marked him, and the next day he was 

 sent off to the ship in one of their boats ; but on pro- 

 ducing the fifteen dollars, it was intimated that if I had 

 an old telescope, the Mandarin would prefer it. Suffi- 

 cient has, I trust, been adduced to show the habit of 

 dealing, and upon the question of remuneration, they 

 gladly accepted flannel, cloth, calico, silk, and crapes, 

 with other trifles which were sent in return for presents 

 made to the ship, and for which I obtained receipts. 



On my return to the ship, an invitation was brought 

 on board " from the Chief Magistrate of Napa, specially 

 deputed to communicate with, and receive the foreign 

 Chiefs," requesting the company of myself and Officers on 

 the day following, at an entertainment. The number 

 of Officers, names, and rank, to be specified. The 



