178] A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



the purpose of producing salutary herbs, roots, and fruits, for the 

 use- of such seamen as might touch there. He also employed. his 

 officers in examining the creeks and havens along the coast of the 

 island, and in comparing their observations with their charts, to 

 facilitate the. progress of future voyagers. 



Commodore Anson sailed from Juan Fernandez in September 

 1741, and in his voyage towards the Spanish settlements in Quito 

 he took some prizes. He afterwards took the town of Paita, 

 which was but feebly defended by the Spanish garrison, and burnt 

 it, because the governor refused to pay a sufficient ransom. He 

 continued cruising off the American coast till May 1742, and then 

 proceeded on his voyage to China. All his squadron were now 

 dispersed or lost except the Centurion. During his voyage across 

 the Southern Ocean, he found it expedient to touch at the island 

 of Tinian for wood, water, and fresh provisions. Here he found 

 numbers of cattle and fowls, but no inhabitants. There was no 

 harbour along the shore of this island sufficient to afford safe an- 

 chorage for the Centurion, and that ship was driven out to sea, 

 leaving Commodore Anson, several of his officers, and part of the 

 crew, on shore. The fortitude of our hero was now put to the 

 test ; hopeless of the return of his ship, which was now considered 

 as lost, he animated the exertions of his men by his example, and 

 assisted in the construction of a vessel. The return of the Centu- 

 rion revived his hopes of ultimate success, and he continued his 

 voyage to China, where he arrived in Nov. 1742. The Chinese at 

 Macao are sufficiently vigilant on the approach of armed Euro- 

 peans, and it required the utmost prudence and address in Com- 

 modore Anson to procure the necessary aid from them. When this 

 was accomplished, and a fresh stock of provisions got on hoard, he 

 left China in the spring of 1743, and cruised off the Philippine 

 islands, in expectation of meeting with the Acapulco galleon. 

 This Spanish ship, laden with treasure, came in sight on the 20th 

 of June 1743, and was captured by the Centurion, after a smart 

 action. Some ladies on board the prize, who were passengers for 

 Spain, were treated with the greatest propriety by the, victor, 

 whose moderation on this occasion was only exceeded by his equa- 

 nimity when in the hottest part of the engagement : the Centu- 

 rion was on fire near the powder-room, and the instantaneous de- 

 struction of the ship and her crew was expected. 



On his arrival at Canton with his prize, Commodore Anson 

 firmly, maintained the honour of the British flag; his remon- 



