276 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. XVI, 
and that he would be obliged, for his own sake, to take 
some little notice of it. 
A day or two afterwards I had the honour to receive 
the following letter from H. B. M. Consul, and a trans- 
tation of a note which had been sent to him by the 
Taoutae : — 
" H. B. M. Consulate, 
i" Shanghae, 21st May, 1845. 
"Sir — The annexed translation of a note received 
this morning from the Taoutae is transmitted to you for 
an explanation, which I request may be afforded as soon 
as possible. I have the honour to be. Sir, yours, &c. 
" G. Balfour, 
"H. B. M. Consul for Shanghae." 
The enclosed ran as follows : — 
" I have just heard that a merchant of your honour- 
able nation, Fortune, and his attendant. Linguist ye 
Mingchoo, were coming from Tinghae to Shanghae, and 
met with a breeze at sea, when the vessel drifted to 
Chapoo ; that the local officers in Chekiang then pro- 
tected and sent them on along the coast, and that they 
are li\dng at the Ming-le Warehouse. I would, therefore, 
trouble the honourable Consul to make inquiry of what 
ship he is the merchant, and let me know. This is written 
wishing you daily happiness.'' 
''(True Translation.) (Signed) W. H. Medhurst, 
" Interpreter." 
When I perused this document I could not but admire 
