COCHIN CHIN A. 349 
opinions so long and so deeply rooted. I have lieard it 
was once in contemplation, shortly after the truce of xiniiens, 
to follow up the communication with the Court of Pekin, so 
favourably opened by the Earl of Macartney, with a splendid 
embassy to proceed from the Govenior-Geueral of Bengal. 
Those who flattered themselves with the successful issue of 
such a measure must have known little of the temper and 
character of the Chinese government. 1 have 110 hesitation 
in saying, that all the splendour and magnificence of the East, 
unless accompanied by a royal commission,, would not have 
secured for the Ambassador more respect and consideration 
than the fine velvet dresses trimmed with broad gold lace 
were able to procure for Mynheers Titsing and Van Braam. 
Without such a commission, the great Baliadur from Bengal, 
like these two compliant Dutchmen, would infallibly incur 
the risk of being lodged in a stable. Whether, therefore, it 
may be found advisable to keep up the communication with 
the Court of Pekin, or endeavour to establish an intercourse 
with the Cochinchinese, it will in either case be politic and: 
expedient that the Ambassador be furnished with the King^s 
commission, and that he proceed on his mission in a King's 
ship. 
The state of the commerce of Cochinchina, in the year 1793, 
did not appear to be an object of much importaiice to any 
country. The late revolution and the unsettled state of aflliirs 
that for many years had prevailed in this unfortunate country 
could not fail to interrupt the pursuits of agriculture and of com- 
merce. A few Chinese junks that annually arrived at Fai-foo, an 
accidental neutral ship or English under neutral colours from 
