338 
VOYAGE OF THE POTOMAC. 
[May, 
' immediately got under way, and with a fine breeze stood up the 
channel for the Island of Lintin, on the southwest side of which 
is a bay, with good anchorage. This island rises into a peak, 
which can be seen at a distance of forty miles in clear weather, and 
is said to be about seven hundred feet above the level of the water. 
It is seldom ascended, being very difficidt of access ; although 
our countryman, W. W. Wood, Esq., of Philadelphia, with two 
other gentlemen, succeeded in reaching the summit, in May, eigh- 
teen hundred and twenty-seven, just five years previous to the 
Potomac's visit. He represents the view from the peak to be 
"really magnificent, embracing the islands on the coast, the 
neighbouring highlands of Lantao, and the shores of the river 
above Lintin."* 
The Island of Lintin derives its principal importance, and ali 
its celebrity, from the circumstance of its affording a safe anchor- 
age for ships while waiting for pilots, and its being the station of 
the opium fleet. The Bay of Lintin, as it is called, where the 
Potomac now lay at anchor, is between the island and the main- 
land. Here were a number of vessels, mostly engaged in the 
smuggling trade ; one of them, a very fine large American ship, 
called the Lintin, being stationed here to receive and dispose of 
opium, of which article most of the contraband trade consists. 
Such is the manner of carrying on this business, that it is divested 
of most, if not all the odium still attached to smuggling in other 
countries. 
The quantity of opium consumed throughout the Chinese em- 
pire is known to be immense. It is not used as a medicine, but 
chewed and smoked as an exhilarating stimulant. Its importation 
into the country is, and long has been, prohibited by imperial de- 
crees, threatening heavy penalties. These, hov/ever, are con- 
stantly evaded, and this ruinous drug finds its way into every 
part of this immense empire ; there being few who can afford it 
, that do not indulge in its use. 
The smuggling boats are long, narrow,, and swift-sailing vessels, 
constructed expressly for the purpose, and manned with about fifty 
rowers. They have, generally, two long masts, on which mat- 
sails are hoisted when the wind will serve. These boats, at all 
•>'■ See Wood's Sketches of China, Phifedelphia, 1830.- 
