378 
VOYAGE OP THE POTOMAC. 
[May, 
sistance during the troubles. The gunner remained with the 
Chinese — his fate undetermined. 
" Notwithstanding the treatment we received from all parties was 
perfectly civil and respectful, yet it was with peculiar satisfaction 
that we experienced, on every occasion, from our good allies the 
French, the most flattering and substantial proofs of their friend- 
ship. ' If,' said they, ' we have, in any instance, been service- 
able to you, we are happy ; and we desire nothing more ardently 
than further opportunities to convince you of our affection.' The 
harmony maintained between them and us was particularly 
noticed by the English, who more than once observed, that it was 
matter of astonishment to them that the descendants of Britons 
would so soon divest themselves of prejudices which they had 
thought to be not only hereditary, but inherent in our nature. 
"We left Canton the twenty-seventh December, and on our 
return, refreshed at the Cape of Good Hope, where we found a 
most friendly reception. After remaining there five days, we 
sailed for America, and arrived in this port on the eleventh instant. 
" To every lover of his country, as well as to those more imme- 
diately concerned in commerce, it must be a pleasing reflection 
that a communication is thus happily opened between us and the 
eastern extreme of the globe ; and it adds very sensibly to the 
pleasure of this reflection, that the voyage has been performed in 
so short a space of time, and attended with the loss of only one 
man. To Captain Greene and his officers, every commendation 
is due, for their unwearied and successful endeavours in bringing 
it to this most fortunate issue, which fully justifies the confidence 
reposed in them by the gentlemen concerned in the enterprise. 
" Permit me, sir, to accompany this letter with the two pieces 
of silk presented to me by the Fuen of Canton, as a mark of his 
good disposition towards the American nation. In that view, I 
consider myself as peculiarly honoured in being charged with this 
testimony of the friendship of the Chinese, for a people who may, 
in a few years, prosecute a commerce with the subjects of that 
empire under advantages equal, if not superior, to those enjoyed 
by any other nation whatever. 
" I have the honour to be, &c., 
" Samuel Shaw. 
" Hon. John Jay, Secretary of State." 
