THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
419 
being expofed to the North Eaft, and having fhoal water, 1779. 
not more than two fathoms and a half deep, to leeward; ^ ecember ; 
but as no nautical defcription is given, in Lord Anfon’s 
voyage, of the harbour in which the Centurion anchor¬ 
ed, and Mr. Dalrymple’s general map, which was the 
only one on board, was on too fmall a fcale to ferve for 
our direction, the fliips were obliged to remain there all 
night. 
In the evening, Captain Gore fent me on fhore to vifit 
the Portugueze Governor, and to requeft his affiftance in 
procuring refrefhments for our crews, which he thought 
might be done on more reafonable terms than the Compra¬ 
dor would undertake to furnilh them. At the fame time, 
I took a lift of the naval ftores, of which both veffels were 
greatly in want, with an intention of proceeding imme¬ 
diately to Canton, and applying to the fervailts of the Eaft 
India Company, who were, at that time, reftdent there. 
On my arrival at the citadel, the Fort-major informed me, 
that the Governor was lick, and not able to fee company; 
but that we might be alfured of receiving every affiftance 
in their power. This, however, I underftood would be 
very inconliderable, as they were entirely dependent on 
the Chinefe, even for their daily fubftftence. Indeed, the 
anfwer returned to the firft requeft I made, gave me a 
fufficient proof of the fallen ftate of the Portugueze pow- 
-er; for, on my acquainting the Major with my deftre of 
proceeding immediately to Canton, he told me, that they 
could not venture to furnifh me with a boat, till leave was 
obtained from the Hoppo, or officer of the cuftoms ; and 
that the application for this purpofe muft be made to the 
Chinefe government at Canton. 
The mortification I felt at meeting with this unexpected 
3 FI 2 delay. 
