4-6 
A VOYAGE T O 
1779* feme mats, chairs, and tables. In the Item was placed a 
Dece mber f ma q waxen idol, in a cafe of gilt leather, before which 
Hood a pot containing lighted tapers made of dry chips* 
or matches, and gum. The hire of this boat was a Spanilh 
dollar. 
I reached Canton a little after it was dark, and landed at 
the Englilh factory, where, though my arrival was very 
unexpected, I was received with every mark of attention 
and civility. The SeleCt Committee, at this time, confided 
of Mr. Fitzhugh the Preddent, Mr. Bevan and Mr. Rapier. 
They immediately gave me an account of fuch dores as 
the India fhips were able to afford us; and though I have 
not the fmalleft doubt, that the Commanders were defirous 
of abiding us with every thing they could fpare, confid¬ 
ently with a regard to their own fafety, and the intered of 
their employers, yet it was a great difappointment to me 
to find in their lid fcarcely any articles of cordage or can- 
vafs, of both which we dood principally in need. It was, 
however, fome confolation to underhand, that the dores 
were in readinefs for fhipping, and that the providons we 
required might be had at a day’s notice. Widiing there¬ 
fore to make my day here as fhort as poflible, I requeded 
the gentlemen to procure junks or boats for me the next 
day, with an intention of leaving Canton the following one; 
hut I w'as foon informed, that a bufinefs of that kind was 
not to be tranfacded fo rapidly in this country; that leave . 
mud be fird procured from the Viceroy; that the Hoppo , or 
principal officer of the cudoms, mud be applied to for chops , 
or permits; and that thefe favours were not granted with¬ 
out mature deliberation ; in fhort, that patience was an in- 
difpenfable virtue in China; and that they hoped to have 
the pleafure of making the factory agreeable to me, for a 
few 
