THE   PACIFIC   OCEAN-                  423
the Typa, and moored with the ftream anchor and cable
to the Weftward.
The Comprador, whom we at firft engaged with* having
difappeared with a fmall fum of money, which had been
given him to purchafe provitions, we contracted with ano-
ther, who continued to fupply both fhips, during pur whole
flay. This was done fecretly, and in the night-time, under
pretence, that it was contrary to the regulations of the
port; but we fufpeŁted all this caution to have been ufed
with a view either of enhancing the price of the articles
he furnifhed, or of fecuring to himfelf the profits of his
employment, without being obliged to fhare them with the
Mandarins*
On the 9th, Captain Gore received an anfwer from the Thurfday 9,
Committee of the EngHfh Supercargoes at Canton, in which
they affured him, that their beft endeavours Ihould be ufed
to procure the fupplies we flood in need of, a§, expeditioujQy
as poflible; and that a paflport ihould bfr fent for one of
his officers, hoping, at the fame time, that we were fuffi-
ciently acquainted with the character of the Chinefe Go-
vernment, to attribute any delays, that might unavoidably
happen, to their true caufe.
The day following, an Engfiffo merchant, from one of Friday ia.
our fettlements in the Eaft Indies, applied to Captain Gore
for the affiftance of a: few hands to navigate a veffel he
had purchafed at Macao, up to Canton. Captain Gore
judging this a good opportunity for me to proceed to that
place, gave orders that I ihould take along with me my
Second Lieutenant, the Lieutenant of marines, and te|i
fcamen. Though this was not precifely the mode in which
I could have wiflied to vifit Canton, yet as it \ya^ very
uncertain when the paflport might arrive, and ray prefence
might