about five fathom water. This harbour
of the Typa is formed by a number of islands, and is about six miles
distant from Macao. Here we saluted the castle of Macao with eleven
guns, which were returned by an equal number.

The next day the commodore paid a visit in person to the governor, and
was saluted at his landing by eleven guns, which were returned by
the Centurion. Mr Anson's business in this visit was to solicit the
governor to grant us a supply of provisions, and to furnish us with
such stores as were necessary to refit the ship The governor seemed
really inclined to do us all the service he could, and assured the
commodore, in a friendly manner, that he would privately give us all
the assistance in his power; but, at the same time, frankly owned that
he dared not openly furnish us with any thing we demanded, unless we
first procured an order for it from the viceroy of Canton, for that
he neither received provisions for his garrison, nor any other
necessaries, but by permission from the Chinese government; and as
they took care only to furnish him from day to day, he was indeed no
other than their vassal, whom they could at all times compel to submit
to their own terms, only by laying an embargo on his provisions.

On this declaration of the governor, Mr Anson resolved himself to go
to Canton to procure a license from the viceroy; and accordingly hired
a Chinese boat for himself and his attendants; but just as he was
ready to embark, the Hoppo, or Chinese custom-house officer at Macao,
refused to grant a permit to the boat, and ordered the watermen not to
proceed at their peril. The commodore at first endeavoured to prevail
with the hoppo to withdraw his injunction, and to grant a permit; and
the governor of Macao employed his interest with the hoppo to the same
purpose. Mr Anson, finding the officer inflexible, told him the next
day, that if he longer refused to grant the permit, he would man and
arm his own boats to carry him thither; asking the hoppo, at the
same time, who he imagined would dare to oppose him. This threat
immediately brought about what his entreaties had laboured for in
vain: The permit was granted, and Mr Anson went to Canton. On his
arrival there he consulted with the supercargoes and officers of
the English ships, how to procure an order from the viceroy for the
necessaries he wanted; but in this he had reason to suppose, that the
advice they gave him, though doubtless well intended, was