being thus cut short on the subject of the duty, they
said they had another matter to mention, which was the only remaining
one they had in charge; this was a request to the commodore, that he
would release the prisoners he had taken on board the galleon; for
that the viceroy of Canton apprehended the emperor, his master, might
be displeased, if he should be informed, that persons, who were his
allies, and carried on a great commerce with his subjects, were under
confinement in his dominions. Mr Anson was himself extremely desirous
to get rid of the Spaniards, having, on his first arrival, sent about
an hundred of them to Macao, and those who remained, near four hundred
more, were, on many accounts, a great incumbrance to him. However,
to enhance the favour, he at first raised some difficulties; but
permitting himself to be prevailed on, he at last told the mandarines,
that to show his readiness to oblige the viceroy, he would release the
prisoners, whenever they, the Chinese, would send boats to fetch them
off. This matter being thus adjusted, the mandarines departed; and, on
the 28th of July, two Chinese junks were sent from Canton, to take on
board the prisoners, and to carry them to Macao. And the commodore,
agreeable to his promise, dismissed them all, and ordered his purser
to send with them eight days provision for their subsistence, during
their sailing down the river; this being dispatched, the Centurion
and her prize came to her moorings, above the second bar, where they
proposed to continue till the monsoon shifted.

Though the ships, in consequence of the viceroy's permit, found no
difficulty in purchasing provisions for their daily consumption, yet
it was impossible for the commodore to proceed to England; without
laying in a large quantity both of provisions and stores for his use,
during the voyage: The procuring this supply was attended with much
embarrassment; for there were people at Canton who had undertaken
to furnish him with biscuit, and whatever else he wanted; and his
linguist, towards the middle of September, had assured him, from
day to day, that all was ready, and would be sent on board him
immediately. But a fortnight being elapsed, and nothing being brought,
the commodore sent to Canton to enquire more particularly into the
reasons of this disappointment: And he had soon the vexation to be
informed, that the whole was an illusion: that no order had been
procured from the viceroy to furnish