n the South Seas, their distresses came to be
as great when they took shelter in the island of Tinian; if the lying
at Macao was attended with many inconveniences; if the taking of the
Spanish galleon be a thing almost incredible, considering the small
number of men, and the condition they were in, who attacked her in the
Centurion; if the difficulties they afterwards met with in the river
of Canton, and the hazards run by the commodore in visiting the
viceroy, and thereby putting himself into the hands of such a people
as the Chinese, who could not but be displeased with his proceedings,
are circumstances which aggravate the matter: If so perilous a
navigation as that from Canton, through the Straits of Sunda, and
thence to the Cape of Good Hope, with little or no refreshment, with
a crew that wanted it so much, is still more amazing; and if the
bringing the ship home from thence, with a crew composed of so many
different nations, in the midst of a French war, and without the least
assistance from home, swell the whole into a kind of miracle, what
does all this prove? Since all this, under God, was entirely owing to
the prudence, moderation, and wise conduct of the commanding officer,
it certainly proves, if a right choice be made of commanders, that
there are no difficulties which may not be overcome, and therefore
that the adverse circumstances attending this voyage ought not at all
to discourage us.

"For, with the help of the example afforded by Commodore Anson, I
presume that there are many officers who would undertake and execute
such an expedition, to the honour of their country, and to the
advantage of their employers, supposing them to be employed by private
persons. This is the right use that might be made of this expedition:
an expedition difficult, dangerous, and in a manner impracticable,
considered in one light, but equally glorious and successful
when considered in another point of view; An expedition that has
demonstrated to the whole world that a train of unforeseen and most
disastrous accidents may be remedied, and even turned to advantage, by
an honest, skilful, brave, experienced, and well-meaning officer; An
expedition which shews that there are no hazards, no difficulties, no
distresses capable of depressing the courage of English seamen under
a proper commander; an expedition which makes it evident that
discontent, sedition, and mutiny, do not arise from the restless
tempers, intractable disposi