the straits in very boisterous weather, and arrived off Lin-tin on the 2d day of November.
Captain Maxwell now lost no time in applying to the Viceroy of Canton, through the local authorities, for a pass to carry the Alceste up the Tigris, to a secure anchorage, where she could undergo some necessary repairs. Evasion after evasion, accompanied by insulting messages, were the only proofs that he obtained of his application having been received. He therefore determined to proceed without permission; but had scarcely approached the narrow entrance of the river, when an inferior mandarin came on board, and desired, in a high and domineering tone, that the ship should be directly anchored; stating, that if Captain Maxwell presumed to pass the Bocca, the batteries would instantly sink her.
Fully satisfied that the tame submission of others had only added to the arrogance, and fostered the insolence of the Chinese – convinced also, that the petty tyrant who attempted to dishonour his country’s flag would not respect the person of her Ambassador the more on account of his forbearance, Captain Maxwell calmly told the mandarin that he would first pass the batteries, and then hang him at the yard-arm for daring to come off with so impudent a message. His boat was then cut adrift, and himself taken into custody.
Orders were now given for the Alceste to be steered close under the principal fort. On her approach the batteries and seventeen or eighteen war-junks endeavoured to make good the threat, by opening a heavy, though ill-directed fire. The return of a single shot silenced the flotilla; and one broadside, poured in with three hearty cheers, proved quite sufficient for her more formidable opponent. The other batteries being soon after, quieted, the Alceste proceeded without further molestation to the second bar, and subsequently to Whampoa, at which latter place she remained until the arrival of Lord Amherst and his suite, in Jan. 1817.
The effects of Captain Maxwell’s decisive conduct was soon evinced by the arrival of all kinds of supplies to his frigate,
the narrative alone, to the exclusion of all technical and other details, not calculated to interest the general reader. The former is a 4to. volume, price 2l. 2s. – the latter, containing four plates, and a general chart showing the track of the Alceste and Lyra, is a small 8vo. price 7s. 6d.
