An Aide-de-Camp's Recollections of Service in China (Volume 2); A Residence in Hong-Kong, and Visits to Other Islands in the Chinese Seas

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1844. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIX. MANILA. Quien no ha visto u Manila-No ha visto a una maravilla.' Arrival at Manila--Formalities--Canegidor--Hospitality of the Spaniards--Town of Manila--Inhabitants--Present for the queen--The corsada--Government feluccas--Religious procession--Santa Cruz. Our treaty of commerce with the Chinese government having, at length, by the indefatigable exertions of Sir Henry Pottinger, been brought to a most satisfactory conclusion, H. B. M. consular agents having been, with the exception of Foo-chow-foo, despatched to their several ports, his excellency, ... POLITE INVITATION. 143 the naval commander-in-chief, felt himself at liberty to relinquish into the hands of his second in command the charge of H. B. M. squadron in the Chinese seas. Accordingly, on the 2nd of December, 1843, a final and parting visit of ceremony was exchanged between H. M. Plenipotentiary and himself; and on the afternoon of Monday the 4th, H. M. S. Cornwallis weighed anchor. Her destination was the East Indies, but the admiral had previously determined to visit the island of Luconia, the largest of the Philippine Archipelago, previous to his touching atSincapore; he very kindly offered a passage there to Major-General Lord Saltoun and his staff, which invitation was, fortunately for myself, his aide-de-camp, accepted. H. M. S. Agincourt, with the flag rear-admiral, Sir Thomas Cochrane, accompanied us from Hong-Kong; H. M. 18-gun sloop, Dido, commanded by the Hon. Capt. Keppel, being despatched a few hours previously to Macao, with orders to join the squadron offthe Ladrone Ialands, where, on the following morning, a reunion accordingly took place. Under the influence of a strong north-east monsoon, we ploughed our way over 144 VOYAGE TO MANILA. the rugged deep for the port ...