Our first ambassador to China (Updated on 13 August 2015) by George Macartney/Thanks to Google

Author:George Macartney/Thanks to Google [Durian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-08-12T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER X

A JOURNAL OF THE EMBASSY TO CHINA IN 1792-1794

Saturday, June 15, 1793.—This day we sailed on board the Lion from Turon Bay, in Cochin China,1 accompanied by the Hindostan and the two little brigs, Jachall and Clarence.

Wednesday, June 19.—At two o’clock p,m. we saw the mainland of China bearing N.K.E.

Thursday, June 20.—At six o’clock a.m. we came to an anchor off the grand Ladrone.

I sent Sir George Staunton, Mr. Maxwell, and Captain Mackintosh on shore for intelligence. None of the trading- ships of the season being yet arrived, all the gentlemen of the different European factories were still at Macao.

Saturday, June 22.—This afternoon Sir George Staunton returned on board the Lion. The information from Macao was that the news of an Embassy from England had been received at Court with great satisfaction, that the Emperor considered it as no small addition to the glory of his reign that its close should be distinguished by such an event, and that orders had been dispatched to all the seaports of China to give the most hospitable reception to His Majesty’s ships whenever they should appear on the coast.

At the same time it was perceived that the Embassy had excited great jealousy and apprehension in the minds of some of the Europeans at Macao, particularly of the Dutch and Portuguese. With respect to the former, they were soon quieted by our assurances, and by the letters we brought from Batavia ; but with respect to the latter, it was easy to discover that, whatever face they might wear towards us, we had to expect from them every ill office and counteraction in their power.

It is singular enough that, of the Europeans at Macao, none seemed better disposed to us than the Spanish agents, Messrs. Agoti and Fuentes, who not only testified their good-will by several little services, but gave us an essential

1 Cochinchina,in khmer (Kampuchea Krom), (Vietnamese: Nam Kỳ) is a region encompassing the southern third of Vietnam and at the southern part of Cambodia whose principal city is Saigon (known as Prey Nokor when still controlled by the Khmer Empire). It was a French colony from 1862 to 1954. The later state of South Vietnam was created in 1954 by combining Cochinchina with southern Annam. In Vietnamese, the region is called Nam Bộ. Historically, it was Gia Định (1779–1832), Nam Kỳ (1834–1945), Nam Bộ (1945–48), Nam phần (1948–56), Nam Việt (1956–75), and later Miền Nam. In French, it was called la colonie de Cochinchine.

In the 17th century, Vietnam was divided between the Trịnh Lords to the north and the Nguyễn Lords to the south. The northern section was called Tonkin by Europeans, and the southern part called Cochinchina by most Europeans and Quinam by the Dutch.

During the French colonial period, the label moved further south, and came to refer to the southernmost part of Vietnam, controlled by Cambodia in prior centuries, and lying to its southeast. Its capital was at (Prey Nokor) , Saigon. The two other parts of Vietnam at the time were known as Annam and Tonkin.

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