The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-04 00:00:00

THE WRECK OF THE ROYAL CHARTER.

The adjourned inquest was resumed on Wedges,
day.
The Coroner (Mr. W. Jones) inquired if there
was any gentleman present representing the owners
of the vessel.
Mr. Tindale Bright, of Liverpool, replied that he
attended as the representative of Gibbs, Bright, and
Co., and that he was prepared to call all the evi-
dence that it was possible for him to call. The
witnesses whom he would bring forward were the
following :—N. H. Morse, H. Carew Taylor, and
Thomas Gundry, all first-class passengers ; W. Fos-
ter, carpenter; George Suaicar, boatswain's mate
John O'Brien, sailor; T. M. Cornick, steward ; Jas.
Russell, second-class passenger ; W. Bradbury, con-
fined with a broken leg ; Walter Hughes, an ap-
prentice, also ill in bed ; and J. W. Field, thitd-
elites passenger.
The Coroner said it then became his painful duty
to institute distressing inquiries—distressing alike
on account of the number of valuable lives lost, as
well as the circumstances under which that dreadful
calamity took place. He hoped the jury would lay
aside everything which they had previously heard
or seen concerning this sad affair, and confine their
' attention to the evidence only. He wished, for
'facilitating the business of the Court, to explain the
ritedeiti Which he intended to conduct the proceed-
sitsga. *irist of all he would examine the witnesses
. himself,then he would ask the representative of
Messrs. Gibbs, Bright, and Co., to examine them,
who he trusted, would assist him as much as lay
in his power to discharge his duty with justice to
them and satisfaction to the public.
Mr. Robert Pritchard, of Bangor, was sworn, as
interpreter, the Coroner observing he was sorry he
could not get a jury that could all understand Ems-
lish, but that they were the most respectable farmers
of the district that he could get. He then called upon
W. Henry Morse, who, being sworn, said—l was
one of the saloon passengers of the Royal Charter,
which was wrecked on this coast on the morn-
, ing of Wednesday last. The Royal Charter sailed
from Melbourne on the 26th of August last, bound
for Liverpool. When we started there were 61
saloon passengers and about 300 of the other pas-
sengers. The vessel did not turn or call at any place
on her passage. Had a full supply of coal on board
and a full complement of crew. There were about
110 of the crew altogether. There never was any
difficulty in her sailing up to the day of the wreck.
The first day we saw land was on Monday morning
at daybreak. It was the Irish coast. Landed some
passengers near Cork, in the pilot boat, about 13
in Number. Passed Holyhead about 4or 5 o'clock
on the afternoon of Tuesday, the 25th. Two passen-
gers landed at Holyhead, the wind blowing at that
time rather fresh, and against us. The storm con-
tinued to increase, until it came to a perfect hurri-
cane. About 12 o'clock, when in sight of Point
Lynas, the anchors were let down. Had passed that
point, but did not knw what part of the channel it
was. Had seen the captain during the progress of
the storm, but did not speak to him. No one made
any remonstrance to him in my presence. Saw him
giving directions and orders to the crew up to five
o clock on Tuesday evening. I was not much on
deck afterwards. At the time the anchors were let
down did not notice anything the matter with the
machinery, the helm, or the screw. Anchors were
let down about 10 o'clock in the evening. At
two o'clock in the morning one of the cables got
loose, and parted with another about an hour after-
wards. Guns were fired and signals given before
we came to Point Lynas, and continued until day-
break. Struck on the rocks about three o'clock. I
was below at the time, and cannot say which part
struck first. It was but a very slight shock at first.
Vent up on deck once after that. She broke in two
'about seven o'clock. Heard of the hawser being
sent ashore, but saw nothing of it. Saved my life
by swimming. Had no conversation with the cap-
tain after she struck, but he had some conversation
with the ladies, to whom he said there was no dan-
ger, and that they might shortly walk ashore. He
was perfectly sober at the time. Did not see him
or any of the officers once intoxica'ed during the
passage—everything going on favourably until the
storm came on. Captain Withers told the ladies
that faey were on a sand beach, but had no conver-
eati'm with Captain Taylor at all after three o'clock.
By Mr. Bright—There was a testimonial given
to Captain Taylor by the psssengers, in which all
the saloon passengers joined except two. There was
some difference between the second and third-class
passengers and the captain, because they were not
allowed to dance on the poop. After the anchor was
put down, heard Captain Taylor speak cheerfully
to the passengers. He was calm and collected in
!speaking with the ladies. He was down several
'times in the same temper. The captain's object in
coming down upon one occasion was to order some
coffee, of which I myself partook. lle Was not din-
jag with us that evening. I heard the captain tell-
ing the passengers in the saloon that he had been
forward, and that no stress was on the cable. The
-vesssel was in 16 fathoms of water, but cannot say
how far,she was from the rocks.
Mr. Mellor, solicitor, of Oldham, said he repre-
sented several families who had lost friends and re-
latives by that vessel, and coped if he sometimes
became a little excited they would bear with him,
as he himself had lost a brother and a cousin by the
same unfortunate steamer. He then went on to
examine the last witness, who said that a testimo-
nial had been given to the captain on the Saturday
afternoon or Monday previous to the wreck. Took
some riggers on board after passing Queenstown.
Had no such rough weather during the passage as
they had on Tuesday last. Remembered a storm off
ti River Plate; not so hard there as here, when
the ship was wrecked. Up to the time when the
anchors were let go the weather was not so bad as
it afterwards was. It might have been as bad on the
River Plate as it was up to the time of the letting
Fo of the anchors at Moelfra. I only know by hear-
ing that riggers were shipped. I don't know how
long the vessel was off Queenstown. I was on deck
there. I was not much on deck before the ship
struck that evening. Cannot say :what time. Not
anticipating any accident, I did not come up ; and
not being a nautical man did not know off what
part of the coast we were. Did not see the
captain on deck at that time. Was on deck
several times after half-past three o'clock in the
afternoon, but I don't remember to have
seen Captain Taylor, excepting about ti ree
times. He was in the saloon when the anchor
got loose from the ship, and I heard the captain
being informed of it.
By the Coroner—No one in my hearing asked the
captain to turn to Holyhead or any other harbour.
By Mr, Mellor— It was when the first anchor
parted that he was in the cabin. He did not dine
with us on Tuesday evening, because he had been
up the two previous evenings.
By Mr. Bright—When the captain ha ird that the
anchor had parted he went up on deck immediately.
H. Carew Taylor—l heard some of the evidence
of the last witness, with all of which up to Cork I
agree. There a portion tot' the passengers landed.
About half-past 4or near 5 o'clock on Tuesday,
when I went on deck to see the Great Eastern, it
was blowing very fresh, and it was also very foggy.
Never saw Capt. Taylor the whole day until I
lumped overboard; at least I have no recollection
of having seen him. Saw him when I jumped over-
board. Sw him in the saloon when the ship struck,
but have no recollection of having seen him on deck
ail that time. I saw him before daylight in the
saloon assuring us that all would be landed in safety
shortly, and that she was firmly embedded in the
sand. CApt. Withers also said cheerfully to the
ladies, " Why, you will be able all soon to walk on
shore." I was deputed by the ladies to make in-
quiries of the officers as to our exact position,when
I saw Capts. Taylor and Withers look in such a
Way as made me believe that we should all be
sikved ; I was so perfectly satisfied that there was no
danger that I went to beclett 11 o'clock, when I
'heard Capt. Withers addressing somebody, "Come
directly ; I shall take your child." There was some
answer to that, hut I don't know what. He said she
had struck, or something to that eff.e.6t ; that was
_habout half-past 2in the morning. I jumped out of
ed, and looked at the saloon, when, seeing some-
body there, I put my coat, trousers, and great coat
on, and went up. Believe that person to be Mrs.
Woodruff. I then heard the ship giving tremendous
'jerks or concugsion‘when I felt she was aground.
Gentlemen and ladies were in the greatest consterna-
tion, praying, &e. The Rev. Mr. Hodge stood praying
extemporaneously. I then went to the end of the sa-
loon to look for my child and nurse. I found the lobby
of the saloon crammed with people, so that no
e
chance remained to g t out, and it was' impossible
to find the nurse and
my child. I eventually found
them, and the thumping of the vessel went on in
quicker succession and violence than before. Water
began to come in. so that I perfectly wet
I was saved.
'through hours before
Captain
Taylor
slaw the ship
divi led in half, and saw
lying there with a log of wood tied tos' h°irmon Idesacikd to him " Oh ! Captain Taylor, what a fearful scene
this is !" He did not reply to me. Another wave
came over, when I took off my coat, and jumped
overboard. I got on a piece of wood, to which I
saw another man clinging. After that I got a
piece of board, from which I was washed twice
and at last somebody took hold of my fineersi, when

near the shore. Three men men assisted we when
on shore, and the people paid me every possible
attention. I think it was Robert Lewis who put

me in his own bed and treated me with the greatest
0

kindness. v My little daughter and nurse were lost.
The ship was thumping against the rocks for hours
before she went to pieces, As far as I know, the
captain was perfectly sober, and nothing approach-
ing to drunk; in fact, he was averse to drink, as he

invariably, when invited to take a, glass; reftl.sed it,
I lost every thing hiteiat 10 sovereigns and my gold
watch. If I had thought the captain was tipsy I
never would have gone to bed. I did not hear any
one remonstrating with him to turn back,
By Mr. Bright—Saw Captain Taylor knocked
down by a wave. I jumped overboard, for fear of
being killed myself.
By Mr. Mellor—Saw the captain knocked down
two or three times. and so were the women and
children. On Tuesday, when off Holyhead, went
on deck to see the Great Eastern. We were going
very slow indeed, until I thought we should never
have passed her. Made the remark to several
,gentlemen, " How very slow we are going." I saw
Holyhead the greater part of the day, but it was
rather difficult to see, as it was very foggy. Only
saw the captain once in the saloon on Tuesday,and
once on deck after. The port anchor was out when
I went down. About teatime (about seven o'clock)
sky-rockets were let off. I never heard a gun
fired. Did not see the masts cut down, but we
were ordered to go to the lower saloons, by whom
we did not know. I heard there was a difficulty
in steering the ship. On Capt. Taylor assuring the
passengers there was no danger the ladies became
pacified, and Mrs. Fenwick ordered her children to
put clean shoes and stockings on.
Thomas Gundry, a saloon passenger—The Royal
Charter passed Queenstown at half-past 12 on Mon-
day, when 13 passengers went ashore, and Holy-
' head at 5 o'clock on Tuesday. It was blowing
rather fresh, which ultimately increased. Between
6 and 7 the captain put some signals out, and the
gun was fired about 9 o'clock. We did not appre-
hend danger until the anchor was let off, which
was shortly after 11 o'clock. Saw Captain Taylor
previous to that on deck, but had no conversation
with him. Heard nobody remonstrating with him
as to turning back. He seemed perfectly sober,
and competent to give orders, and doing his duty.
Never saw the least sign of liquor on him.
This witness was subjected to a severe cross-exa-
mination by Mr. Mellor, after which the court was
• adjourned until 10 o'clock the following morning.
The inquiry was continued yesterday afternoon
before Mr. Jones, the county coroner. The National
School-room in which the inquiry is being held,
was again filled, several of the relatives and friends
of the persons drowned being in attendance. A
small piece of parchment, with a few verses in He-
brew written upon it, was cast up at an early hour
this morning.
Mr. Tyndal Bright was again present on the part
of the owners. As the jury consisted entirely of
Welshmen, Mr. Robert Pritchard, of Bangor, at-
tended as interpreter.
The first witness examined was Samuel Edward
Gapper. He said he was a second-class passenger
on board the Royal Charter. Ile had been working
thrashing machines in New Zealand, and was re-
turning to England. The vessel left Queenstown
on Monday, October 24th, about half-past 1 o'clock.
Either 11 or 14 passengers were sent on shore
there. The vessel arrived off Holyhead on Tuesday
afternoon about half-past 4 o'clock. The weatkcr
was hazy and it was blowing fresh. Off Holyhead
a tug boat, called the United Kingdom, came along-
side and put some men on board. He did not re-
collect seeing the captain on the deck on Monday.
Ile saw him on deck frequently OR Tuesday. After
leaving Ilolyhead the wind blew strongly on the
port bow. The first signal was put out about eight
o'clock at night. It was a rocket and a blue light,
and occasionally a gun was fired. The witness con-
tinued—The anchors were let go about 11 o'clock,
after we had passed Point Lynas. Previous to that
no one remonstrated with the captain, or asked him
to turn back. It was six or seven o'clock after the
anchors were let go that the vessel struck. It was
about two o'clock when she parted from her anchor.
I don't know how far we were from shore when the
anchors were let go. It was too dark to see. She
struck on the sand first, and about six o'clock she
struck on the rocks. She was three-quarters of an
hour upon the rocks before she went to pieces. As
soon as it was light enough to see a hawser was
sent ashore. I frequently saw the captain on deck
during that time. The captain was on the quarter-
deck during the time the signals were being sent
out. Up to the time the anchors were put down the
captain was constantly on deck. I was near enough
to hear him, but never heard him give any direc-
tions to the seamen. He was looking at Point Lynas
light. He appeared to me to be perfectly sober. I
had no conversation with him after the vessel
struck. I did not hear him say they were safe. He
said to the ladies, " Ladies, I think we are on a
sandy beach, but I hope by the help of God we
shall all get ashore when daylight comes."
To Mr. Bright—When we passed Holyhead we
could see the Great Eastern very dimly. Between
Holyhead and Point Lynns the wind increased very
much. After passing Point Lynas, and to the time
of dropping our anchor, the wind was much stronger.
I cannot say whether it was blowing a hurricane.
It blew tremendously after the anchors were let go.
Capt. Adams, a second-class passenger, was below
at 10 o'clock at night examining the chart, and he
told us that we must go ashore from the position of
the ship. He said he should not be surprised if we
were ashore before morning. We were then to the
east of Point Lynas. I never saw Captain Taylor
the worse for liquor.
To Mr. Pitcher (who lost a relative)--I heard
some persons in the second cabin express a wish
that the ship should approach, Holyhead to ace the
Great Eastern. When the wind was blowing so
hard on the port bow I heard no orders given to
put the vessel out to sea off. Holyhead.
To the Coroner—The wish of the passengers to
approach Holyhead was conveyed to the captain,
but I do not know by whom. His answer was, " We
may sight the Great Eastern, but I must not stand
away for you to see her, as I want to get home."
To Mr. Mellor—Looking at the chart produced,
we were in hopes of getting into Dulas Bay. That
was after the anchors were let go. Captain Adams
said, about 10 o'clock, that the ship was on her
course. I can't say that it was 10 o'clock when Cap-
tain Adams said he would not be surprised if the
ship went ashore. It was after the anchors were
let go 'that Captain Adams said we should get
"ashore, and that we should have to swim for it.
When off Holyhead we saw the Great Eastern very
dimly. That was on account of the distance, cou-
pled with thick weather. I cannot say it was very
hazy when we were off Holyhead. The wind was
not continually shifting when we were off Holy-
hood. From 6 o'clock in the evening until 11 the
wind was constantly shifting. It was not dark
when we were off Holyhead. The masts were cut
down after the anchors had broke from their moor-
ings. The mainmast was cut away before the ship
struck on the stern. I did not hear any one ad•
vise the captain to cut the masts away before he
did so. Captain Withers and Captain Adams had
a consultation with Captain Taylor in the saloon
as to the best means of saving the ship. That
was before the mainmast was cut sway, and
after the anchors had parted. There were two guns
on board, both of which were used for signals.
The last time they went to charge the weather
gun it was full of water, and they could not charge
the lee gun. The ship ceased to use the screw
when she was hard and fast in the sand. She
was lying on the sand from half-past five to six
o'clock. No rocket was fired to the shore with a
rope or anvthicg of the kind. Between half-past
five o'clock and when the struck I did not see the
captain or crew try to put a hawser ashore. It
was too dark. Many of the passengers put the
life-belts on. After half-past five o'clock, and until
the jship struck, I did not see any light on deck
that could be seen from the shore. Previous to
hal r-past five I had seen a globe light on deck, at
the telegraph leading to the engine-room. Rockets
were fired and blue-lights were burning more or
less all night. I can't say that any were let off
after the ship parted from her anchors. I do not
know the result of the interview between Captains
Taylor, Withers, and Adams. I saw Capt. Adams
after this interview, but I had no conversation with
him. He then seemed very quiet.
Mr. Mellor here observed that, unless he should
be instructed by others, he should confine his ques-
tions as to the course of the ship on the night when
she struck. He suggested that it was of import-
ance that some nautical man who well knew the

coast shou:d be called and examined. He also
thought it right to call the attention of the owners
to another circumstance. He understood that some
time ago the Royal Charter was altered, and that
such alterations had weakened her, a fact known
to the owners.

A chart was here produced, and Captain Martin
explained it to the coroner and Mr. Mellor.
The proceedings were then adjourned for half an
hour.

There are a great number of witnesses yet to be
examined, and just as our parcel was despatched
the coroner intimated that he did not expect to
finish the inquiry before Friday.

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MT AMERICAN ?MINISTER'S VISIT

TO PEKIN.

The following account of Mr. Ward's visit to
Pekin is taken from the korth China I~ertit'd
The United States' steam frigate Powhatan, flag-
ship of Commodore Tattnall, having on board his
Excellency the American Minister, Mr, Ward, and
his suite, arrived on the 22d from the Gulf of re-
chili, after an absence of rather more than two
months. The principal events of her voyage, and of
the journey of the American Embassy to Pekin,
have been furnished us for publication.
The Powhatan left Woosung on the 17th of June,
and reached the mouth of the Peiho on the morning
of the 21st, where she found the English and French
fleets at anchor. On the 24th the Minister and
Commodore entered the mouth of the river in the
tender Toeywan, to communicate with the Chinese
authorities, but found no proper efficer to meet them
at the forts. The few soldiers who came to the end
of the jetty opposite theswater entrance of the fort
to meet the deputation sent from the Toeywan to
learn what could be ascertained, gave information,
however, that the Emperor had given orders to re-
ceive the American and the other foreign Ministers
at Pehtang, a place said to be situated a few miles
up the coast. These men could furnish neither sedans
nor carriages to take a messenger over to this
hitherto unknown place, rest even a pilot to guide
the steamer to the entrance leading to it; but they
had no doubt it could be easily found, for the masts
of some junks seen over the land to the north-east
indicate its position.
The battle of Taku occurred next day, and the
Toeywan left the river on Sunday morning, the
26th of June. It was not till Wednesday that she
was despatched with a letter to the Governor-Gene-
ral of the province of Chili, who was supposed to be
at or near the town of Pehtang. It was not quite
safe to navigate far up this unsurveyed coast, and
the tender took advantage of a high tide to run as
near as she safely could to the first village, and then
sent a boat with the letter to be handed to the
elders for transmission. The name of the village
was Chin-tau-kau ; and the people, after they had
recovered from their alarm at seeing a foreign shin
approach and send a boat ashore, were reassured
sufficiently to come forward to learn its errand, and
then willingly received the letter. It was acknow-
ledged the next slay by the Intendant of Tien-sin,
who confirmed the report made by the soldiers at
Taku, that orders had been sent from Pekin to re-
ceive not only ,the American Minister at Pehtang
and escort him to the capital, but that they had
originally referred to the English and French
Ministers also, and that preparations had been
made to escort them all.
On the 2d July a despatch was transmitted to the
Intendant, appointing the sth as the day of meeting
the Governor-General, if agreeable to him ; but,
through delay of the junks in getting out to the
ships, his Excellency's reply was rot received till the
evening of that day, too late to reach the place of in-
terview. The despatch of Hangfuh, the Governor-
was couched in courteous terms, expressing his
great desire to carry his 'Majesty's orders into effect,
and to do everything to facilitate the journey of
the American Envoy and his suite to Pekin. In it
he said a few words in reference to the battle of
the 25th ult., describing his feelings at the occur-
rence, which was evidently a Ferplexing disap-
pointment to him, and added that lie had been
ordered to conduct all the foreign Ministers to
Court for the purpose of exchanging their treaties.
Failing the sth, the Bth was appointed for an in-
terview at Pehtang, and on that day the Minister
and Commodore, with several officers in their com-
pany, proceeded towards Pehtang in the Toeywan.
The distance to the town is about 12 miles, but it
could not be seen from the ship. They were met
by three junks handsomely fitted up, in one of
which they proceeded two miles to the landing-
place, which was likewise ornamented with coloured
silk festoons. A guard of hour lined the streets up
to the house, and the foreigners rode to it in car-
riagss ; and though the equipage of these vehicles,
and the discipline and uniform of the soldiers, were
not equal to what they would have been in Paris
or Vienna, they exhibited as much courtesy as could
be desired. This interview over, the party returned
to the frigate to wait for more express orders ex-
pected from Court, for Hangfuh probably felt a de-
gree of embarrassment as to the intentions of his
superiors after hearing of the battle, and wished to
ascertain whether any change had occurred in their
views. He also confirmed the statement made at
Shanghai, that it belonged to the two Imperial
Commissioners to attend to the exchange of the
treaty, for whose arrival at Pekin it would be ne-
cessary to wait.
On the 16th he received a reply from the capital,
and the 20th was fixed upon by Mr. Ward for his
departure from Pehtang.
This town is reckoned by ths natives as contain-
ing upwards of 30,000 inhabitants; a dozen ham-
lets are in its vicinity near the seaside, showing
that the trade on the Pehtang river and elsewhere
and the fisheries off the coast are sufficient to main-
tain a larger population than the poor barren tract
can support. The houses are constructed mostly of
mud and millet stalks, and are wretched looking
dwellings, while the soil in the neighbourhood is too
saline to produce any valuable crop. As one looks
from the deck of a vessel lying off the town, not a
green plant or tree of any kind can be seen on either
side of the river ; and a heavy shower is sufficient
to convert the streets and banks into a marsh of
unmitigated mud. The amount of water flowing
from the river apparently exceeds that from the
Peiho, though the native maps describe it as not
half as long, nor having as many effluents.
The necessary preparations were all made for de-
parture on Wednesday, July 20, and the Minister
left the Powhatan on Tuesday to proceed into the
river in the Toeywan. At his departure from the
frigate he was politely saluted by the two Russian
steamers at anchor there, and kis Excellency Gen.
Mouravieff, Governor-General of Eastern Siberia,
came on board to take leave and hand him a letter
of introduction of Gen. Ignatieff, the Russian Mi-
nister at Pekin.
On reaching the river the two officers who had
been deputed to escort the embassy came on board,
with a number of attendants. Their names were
Tsunghau, a brevet commissioner of the gabelle de-
partment, and Chang Pingtoh, a colonel in the
army, with brevet rank:of hi igadier-general ; the
first a Manchu, with a blue button, and the other
a Chinese, wearing a red button. A third officer,
named Li, a sub-prefect, was joined with them as
their aid to manage the supplies, besides others
still lower, in all amounting to nearly 20 officials
above the 7th or Bth grade of yellow buttons. The
amount of baggage was ascertained and the few
necessary arrangements concluded preparatory to
cs leavin the next morning.
The _Minister and his suite, in all amounting to
20 foreigners and 10 natives, landed early. Mr.
Ward was received by Tsunghau and Chang with
great politeness. The carriages provided for him
were the common vehicles of this part of China—a
covered box set on one pair of wheels, and drawn
by one horse or by two tandem ; the occupant sits
on cushions laid on the bottom, and the driver rides
outside between him and the horse, himself and the
animal both being sheltered by an awning. These
articles would be comfortable conveyances if 6*y
were furnished with springs, for they can carry a
traveller's baggage within and behind, and protect
him against rain and heat. The Chinese were

asked i;) provide bearers for two sedans to be used
on this journey, but a short experience on the road
proved that their objections to such a conveyance
were well founded, and that coolies would haTe

soon been knocked up.
" Aftrr a little detention, arising from the almost
unavoidable confusion of starting, where it was
so difficult for the parties to understand each
other, the cortege left for Pehtang about 9 o'clock,
going nearly due west across the vast plain, which
stretched away as far as the eye could reach, un-
broken in its level by house or hillock, except the
conical graves near the town. The soil of this plain
is alluvial and saline, so that it was not till we
nearly reached Kiun-liang thing, about 16 miles,
that any crops were seen. At this village, the
Minister was met by Wanhiuh, the provincial trea-
surer, who courteously entertained him he also
recommended him to remain there till morning, as
the next stopping-place was less commodious. Seve•
ral officers of rank came in to pay their respects to
Mr. Ward and the Treasurer, among whom Hu, the
prefert of Tien-tsin, a venerable man of 60, was one
of the most engaging for his unaffected politeness.
The company moved on at an early hour the next
morning, and reached the town of Pehtang, on the
banks of the Peiho, about 5 p.m., after a hot ride
across the same unbroken plain, rendered more
wearisome at this time by the miry condition of
the roads. The distance from the last reziting-place
was about 30 miles, and most of it ran through a
highly-cultivated country, covered with crops of
millet, beans, hemp, sesamum, Indian corn, and
other vegetables, whose flourishing condition proved
the fertility of the soil. The ride was relieved by
a rest of au hour or two at Si-ti-tu, where we were
served with a collation. A bridge near this village
crosses the small ditch-like stream which connects
the Peal() with the Pehtang river, but no boats
were in sight, and the water at this time would
hardly float a ship's gig.
At Pehtang, 10 miles from Tientsin by the
river, five boats of different sizes had been pro-
vided for the Embassy, in which the gentlemen
found good accommodation, the escort occupying as
many more. The trip up to Tung-chau occupied
five days, and for the whole distance, 4001 i, the
boats were drawn by trackers. The banks of the
Peiho or White River, are well cultivated, and
during the passage up he people living near them