June 1854 Hong Kong China The day after our arrival, when it had become generally known in the vicinity, we were surrounded by a crowd of about 100 passenger boats, bringing tailors, pedlars etc which could only be repulsed by a powerful stream of water from our pumps and hose. June 16th At 5 A. M. we got underweigh and proceeded down the river, but at sunset were yet far from the Boque, or Bocca Tigris, as the wind was ahead. We came to anchor late in the evening. Today a man died on board, of dropsy—the first death which has taken place on board and almost the first in the Expedition since we left the United States. June 17th Sailing down the Bay. We had started with the intention of going to Macao, but the wind proving more favorable for a passage to Hong Kong, we anchored we anchored at night inside of Cap—si—noon passage Sunday, June 18th The wind being nearly fair, we got June 1854 Whampoa Reach underweigh at 4 o’ck, and anchored at Hong Kong before 9 in the morning. June 19th—22nd Spent in packing away Specimens at the Store-house. By order of the Commodore I killed the Python (by strangling) and skinned him. The skin I preserved in alcohol, as no dry specimens can be kept in this hot damp climate with any hope of their ultimate good preservation. As soon as we had arrived at Hong Kong we heard of renewed difficulties occurring at Canton;—one of the Europeans had disappeared etc., and on the 22nd one of the American Merchants at Canton, came down to see our Commodore and urge his immediate return to Whampoa. Accordingly at 5 o’clock in the afternoon we got underweigh and proceeded up the river again. June 23rd We came to anchor this time off the city of Whampoa, above Newtown and Bamboo-town, at the juncture of three or four ramifications of the river. The schooner (F. Cooper) soon after anchored near us. The City of Whampoa, built of Gluek, or slate-colored brick, may be seen through the