July 1854 Whampoa Reach Next day and became dangerously sick at the house of Dr. Parker. The Schooner also went up. We daily hear accounts of the Commodore's illness, and also of the progress of the rebels. A party of our force under Capt. Rogers went up the river for several miles and had a skirmish with a party of the insurgents. July 20th - 22nd We remain in a quiescent state, reading writing, and protecting ourselves from the heat; the only excitement being the daily arrival of news from Canton. The Commodore remains quite unwell. The rebels appear to make but little progress, and the anxiety of the merchants at the factories seems much diminished. Sunday, July 23rd Com. Perry in the U.S.S. Mississippi has just arrived at Hong Kong. Our presence near Canton is therefore no longer necessary as the forces whose legitimate business it is are now here. Com. Kinggold immediately ordered the schooner to Whampoa, and followed himself in a long boat, arriving on board at sunset. July 1854 Whampoa Reach He is still quite unwell, and is evidently much out of his head. July 24th At one o'clock we lifted our anchor from the bottom and dropped down the river to our old anchorage - the one occupied on our first visit to this place. The Schooner sailed for Hong Kong early in the morning. The Commodore still suffers aberration of mind and gives very strange orders, which of course are obeyed with many reservations. July 25th The U.S.S. Mississippi arrived and anchored about a mile below us. Our officers immediately communicated with Commodore Perry, who sent his Captain and Surgeon to examine into the Commodore's state of mind. July 26th We got underweigh at noon, and at last left this detestable place. At sunset we were below the Bogue. The Nanook was then seen coming up astern, under steam, having left Canton early in the morning. She brought and sent on board our Canton detachment of men.