The History of China - Bonus: R. Glasspoole & the Pirates

Episode Date: October 5, 2025

Richard Glasspoole thought he was going to have enough of an adventure sailing to the South Pacific. He didn't expect quite so much excitement as spending 3 months of 1809 as the compulsory "guest" of the Red Flag Fleet until the Company coughed up his ransom... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You're listening to an Airwave Media podcast. Hello and welcome to the history of China. Mr. Glasspool and the Chinese pirates, being the narrative of Mr. Richard Glasspool of the ship Marquess of Eli, together with extracts from the China records and the log of the Marquess of Eli. Written by Richard Glasspool, 1810, published by Owen Rudder, 1935. A brief note before beginning, the term La Drone frequents this first-hand account of being taken by the Red Flag Fleet. It's originally a Spanish term, though used colloquially at that time by sailors of many nationalities, and for our purposes, simply means pirate.

Also, as this is a primary account, some details are not fully in keeping with the more widely understood disposition of the Chinese pirates Glasspool was a guest among, or indeed, in many cases, who exactly he was addressing or speaking to among them. Anyways, without further ado, here is the narrative. On the 17th of September 1809, the Honorable Company's ship, Marquess of Eli, anchored on the island of Sam Chow in China, about 12 English miles from Macau, where I was ordered to proceed in one of our cutters to procure a pilot and also to land the purser with the packet.

I left the ship at 5 p.m. with seven men under my command well armed. It blew a fresh gale from the northeast. We arrived at Macau at 9 p.m. where I delivered the boat's sails to sleep under the company's factory and left the boat in charge of one of the compador's men. During the night, the gale increased. At half-past three in the morning, I went to the beach and found the boat on shore half filled with water, in consequence of the man having left her.

I called the people and bailed her out, found she was considerably damaged and very leaky. At half past 5 a.m., an eb tide making, we left Macau with vegetables for the ship. One of the compador's men who spoke English went with us for the purpose of piloting the ship to Linton, as the mandarin's, in consequence of the late disturbance at Macau, would not grant chops, that is, official seal stamps, for the regular pilots. I had every reason to expect the ship in the roads, as she was preparing to get underway when we left her. But on our rounding Cabaretta Point, we saw her five or six miles to leeward, underway, standing on the starboard tack. She was then blowing fresh at northeast bore up and stood towards her.

When at about cable's length to windward of her, she tacked. We hauled our wind and stood after her. A hard squall then coming on, with a strong tide and heavy swell against us, we drifted fast up. leeward, and the weather being hazy, we soon lost sight of the ship. Struck our masts and pulled our efforts useless, set a reefed foresail and mizzen, and stood towards a country ship at anchor under the land to leeward of Cabaretta Point. When within a quarter of mile of her, she weighed and made sail, leaving us in a very critical situation, having no anchor, and drifting bodily on the rocks to leeward.

Struck the masts. After four or five hours hard pulling, succeeded in clearing them. At this time, not a ship in sight. The weather clearing up, we saw a ship to leeward, hauled down, shipped our masts, and made sail towards her. She proved to be the Honorable Company's ship Glatton. We made signals to her with our handkerchiefs at the masthead. She unfortunately took no notice of them, but tacked and stood from us. Our situation was now truly distressing, night closing fast with a threatening appearance, blowing fresh, with hard rain and a heavy sea. Our boat very leaky, without a compass, anchor, or provisions, and drifting fast on a lee shore

surrounded with dangerous rocks and inhabited by the most barbarous pirates. I close-reefed my sails and kept tack and tack till daylight, when we were happy to find we had drifted very little to leeward of our situation in the evening. The night was very dark, with constant hard squalls and heavy rain. Tuesday the 19th, no ships in sight. About 10 o'clock in the morning it fell calm, with very high. hard rain and a heavy swell. Struck our masts and pulled, now able to see the land, steered by the swell. When the weather broke up, found we had drifted several miles to

leeward. During the calm, a fresh breeze springing up, made sail, and endeavored to reach the weather shore, an anchor with six muskets we lashed together for that purpose. Finding the boat made no way against the swell and tide, bore up for a bay to leeward, and anchored at about 1 a.m. close under the land in five or six fathoms of water, blowing fresh with hard rain. Wednesday the 20th at daylight, supposing the flood tide making, weighed and stood over to the weatherland, but found we were drifting fast to leeward. About 10 o'clock perceived two Chinese boats steering for us, bore up and stood towards them, and made signals to induce them to come within hail. On nearing them, they bore up and pass to leeward of the islands. The Chinese we

had in the boat advised me to follow them, and he would take us to Macau by the leeward passage. I expressed my fears of being taken by Vila drones. Our ammunition being wet, and the muskets rendered useless, we had nothing to defend ourselves but with cutlasses, and in too distressed a situation to make much resistance with them, having been constantly wet and eat nothing but a few green oranges for three days. As our present situation was a hopeless one, and the man assured me there was no fear of encountering any Ladrones, I complied with his request, and stood in to leeward of the islands, where we found the water much smoother and apparently a direct passage to Macau. We continued pulling and sailing all day. At six o'clock in the

evening, I discovered three large boats at anchor in a bay to leeward. On seeing us, they wade and made sail towards us. The Chinese said they were ladrones, and that if they captured us, they would most certainly put us all to death. Finding they gained fast on us, struck the masts, and pulled head to wind for five or six hours. The tide turning against us, anchored close under the land to avoid being seen. Soon after, we saw the boats pass us to leeward. The following entries in the log of the Marquis of Eli, preserved in the India office, show that Captain Brooke Kay had done his best to find the missing cutter.

Going into China, Monday, 18th September, 1809, at 1 p.m., finding the tide setting strong bro-up under Cahoe in seven fathoms, would the best be blowing fresh at southeast direction. Sent the purser with a small packet received at Pannong on shore at Macau. At daylight, weighed and stretched over to the east. Tuesday, 19th September, 1809, sent messengers Drummond and Stewart in a China boat in search of our cutter, which apprehended the packet,

not having returned to the ship, apprehended of her having drifted to leeward of Macau. Thursday, 21st September 1809. At noon, Messengers Drummond and Stewart returned without, being able to gain any tidings of our boat, though assisted by two other boats in their search among the islands to leeward of Macau. Mr. Glasspool proceeds. Thursday the 21st at daylight, the flood making, weighed and pulled along the shore in great spirits, expecting to be at Macau in two or three hours, as by the Chinese

account it was not above six or seven miles distant. After pulling a mile or two perceived several people on shore, standing close to the beach. They were armed with pikes and lances. I ordered the interpreter to hail them and asked the most direct passage to Macau. They said if we came on shore they would inform us. Not liking their hostile appearance, I did not think proper to comply with a request. Saw a large fleet of boats at anchor close under the opposite shore. Our interpreter said they were fishing boats and that by going there we should not only get provisions, but a pilot also to take us to Macau. I bore up, and on seeing them perceived there were some large vessels, very full of men,

and mounted with several guns. I hesitated to approach nearer, but the Chinese assuring me they were Mandarin junks and saltboats, we stood close to one of them, and asked the way to Macau. They gave no answer, but made some signs to us to go ashore. We passed on, and a large rowboat pulled after us. On its coming alongside, 20 savage-looking villains, who were stowed at the bottom of the boat, leaped on board us. They were armed with a short sword in each hand, one of which they laid on our necks, and the other pointed to our breasts, keeping their eyes fixed on their officer, waiting for a signal to cut or desist. Seeing we were incapable of making any resistance, he sheathed his sword, and the others immediately followed his example. They then

dragged us into their boat and carried us on board one of their junks with the most savage demonstrations of joy, and as we supposed, to torture and put us to a cruel death. When on board the junk, they searched all our pockets, took the handkerchiefs from our necks, and brought heavy chains to chain us to the guns. At this time, a boat came and took me, with one of my men and the interpreter, on board the chief's vessel. I was then taken before the chief. He was seated on deck. He was seated on deck, in a large chair, dressed in purple silk, with a black turban on. He appeared to be about thirty years of age, a stout, commanding-looking man.

He took me by the coat and drew me close to him, then questioned the interpreter very strictly, asking who we were and what was our business in that part of the country. I told him to say we were Englishmen in distress, having been four days at sea without provisions. This he would not credit, and said we were bad men, and that he would put us all to death, and then ordered some men to put the interpreter to the torture until he confessed the truth. Upon this occasion, a ladrone, who had been once to England and spoke a few words of English, came to the chief and told him we were really Englishmen, and that we had plenty of money, adding that the buttons on my coat were gold. The chief then ordered us some coarse brown

rice, of which we made a tolerable meal, having eaten nothing for nearly four days except a few green oranges. During our repast, a number of ladrones crowded round us, examining our clothes and hair, and giving us every possible annoyance. Several of them brought swords and laid them on our necks, making signs that they would soon take us on shore, then cut us in pieces, which I am sorry to say was the fate of some hundreds during my captivity. I was now summoned before the chief, who had been conversing with the interpreter. He said, I must write to my captain and tell him if he did not send a hundred thousand dollars for our ransom. In ten days he would put us all to death. In vain did I assure him it was useless writing unless he would agree to take a much smaller sum,

saying we were all poor men and the most we could possibly raise would not exceed $2,000. Finding that he was much exasperated at my expostulations, I embraced the offer of writing to inform my commander of our unfortunate situation, though there appeared not the least probability of relief. us. They said the letter should be conveyed to Macau in a fishing boat, which would bring an answer in the morning. A small boat accordingly came alongside and took the letter. About six o'clock in the evening, they gave us some rice and a little saltfish, which we eat, and they made signs for us to lay down on the deck to sleep. But such numbers of Ladrones were constantly coming

from different vessels to see us and examine our clothes and hair. They would not allow us a moment's quiet. They were particularly anxious for the buttons of my coat, which were new, and as they supposed, gold. I took it off and laid it on the deck to avoid being disturbed by them. It was taken away in the night, and I saw it the next day stripped of its buttons. About nine o'clock, a boat came and hailed the chief's vessel. He immediately hoisted the mainsail, and the fleet weighed, apparently in great confusion. They worked to windward all night and part of the next day, and anchored about one o'clock in a bay under the island of Lantau, where the head admiral of Ladrones was lying at anchor,

about 200 vessels and a Portuguese brig they had captured a few days before, and murdered the captain and part of the crew. Saturday the 23rd, early in the morning, a fishing boat came to the fleet to inquire if they had captured a European boat. Being answered in the affirmative, they came to the vessel I was in. One of them spoke a few words of English and told me he had a Ladrone pass, and was sent by Captain K in search of us. I was rather surprised to find he had no letter.

He appeared to be well acquainted with the chief, and remained in his cabin smoking opium and playing cards all day. In the evening, I was summoned with the interpreter before the chief. He questioned us in a much milder tone, saying he now believed we were Englishmen, a people he wished to be friendly with, and that if our captain would lend him $70,000 till he returned from his cruise up the river, he would repay him and send us all to Macau.

I assured him it was useless writing on these terms, and unless our ransom was speedily settled, the English fleet would sail and render our enlargement altogether ineffectual. He remained determined, and said if it were not sent, he would keep us and make us fight, or put us to death. I wrote accordingly, and gave my letter to the man belonging to the boat before mentioned. He said he could not return with an answer in less than five days. The chief now gave me the letter I wrote when first taken.

I have never been able to ascertain his reasons for detaining it, but suppose he dare not negotiate for our ransom without orders from the head admiral, who I understood was sorry at our being captured. He said the English ships would join the mandarins and attack them. He told the chief that captured us to dispose of us as he pleased. A copy of Mr. Glasspool's letter is preserved in the China records of the East India Company, together with the following minute. September 28, 1809.

The following letter was received by late yesterday evening from Mr. Glasspool, fourth officer of the Marquess of Eli, who had been missing since quitting Macau with the cutter belonging to that ship, and for whose safety the greatest apprehensions were entertained. It is some satisfaction to find they are still in existence, though their unfortunate situation as captives with the Ladrones is little preferable to death itself. Sir, I am sorry to inform you,

that this morning, myself with the Cutter's crew, were made prisoners by a large Ladrone boat, mounting 20 guns. They say if you will send $100,000 ransom, they will send us to Macau, or they say they will behead us. Be so good as to write me, and say what you can give. I think they will take much less. Offer two or three thousand. Send immediately an answer, for God's sake, an answer by this boat that brings this, what can be given.

The man that brings this knows where to find us. us. I will send you the headman's answer, though if you send the dollars, he will give us a chop to pass to Macau. I trust this will be legible. We anxiously expect an answer. Signed, our glass pool, fourth mate, and six men addressed to Captain K. or any of the supercargos at Macau to be delivered immediately Thursday, 21st September. On receipt of this letter, the select committee of supercargos recorded the following resolution. As the ladrones by the foregoing letter, seem disposed to accept ransom for these unfortunate men, we hope it may be practicable ultimately to affect their release.

The sum, now demanded, is considered impossible to grant, as so great an encouragement would render it impracticable for a boat to move in security. But it is supposed for $8,000 or $10,000 the object may be affected. This sum, should it not on more mature deliberation be considered that the honorable company and owners would willingly discharge it? In such an occasion, we feel little doubt may be raised among the first. factory in shipping, and though on every account the payment of ransom is extremely objectionable, we see no other mode at present of extricating our countrymen from their distressing situation.

The letter from Mr. Glasspool, therefore, will be forwarded to Captain Kay, together with some others addressed to him informing him of our sentiments on the subject, and if on consultation with Captain Austin, no better means of obtaining the release of his officer and men occurs to them, recommended his writing to Mr. Glasspool, urging him to place confidence in every possible measure being adopted for his release, and not to exceed $5,000 in his first offer of a ransom. It was thought better to leave the negotiation entirely to Captain Kay, as it would, through him, be affected with greater economy than by the interference of anyone in the factory. Mr. Glasspool's narrative continues.

Monday the 24th, it blew a strong gale with constant hard rain. We suffered much from the cold and wet, being obliged to remain on deck with no covering but an old mat, which was frequently taken from us in the night by the ladrones on watch. During the night, the Portuguese who were left in the brig murdered the ladrones that were on board of her, cut the cables, and fortunately escaped through the darkness of the night. I have since been informed they run her on shore near Macau. Tuesday, the 26th, at daylight,

we passed in sight of our ships at anchor under the island of Chun Po. The chief called me, pointed to the ships, and told the interpreter to tell me to look at them, for we should never see them again. About noon, we entered a river to the westward of the Bogue, three or four miles from the entrance. We passed a large town situated on the side of a beautiful hill, which is tributary to the Ladrones.

The inhabitants saluted them with songs as they passed. The fleet now divided into two squadrons, the red and the black, and anchored up at different branches of the river. At midnight, the division we were in anchored close to an immense hill, on the top of which a number of fires were burning, which at daylight I perceived proceeded from a Chinese camp. At the back of the hill was a most beautiful town,

surrounded by water and embellished with groves of orange trees. The chop house, custom house, and a few cottages were immediately plundered and burnt down. Most of the inhabitants, however, escaped the camp. The lodrones now prepared to attack the town with a formidable force, collected in rowboats from the different vessels. They sent a messenger to the town, demanding a tribute of $10,000 annually,

saying, if these terms were not complied with, they would land and destroy the town and murder all the inhabitants. Which they would certainly have done, had the town laid in a more advantageous situation for their purpose. But being placed out of the reach of their shot, they allowed them to come to terms. The inhabitants agreed to pay $6,000,

which they were to pay $6,000, which they were to, to collect by the time of our return down the river. This finesse had the desired effect, for during our absence, they mounted a few guns on a hill which commanded the passage, and gave us, in lieu of the dollars, a warm salute on our return. October 1st, the fleet weighed in the night, dropped by the tide up the river, and anchored very quietly before a town surrounded by a thick wood. Early in the morning, the ladrones assembled in rowboats and landed, then gave a shout and rushed into the town, sword in hand.

The inhabitants fled to the adjacent hills, in numbers apparently superior to the ladrones. We may easily imagine to ourselves the horror with which these miserable people must be seized on being obliged to leave their homes and everything dear to them. It was a most melancholy sight to see women in tears, clasping their infants in their arms and imploring mercy for them from those brutal robbers. The old and the sick who were unable to fly, or to make resistance, were either made prisoners or most inhumanly butchered. The boats continued passing and repassing from the junks to the shore,

in quick succession, laden with booty, and the men besmeared with blood. Two hundred and fifty women, and several children were made prisoners, and sent on board different vessels. They were unable to escape with the men, owing to that abominable practice of cramping their feet. Several of them were not able to move without assistance. In fact, they might all be said to totter, rather than walk.

Twenty of these poor women were sent on board the vessel I was in. They were hauled on board by their hair and treated in a most savage manner. When the chief came on board, he questioned them respecting the circumstances of their friends, and demanded ransoms accordingly, from $6,000 to $600 each. He ordered them a berth on deck at the after part of the vessel, where they had nothing to shelter them from the weather, which at this time was very variable. the days excessively hot and the nights cold with heavy rains. The town being plundered of everything valuable, it was set on fire and reduced to ashes by the morning.

The fleet remained here three days, negotiating for the ransom of the prisoners, and plundering the fish tanks and gardens. During all this time, the Chinese never ventured from the hills, though there were frequently not more than a hundred ladrones on shore at any time, and I'm sure the people on the hills exceeded ten times that number. October 5th, the fleet proceeded up another branch of the river, stopping at several small villages to receive tribute, which was generally paid in dollars, sugar, and rice, with a few large pigs roasted whole as presents for their Joss, the idol they worship. Every person on being ransomed is obliged to present him with a pig or some fowls,

which the priest offers him with prayers. It remains before him a few hours, and then is divided amongst the crew. Nothing particular occurred till the 10th, except frequent skirmishes on shore between small parties of the drones and Chinese soldiers. They frequently obliged my men to go on shore and fight with the muskets we had when taken, which did great execution, the Chinese having no gunlocks, but used them very unskilfully. On the 10th, we formed a junction with the Black Squadron and proceeded many miles up a wide and beautiful river, passing several ruins of villages that had been destroyed by the Black Squadron. On the 17th, the fleet anchored abreast four mud batteries, which defended a town so entirely

surrounded with wood that it was impossible to form any idea of its size. The weather was very hazy, with hard squalls of rain. The Ladrones remained perfectly quiet for two days. On the third day, the forts commenced a brisk fire for several hours. The Ladrones did not return a single shot, but weighed in the night and dropped down the river. The reasons they gave for not attacking the town, or returning the fire, were that the Joss had not promised them success. They are very superstitious, and consult their idol on all occasions. If his omens are good, they will undertake the most daring enterprises.

The fleet now anchored opposite the ruins of the town where the women had been made prisoners. Here we remained five or six days, during which time about a hundred of the women were ransomed. The remainder were offered for sale among the Ladrones for $40 each. The woman is considered the lawful wife of the purchaser, who would be put to death if he discarded her. Several of them leaped overboard or drowned themselves, rather than submit to such infamous degradation. The fleet then weighed and made sail down the river to receive the ransom from the town before mentioned. As we passed to the hill, they fired several shots at us, but without effect. The Lodrons were much exasperated and determined to revenge themselves.

They dropped out of reach of their shot and anchored. Every junk sent about a hundred men each on shore to cut Patti and destroy their orange groves, which was most effectually performed for several miles down the river. During our stay here, they received information of nine boats lying up a creek laden with Patti. Boats were immediately dispatched after them. Next morning, these boats were brought to the fleet. 10 or 12 men were taken in them. As these had made no resistance,

the chief said he would allow them to become Ladrones, if they agreed to take the usual oaths before Joss. Three or four of them refused to comply, for which they were punished in the following cruel manner. Their hands were tied behind their back, a rope from the masthead roved through their arms, and hoisted three or four feet from the deck, and five or six men flogged them with three Rattan twisted together

till they were apparently dead. then hoisted them up to the masthead and left them hanging for nearly an hour, then lowered them down and repeated the punishment till they died or complied with the oath. October the 20th, in the night, an express boat came with the information that a large Mandarin fleet was proceeding up the river to attack us. The chief immediately weighed with 50 of the largest vessels and sailed down the river to meet them. About one in the morning they commenced a heavy fire till daylight, when an express was sent for the remainder of the fleet to join them.

About an hour after, a counter-order to anchor came, the Mandarin fleet having run. Two or three hours afterward, the chief returned with three captured vessels in tow, having sunk two, and 83 sail made their escape. The admiral of the mandarins blew his vessel up by throwing a lighted match into the magazine as the ladrones were boarding her. She ran on shore, and they succeeded in getting 20 of her guns. In this action, very few prisoners were taken. The men belonging to the captured vessels drowned themselves,

as they were sure of suffering a lingering and cruel death if taken after making resistance. The Admiral left the fleet in charge of his brother, the second-in-command, and proceeded with his own vessel towards Lantau. The fleet remained in this river, cutting paddy and getting the necessary supplies. The following entries in the China records show how the negotiations for ransom came to be delayed. October 1st, 1809. By letters from Captain K, we learned that as no other means of occurring for affecting the release

of his officer and boat's crew than by the payment of ransom, he had commenced the negotiation at an offer of $4,000. October 5th, 1809. The ladrones are reported to be in great force in the neighborhood of Chennai, and to have destroyed several towns in its vicinity. We are sorry to find that, from Mr. Glasspool and his unfortunate companions, on board the boats employed in this expedition, communicating is likely to be extremely difficult for some time,

as the persons employed to negotiate the business are apprehensive of going to the ladrone boats while in the river, lest they should be discovered and seized by the country people on their return. The narrative continues. On the 28th of October, I received a letter from Captain K, brought by a fisherman, who had told him he would get us all back for $3,000. He advised me to offer $3,000. and, if not accepted, extend it to four, but not farther, as it was bad policy to offer much

at first. At the same time, assuring me we should be liberated, let the ransom be what it would. I offer the chief the 3,000, which he disdainfully refused, saying he was not to be played with, and unless they sent $10,000 and two large guns with several casks of gunpowder, he would put us all to death. I wrote to Captain Kay and informed him of the chief's determination, requesting, if an opportunity offered, to send us a shift of clothes, for which it may be easily imagined we were much distressed, having been seven weeks without a shift, although constantly exposed to the weather, and of course frequently wet.

On the 1st of November, the fleet sailed up a narrow river and anchored at night within two miles of a town called Little Wampoa. In front of it was a small fort, and several mandarin vessels lying in harbor. The chief sent the interpreter to me, saying, I must order my men to make cartridges and clean their muskets, ready to go on shore in the morning. I assured the interpreter I should give the men no such order

that they must please themselves. Soon after, the chief came on board, threatening to put us all to a cruel death if we refused to obey his orders. For my own part, I remained determined, and advised to the men not to comply, as I thought by making ourselves useful, we should be accounted too valuable. A few hours afterward, he sent to me again, saying that if myself and the quartermaster would assist him at the great guns, that if also the rest of the men went on shore and succeeded

in taking the place, he would then take the money offered for our ransom and give them $20 for every Chinaman's head they cut off. To these proposals, we cheerfully acceded in hopes of facilitating our deliverance. Early in the morning, the forces intended for landing were assembled in rowboats, amounting in the hole to three or four thousand men. The largest vessels wade and hauled in shore to cover the landing of our forces and attack the fort and mandarin vessels. About nine o'clock, the action commenced and continued with great spirit for nearly an hour,

when the walls of the fort gave way, and the mandarin vessels still continued firing, having blocked up the entrance of the harbor to prevent the ladrone boats entering. At this, the ladrones were much exasperated, and about 300 of them swam on shore, with a short sword lashed close under each arm. They then ran along the banks of the river till they came abreast of the vessels, and then swam off again and boarded them. The Chinese thus attacked, leaped overboard, and endeavored to reach the opposite shore. The ladrones followed, and cut the greater number of them to pieces in the water. They next towed the vessel out of the harbor and attacked the town with increased fury. The inhabitants fought about a quarter of an hour and then retreated to an adjacent hill

from which they were soon driven with great slaughter. After this, the Ladrones returned and plundered the town, every boat leaving it when laden. The Chinese on the hills, perceiving most of the boats were off, rallied and retook the town after killing nearly 200 Ladrones. One of my men was unfortunately lost in this dreadful massacre. The Ladrones landed a second time, drove the Chinese out of the town, and reduced it to ashes, and put all their prisoners to death, without regarding either age or sex. I must not omit to mention a most horrid, though ludicrous, circumstance, which happened at this place.

The Ladrones were paid by their chief $10 for every Chinaman's head they produced. One of my coolies, turning the corner of a street, was met by a little. a drone running furiously after a Chinese. He had a drawn sword in his hand and two Chinaman's heads, which he had cut off, tied by their tails, and slung around his neck. I was witness myself to some of them producing five or six to obtain payment. On the 4th of November, an order arrived from the Admiral for the fleet to proceed immediately to Lantau, where he was lying with only two vessels, and three Portuguese ships and a brig constantly annoying him. Several sailor of Mandarin vessels were daily expected.

The fleet weighed and proceeded toward Lantau. On passing the island of Linton, three ships and a brig gave chase to us. The Ladrones prepared to board, but night closing, we lost sight of them. I am convinced they altered their course and stood from us. These vessels were in the pay of the Chinese government and styled themselves the invincible squadron, cruising in the river Tigris to annihilate the Ladrones. On the 5th in the morning, the Red Squadron anchored in a bay under Lantau. The Black Squadron stood to the eastward.

In this bay, they hauled several of their vessels on shore to brim their bottoms and repair them. In the afternoon of the 8th of November, four ships, a brig, and a schooner came off the mouth of the bay. At first, the pirates were much alarmed, supposing them to be English vessels come to rescue us. Some of them threatened to heave us into the mast head for them to fire at, and with much difficulty we persuaded them that they were Portuguese. The Ladrones had only seven junks in a fit state for action. These they hauled outside and moored them head and stern across the bay, and manned all the boats belonging to the repairing vessels ready for boarding. The Portuguese, observing these maneuvers, hove to, and communicated by boats. Soon afterwards, they made sail, each ship firing her broadside as she passed, but without effect, the shot falling far short.

The Ladrones did not return a single shot, but waved their colors and threw up rockets to induce them to come further in, which they might easily have done, the outside junks lying in four fathoms water, which I sounded myself, though the Portuguese in their letters to Macau lamented there was not sufficient water for them to engage closer, but that they would certainly prevent their escaping before the Mandarin fleet arrived. On the 20th of November, early in the morning, discovered an immense fleet of Mandarin vessels standing for the bay. On nearing us, they formed a line and stood close in. Each vessel as she discharged her gun tacked to join the rear and reload. They kept up a constant fire for about two hours, when one of their largest vessels was blown up by a firebrand thrown from a ladrone junk,

after which they kept at a more respectful distance, but continued firing without intermission till the 21st at night when it fell calm. The ladrones towed out seven large vessels, with about 200 rowboats to board them. But a breeze springing up, they made sail and escaped. The ladrones returned to the bay and anchored. The Portuguese and mandarins followed,

and continued a heavy cannonading during the night and next day. The vessel I was in had her form. mast shot away, which they supplied very expeditiously by taking a main mast from a smaller vessel. On the 23rd, in the evening, it again fell calm. The ladrones towed out 15 junks in two divisions, with the intention of surrounding them, which was nearly affected, having come up with and boarded one, when a breeze suddenly sprung up. The captured vessel mounted 22 guns. Most of her crew leaped overboard, 60 or 70 were taken immediately, cut to pieces, and thrown into the river.

Early in the morning, the Ladron's returned to the bay and anchored in the same direction as before. The Portuguese and Mandarins followed, keeping up a constant fire. The Ladrones never returned a single shot, but always kept in readiness to board, and the Portuguese were careful never to allow them an opportunity. On the 28th, at night, they sent in eight fire vessels, which, if properly constructed, must have done great execution, having every advantage they could wish for. to affect their purpose, a strong breeze and tied directly into the bay,

and the vessels lying so close together that it was impossible to miss them. On their first appearance, the Ladrones gave a general shout, supposing them to be Mandarin vessels on fire, but were very soon convinced of their mistake. They came in very regularly into the center of the fleet, two and two, burning furiously. One of them came alongside the vessel I was in, but they succeeded in booming her off.

She appeared to be a vessel of about 30 tons. Her hold was filled with straw and wood, and there were a few small boxes of combustibles on her deck, which exploded alongside us without doing any damage. The Ladrones, however, towed them all on shore, extinguished the fire, and broke them up for firewood. The Portuguese claimed the credit of constructing these destructive machines and actually sent a dispatch to the governor of Macau,

saying they had destroyed at least one third of the Ladron's fleet and hoped soon to affect their purpose by totally annihilating them. On the 29th of November, the Ladrones, being all ready for sea, they wade and stood boldly out, bidding defiance to the Invincible Squadron and Imperial Fleet, consisting of 93 war junks, six Portuguese ships, a brig, and a schooner. Immediately, the ladrones wade. They made all sail. The ladrons chased them for two or three hours, keeping up a constant fire, Finding they did not come up with them, they hauled their wind and stood to the eastward.

Thus terminated the boasted blockade, which lasted nine days, during which time the ladrones completed all their repairs. In this action, not a single ladrone vessel was destroyed, and their loss about 30 or 40 men. An American was also killed, one of three that remained out of the eight taken in a schooner. I had two very narrow escapes. The first, a 12-pounder shot fell within three or four feet of me. Another took a piece out of a small brass swivel on which I was standing. The chief's wife frequently sprinkled me with garlic water, which they considered an effectual charm against shot.

The fleet continued under sail all night, steering toward the eastward. In the morning, they anchored in a large bay, surrounded by lofty and barren mountains. Among the China Records is a copy of a few remarks. which Mr. Glasspool committed to paper agreeably to your request, as he puts it, and addressed to the president of the select committee after his release. In this letter, he gives an account of the action between the Ladrones and the combined Portuguese and Mandarin squadron. This tallies with the foregoing narrative, but mentions a few additional details.

Mr. Glasspool states that the Ladrone fleet amounted to 500 sale and that the landing force numbered 2,000 men. The ladrones who swam out and boarded the Chinese ships had two short swords lashed under the left arm, not one sword under each arm as the later narrative states. And they were able to cut to pieces the Chinese who leaped into the water owing to their superiority of swimming. Both the government vessels had superiority in sailing,

which enabled them to prevent the ladrones from coming to close quarters in the open sea. Their shooting was not so effective. Mr. Glasspool estimates that their broadsides fell short of us by half a mile. He also mentions that the chief gave his fleet the signal to weigh anchor by hoisting his mainsail. A minute under the date of December 2 in the China Records states, The escape of the pirates is fully confirmed. Various causes are assigned, but none appears to exculpate those employed against them. Meanwhile, Captain Kay had been in communication with the pirates as the following resolution shows.

November 22nd, 1809. From the unavoidable delays that have taken place in negotiating with the Ladrones, the ransom of the unfortunate officer and boats crew of the Marquess of Eli, no final arrangement has hitherto taken place, it is, however, now understood that they will consent to release them for $7,500, part to be paid in cash, and the remainder in cloth, opium, and other articles mentioned in the list transmitted to Captain K. As it does not appear probable, the release of these men can be affected on more favorable terms.

Captain K. will be recommended to accede to them, and the amount will be endeavored to be raised by private subscription, so as to prevent longer detention of these men in their present dreadful situation. We shall advance the sum of $4,000, which is immediately required till such time as the subscription can be realized. Lieutenant P. Moen, commanding the Antelope, which was on survey work in China Waters, was charged in the delicate mission of handing over the ransom and was accompanied by the second officer of the Marquess of Eli. Mr. Glasspool continues, On the 2nd of December, I received a letter from Lieutenant Moen, commander of the Honorable Company's cruiser, Antelope, saying that he had the ransom on board and had been three days cruising after us

and wished me to settle with the chief on the securest method of delivering it. The chief agreed to send us in a small gunboat till we came within sight of the Antelope. Then the Comprador's boat was to bring the ransom and receive us. I was so agitated at receiving this joyful news that it was with considerable difficulty I could scrawl about two or three lines to inform Lieutenant Mon of the arrangements I had made. We were all so deeply affected by the gratifying tidings

that we seldom closed our eyes, but continued watching day and night for the boat. On the sixth, she returned with Lieutenant Mon's answer, saying he would respect any single boat but would not allow the fleet to approach him. The chief then, according to his first proposal, ordered a gunboat to take us, and with no small degree of pleasure,

we left the Ladron fleet about four o'clock in the morning. At 1 p.m. saw the antelope under all sail, sailing toward us. The Ladrone boat immediately anchored and dispatched the Comprador's boat for the ransom, saying that if she approached nearer, they would return to the fleet. And they were just weighing when she shorted

sail and anchored about two miles from us. The boat did not reach her till late in the afternoon, owing to the tides being strong against her. She received the ransom and left the antelope just before dark. A Mandarin boat that had been lying concealed under the land and watching the maneuvers gave chase to her and was within a few fathoms of taking her when she saw a light, which the Ladron's answered and the Mandarin hauled off. Our situation was now a most critical one. The ransom was in the hands of the Ladrones, and the Comprador dared not return with us for fear of a second attack from the Mandarin boat.

The Ladrones would not remain till morning, so we were obliged to return with them to the fleet. In the morning, the chief inspected the ransom, which consisted of the following articles, two bales of super-fine scarlet cloth, two chests of opium, two casks of gunpowder, and a telescope, the rest in dollars. He objected to the telescope not being new, and said he would detain one of us till another was sent, or $200 in lieu of it. The Comprador, however, agreed with him for the $100. Everything being settled, the chief ordered two gunboats to convey us near the Antelope. We saw her just before dusk when the Ladrone boat left us.

We had the inexpressible pleasure of arriving on board the Antelope at 7 p.m., where we were most cordially received and hardly congratulated on our safe and happy deliverance from a miserable captivity, which we had endured for 11 weeks and three days. Signed, Richard Glasspool, China, December 8, 1809. Lieutenant Mon took Mr. Glasspool and his companions to Wampoa, where he left them on board the Marquess of Eli, and then made his report to the select committee. It had been a profitable haul for the Ladrones, for the cash value of the ransom amounted to $7,654.

or 1,915 pounds, taking the ratio of the Spanish dollar as four to the pound sterling. The sum was made up thus. Dollar amounts. In cash, 4,220. Two chests of opium, 2,427. Duty on opium, 24. Two bales of cloth, 651, gunpowder, telescope, etc., 332. The Marquis of Eli's log, thus recorded. Mr. Glasspool's safe return, Monday 11th December, 1809, a.m., the second officer returned with Mr. Glasspool and six seamen ransomed from the Ladrones, one seaman having been killed. As an appendix to the main narrative of his captivity, Mr. Glasspool included the following notes.

A few remarks on the origin, progress, manners, and customs of the Ladrones. The Ladrones are a disaffected race of Chinese that revolted against the oppressions of the Mandarins. They first commenced with their depredations on the western coast, Cochin China, by attacking small trading vessels and rowboats, carrying from 30 to 40 men each. They continued this system of piracy several years. At length, their successes, and the oppressive stance of the Chinese, had the effect of rapidly increasing their numbers. Hundreds of fishermen and others flocked to their standard, and as their numbers increased,

they consequently became more desperate. They blockaded all the principal rivers and attacked several large junks, mounting from 10 to 15 guns each. With these junks, they formed a very formidable fleet, and no small vessels could trade on the coast with safety. They plundered several small villages, and exercised the most horrid cruelties on the wretched inhabitants. The great extent equipped a fleet of 40 imperial war junks, mounting from 18 to 20 guns each. On the very first run contra, 28 of the imperial junks struck to the pirates.

The rest saved themselves by a precipitate retreat. These junks, fully equipped for war, were a great acquisition to them. Their numbers augmented so rapidly that at the period of my captivity, they were supposed to amount to near 70,000 men, 800 large vessels, and nearly 1,000 small ones, including rowboats.

They were divided into five squadrons, distinguished by different colored flags, each squadron commanded by an admiral, or chief, but all under the orders of Ajo Té, their premier chief, a most daring and enterprising man, who went so far as to declare his intention of displacing the present Tartar family from the throne of China, and to restore the ancient Chinese dynasty. This extraordinary character would have certainly shaken the foundations of the government, had he not been thwarted by the jealousy of the Second in Command, who declared his independence, and soon after surrendered to the mandarin's with 500 vessels on promise of a pardon.

Most of the inferior chiefs followed his example. Adwo Che held out a few months longer, and at length surrendered with 16,000 men on condition of a general pardon and himself to be made a Mandarin of distinction. The ladrones have no settled residence on shore, but live constantly in their vessels. The afterpart is appropriated to the captain and his wives. he generally has five or six. With respect to the conjugal rights, they are religiously strict.

No person is allowed to have a woman on board unless married to her according to their laws. Every man is allowed a small berth, about four feet square, where he stows with his wife and family. From the number of souls crowded in so small as space, it must naturally be supposed that they are horridly dirty, which is evidently the case, and their vessels swarm with all kinds of vermin. rats in particular, which they encourage to breed and eat them as great delicacies. In fact, there are very few creatures they will not eat. During our captivity, we lived three weeks on caterpillars boiled with rice. They are much addicted to gambling and spend all their leisure hours at cards and smoking opium.

In the letter, Mr. Glasspool wrote to the president of the select committee, he gave some additional details about the ladrones which seem worth recording. The number of their vessels, as nearly as I've been able to calculate from my own observations and the information of those unfortunate Europeans who have long remained in their captivity, amount to about 18 or 1,900 vessels of different sizes. The larger may be rated from 5 to 600 tons, several mounting from 20 to 30 guns of different calibers, 18s, 12s, 9s, and 6s carry from 3 to 400 men.

Of this class, there are at least 100 in different squadrons, Several of them are merchant junks cut down. The Chief's junk is one of these. She mounts 38 guns on one deck, two long 24-pounders, eight or nine, 18-pounders, the rest nines and sixes. They are mounted on carriages without trucks,

having neither breachings or tackles, in lieu of which they have a rope roved through a hole in the gunnel and made fast to the muzzle of the gun. They can train them forward or aft at pleasure with hand spikes, always keeping the decks wet during action. The Ladrones seldom attack European ships, except when in a crippled state, or knowing them to be weakly manned. Small vessels ought to be very cautious in allowing country boats to come alongside for the purpose of selling fish, when in fact they are

endeavoring to ascertain your force, which, if they find weak, they might give information to these pirates. I conclude, in returning my most grateful thanks to you and those gentlemen who so liberally interested themselves in promoting my deliverance, I am Richard Glasspool.