In this island we found a small town in marshy ground, the houses of which were small, mean, and ill-furnished, but built on posts, the inhabitants principally subsisting by the cultivation of rice.  While we lay here at anchor, a Chinese junk rode beside us, which was flat both at the head and stern, having many little huts, three feet high, on her deck, thatched with palmito leaves.  Her cabin was large, having an altar, on which was a lamp continually burning.  The hold was divided into several compartments, the bulkheads between which were so tight, that if a leak should spring in any of these divisions, the goods in the others would receive no damage.  Every merchant has his own room, or division, in the hold, in which he stows his own goods, sometimes lodging along with them.  These junks have only two masts, a main and fore, the latter having a square-sail and yard, and the former a sail that is narrow aloft, like a sloop’s main-sail.  In fine weather they have also a top-sail, which, in foul weather, they lower to the deck, yard and all.  The main-mast of one of their largest junks is equal in size to that of our third-rate men of war, but all of one piece, not built.

Fearing the approach of a storm, and wanting sea-room, we weighed on the 3d June, and stood out to sea; but next day we were assailed by the most violent tempest at N.E.  I ever saw, which lasted at intervals for three days, when the weather became quite serene.  We then refitted our ship, but our men were so terrified by the last storm, and dreading the approach of full moon, that we resolved to steer for the Pescadores, or Fisher Isles, in lat. 23 deg. 40’ N. off the western side of Tai-ouan, or Formosa.  This is a numerous group of islands in the Straits of Formosa, having a good harbour between the two eastermost; and on the west side of the most easterly there is a large town with a fort, in which was a garrison of 300 Tartars.  The houses in this town were low, yet neatly built; and on the other island, on the west side of the harbour, there was another small town near the sea, inhabited by Chinese.  Most of the islands in this group have some Chinese inhabitants.  We were very civilly treated by the Tartar governor, who sent us some presents, and among the rest a heifer, the beef of which was excellent; but would not allow us to trade, or even to land on the isle.

We sailed thence on the 29th July, passing the S.W. end of Formosa, a large island reaching from lat. 22 deg. to 25 deg. 18’ both N. and in long. 121 deg.  E. It was formerly well inhabited by the Chinese, and frequented by the English; but the Tartars have since spoiled the harbour, lest the Chinese should fortify themselves there.  On the 6th August we came to anchor on the east side of the northermost of the Five Islands, or Bashees, in fifteen fathoms.  These islands are from the latitude of 20 deg. 26’ to 21 deg. 13’ both N. and long. 121 deg. 50’ E. Contrary to our expectations,