[Joseph Waters to his parents, Captain Thomas & Elizabeth Waters]
Addressed to Mrs Capt Waters, King St., Woolwich, Kent
per Reliance
Sept. 19th/37 (1837)
Antonio Pereira
My Dear Parents,
I received your kind letter on the 25th of Aug.t /37. Dated in May – but the two other letters you sent to Canton I am sorry to say I have not yet received. This time we made rather a long passage – we started in March from Calcutta touched at Singapore & in 21 days more arrived in China – after remaining there for some time we made a voyage up the N.E.coast – the 1st attempt we made we met with a sad accident. The vessel was taken in a flurry of the tide & with every thing “flat aback” hove upon the rocks, in consequence of which we were obliged to return. She was inspected & it was decided that she was able to make another voyage – but that when she arrived at Calcutta she must undergo a thorough repair. The second attempt we made likewise proved unsuccessful but in a different manner. There were too many Mandarines there so that the Capt could not sell his opium.
The vessel took in a good cargo at China – lots of treasure. We arrived at Calcutta on the 2nd of this month. I know a little more of the Chinese now than I did before – they are invariably the most thiefish – dissipated & lying set that I ever yet heard, read or seen, they will steal a thing almost before your eyes – & if found out will never confess the theft. They worship “Joss” the “God of Fire”. It appears rather curious to a stranger to see these infidels offering up their prayers, nodding – skipping – curtseying & bowing to a paper fire & then letting off crackers & other fire-works. Almost any of them will sell you the babes in their wives arms for a trifling sum. The women are very ugly but like the Bengalees are ornamented with rings round their necks- wrists- ancles-over their fingers & toes & through their noses-ears etc. When we were lying in Capsing-moon harbour I went ashore several times ( on the isle of Lintoa – together with Mr Christi – We both had guns and never returned without shooting several species of birds – they eat dogs for which reason when I took “Pat” (Mr Christi’s dog) ashore – I was obliged to keep a good eye upon him- I saw plenty of smuggling boats this time they are tremendously long boats with about 100 to 150 men & pull 50 or 60 oars of a side. The Mandarines are their very great enemies, they are King Tuc’s navy and are very cruel & extortionate to the natives, If they see a bumb-boat come alongside of a vessel – directly it leaves they will make him refund twoparts of his money and if he will not give it will “squeeze him” which is one of their diabolical tortures. We lost another Lascar this voyage – his name was “Tuta Esmaul” – We were off the Ladrone isds [Mariana Islands]. The night before it looked very squally – lightened & thundered tremendously: the Capt expected a Tifoun [typhoon] – in short it was really as you say “an hour of Darkness” indeed. It was in studsails down royal yards – top gallant yards close reef the topsails – furl the foresail & mainsail and haul down the Gibs. However it did not come to much – so next morning it was up top-gallant yards. Esmaul while steadying the lower yard arm from the topmast rigging just before they had put on the lifts & braces fell overboard (not quite) for as he fell he struck his head upon the rail which cut the top of his scull clean off. No other person could have been a better Calashe! I like the vessel very well but cannot say I like the country so well. people say I have grown stouter but they all speak ironically I think. I live aft consequently I am obliged to keep myself clean -every day a white shirt – white jacket & a clean Pr of trousers socks etc. Clothes out here last a very short time, last voyage I bougght 4 doz W shirts & i have only 3 fit to wear out of them now – trousers – frocks etc all go the same way, You perspire so profusely that everything on you becomes saturated – there is nothing like perspiration for rotting clothes. I can positively say that I have not spent more than two pounds in trifling things such as combs brushes for Palanquin hire – fruit – cheroots etc. 12£ more has gone for my clothes which I could not possibly avoid – The remaining pound I shall keep as long as I possibly can. Perhaps you will think I have been extravagant but I have not. The Capt (who is very kind to me) has frequently spoken to me about clean clothes at sea and when I told him that all the shirts he bought for me were dirty kindly gave me some of his own. I have got no pea jacket & beating up the Chinese Seas it is very cold – I have a quadrant but it is no good – I am using Mr Christis – who is a friend that I would do anything for. You must not think that now I am writing to you for money or for clothes I am only letting you know how I am situated out here. Certainly a little money now would be thankfully received. In 8 months more I shall receive 1£ a month.
My Dear mother the news you have sent me out is news sad news indeed. Old Fraser gone! God bless him! – Harry Varlo is more lucky than I would have expected – write quick & let me know how all of you are. Dear Mary you see what a foolish fellow I am – one letter talking about silks & now find all my money gone. I hope you are quite well together with all my brothers. I hope John’s Canary’s will hatch their Pair of eggs. Tom I suppose is in mensuration & making hutches for his rabbits. Ben, Elizabeth and Sarah give them a kiss for me. I scarecely know what it is to see a white face – particularly little childrens – remember me to all my friends & let me know where they are etc. Never mind how many letters you send me – but dont post pay them. Livingston, Syers & Co will do that.
Mr Christi is very well – remember me to Mrs Nichols Mrs Wingrove Mr Ritchie Mr Laird Mr La Fargue Mr Barry Miss Macoss etc:
My Dear Parents brothers & sisters I now conclude hoping you are all as well nay better than I am at present and believe my dear Parents
to be Your Most affectionate son
Josh Waters
Mr Christi desires to be remembered to you, Mr Ritchie & Mr Laird and to Mrs Christi (myself likewise) J.W.
Mr Christi is quite well this time. If you know where any of his friends live particularly Mr & Mrs Christi pray tell them so as he is so busy that I do not think he will have time to write. God bless you. J W
Mr Lugg our Second mate is going to leave in three or four months – he has promised to take a letter & a trifle or so to you from me.
Yours J.W.