This was the end of the South Sea cruise, and with it goes the chief historical interest of the correspondence.
One later letter, included in the file, was written from H.M.S. Agincourt at Hongkong on June 30, 1843, and describes the ceremony which made that port a British colony and Sir Henry Pottinger its first Governor. This account, with its erratic acuteness, suggests a hope that British naval officers still write down as simply and bluntly as Bruce what they see and think for the benefit of their friends, relations, and succeeding generations.
No English arrangements can be perfected without eating and drinking, so Sir Henry P. entertained all these Chinamen in grand "Setout," at which we were all present; the whole thing went off admirably, and when "Kaying"—the Chief Commissioner—embraced the Plenipotentiary at parting for the night I could not but wonder at the quantity of liquor he was able to carry off; as well as at how long that embrace may stand good for, in a peaceable point of view; they certainly appeared much pleased with us all and conducted themselves as persons of the highest
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.