Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/396

 $92 MACARTNEY. of respect from the court of directors of the East India Company, who granted him an annuity for his life, of 1500l. per annum, which was bestowed as a reward for the important services which this illustrious nobleman had rendered to the Company. The same year he fought a duel with General Stuart, whom he had superseded in India. In 1788, he took his seat for the first time in the Irish House of Peers; and about the same time, was appointed one of the trustees of the linen manufacture of the province of Ulster, and also custos rotulorum for the county of Antrim. He was likewise promoted to the command of a regiment of dragoons in the Irish militia. In 1792, he was selected as the fittest person for ambas sador from the king of Great Britain to the emperor of China. He was on the same day nominated a privy counsellor; and in a few weeks he was raised to the rank of an Irish viscount, under the title of Wiscount Derrock, in the county of Antrim. He now proceeded, without delay, on his embassy, attended by Sir George Staunton as his secretary, and a great train of followers and ser vants. A ship of war, under the command of Sir Erasmus Gower, was, with smaller vessels, assigned for his voyage. • Many rich presents were sent from the British to the Chinese sovereign. He arrived in safety in the Indian seas; and when his approach was announced at the Chi nese court, the emperor and his minister agreed, though not without some hesitation, to receive the ambassador and presents. In his approach to Pekin, the northern capital of the empire, his lordship was obliged to direct his voyage round the south sea coast of China, by a track hitherto almost unknown to European navigators. The opportunity of exploring that tract, was regarded as almost sufficient to compensate f o r a l l the difficulties and expense o f the embassy. As soon a s h e landed, mandarins o f the highest rank were appointed t o conduct him t o the imperial court. His presents were accepted, and h e , with a l l the train, were treated i n a hospitable and even sumptuous manner; but the main object o f the mission was completely