 Alceste required some repairs after an arduous journey in less than clement weather so Maxwell wasted no time in petitioning the viceroy of Canton for permission to travel up the Tigris to a secure anchorage , unaware that Amherst 's mission had been less than successful . The emperor 's reception towards the British had been tepid at best , having showed little interest in the affairs of Europe , so far away , and refusing to accept a gift from King George which he had thought less than sufficient . Having received an insulting message in response to his request , Maxwell decided to enter the river anyway but had not gone far when he was hailed by a local mandarin who threatened to have the batteries guarding the entrance sink Alceste if she went any further . Still in need of repairs and requiring navigation of the river to Whampoa to pick up Amherst , Maxwell told the mandarin that he would proceed in any event . Alceste made short work of the shore defences and 17 or so war @-@ junks sent to stop her , and continued up the river to Whampoa where she anchored and awaited the arrival of Lord Amherst and his suite . Having completed as much of the mission as possible , Amherst repaired on board Alceste which left Whampoa , on 21 January 1817 . 
