Lord Macartney travelled to China aboard Hindostan while she was still an East India Company merchant vessel. Company crews already possessed the route experience needed for Far Eastern voyages. Sending the envoy with a merchant convoy and a few escorts was more economical than assigning a single prestigious warship to the mission. The voyage combined merchant shipping expertise, convoy organization, and state diplomacy.
Notable Point · 40:29-41:39
An East Indiaman carried the Macartney embassy to China
Hindostan carried Lord Macartney's embassy before entering naval service because East India Company crews offered proven Far Eastern experience and an economical convoy passage.