Kendrick arrived at Macau on December 7, 1791, and was soon again anchored at the smugglers haven Dirty Butter Bay. Several other American traders were there, including Joseph Ingraham of the "Hope", Crowell of the "Hancock", and Coolidge of the "Grace". The "Fairy" arrived soon after Kendrick. From these traders Kendrick learned of his diminished reputation in Boston. On March 28, 1792, he wrote to Joseph Barrell, defending himself against the charges made against him and describing how Gray had cheated Barrell by under-reporting furs sold in Macau and selling the difference for his personal profit. He also described the land purchases he had made and promised to send copies of the deeds. Lacking specific instructions he proposed that he would continue in Barrell's employ "as usual", including, he suggested, command of "Columbia". Alternatively, if Barrell was not interested in continuing the relationship, he proposed buying "Lady Washington" for $14,000, plus interest, and operating on his own. He entrusted the letter to Ebenezer Dorr, who had come to Macau with Ingraham on the "Hope" and was returning to Boston on the "Fairy".