The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-09-10
Our Hong Kong Correspondence.
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Homo KONG, June "a, 1852.
Particulars Of the Massacre of the Cre,o of The
Robert Boione-C Commodore Aulick's Prompt IN
t0f0snce-Arrsr of the Pirates The People Of
the Islands-Int0rietv ,cith their Chiets-Satisfac.
tion-1he Coolies.
On the reception Of the news Of the massacre of
the captain and crew of the Robert Bovine, Commo-
dOre Aulick Immediately despatched the Saratoga,
% guns, Commander w. s Walker, to Annoy, there
to take such steps for the pursuit and punishment
Of the Coolies as circumstances might direct. The
Saratoga had tedious and long passage to Annoy;
upon her arrival there she found that II. B. M. brig
Lilly had gone to the islands where the Coolies had
been left. Commander Walker thought it best to
await her return, which happened the next day.
The Lilly had been to the island of Pat chung san,
one Of the Meia- Coshima group. where $50 Coolies
had been living, not being able to get of the island
She brought twenty-ssven prisoners, whom an armed
expedition had captured, the rest betaking them
selves to the bush and mountains. Tho Lilly at
once transferred her prisoners to the Saratoga,
which ship Immediately gotunder weigh, and stood
to sea. After voyage of three days, the Saratoga
into the anchorage the village built by the
natives for the Coolies, and anchored.
These islands are almost unknown; many navi-
gators are ignorant of their existence. Sir Il Bel
cher visited them in 1874, and gives most interest
ing account ofthem. The natives different from
the Chinese or japanese they wear the long robe,
and tie the hair upon the top of the head in hard
knot, secured with pins. Commander Walker sent
bis Interpreter ashore to ask for an interview with
the chiefs; and the next morning hut, rude but
clean, was erected on the beach, and the coming Of
Commander Walker and his officers politely awaited
In The interview which took place, Commander
Walker told the native chiefs Of the crime committed
~ ~ COOlles- helnOusnasS tha I'M inf
which the laws Of nations provided for it explained
to them that be had come there for the purpose Of
capturing and trying these pirates. aud that they
must be given up. The chiefs replied that they
were a simple and unwarlike people; that they knew
nothing OF other nations; that the King of Loo Choo
was their master; that the Chinese dlanded from
the American ship, and sought their hospitality,
and that they had given it to them that upon the
Saratoga appearing off the harbor all the Coolies
had into the mountains; and, finally, they would
be glad if we would take them away, as they were
idle and condemned their provisions, but that bound
by their own laws, they could not assist US. So,
after an amount Of 'cbin. chin ing" and the present
of bullock and some fowls, we separated that night
at 10 o'clock. The Saratoga landed l20 armed men,
divided into four divisions Such was the prompt
and admirable behavior Of the men, that though
it was extremely dark the country unknown, and in
places inaccessible, distances Of thirty and forty
miles were accomplished by O'Clock in the morn
ing, and eighty Coolies captured. These were not
in bodies, but scattered hidden all over the island
so that it was mere hunt, and long and tedious
one; only one or two Cinnamon were killed. By 4
?. NJ, May 23d, the Saratoga had these prisoners in
irons, and ready to atone for the crime committed
against our flag During the 18th aud 10th of May
q heavy typhoon arose, and blew with frghtful vio
lence from the numerous coral reefs that surrounded
US. The Saratoga was in great danger; but thanks
to good ground tackle, and steady GOODNESS and
judgment in planting our anchor as the typhoon
shifted, we rode it out in safety.
On the 9th of May, after return Of good
weather. another expedition has landed, similar TO
the first, with the firm intention Of thoroughly
securing the island. and seizipg every Cooley. But
succession OF rain storms rendered it impractcabe
so that Commander Walker thought that, under toe
circumstances, he had done well-and think SO
too, for it is no boys play for one hundred and
twenty sailors to scour, and scour we'll, section of
country containing about sixty square miles, broken
up by deep gulches, rayines, rocks, mountains, and
thick brush and chapparcl. The Saratoga retusnea
to Kong Kong on the 9TH Of june and found the
Susquehsnna had followed us to Annoy, and taken
board the prisoners brought back by the ere Of
the Bovine. Paul s. Forbes, Esq Consul at Can
ton, assisted by Commander W. S Walker and
Purser Barry, have just closed long and impartial
trial and examination Of all the prisoners Eight
ten have boon identified leaders in the
Of the r Bovine. and will be executed ut Whampoa
in a few days. The rest some eighty or ninety,
(for many have died OH board she Sardtog4), are
to be conveyed TO Annoy this day by the Saratoga,
and there landed. Some two huudrod are still
Pat. chung san, but it is not likely they will be-
searched Tor, as the dangerous nature Of the nayi
cation, and the approach of the typhoon season,
would render 1t highly unsafe TO expose the ships
and men; and, further. the ends of justice will be
answered by the execution of the most prominent ia
the piracy, and the terror which has been struck
into the rest by the instantaneous manner in
which they were followed up and appreheDded.
This is incomprehensible to the Chinese. They
cannot understand how we found them out. The
islands where they sought refuge are unknown to
dress and act differently. All this goes to make
strong and lasting impression; and as the conduct
and strength Of the American nation was power
fully impressed upon the Mea-Coshimas during
the visit Of the Saratoga, and those islands are tr
butary to Loo Choo, which, in their turn, are trbu-
tary to Japan, | think the whole occurrence will
have considerable effect upon our Japan expedi-
lion.
Many strange scenes presented themselves to the
observation OF the officers Of the Saratoga at Pat
chung san-vcrifying the saying that one half of
the world knoweth rot the other half. This will
make the subject Of another letter. The inhabi-
tants are simple to an extreme ignorant of the use
and nature OF weapons of all kinds, and Natures
noblemen in politeness. Before leaving, Commander
Walker sent on shore, as present, chest Of tea,
rice, seeds of various kinds, with some cloth, fam
mel, &C. They received them simply and politely.
A letter was written to Commander Walker, Of
which the following is translation
We thank you very much. Go away from us; return
no more. We know nothipg We harm no people: are
Of balarians which forever pass coontry You be.
have very well. Our Emperor shall hear from us 60
away depart, and do not return.
The prompt and speedy way in which the Eng
lsh men, fwar departed to investigate this occur
rence-ndeed, taking the start of is worthy Of
all praise. The brave fellows who rescued their
ship are also entitled TO praise and reward.
The question of Cooley emigration is creating
some talk in California just now. As it is u SUBJ
ject on which little is known, dare not venture 10
express my opinien but as far as my knowledge and
eSp erience goes-and have been several years in
China-I urhesitatiDgly say that it must in the
nd Ip mi N IA lp.b ll.y
and physically. A China Cooley is an animal-he
cares rot for government or church. Give him but
his rice and sleep, and he is more british than the
beast Of the field They may labor for less money
fruit. A Chinaman works for himself-they arc the
most debased Of mankind--virtue and honor are
strangers TO them. What has tie millions of money
lavished upon missions producedl Tie outward
conversion Of few hundred Chinese, who return to
their rascaty or assume the appearance of sanctity
rs SMls ileIr iulern.ts IAn llrnrinent rnnlnndnr