The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-27
VISIT TO THE ISLAND OF FORMOSA.


Interesting Incidents OF the Trlp-Yanlxee
Enterprise Opening OF another Chinese
Port-The City OF Taku--Flrst Visit OF
White Men--The Port Of IKclcan:;--Kind-
ness of the Mandarins.
From the san Francisco Herald, July 2s.l
Through the kindness Of Capt. Crosbie Of the bark
Louisiana, have been placed in possession Of the fol-
lowing particulars OF recent voyage to the island of
Formosa, in the China sea-
Formosa according to the Canton Register of 1888, Is
an island in the Chinese belonging partly to China,
between latitude % deg % deg 80 min north and
longitude 100 deg So min and 122 deg east about eighty
miles from the Chinese coast from which is separated
by the channel Of Fokien and hundred and seventy
miles north Luzon, the chief Of the Philippine Islands,
breadth in its centre about eighty miles length north to
south, two hundred and fifty miles; population uncer-
tain, but perhaps between two and three millions.
Captain Crosby sailed from the Columbia river Oregon
Territory with cargo of lumber to Canton from whence
he proceeded to Annoy Here he fitted out and sailed for
tile island of Formosa which lies directly opposite He
first made the port of Tayou. Here he sent his inter
prefer on shore to communicate with the Mandarin,
and received message in return that he could not
enter, but that he could go to the port of Taku,
which was further to the sonth and where he
might allowed to enter. Capt Crosbie accordingly
made sail for kalu and in few days made that port
This he found very different place from that laid down
the charts The entrance to the harbor is formed Of
perpendicular rocks from five hundred to Thousand
feet high The entrance is only about one hundred and
eighty feet wide, consequence OF sanubar winch ex
tends both sides Of the coast in the immediate front
of the harbor the sand breaks from each side and leaves
the inlet above mentioned. Captain Crosbie anchored
off Apes Hill and sent his interpreter on shore In
fishing boat Before his return Capt. Crosbe had
tered the harbor, which he found to be about thirty
miles in length by six In BREADTH and anchored in six
fatloms of water.
The mandarin Of the place, attended by an escort,
| paid him formal visit and was much surprised to
white man. and both he and his attendants for long
time doubted 10 whether the color of his person
responded with that Of his face He was obliged to roll
| ,tpb his Nba saw
Ct h they We're very much surprised Boots they
before, and wien the captain pulled up his
pantucon and showed them how high up they extende
and explained to them that in rainy weather the panta
looms were worn inside the boots, they were very
ton. Great was their establishment, however, when
! he took, revolver and commenced to shoot
time could not be induced to handle the weapon Capt
Cosbie says that they have firearms and though they
form integral portion Of the Chinese empire they have
knowledge, with the exception of the Aandarns and
other high functionaTe OF place except the opposite
annoy ana ana 10 them nv
Crosbie. They had before any such things
They speak different dialect Of the Chinese and but few
interpreters can be found competent to translate their
language to foreigners After remaining on board for
time and inspecting all the curosities which
Mandarin remarked that guards stationed every
point board the louisiana The fact was that Captain
theyisR propenses of the Chinese Mt other places had
taken the precaution 70 protect himself from being pill
cred The Mandarin, when he observed the guards re-
marked that there beggars among his people
that every the island well oh-that thieving
was unknown among them and that, if any should
attempt TO steal anything to let him know and that he
would take of his head Captain Crosbie then informed
him that his object visiting the port for the pur
pose OF trading, and received every encouragement.
Next day, Captain Crosbie paid formal visit to the
Mandarin, shore, and was met by that functonary
carry It, assigned for the conveyance Of the Captain
and another sedan for his interpreter with two China
The town Of Taku is situated about fifteen miles
in the interior from the head of the bay and the pro
ceson passed along the crowds ut step increased
They passed through several villages their way and
the arrival of the procession the signal for the turn
ing Of the popuace The roofs Of the houses
the trees and the walls we're crowded with them Some
was conveyed and placed their fingers gently his face
his hands, with the intention OF discovering whether
the color would come oil or not Before they arrived at
the gates OF 1aku the crowd which followed the process
| sion had swclled TO vast concourse
Iaku Captain Crosbie describes to be a large, hand
city, containing about 100000 400, 900 nhabi-
tants. Is surrounded with granite wall twenty feet
in height and fifteen feet in width The gates Of
procession moved to the palace of the Mandarin. The
windows and houseops Of the streets through which he
mandarin he was received with every mark Of no.
| nor The servants, numbering about forty or ff-
the Mandarin who received him in the cordial man.
bountiiul rcpast Immediately spread before
him, consisting OF fowls meat of several kinds delicate
fish, rice and great variety Of luxurious Dishes but
the Captain after he seated found that he could
do justice to the good things with which the hospabe
board of the Mandarin spread with the chop sticks
which he accordingly laid aside, and taking out large
clasp knife with genuine Yankee GOODNESS commenced his
ing with the exception Of the Mandarin himself who re-
marked that he knew that foreigners used knives their
meals and he regretted that he did not have any such
articles in his palace While Captain Crosbe continued
ct table the attendants continued to pile his plate
those articles of food which he appeared to relish the
most and appeared TO think that he capable of eat
ing any quantity In the Of conversation after
wards Captain Crosoie mentioned that he would like to
have interview with tho Mandarin Of Tayon who Is
the head Mandarin Of the island order that he might
make some Arrangements with him for trading in future
He informed that IL two days journey to Tayon
but that be (the Mandarin Of Taku,) would send
senger there before them, in order that the Mandrn
Iayon might meet them at place half way between the
two cities. Accordingly ia n day two, Capt Crosbie
accompanied by the Mandarin and his rctnue proceeded
20 the place appointed for the interview with the head
Mandarin OF the island.
He describes the country through which he passed az
beautiful garden. As far as the eve could take in him.
dreds upon hundreds of OF rice and sugar were
stretched out The people appeared Ia devote their at
tention almost exclusively to agriculture, and appeared
great abundance He received very kindly by the
head Mandarin who informed him that his reason FOR
island was that his arrival there might be reported 10
the Mandarin who presided the department Fo-
ken Of which department the island Of Fornosa a
province and that by the latter would be reported 70
the Emperor and that thus he would be In danger OF
losing both his position and his head; but IL he would
visit the port Of aku to the SOUTH no Inconvenience
would result Mandarin OF that place would report
TO him. AZ would be all right Capt. Crosbe also
asked for privilege TO trade at the port OF keleang
The northern extremity Of the island at which point the
American squadron their from japan discovered
rich bed Of coal The Mandarin told him that he might
trade there also, but refused to give written privilege
~ remarked that he did So Capt Crosbe would show
u 70 Others aud he be brought into trou
bie In subsequent conversation the head Mandarin
inquired what was the name of the King Of Amercas
And on being informed that the American people had
King he was very much surprised; but when he
that chief sgiHtrate cny received saarv
Of twenty 1--WE thousand doners yearhs ideas about
such MASTERS having probably been derived from the re-
ports OF tie enormous amounts paid BY the English pA-