Arkansas true Democrat., 1857-09-08
MI VIIV " DUIIl I'll Important From China,

Seizure of the Island cf Formosa Jy Ae United
 States Naval Force-indenantty .tor American
 Citizens.
 UNITED STATES FLAG SHIP SAN JAcINTo)
 HOng Kong, Saturday, June g, 1857. {
 stated in my letter of May 20 that there project on foot for the seizure of the rich island of Formosa. By letter received yes- terday by an official, to which as yet very little publicity has been given, 1 learn the following additional facts. They are perfectly reliable:
 Some three months since Capt. J. D. Simms of the United States marine corps-attached to the San Jacnto-was mysteriously missing, gone nobody but our executive knew where. It was understood after few weeks that he had been detailed for duty; where and for what kind, was known only to the select. It is now ascertained that his instructions were to proceed Formosa, and in the city of Fungshan hoist the American flag and take formal possession of the island. It Is to be held an indemnity for the losses sustained by American citizens du- ring the present war. Ours being the prior claim will of course be respected by the contending parties, be they English, French or Spanish, all of which powers may have a finger iu the pie.
 This step has given the English authorities in China huge satisfaction, as every successive step towards further collision with the Chinese does. This, in my opinion, is a wise step to- wards securing our rights in China, and safe way of making sure of remuneration for our losses. Should we seek territorial acquisitions in this part of the world, no more desirable portion of the Chinese Empire could be seized upol than FormoSa-rich ln mineral and agri- cultural wealth its valuable coal mines, make 1t a coveted spot with the maratime nations of the world It is only within few years that it's reSourras hava hacOp,a knoU,, Outip,, tb hostility and excusiveneSs of the people, who are Chinatnen. Already there is profitable trade carried on between foreigners in China and its people, and it only needs developing to make 1t invaluable. Of this matter, more anon
 From Shanghai we have news up to the 16th of May. The principal items of interest is con- cernlng the rebel movements in the northern part of the Emplre-a record of their success ses everywhere. They have captured the cities of Shaon-woo and Gen-p!ng, in the in- terior; both cities of importance, and are ad- vancing on Ho-how.
 The Imperial forces in the vicinity of tho Chinese Paris, Su-C Chan, have revoted, driving the Governor of the province and his officials from the city, and have taken possession of and robbed the military chest of 5000 taels of silver.
 Two thousand starving refugees from Nankin uau SOuSHG anu OUIdlLeu Itlltl dJ OuanSnae, their countrymen providing for them generous ly, according to the Chinese standard of gen. erosty.
 Very little interest is felt by the natives of Shanghai in the troubles at Canton. With that measure of brotherly love so characteristic of the Chinese, they sympathise with them so far as to hope that they may get good chasten- ing at the hands of the foreigners. So long as the evil is kept from their own doors it is im- material to them how their brethren fare. It should be borne in mind that there is not that hostile feeling toward foreigners in the northern part of the Empire that there is in the southern. This present will, no doubt. be carried on in the south.
 Mir. Thomas Taylor Meadows, au thor of that reliable work, The Chinese and their Rebel lion, has received the appointment of Chinese Secretary to the British Plenipotentiary, Lord Elgin. more fit selection could not have been made. Mir. Parkes, he who has figured so conspicuously in kicking up this rumpus with the Celestials, takes MT. Meadows place as Consul at Ningpo. DANI.