Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-08-22

CAPTAIN SIMMs's MISSION TO THE ISLAND OF
FoRMOsA.-A correspondent Of the Philadelphia
Press has the following in relation to the mission
Of Captain Simms:
g The mission Of Capt. J. ID. Simms, of the u
: Marine Corps, to the Island Of Forniosa, lying
derstood and that it may appear in its true char
acter, will state the facts have learned them
from the highest authority. Commodore Arm
s seceged eis1 f1n she East India sGnadrSn
ing American merchant, who, for more than a
year, has been carrying on the mercantile and
shipping business at Apes Hill, Island of For
mosa, with Information that the American ship
Highfyer, wrecked upon that island, had been
plundered, and its officers and crew murdered by
the natives. Some time after, another American
vessel, the PrOgreSSiv was seized by the Chi
nese authorities, and the officers and crew impri-
soned. They were only released on the payment
OF heavy ransom. All these proceedings Were
contrary to the express understanding with the
authorities of the island that Mr. Robinet should
carry on his business unmolested, and under
which he had been acting, with the American
months. -
Commodore Armstrong despatched Captain
Slmms TO Inquire into and ascertain the correct
ness OF MT Robinets report. The Commodore
Instructed him in a cautious prudent and friend
ly manner, to learn from the authorities all that
could he ascertained on the subject. reporting to
nm by every opportunity, snch information as
he should obtain. His head quarters were di-
rected to be at Mr.. Robinet's. Apes HILL where
the American flag had been flying, as stated by
MI. kooinet. by permission of the authorities for
more than year. He was to abstain from hos
tilties far possible but In case Of necessity
he was to call upon the American ship Science
'All these facts were communicated to DR.. Par
ker, our Commissioner to China, with the fur
ther statement that Captain Simms would be
kept at Formosa until the Government could be
heard from, and that this step might be necessary
TO legitimate prior American foothold, in case
our Government should look to future reprisals
ana occupancy DR.. Parker approved what had
been done The last communica alton to the Gov
eminent was dated April 10TH 1857, at which time
nothing had been heard from Captain Simms. ,;
VISIT OF THE QUEEN TO THE BAIxE's LINE OF
AUSTRALIAN PAcxErs.--On Tuesday, the 4th
the Queen visited the * Black Balln line of Aus
tralian Packets, at Liverpool Several of the YES
sells composing this line were built by Donald
Mckay, at East Boston. The following account
OF the visit is given by the Liverpool Post Of
the 5th
Yesterday evening at six o'clock, her Majesty
accompanied by the Prince Consort, the Princess
Royal, and Prince Alfred, and attended by Sir
Ieor9e Seymour, Sir James Scarlett, Admiral
Nj. Martin, and numerous suite. proceeded to visit
me James BaiRes and Champion of the Seas in
portsmouth harbar Her Majesty was received
on board the James Baines with ali due ceremony
by Mr. + NJ. Mckay and by Capt. Mcdonnell;
ICES the royal habits, her Majesty proceeded to
inspect the accommodations presented by those
line ships for the gallant troops who are about to
maintain the supremacy of England on the soil
Of India -
Her Majesty was not only delighted but sur
prlsed with her visit: She approved the accom-
modations-expTessed her approval of the pro-
vlSlons Tor the troops, of which samples were
exhibited, and, on retiring, was pleased to saw
that - she had no idea she had such ships in her
merchant service.'' Her Majesty, on leaving the
James Baines, thanked Capt Nj Donnell at the
gangwdy with that gracious courtesy by which
she is so distinguished The scene is one of
which Liverpool, as well as the owners of the
vessels named, may he proud =,