The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-07-11
DEpAnfaEsr NEWS.
srArK DKPAnrMKSr.

The Ladnd Of F5rmoa. The following, description Of
this island has been received FROM gentleman who has
resided for many years China and It's neghborhood
The first European settlement in the island OF For,
made by the Dutch about the year 1870, and
they continued 10 occupy portion of the west up 10
1901 when body of Chinese, headed by Coxuga hay,
ing vainy oontended against the Tartar INVASION left the
province Of Fokieii anUought refuge in Fomosa and
after short struggle conquered the Dutch and remain.
ed in quiet pseon up 10 1853 when they were brought
under the Tartar rule.hy the Emperor Kang-hi
.sFormosa is situated between 81 deg "a min and %
deg 20 min north ast.de, and in the meridian Of l2l
deg east longitude being about so miles from the main
land and contains about Is 600 geographical square miles
or, according to Johnston, l5 600 square miles.
The climate is very agreeable, the summer heat
moderated by the southern monsoon, while the frcczng
wind, which in winter sweeps from the Arctic aud chlls
the inhabitants of the mainland is tempered in crossing
over the sea which separates formosa from China.
1.-The SOIL like that of all volcanic countries s very
fertile and the productions abundant they
various Rice and exported in guam
titles and the canphor of the island supplies nearly the
whole export TO the western world The orange peach
papaya guava, cocoarut and arcca palm, tbctel NUT
&c, &C. flourish and most of the fruits Of the tropics
and the temperate zone can. be produced its plains or
the activities OF its mountains tea Ii raised for the
OF the inhabitants and il coee cultivated largely
as il may he IL would supply the United States Ayney
OF fine woods for cabinet work and ship timber are ao
found here hogs and poultry in great abundance
the buffalo is chiefly used in agriculture some neat cat
tie and few horses raised and large Numbers could
be Bred as the climate is favorable and the natural pas
ture is excellent.
an excellent quality is found in abundance at the north
end of the island and happily good harbor exists near
to the coal mines which naturally points out this loc
ton as suitable one for naval depot The cost of
bringing Goals from Europe, the United States Borhco OF
Labuan, the danger of capture during war, the manly &c.
cidents which attend all sea- borne Goals, ly which
steam ileot might become useless, too obvious to 10
quire argument and they render supply of Goals at
In al nnfin
In addition 10 the ship timber OF Formos teak Of
the best quality can be chcaply procured from Samarany
ia Java, and the Chinese would become expert and
cheap workmcn in ship-yard Sulphur is found in l
large quantities, and saltpetre to be had chpy from
Bengal a large market would he found in China for
properly manufactured gunpowdcr
The essential food for the supply of army or feet
is already produced apd the socaed small stores Of
ration could soon be supplied by the island
The Chinese drilled by competent officers would {
be superior to the scapoy troops Of India they have
more physical strength docc and obcdicnt and have
no moral fear OF death They bear pain with sto
csn than any people on earth and if properly drilled
would only be inferior to white troops The pay and
ration of Chinese soldier is from $50 to $40 per
num-
..Thc population Of the island is variously estimated
and in giving the sum Of two to three millions il must
be understood as being an approximation only, no
data, exist on which 10 found correct opinion.
The principal ports of China be reached by steam
rom Formosa in 10 to SO hours, and whatever cvilzd
nation holds possession of 1t control the by
sea between the northern and southern provinces Of that
mighty empire. The coasts Of Japan within forty
eight hours stcainng from EorInosa, and il is note
worthy fact that this Dutch influence in Japan dates lis
decline from the period of their expulsion from this
island.
Is revenue is Of little value to the imperial Treasury
although enormous said to be cxtortc from the
inhabitants by the chicanery Of its rulers beginning WITH
the viccroy and ending with the lowest employee.
sThc Chinese possess the west side Of the island while
the centre and eastern side occupied by the aborgna
inhabitants who are sparse in numbers, and closely re
semblc the lndo Poynesans in their persons and habits
and are in constant state of warfare with the Chinese
The west coast is nest OF pirates, who ard scolge
the whole of the mainland, from Quantnng in the south
to Shawtung in the nortll,"